UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED
BIO 001: CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY
Spring 2016
Course Description: Biology 001 is the first half of a rigorous introductory two-semester survey of modern
biology covering evolution, genetics, biodiversity, organismal form and function and ecology. The course
includes a required discussion section and may be accompanied by a laboratory to reinforce and supplement
lecture topics. It is designed for life science majors and other students working toward any type of degree in the
biological or biomedical sciences. It is not designed for non-science majors.
Course Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1) Describe the evidence for and the mechanisms of evolution.
2) Recognize the relationship between genotype and phenotype.
3) Define key characteristics of and phylogenetic relationships among major groups of organisms.
4) Explain how physiological systems use energy and work to maintain homeostasis.
5) Distinguish how nutrients and energy flow in ecosystems.
6) Identify interactions between organisms and their environments.
7) Diagram important biological structures and key relationships in various biological contexts.
Instructors: Dr. Laura Beaster-Jones ([email protected]) , office phone: 228-2445
Office hours: Wednesday 2:00-3:30, Friday 9:00-10:00, or by appointment, COB room 337
Dr. Jennifer Manilay ([email protected]), office phone 228-4175
Office hours: to be announced in class or by appointment, SE1 room 320
Discussion Teaching Assistants:
Name:
Sarah Abboud
[email protected]
Email:
Office hours Wednesday
4:00-6:00 pm
and
SE1 outside room 243
Location
Name:
Email:
Office hours
and
Location
Liza Gomez Daglio
[email protected]
Thursday
11:00 am-1 pm
SE 1 coffee tables room 243
Kinsey Brock
[email protected]
Tuesday
9:30-10:30am,1:00-2:00 pm
SE1 2nd floor atrium
James Kupihea
[email protected]
Tuesday 11:15-12:15
Thursday 11:15-12:15
SE2 Commons
Manuel Cornejo
[email protected]
Tuesday
9:00-11:00 am
AOA 166
Eli Isael Maciel
[email protected]
Thursday
12:00-1:00 pm
SE1 outside room 335
E-mail is the best way to reach us. Please reserve e-mail for administrative questions only (such as adding the
course, making an appointment with the instructors, or short informative e-mails). Do not use e-mail for
questions on the course material – it is very inefficient for that purpose. Please use office hours, discussion
sections, the CatCourses chat and discussion room as well as study groups for specific questions on the
lecture material.
Images courtesy of the Zfin Fish book (zfin.org) and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov)
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Required Textbook and Materials:
Principles of Biology (1st ed. 2014) by Brooker, Widmaier, Graham and Stiling.
ISBN 978-0-07-353227-1
a. Principles of Biology: Connect Plus w/ eBook. This is a complete online learning tool integrated
with the electronic textbook. --OR-b. Principles of Biology: Connect Plus and Book pkg. This gives you a hard copy of the textbook
and access to the online content.
Meeting Times:
Lectures:
BIO-001-01: 11:30-12:20 MWF, CLSSRM 102
BIO-001-20: 12:30-1:20 MWF, CLSSRM 102
Discussions:
Course #
Course Title
Actv
Days Time
Bldg/Rm
Instructor
BIO-001-02D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
M
6:30-7:20pm
CLSSRM 279
Cornejo, Manuel
BIO-001-03D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
M
7:30-8:20pm
CLSSRM 279
Cornejo, Manuel
BIO-001-04D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
W
12:30-1:20pm
CLSSRM 286
Gomez Daglio, Liza
BIO-001-05D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
W
1:30-2:20pm
KOLLIG 296
Gomez Daglio, Liza
BIO-001-06D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
W
6:30-7:20pm
KOLLIG 296
Abboud, Sarah
BIO-001-07D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
F
7:30-8:20am
CLSSRM 127
Kupihea, James
BIO-001-08D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
F
8:30-9:20am
CLSSRM 282
Kupihea, James
BIO-001-09D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
F
9:30-10:20am
CLSSRM 279
Maciel, Eli Isael
BIO-001-21D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
W
11:30-12:20pm CLSSRM 286
Gomez Daglio, Liza
BIO-001-22D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
W
7:30-8:20pm
CLSSRM 127
Abboud, Sarah
BIO-001-23D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
W
2:30-3:20pm
CLSSRM 288
Abboud, Sarah
BIO-001-24D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
T
7:30-8:20am
CLSSRM 279
Brock, Kinsey
BIO-001-25D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
T
8:30-9:20am
CLSSRM 279
Brock, Kinsey
BIO-001-26D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
T
10:30-11:20am CLSSRM 286
Brock, Kinsey
BIO-001-27D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
F
10:30-11:20am CLSSRM 282
Cornejo, Manuel
BIO-001-28D
Contemporary Biology
DISC
F
11:30-12:20pm KOLLIG 396
Kupihea, James
Note: Students must attend the discussion section in which they are officially enrolled.
