Valdosta State University, BIOL 1107K, Sections H-N (4 Credit Hours)

Principles of Biology I – FALL 2015

Syllabus & Course Policies

Instructor: Joshua S. Reece

Welcome to Principles of Biology I. This is the first course in a series designed to help you develop a strong foundation
in the biological sciences to build on throughout your studies at VSU and beyond. This syllabus is subject to
modification at the discretion of the instructor.

BIOL 1107 Course Description. An introduction to the principles of biology for science majors, with an emphasis on the
cellular nature of life. Concepts covered include the origin and early evolution of cellular life; cell structure, function,
metabolism, and reproduction; cell signaling; and gene regulation in bacteria and eukaryotes. There are no prerequisites
for this course. BIOL 1100 is a co-requisite for Freshman Biology majors.

A Note from Dr. Reece: I wrote a grant and secured $30,000 from the University of Georgia to be able to provide you
with free textbooks. You are welcome. In exchange, I want your pledge to come to class prepared, this means reading the
chapters in your free book, and doing the practice questions in your book and on Blazeview.

Required Resources:
 Lucky you! Your e-textbook is free and a print version is available at very low cost! The book is available in
a wide variety of free online formats via the website listed below. You can use the book in whichever
format(s) you want; we recommend that you download the entire .pdf so that you always have access to
your book. Biology from OpenStax College, ISBN 1-938168-09-7,
https://openstaxcollege.org/textbooks/biology
o Printed copies at a significantly reduced textbook rate are also for sale via your college bookstore
or http://www.openstaxcollege.org
 Turning Technologies Clicker QT
 R.H. Goddard. 2011. Methods and Investigations in Basic Biology. Sixth Edition. Hayden-McNeil Publishing,
Plymouth, MI. (Lab manual)

Learning Goal
Students will demonstrate understanding of the physical universe and the nature of science, and they will use scientific
methods and/or mathematical reasoning and concepts to solve problems.

Course Objectives and Outcomes (refer to Outcome section at end of syllabus for more information)
By the end of this course, students will be able to
1) answer questions that demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts of biology, including the scientific
method and experimental design; cellular structure, function, metabolism, and reproduction; the nature of the gene
and its action; and the mechanisms of evolution (GEO 5; BEO 1-4)
2) perform a variety of standard lab techniques used in biological research (GEO 5)
3) use critical thinking skills and written communication skills to present the results and conclusions of data
collected in the lab in standard scientific writing format (GEO 4 & 7; BEO 1)

Explanation of Lecture Assessments:

Unit Exams. A percentage score will be determined for each unit exam. There are no make-up exams,
regardless of excuse. If you miss an exam, this will be the grade that is dropped. Students may not take exams
early, with the exception of students with a university-related or religious excuse. The unit exams are not
cumulative.

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Primary Literature. Primary literature will be used throughout the course. Two scientific papers will be given
out as assignments. The rubric for reading and summarizing/critiquing these papers will be provided to you
(about a 1 page summary/critique).

Blazeview Quizzes. Blazeview quizzes will be available for completion prior to class. With the exception of the
first few lectures, they will not be available after lecture, so you MUST read the chapters and complete the
quizzes prior to that material being covered in class. Quizzes are typically 10 multiple choice questions.

Final Exam. The final exam will be cumulative, and is weighed the same as the unit exams. Students may
choose to not take the final, but in this case, none of the previous exam grades will be dropped.

Pooled Clicker Grade. Beginning in the second week of class, lectures will include an assessment using clicker
questions. Each correct answer will count 2 points, incorrect answers will count 1 point, and questions that are
not answered will count 0 points. Individual clicker assessments will be posted to Blazeview immediately
following the lecture.

Tentative Lecture Schedule, BIOL 1107K, Sections H-N, Fall 2015

Date Subject Chapters

Aug 17 Introduction and first Chapter: What is Biology? Chapter 1
Aug 19 The chemical foundation of life Chapter 2
Aug 24 Biological macromolecules Chapter 3
Aug 26 Biological macromolecules (cont.) Chapter 3
Aug 31 Cell structure Chapter 4
Sept 2 Exam 1 (Chapters 1-3) -
Sept 7 Labor day, no class -
Sept 9 Structure and function of plasma membranes Chapter 5
Sept 14 Metabolism Chapter 6
Sept 16 Cellular respiration Chapter 7
Sept 21 Photosynthesis Chapter 8
Sept 23 Cell communication Chapter 9
Chapter
Sept 28 Cell reproduction
10
Sept 30 Exam 2 (Chapters 4-10) -
Chapter
Oct 5 Meiosis and sexual reproduction
11
Chapter
12
Oct 7 Mendel and Heredity/ Modern inheritance
Chapter
13
Oct 12 Fall Break, no class -
Chapter
Oct 14 DNA structure and function
14
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 Chapter
Oct 19 Genes and protein
15
Chapter
Oct 21 Gene expression
16
Chapter
Oct 26 Biotechnology and genomics
17
Oct 28 Dr. Reece out of town – no class – -
Nov 2 Review -
Nov 4 Review -
Nov 9 Exam 3 (Chapters 11-17) -
Chapter
Nov 11 Evolution and origin of species
18
Chapter
Nov 16 Evolution of populations
19
Chapter
Nov 18 Evolution (cont.)
18-19
Nov 23 Thanksgiving week – no class -
Nov 25 Thanksgiving week – no class -
Nov 30 Review -
Dec 2 Exam 4 (Chapters 18-19) -
Dec 7 Final Exam (Dec 7) -

Valdosta State University General Educational Outcomes (GEO)

1. Students will demonstrate understanding of the society of the United States and its ideals.
2. Students will demonstrate cross-cultural perspectives and knowledge of other societies.
3. Students will use computer and information technology when appropriate.
4. Students will express themselves clearly, logically and precisely in writing and in speaking, and they will demonstrate
competence in reading and listening.
5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of scientific and mathematical principles and proficiency in laboratory
practices.
6. Students will demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultural heritages in the arts, the humanities, and the social sciences.
7. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze, to evaluate, and to make inferences from oral, written and visual
materials.
8. Students will demonstrate knowledge of principles of ethics and their employment in the analysis and resolution of
moral problems.

Department of Biology Educational Outcomes (BEO)

1. Develop and test hypotheses, collect and analyze data, and present the results and conclusions in both written and
oral format used in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings.
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2. Describe the evolutionary process responsible for biological diversity, explain the phylogenetic relationships among
the other taxa of life, and provide illustrative examples.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the cellular basis of life.
4. Relate the structure and function of DNA/RNA to the development of form and function of the organism and to
heredity
5. Interpret ecological data pertaining to the behavior of the individual organism in its natural environment; to the
structure and function of populations, communities, and ecosystems; and to human impacts on these systems and the
environment.

Rubric for Primary Literature Assignments

Read the assigned paper. Type up a 500 word paper that addressing the following five components:
1) What did the authors’ study, or what was the question being addressed?
2) How was the study conducted, or how did they address their question?
3) What was their major finding?
4) What is the significance of the finding?
5) How is this paper relevant to the material we have covered in class?
There is a maximum of 5 points available for each of the give components listed above, for a maximum of 25
points for each 500 word paper. There will be two of these throughout the semester.

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Links to materials:
Lecture Powerpoints: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d40kly8tbn6fkg6/AAC7xC5JX4mEBwUvvRgllX6oa?dl=0
Primary papers: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fsua1a2t8n0s72s/AAD9hsdG37DvMovj1vFwnu5ta?dl=0
Assessments: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0bvyd31tp1lahvg/AADW8gupYnmqLKfwhd_Ql8fTa?dl=0

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