Department of Biological Sciences

Session Offered:

Prerequisites:

None

Description:

BIOL 13100 -12078

introduces embryonic development and examines the functioning of physiological systems of both plants and animals.  The underlying cellular and molecular basis for these processes will be emphasized.  In particular, the transport of molecules and small ions through biological membranes will be studied.  This will require an understanding of membrane structure, diffusion, electrical potentials and other physical and chemical principles.  In addition to the specific topics covered, an important objective of this course will be to connect what is covered to both current and historical research endeavors, to prepare Biology majors for further study in the curriculum of the Department of Biological Sciences.  While students other than Biology majors are welcome, they should be aware that the rigorous approach taken in this course will require considerable time and effort.  A number of problem sets will be posed and students will write and peer review several essays to explain how experimental and quantitative aspects of biology have changed along a historical continuum.  Regular weekly help sessions (run by both the professor and student aids) will be arranged to provide the chance to ask questions and discuss particular points in greater depth than the large lecture format permits.

CRN 57375:

The T/TH section of BIOL 13100 will be taught by Dr. Nancy Pelaez as a re-designed pilot section with an anticipated enrollment of 30-60 students.  The Provost has committed a budget for a new learning space in HIKS B848 and support services for this pilot BIOL 13100 course.  Funding from the Gates Foundation makes it possible to loan students a headset with microphone, webcam, and a USB document camera called IPEVO for groups to work online to solve problems.  Weekly problem sets will help students achieve a deeper grasp of abstract perspectives about the discipline of biology.  Students in the T/TH section will collaborate on the problem sets, sometimes defining a research question related to a biological problem, locating, identifying, and retrieiving information resources related to the problem using journals and web resources, evaluating and treating critically the information received, citing sources, and using information ethically and legally in writing about the development, structure, and function of organisms.  In addition to one weekly lecture, group meetings will be scheduled in the Adobe Connect learning environment online where workshops will be held with guidance from a peer tutor. For this reason, students will need a computer to use with the equipment.  The findings of each group will be presented to the class in HIKS B848 on Thursdays.

Instructor(s):

E-mail:

Textbook(s):

Textbook Life: The Science of Biology
Year/Edition: 9th Edition 2008
Author(s):Sadava, et al.
Publisher:Sinauer

ISBN: 978 1 4292 1962 4

6 month BioPortal access card ISBN 978 1 4292 3589 1

"Iclicker" is required

Notes:

Study each assigned chapter before and after each class meeting because you are expected to connect material form class to what your read in the textbook.

Grading:

A:  85% and above, B:  75-84%, C: 60-74%, D: 50-59%, F:  below 50%.  There will be two evening mid-term examinations and a final.  Exams will all be comprehensive and will include both multiple choice and essay-type problems.

Course Format: