Lecture 1.1: Introduction to BIO 181

Goals Resources Grading Success

Unit 1: Theoretical Pillars of Biology

Lecture 1.1: Introduction to BIO 181

John D. Nagy

BIO 181: General Biology for Majors, Scottsdale Community College

2020 Revision

John Nagy Lec 1.1: Introduction to BIO 181 1/13


Outline

1 Course philosophy and goals

2 Resources

3 Grading standards and practices

4 Strategies for success



The journey starts here

Dr. Kent Brantly (left), a graduate of Indiana UniversitySchool of Medicine, works on a patient with a hemorrhagic fever

in Samaritan’s Purse Ebola Case Management Center inMonrovia, Liberia in 2014.



Cause of this case of hemorrhagic fever

Electron micrograph of the ebola virus.



Distribution of the ebola outbreaks



Course goals

The primary objective of this course is to prepare you foradvanced study in preparation for a profession in biology ormedicine; in particular, our goals are to

master the foundational theories of “skin-in” biology inpreparation for advanced study; and

develop fundamental problem-solving skills required ofmodern professional biologists.

This course is designed primarily for two groups of students:

1 Students majoring in any biology or program; and

2 Students majoring in any other science (chemistry, physics,geology, etc), engineering or mathematics.

Students not majoring in a science, engineering or mathprogram are strongly encouraged to take a nonmajor’s biologycourse (BIO 100, BIO 105 or BIO 108 for example).



Contact information and resources

OFFICE: NS 113

PHONE: (480) 423-6121

Email (SCC): [email protected]

Email (ASU): [email protected]

Office hours:

Mon/Wed: Via email from 1:00 to 2:00.Tues/Thurs: Live online via Zoom from 1:00 to 2:00.Zoom link via Canvass Announcements about 15 minsbefore each session.

TEXT: Freeman et al. (2017): Biological Science (6th ed.)Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco

Calculator (required): Any scientific calculator (TI-83 orequivalent recommended; graphing ability not required)

Website: faculty.scottsdalecc.edu/nagyteaching/bio181



Lecture quizzes

Number of quizzes : 27 (one for each lecture)Value : 10 points eachDates : See syllabusFormat : Multiple choiceMaterial covered : Current lecture only

All quizzes are administered online through Canvas.No late quizzes will be accepted.

Lecture quizzes are meant to help you study the lecturematerial. They are always due at 11:59 on the date indicated onthe schedule, generally the day before the next lecture (see lastpage of this syllabus).

You may take each quiz up to 3 times. Your highest score willbe the one recorded.



Lecture examinations

Number of exams : 2Value : 100 points eachDates : See syllabusFormat : Multiple choice, problems, short answerMaterial covered : Current unit only

There are no make-up examinations under anycircumstances.

If a student fails to submit an exam before the deadline, theexam will earn the student 0 points. If a student misses 2exams for any reasons, that student will be assigned a failinggrade and/or withdrawn from the course.

Students must abide by all exam rules as laid out by the examcover sheet and/or proctors. Failure to do so results in 0 pointsfor the exam and potential dismissal from the class and college.



Final examination

Value : 200 pointsDate : See syllabusTime : See syllabusFormat : Multiple choice, problems, essayMaterial covered : Any lecture or lab material

All students must take the final.

The final exam is comprehensive.

Students who miss the final with a documented, excusedabsence approved by the instructor receive a coursegrade of “incomplete” and must take the final as soon aspossible.

Students who miss the final for an unexcused reason failthe course. Work, other classes or exams and vacation arenot valid reasons to miss the final exam.



Laboratory

Laboratory work is an essential, integrated part of BIO 181. Asingle course grade is assigned based on mastery of material inboth lab and lecture combined. Therefore, laboratorycompletion is mandatory.

In total, there are 12 laboratory exercises.

Generally 3 per week.

Each exercise except 1 is worth 20 points.

One (Mendelian Genetics) is worth 40 points.

The lowest score is dropped.

Due dates are listed on the lab schedule.

Students must complete all laboratory exercises to pass thecourse. Labs submitted late will receive a 10% reduction forevery week late.



Grade summary

Lecture quizzes : 260 pointsThree lecture exams : 200 pointsFinal examination : 200 pointsLaboratory : 240 points

Total : 900 points

Grading scale:

Points earned % of total Raw Grade810–900 90–100 A702–809 78–89 B594–701 66–77 C450–593 50–67 D< 450 < 50 F



Strategies for success

Recognize and accept the challenge. Never give up onyourself.

This course will require at least 3-6 hours per day, 5-6 daysper week. Organize your time to allow that level of effort.

Start assignments early; finish them before the deadline.

Use note-cards or similar technique to learn vocabulary.

Engage the course; work on this class every day, 6 days perweek.

Use all resources available—website, tutor center, officehours, textbook, etc.

Beware Google! Most resources relevant to this classfound with a Google search are aimed at high schoolstudents or lower. This is a university-level class, andtherefore well above those resources in depth andsophistication.


Documents

Lecture 1.1: Introduction to BIO 181