BIOLOGY 111-01 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I MWF 9:00-9:50 FALL, 2013

Instructor: Ellen S. Lamb
Office: 307 Sullivan
Phone: 334-4974 (office)
Email: eslamb@uncg.edu
Office Hours: TBD

For whom intended: Bio 111 is the first of a two-semester series of general biology courses for science majors. IF YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF NURSING, YOU SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS COURSE!!! If you are considered “prehealth,” instead, then this is where you should be.
This course satisfies one of the natural science courses (GNS) necessary for the completion of the General Education Curriculum (GEC) requirements. However, this course is not intended for non-science majors. Major Concepts in Biology (Bio 105), which may be taken with a laboratory component (Bio 105L), is also a GEC Natural Science course and is designed for students who are not majoring in the sciences.

NOTE: YOU MUST BE REGISTERED FOR BIOLOGY 111 LABORATORY (BIO 111L)

Required Items: • Text: Principles of Life, Hillis et al; 2012; first edition; you also need online access to BioPortal • Lab Manual: Principles of Biology I – A laboratory manual for students in BIO 111, 2013-2014 edition; (Lab coordinator is Mr. Joseph Bundy, Sullivan 304. Only he can help you recycle a previous lab grade, although you are welcome to ask me questions before seeing Mr. Bundy.) • Answer Sheets: All tests will be optically scanned multiple choice; YOU must provide your own 200-item answer sheets (Scantron Sheets Standard Form NA3100-6) and several #2 pencils and erasers. These can be purchased at the bookstore. They will NOT be provided. You should purchase at least 4, and they must be unwrinkled and unstained to use them. We may also have some brief class assignments for which you will need to provide your own notebook paper. • iClicker II: These can be purchased through the UNCG Bookstore, or sometimes you can find used ones by searching online. Just be sure that it is the “iClicker II” brand as any other brand will not communicate with the classroom receiver. You will need to bring these to class every day, although I will not start taking grades from them for the first few class meetings to give everyone a chance to purchase one. You should register your iClicker II online at “iClicker.com.” Please wait for instructions in class the first day before registering. • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot, ©2010, 2011, ISBN 978-1-4000-05218-9. The latter was the university freshman reading assignment, so you should already have received a copy at SOAR.

Online Resources: eslamb@uncg.edu is a way to contact me if you want to ask a question or make an appointment, although I would much prefer to interact with you in person. If you do email me, BE SURE TO REFER TO BIO 111-01 IN THE SUBJECT LINE, or I will not open the message. • BLACKBOARD: https://blackboard.uncg.edu This is the medium through which I will post lectures, online quizzes, announcements, and through which you will also receive announcements about lab. You should check this location regularly, as some online quizzes may not be announced in class but may have time limits!

Course Description: Bio 111 is the first of a two-semester series of general biology courses for science majors. In the first part of the course, you will study basic chemical and structural properties of cells. In the second part, you will learn how energy flows through living systems, the importance of enzymes, and how cells maintain their internal environment through the process of homeostasis. In the third part of the course, will learn how organisms utilize the information in their genetic libraries through gene expression. You will also study the mechanisms by which cells reproduce themselves, and the means by which genetic traits are passed along from one generation to the next. Throughout the course, you will see how the process of scientific inquiry results in a greater understanding of life on our planet and how advances in the biological sciences impact our society.

After successfully completing Principles of Biology I, you will be able to: • describe the basic structure and function of cells and the structures within many cells called organelles. • list the major groups of biologically important macromolecules, describe their structure, and explain their functions in a cell. • describe the structure of biological membranes and explain how they control the movement of substances into and out of cells. • describe the flow of energy through living systems and explain how cells harvest, store, and use energy. • describe how information is stored in the DNA of genes and explain how the structure of DNA molecules allows this information to be used by a cell and passed along from one generation to the next.

GRADING: • In lecture there will be 3 exams for a total of 200 points. The first 2 exams will each be worth 50 points. Exam dates are noted on the schedule document. These dates will not change, so make any travel plans accordingly. The Final Exam, given during finals week, will cover material from Exam 2 until the end AND will also have a cumulative component. The Final Exam will be worth 100 points. • The remaining 100 points will be earned from assignments which will be done in class (including clicker points) or online on an unannounced schedule. Some may be in class individually and require scan sheets; some will be group assignments in class; others will be online assignments to be completed outside of class. IF YOU MISS ONE OF THESE, THEY CANNOT BE MADE UP REGARDLESS OF THE REASON FOR YOUR ABSENCE. Good attendance will prevent problems with this. As this is a large-enrollment course, this is the only way that I can assure that you are working as we go along, and not just waiting to study at the last minute. Recognize that if you decide not to bother with attending class (i.e., lose the clicker points and in-class quiz points) or doing the online assignments, even if you earn every other point available, the highest grade you could possibly get would be a D. • Another 100 points will be earned in lab, and I will simply add those points to the other points earned in class after making sure that you passed the lab. • NOTE: Grades in college are not based on effort – they are based on your demonstration of your knowledge and understanding by successful completion of class assignments, quizzes, and tests. In the words of Yoda (Star Wars) “Try? There is no try. Do - or do not.”

