BCOR011 I Fall 2021
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BCOR 11 – Exploring Biology
Dr. Don Stratton304 Jeffords [email protected]
First class8/30/2021
BCOR 11: Exploring Biology
• Textbooks and Technology – Internet connection for Teams – Campbell’s Biology, 12th edition – Mastering Biology website – iClicker Student app – Knisely, Writing in Biology
• Check BlackBoard regularly for
assignments and other info
Lecture & Lab
Concepts • Molecules • Water • Cell Structures • Energetics • Cellular Pathways • Cell Division • Plant Physiology • Animal Physiology
Techniques • Microscopy • Protein characterization • Enzyme activity • Design and analysis of
experiments • Scientific writing
Labs start September 13
Homework Mastering Biology • Dynamic Study modules for each chapter
– The goal of these is to help you learn the material. – Due the Sunday before each test, firm deadline. – Credit for finishing each chapter.
• Sunday Homework – Online homework due every Sunday at midnight
• Many other resources on MasteringBio (study guides, animations, practice exams, etc)
Homework, cont. • Online Discussion (yellowdig)
– On blackboard – Approximately 3-4 posts or comments per week
for full credit – More about this on Wednesday
• Pre-lecture assignments – Due every Tuesday and Thursday, at midnight – on Blackboard website – Must read the chapter before doing those
assignments. – First assignment is due tomorrow!
iClicker Student app
• We�ll start using it on Wednesday for practice. Next week those questions will count for points.
• 2- 3 questions/day – 1 pt for responding to at least half of the questions – 1 pt each for being correct – Drop your lowest 10% of scores
This allows me to ask questions in class and get a response from all of you.
Free for UVM students. Download to your phone of other wireless device
BCOR011 I Fall 2021
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GRADING
We take the Academic Honesty Policy seriously You must earn a passing grade in both lecture and lab to pass the course
• Six Exams: 48% • Lab: 25% • Sunday HW: 7% • Yellowdig: 7% • Dynamic Study 5% • Pre-lecture Qs: 4% • Clickers: 4%
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
• Come to Class – Take notes, ask questions, review frequently
• Read the Book!
• Study with friends, classmates – Come to review sessions with questions
• See me for help: – Office Hours:
• Mon 3:00-4:00 and Wed 9:30-10:30 • or by appointment any time • [email protected]
• SI sessions and Tutoring Center
QUESTIONS about the Course Operations ? Is there Life on Mars?
If so, how might we recognize it?
Some Recurring Themes
• Life Depends on Organization and Energy – Cells are building blocks – Systems of interactions among molecules
and cells
Figure 1.8
Eukaryotic cell
Prokaryotic cell
1 µm
BCOR011 I Fall 2021
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video
Systems of interactions
Feedback loops
Network map of protein interactions in a fruit fly cell
Some Recurring Themes
• Life Depends on Organization and Energy – Cells are building blocks – Systems of interactions
• Science as a �way of knowing�
The �SCIENTIFIC METHOD� 1. FORMULATE a reasonable hypothesis to Explain an observation 2. TEST the hypothesis with a Controlled, Reproducible Experiment 3. ASSESS results of the experiment 4. Draw CONCLUSION of �How Things Work�
- then test that
Discovery Science and Hypothesis-based Science
Which are these? • Publish the complete
sequence of the Human Genome
• Identify BRCA1, a gene responsible for many breast cancers
• Invasive Zebra mussels displace native species
Some Recurring Themes
• Life Depends on Organization and Energy – Cells are building blocks – Interactions among molecules
• Science as a �way of knowing� • Evolution explains the unity and
diversity of life
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Natural Selection
• Darwin and Wallace�s big idea – More individuals are born than can survive – Individuals differ – Therefore: Inherited traits that increase
fitness tend to increase in the population
�descent with modification�
For Next Time
• Read Chapter 2: Atoms, Bonding, Molecules
• Answer pre-lecture questions on
blackboard
• Do the syllabus quiz if you haven’t already done it