BI 130 Exploring Biology Fall 2007

 

Course Description

 

BI 130 Exploring Biology. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory weekly. This course is designed for non-science majors only. Topics to be discussed include the scientific method, cells and metabolism, microbial organisms, animal and plant systems, genetics, evolution, and ecology. It is part of an Intermediate Learning Community with CH101 Chemistry in the Environment and Society.

 

Course Times and Location: Lecture MWF 10:20-11:20                     Spiro Hall 31

Lab Mon or Wed 3:00-5:00                    Megerle Science Hall 405

 

Instructor:

                        Brian Palestis, Megerle Science, Room 413

                        Office Hours: MWF 11:30-12:30, Tues 2:40-3:40

                        Office Phone:  (718) 390-3237   e-mail:  bpalesti@wagner.edu

 

This course meets the following General Education Program Goals of Wagner College:

  • An appreciation of different modes of inquiry that aid in the continuing search for knowledge, understanding, and truth
  • Competence in scientific reasoning and quantitative analysis
  • Critical thinking skills that enable [students] to analyze information and develop approaches that are new to them and lead to a better understanding of their world
  • Competency in “learning by doing,” where ideas and field-based experiences are related and reflected in writing and discussion

 

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Understand the scientific method
  • Properly use a microscope
  • Distinguish the two basic types of cells and identify the parts of the cell
  • Apply the basic rules of Mendelian genetics and probability to solve genetics problems
  • Understand the structure and function of DNA
  • Understand the process of Darwinian evolution
  • Identify and classify organisms across all kingdoms of life
  • Diagram and understand the life cycles of plants, fungi, and animals
  • Understand the basic principles of ecology, such as species interactions, population regulation, and trophic pyramids
  • Understand the basic principles of animal behavior
  • Interpret figures, such as frequency histograms and graphs of population growth

 

Required Lab Manual: Gunstream, S.E. 2008. Explorations in Basic Biology, 11thed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

 

Recommended Textbook: Campbell, N.A., J.B. Reece and E.J. Simon. 2004/2007. Essential Biology, 2nd/3rd ed.. New York: Benjamin Cummings.    

 

                                                           



Grading:

 

2 lecture exams                                     18% each

Final exam                                                        23%

Lab practical exam                                           10%

Lab participation and in-class assignments         10%

Pre-lab assignments                                          10%

Critical thinking homework                                6%

Class participation                                            5%

 

There is no separate letter grade for lab, just a “P” if your overall course average (including both lecture and lab) is passing. However, you must pass the lab to pass the course.  

 

Prelab assignments must be completed before lab and checked by the instructor. Postlab reports are due one week after completion of the laboratory, but normally will be completed and handed in during lab. Grading on laboratory assignments will be as √+, √, or √-. Reports not submitted will be scored as a "zero". Do not copy from others - this constitutes plagiarism.

 

Attendance in lab is required. Some assignments may be made up, but lab exercises normally cannot be. You are expected to be an active participant in all lab exercises. The laboratory manual (Gunstream) must be brought to lab.

 

Make-up exams will only be given with a doctor’s note or a letter from Academic Advisement.

 

Incompletes require completion of at least 70% of the work at a passing level.

 

Wagner College Honor Code: As a member of the Wagner College Community, you are expected to adhere to the terms of the Wagner College Honor Code.  The Honor Code was created and passed by the Student Government Association (SGA) in the spring semester of 2007.  Its institution benefits the college in a number of ways including an increased level of trust between students and faculty, the fostering of an environment where we hold each other accountable both inside and outside the classroom, and ultimately, an increase in the value of a Wagner College degree.

 

A copy of the Wagner College Honor Code can be found in your Student Handbook as well as on the SGA Web Page.  It is your responsibility to be aware of and follow the terms of the Honor Code.   You will also be expected to sign the Honesty Statement and attach it to every test and paper handed in for this class.  If you have any questions regarding the Honor Code, please feel free to contact a member of SGA either by phone (718.390.3276) or by email (sga@wagner.edu).

 

 

Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Dina Assante in the Academic Advisement Center, 390-3278, as early as possible in the term.