“discussion hopping” is allowed.
No
Website: Check it often on CatCourses BIO-001 (catcourses.ucmerced.edu/courses/3911). The slides for each
lecture will be posted on this site in PDF format. CatCourses will be the main site for communication with the
professor and teaching assistants. Please be sure to check the Announcements, Assignments, Files, and
Modules often. Inform the instructor if you are unable to access these materials.
Discussions: Discussion sections are mandatory. Students are required to attend and be prepared for discussion
sections. Attendance and participation in discussion are an important part of the Discussion grade (see
description of grading below). Discussions begin promptly at the scheduled time, and students must attend the
discussion section in which they are officially enrolled. No “discussion hopping” is allowed. Discussions will
be led by a teaching assistant and the content, format and organization are controlled by the assistant.
2
Grading Policies
Your learning in Bio 001 will be assessed as follows:
Assignment
Point Allocation
Weekly Practice
Read chapters and complete Learn Smart
5 points each chapter
activity (Connect)
(can earn up to 50 points)
Discussion attendance & participation
5 points each x 12
Discussion activities (quizzes, in-class
10 points each x 11
writing assignments, etc.)
Developing Skills and Knowledge
Mini Exams (CatCourses)
25 points each x 2
Journal—Write to Learn (CatCourses)
6 points each x 5 entries
Homework (Connect)
30 points each x 2
Mastering Skills and Knowledge
Lecture Exams 1-3 (in class)
105 points each x 3
Final Exam (in class)
150 points
TOTAL
Total Points
% of Total Points
50
6.0%
60
110
7.3%
13.3%
50
30
60
6.0%
3.6%
7.3%
315
150
825
38.3%
18.2%
100%
Letter Grades: The final distribution of grades will depend on the overall achievement of the students in the
course and is determined at the end of the semester. Designation of letter grades should be expected for
students achieving the indicated percentage of the total possible points in the course, as listed below:
A+ 98-100
A 92-97.9
A- 90-91.9
B+ 88-89.9
B 82-87.9
B- 80-81.9
C+ 78-79.9
C 72-77.9
C- 70-71.9
D+ 68-69.9
D 62-67.9
D- 60-61.9
F 0-59.9
Exams: Lecture exams test your mastery of biological knowledge and skills. They will be held during lecture
time on February 22, March 14, and April 11. The exams will consist of 35 multiple choice questions worth 3
points each. Please bring your student ID and a pencil to each exam. We will announce which type of scantron
form to bring before the first exam. The final exam will be held on May 7 from 6:30-9:30 PM. This exam is
cumulative and will consist of about 80-90 multiple choice questions. The location of the final exam will be
announced later in the semester. Exams cover material from lecture, text reading assignments, discussion
material and homework assignments. There are NO make-up exams--see attendance policy for procedures
with excused absences.
Mini Exams, Journal Entries, Homework and Learn Smart assignments: There will be exercises assigned
to help you work with the material on a regular basis (not just before exams!). The mini exams and journal
entries will be submitted on CatCourses. The Homework and Learn Smart exercises will be available on
Connect (the website associated with the textbook—see below). Most all of these assignments will be
submitted electronically and have designated due dates. More information about these assignments will be
presented in class and posted on CatCourses.
Registering with Connect: The textbook Principles of Biology comes with Connect, a web-based assignment
and assessment solution used in this course. Connect is designed to assist you with your coursework based on
your needs. Connect access codes may be packaged with a new textbook in the bookstore. Connect can also be
purchased online at our section’s Connect web address: http://connect.mheducation.com/class/manilay-beasterjones-spring-2016-mwf. If you purchase Connect online, you will have the option of purchasing Connect or
Connect Plus, which includes an interactive eBook version of the required textbook for this course. NOTE: You
can register in Connect and have access without a code for a limited time period (typically three weeks).
3
To register in Connect, please visit http://connect.mheducation.com/class/manilay-beaster-jones-spring-2016mwf and click “Register Now.” If you have any issues while registering or using Connect, please contact
McGraw-Hill’s Customer Experience team through http://www.mhhe.com/support or at 800-331-5094. To
avoid problems related to unexpected technical issues, you are advised not to wait until the last moment
to complete assignments.
Discussion Attendance and Participation: Students can earn up to 5 points for each discussion (up to 2 points
for attendance/promptness, and up to 3 points for participation-listening, preparation, quality of contributions,
and frequency of participation).
Discussion Quizzes and Activities: Ten point quizzes or activities will be administered 11/16 weeks of the
semester. Quizzes are given at the beginning of each discussion section. You will not be given extra time to
complete the quiz if you arrive late and you may NOT take the quiz in another section. You may not make-up
a quiz or discussion activity (see attendance policy for procedures with excused absences).
