Biology 101 Syllabus

See also: Lab Exercise: Bioethics Debate | Ground Rules for Effective Groups

Biology 101 Introduction to Biology, 4cr
Instructor: Janice Lapsansky

Please let me know ASAP If you require any disability accommodations.  

PREREQUISITE: Math 102 or higher

Required Texts

1) Cain, Damman, Lue & Yoon. Discover Biology. 2000. Sinaur Assoc.

2) Bio 101 Laboratory Manual. WWU Copy/Duplicating

Note: The schedule of laboratory exercises is presented in the lab manual.

** Quizzes are a mix of objective questions, and may be taken with a partner.

COURSE OBJECTIVE: To introduce students to the current concepts and methods in biology through their laboratory investigation and discussion of living processes at the molecular, cellular, organism, and ecosystem levels.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: As an introduction to biological science, this course illustrates the interdependence of many scientific disciplines, and emphasizes the methods of scientific inquiry (esp. deductive reasoning and modeling) as a way of answering a variety of questions about the living world. It is designed to serve non-science majors, as well as students for whom this is a prerequisite for their future biology courses. Success in this class will require some memorization, problem solving, and integration of the subject matter with your personal experiences and/or current events. Understanding biology either in this course or in your everyday lives requires the use of a specialized well-practiced vocabulary, and a context that is developed through your active participation in lecture and laboratory exercises. This syllabus includes the tentative schedule of lecture material. You are expected to pre-read* the assigned chapters before the lecture meeting, and come prepared to ask questions about the reading or the lecture. Similarly, you are required to read the laboratory assignment prior to your arrival in the lab, complete a pre-lab assignment, and so be ready to work. Investments of time and energy in this way will increase the chance that you will not only get your money's worth out of this class, but you will also be satisfied with your performance.

EVALUATION & GRADING:

GRADING SCALE:

Lecture exams will be multiple choice, using scan-tron answer sheets. Please bring a No.2 pencil to class on exam days. Exam questions will cover the assigned reading and lecture material, and will be related to lab material. They are designed to evaluate your knowledge, understanding and application of course material. ** Quizzes are given at the start of the first meeting of the week. They consist of a mix of objective questions, and may be taken with a partner.

Undergraduate and graduate student teaching assistants are utilized in the lab to introduce exercises and grade assignments. They are resources important to your success in this course. Please respect the work that they do for you, and don't hesitate to ask them for assistance with lecture or lab material. The schedule of laboratory exercises and evaluations is provided in the lab manual, and will be further explained by your lab TA.

Note 1: You are currently enrolled in this course and only you can change this. If you fail to complete all of the assignments, or stop coming to class and do not officially withdraw, you will receive a failing grade. This policy is in place due to the high demand for this class and to facilitate responsible and timely decisions regarding enrollment.

Note 2: It is the student's responsibility to make it to all exams and quizzes, on time. In the event this is completely impossible, contact me (or your TA) at least 24 hours in advance. It is also your responsibility to contact me (or your TA) to arrange make-up work as soon as you return. Failure to do so may jeopardize your chance of any accommodations. You will be asked to show a note from a clinician if your absence is due to illness. Make-up work may not be in the same format as the original evaluation. Late assignments are usually penalized 10% for each day late.

* Pre-reading involves a careful survey of chapter contents, with special attention paid to section headings, figures, boxed information including key concepts and objectives, bulleted items, new terms printed in bold face, etc. The purpose of pre-reading lecture material is to provide you with a conceptual context and an introduction to the vocabulary so that you may actively participate in lecture, and obtain the greatest benefit from your lecture time investment!

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