 

 



COURSE OUTLINE FOR Exploring Biology (BI 130) and the Lab (130L), Fall 2006

 

Week 1 (8/27 – 8/31)

Topics:

Campbell et al. – Chapter 1. Introduction: Biology Today

Campbell et al. – Chapter 4. A Tour of the Cell

Gunstream – pp. 8-10, 31-36, 40

Lab:    Gunstream – Exercise 2. The Microscope

 

Week 2 (9/3 - 9/7)

September 3, Monday – Labor Day – No Classes

Topics:

Campbell et al – Parts of Chpts. 5-7. Chloroplasts & mitochondria: energy conversion

Campbell et al – Chapter 8. Cellular Reproduction: Cells from Cells

Gunstream – pp. 79, 93-94, 107-113, 443-444  

No lab this week

             

Week 3 (9/10 – 9/14)

Topics:

Campbell et al - Chapter 9. Patterns of Inheritance

Gunstream – pp. 413-431                                                                               

Lab:    Gunstream – Exercise 3. The Cell; Prelab 3: 1a, 2a

 

Week 4 (9/17 - 9/21)

Topics:

Campbell et al – Chapter 10. The Structure & Function of DNA + Chpt 3 pp. 49-50

Gunstream – pp. 439-442

Lab:    Gunstream – Parts of Exercises 34 (Heredity) and 35 (Molecular & Chromosomal Genetics) + DNA isolation; Prelab 34:  1; 35: 1a, 2a

 

Week 5 (9/24 – 9/28)

Lecture exam I – Wednesday 9/26

Campbell et al – Chapter 13 How Populations Evolve + Chpt 1 pp. 8-13

Gunstream – pp. 463-468, 481, 483

Lab: Campus ecology tour; Prelab 39: 1a      

 

Week 6 (10/1 – 10/5)

Topics:

Campbell et al – Chapter 14. How Biological Diversity Evolves + Chpt 17 pp. 369-370

Campbell et al – Chapter 14, pp. 286-291. Classifying the Diversity of Life + Chpt 1 pp. 6-8

Gunstream – pp. 121-122

Lab:    Gunstream – Exercise 37. Evolution; Prelab 37: 1a

 

Week 7 (10/8 – 10/12)

October 8-9 (Mon, Tues) Fall Break, no classes

Topics:

Campbell et al – Chapter 15. The Evolution of Microbial Life

Gunstream – pp. 122-129, 135-138

Lab: Wed Gunstream – Exercise 10. Prokaryotes and Protists; Prelab 10: 1a-d, 2a

 

Week 8 (10/15 – 10/19)

Topics: Campbell et al – Chapter 16. Plants, Fungi, and the Move onto Land

Gunstream – 147-153, 159-166

Lab: Mon Gunstream – Exercise 10. Prokaryotes and Protists; Prelab 10: 1a-d, 2a

         Wed Gunstream – Exercise 11. Green, Brown, and Red Algae

                  Gunstream – Exercise 12. Fungi; Prelabs 11: 1; 12: 1a-c

 

Week 9 (10/22 – 10/26)

Topics: Plants, cont.

Lab: Mon Gunstream – Exercise 11. Green, Brown, and Red Algae

                  Gunstream – Exercise 12. Fungi; Prelabs 11: 1; 12: 1a-c  

         Wed Gunstream – Exercise 13. Terrestrial Plants; Prelab 13: 1a, 2a-f, 3a, 4a

 

Week 10 (10/29 – 11/2)

Lecture exam II – Wed 10/31 – Evolution through and including Plants.

Lab:  Mon Gunstream – Exercise 13. Terrestrial Plants; Prelab 13: 1a, 2a-f, 3a, 4a

No Wednesday Lab

 

Week 11 (11/5 – 11/9)

Topics:

Campbell et al – Chapter 17. The Evolution of Animals

Gunstream pp. 173-183, 191-198, 207-213

Lab:    Gunstream – Exercise 14 – Simple Animals; Prelab 14: 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a

 

Week 12 (11/12 – 11/16)

Topics:

Gunstream – p. 513. Animal Behavior               Prelab 15: 1

Lab:     Gunstream – Exercise 15 –Molluscs, Segmented Worms, and Arthropods

 

Week 13 (11/19 – 11/23)

November 21-23 (Wed-Fri) Thanksgiving break, no classes

Topics:

Campbell et al – Chapter 18. The Ecology of Organisms and Populations

Gunstream – pp. 493-496, 505-507    

No lab this week

 

Week 14 (11/26 – 11/30)

Topics:

Campbell et al – Chapter 19. Communities and Ecosystems + Chpt 1, pp. 4-5

Campbell et al – Chapter 20. Human Impact on the Environment +        Chpt 7, pp. 114-115   

Lab:    Gunstream – Exercise 16 –Echinoderms and Chordates + Ex. 17 - Frog dissection

                                                                                                Prelab 16: 1a, 2a

Week 15 (12/3 –12/7)

Last day of classes, Monday December 3

Laboratory Exam  – Lab practical during lecture period.

            Covers labs on bacteria though and including vertebrates.

 

Final Examination Wednesday, December 12, 10:20

 

Final Examination during exam period