You can earn 300 points in lecture. Your final lecture grade will be calculated by adding the total points you earned in lecture with the points you earned in lab and dividing by 400 (or the total number of points you could have earned in both lab and lecture). NOTE: YOU MUST PASS BOTH LAB AND LECTURE INDIVIDUALLY IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE. The instructor will determine awarding of + and – designations after the Final Exam.

Approximate grading scale: (Note: These percentages are NOT being provided for determination of + and – designations!

A+ = 100% or higher A = 90%-99% B = 90%-89% C = 70%-79% D = 60% - 69% F < 60%

Attendance: • Class attendance is expected. If you miss a class, you must get notes from a classmate. I do not supply copies of my notes. If you know in advance that you must miss an Exam FOR A VALID, DOCUMENTED and EXCUSED reason, notify me to arrange to take the Exam early. If you miss an Exam due to an emergency or SERIOUS sudden illness (not just cramps or a cold!), you will need to provide official documentation of a LEGITIMATE reason for missing the Exam in order to take a make-up Exam. Go to the Health Center for such documentation. If you have not brought me a valid and documented excuse within 5 school days of the missed exam, you will be given a ZERO for the missed Exam. You will not enjoy makeup opportunities – they are long and difficult essays given in the same day and time period as the final exam. Only ONE exam may be made up per semester. • For exams, particularly, be present and on time. If the University is closed for any reason on the day of a scheduled exam, that exam will be given in the next regularly scheduled class.

Special needs: Students with special classroom or testing needs should contact the instructor as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations may be arranged. If you are unsure about what constitutes special needs, contact the Office of Disability Services at 334-5440 or visit the ODS website at http://ods.dept.uncg.edu/ .

Other pertinent information is covered in class on the second day of the semester.

Manners: Please conduct yourself in a courteous and respectful manner at all times in this class. Members of the class who do not conduct themselves appropriately will be asked to leave. • Please do not carry on conversations during class with those around you, unless you are asked to do so. • The use of electronic devices other than your computer and Clicker II during class is not permitted. Please be sure your phone is on silent mode, or turn it off completely. I will answer it for you if someone calls! • Use of your computer in class for purposes other than taking notes or the completion of in-class assignments is not permitted. Persons using their computers inappropriately (browsing the Web, instant messaging, e-mailing, etc) will be asked to leave. • If you arrive late to class, please sit toward the back. Once you are here, please stay. • If you need a nap, take it someplace else.

Academic Integrity Policy: Read and understand the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy as stated in the Policies for Students (http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/complete/ ). Your continued enrollment in this course is your agreement to abide by this policy. If you are asked to relocate your seat during an exam, please do not take offense, as it is often easier to move an innocent person than a suspicious one. Baseball caps may only be worn backwards during exams; no electronic devices may be used, other than approved calculators when needed. CELL PHONES MAY NOT BE USED AS CALCULATORS.

Hints for success:
- Read your text and take notes BEFORE coming to class – at least write down the key concepts, learn vocabulary, and copy any major diagrams into your notes to bring to class. A good way to take notes is directly on printouts of the lecture slides; ask me for instructions in doing this if you need them or call 6-TECH if you are on campus.
- Use the study guide booklet and/or online study guide. Prep U in BioPortal is a GREAT resource.
- Consider forming a study group. You can even ask Mrs. Lamb to help!!
- Re-write/transcribe your notes.
- Attend Supplemental Instruction (SIP) sessions.
- Outline your notes.
- Use flash cards to learn vocabulary.
- If I write it on the board, say it in class, display it on the screen, or demonstrate it in class, it is probably important.
- Understand the diagrams in the text that are relevant to learning the material.
- Keep up with the work and reading for the course – try not to get behind.
Learning is an active process; you must DO things with the material – not just look over notes – to master this class.

BIGGEST HINT:
- Come to see me if you’re having problems; SOONER IS BETTER THAN LATER!!!! Tutors are great, when you can get one, but I am your best option for extra help!!!

Policy for the use of BIO 111l and bio 112l grades from a previous semester

A student retaking BIO 111 or BIO 112 may use their laboratory grade from a previous semester or summer session under the following conditions:

• The grade from a previous semester or summer session must be an A (90 points or better out of 100). This must be verified by the Principles of Biology laboratory coordinator, Mr. Joe Bundy, Sullivan 304.

• The grade must have been earned within twelve months of the beginning of the semester or summer session in which the grade is to be used.

• The request to reuse a lab grade must be submitted using a Principles of Biology Laboratory Exemption Form. These forms are available in the Biology Department office in room 312 Eberhart. Completed laboratory exemption forms must be delivered in person to the Principles of Biology laboratory coordinator by the end of the first week of the semester in which the grade is to be used (or by the end of the second day of the summer session). Requests by e-mail or telephone will not be considered.

The names of students approved to reuse an old laboratory grade will be dropped from the laboratory course rosters, but will remain enrolled in their lecture.

The names of students approved to reuse an old laboratory grade will be dropped from the laboratory course rosters ONLY by the lab coordinator, Mr. Joseph Bundy, Sullivan 304, during the FIRST WEEK of classes.