BIOL 1711.

001 Honors Principles of Biology I

Fall 2011

MWF,8:00 - 8:50 am

BIOL 117

Instructor: Dr. M.L. Burleson Office: Biology A128C Office Hours: MWF 9:00-10:00am or by appointment Phone: (940) 369-5142 Email: burleson@unt.edu Course Description: This is the first part of the two course sequence for science majors and students who require a biology class that will meet the requirements for Biology majors. The overall focus of Principles of Biology I is molecular and cell biology. The sequence of topics is to provide students with a broad background in biology that can serve as a prerequisite and prepare them for higher-level courses. Course Objectives Students should be able to use critical thinking skills in applying biological knowledge to solve problems. Topics include: 1) fundamental chemical structure and function as it relates to biology, 2) structure and function of cells and their components, 3) molecular mechanisms of genetics, 4) mechanisms of evolution. Course Requirements: th Required text: Biology, 9 Edition by Campbell and Reece Laboratory: You should be enrolled in a laboratory section of 1733. Exams: There will be FIVE exams (four lecture exams and a comprehensive final exam), each worth 100 points. You may drop your lowest lecture exam grade but NOT the comprehensive final exam grade. Exams will be based on text readings, handouts, class exercises, videos, and class lectures and discussions. Students are responsible for all text material, regardless of whether we review the text material in class or not. You must be on-time (not late) to take an exam. Missed Exams: You will be allowed to make up a missed exam only if you have a documented university excused absence. If you know in advance that you will miss an exam, you MUST contact me before the scheduled exam. Make-up exams will not contain the same questions and may contain only essay and short answer questions. Grading: The final grade will be the average of the three highest lecture exams and the comprehensive final. Disabilities Accommodation: The University of North Texas complies with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The University of North Texas provides academic adjustments and auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities, as defined under the law. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation, please see the instructor and/or contact the Office of Disability Accommodation at 940565-4323 during the first week of class. Academic Integrity: The Department of Biological Sciences and TAMS program adheres to and enforces UNTs policy on academic integrity (cheating, plagiarism, forgery, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty and sabotage). Students in this class should review the policy (UNT Policy Manual Section 18.1.16), online at http://policy.unt.edu/sites/default/files/untpolicy/pdf/7-Student_Affairs-Academic_Integrity.pdf. Violations of academic integrity in this course will addressed in compliance with the penalties and procedures laid out in this policy.

LECTURE: BOOK CHAPTERS, TOPICS AND EXAM SEQUENCE: 1. Chemistry Chapters 1-5 Learning Goals: A. Know how the hierarchy of living organisms and themes of the text organize the conceptual framework for understanding biology. B. Understand how chemicals form bonds and the structural/functional characteristics of important biological molecules. EXAM #1, Sept. 19 2. Cells Chapters 6-10 Learning Goals: A. Know how organization of cellular components determines cellular function. B. Understand how animals convert energy of chemical bonds into different kinds of energy and understand how plants convert light energy into chemical bond energy. EXAM #2, Oct. 12 3. Cell Communication, the Cell Cycle and Genetics Chapters 11-16 Learning Goals: A. Understand how cells communicate. B. Understand the stages and events of the life cycle and division of somatic and reproductive cells. C. Understand the molecular basis of inheritance and the relationship and roles of genes and chromosomes. EXAM #3, Nov. 4 4. Mechanisms of Gene Expression, Biotech and Genomes Chapters 17-21 (skipping 19) Learning Goals: A. Understand how the sequence of nucleotides in a gene is converted into a sequence of amino acids to make a protein. B. Learn about the various methods and applications of biotechnology (genetic engineering). C. Understand the genetic basis of evolution. EXAM #4, Dec. 2 COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM Monday, Dec. 12 , 8:00 am 10:00 am All exam dates are tentative and subject to change. I will announce the date of each exam in class at least one week in advance.
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