Exam Challenges/Regrade Policy: After each lecture exam, a copy of the key may be posted on CatCourses.
If you think there is an error in the key, submit a written explanation describing why you believe your response
should be re-evaluated within 24 hours of the key posting. Give referenced support as to why an alternative
answer choice should be accepted. We reserve the right to regrade your entire assessment, so your score could
either increase or decrease.
General Policies
Attendance: You are responsible for all material presented in lecture and discussions. Lecture exam dates are
indicated on the lecture overview. There will be no opportunity to make up an exam or discussion quiz
under any circumstance. If you miss an exam or quiz you will receive a zero for that assessment unless:
1) You have an excused absence such as a college sanctioned absence (athletic competition, performance,
etc.) or state or federally accepted religious observance. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the
instructor or TA prior to the exam or quiz.
2) You have an unexpected absence due to a severe illness or serious crisis. It is the student’s
responsibility to contact the instructor within two working days of the absence. Students are required
to document that the absence was excused (note/call from doctor/nurse/dean of students) and provide
written and signed evidence within seven days confirming that the illness or crisis was serious enough to
justify the absence. Submitted evidence will be verified prior to approval of a provisional grade.
If an absence is due to of one of the two situations listed above and the student has followed the procedures
outlined above, then a provisional grade based on the average of the student’s other exam or quiz scores shall be
granted. This does NOT apply to the final exam—students who miss the final exam will receive a grade of “F”
for the course unless a documented acceptable excuse and permission was obtained in advance AND the student
was achieving a passing grade (C- or better) in the course before the final exam.
Electronic Devices: Electronic devices in this class are viewed as learning tools. Disruptions will not be
tolerated. If you are caught texting, gaming or disrupting others, you will be asked to stop and/or leave
discussion or lecture. The TAs and the professor may ban your use of the device in lecture or discussion,
confiscate your device, or kick you out of lecture or discussion. Abuse of this policy may lead to total ban of
electronic devices during lecture and discussions.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: The University of California Merced is committed to
ensuring equal academic opportunities and inclusion for students with disabilities based on the principles of
independent living, accessible universal design and diversity. Requests for academic accommodations are to be
made during the first three weeks of the semester, except for unusual circumstances. Students are encouraged to
register with Disability Services Center to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations via
[email protected]. More information can be found at disability.ucmerced.edu.
4
Academic Integrity: We hold our students to high standards of academic honesty and will follow the UCM
Academic Integrity Policy, which is posted on the UCM student life website. Familiarize yourself with this
document. You are expected to know and abide by these policies. Those who violate campus rules regarding
academic misconduct are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including suspension and dismissal. Examples of
academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
 Receiving or providing unauthorized assistance on examinations
 Using unauthorized materials during an examination
 Plagiarism--using materials from sources without citations
 Altering an exam and submitting it for re-grading
 Fabricating data or references
 Using false excuses to obtain extensions of time or to skip coursework
Release of Grades: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits faculty and staff from
posting grades to unsecured websites, or reporting grades by e-mail or telephone. Individual grade information
is available via Cat Courses (catcourses.ucmerced.edu/courses/3911).
Copyright: The materials used in this course are copyrighted. This includes, but is not limited to syllabi,
lecture notes, quizzes, exams, lab problems, in-class materials, review sheets and problem sets. You do not
have the right to copy or provide course materials to others including ANY ONLINE SERVICE OR
WEBSITE without the permission of the instructor.
Independent Study Groups: Students are strongly encouraged to form study groups (3-5 members), which
should meet outside official course hours and tackle course material. Learning to solve problems with others
and listening to the insight of other students helps to sharpen your own understanding of the subject.
Tutors: Student tutors are available to assist students in this course. For more information contact the Student
Advising and Learning Center (http://learning.ucmerced.edu/programs/tutoring) located in Kolligian 222, on the
second floor or email at [email protected] or call at 209-228-7252. Tutoring is also available in the
STEM
resource
center
in
AOA
114
and
more
information
can
be
found
at
stemresourcecenter.ucmerced.edu/tutoring.
University Dates and Deadlines: Please refer to the registrar’s website for more information on course
add/drop/withdraw deadlines and procedures (http://registrar.ucmerced.edu/policies/adddropwithdraw).
Flexibility Clause: Circumstances may arise during the course which may prevent the instructor from fulfilling
each and every component of this syllabus. Therefore, the syllabus is subject to change. Students will be
notified prior to any changes, if possible.
5
Lecture and Discussion Overview
(tentative schedule of topics, subject to changes announced in class)
Mondays shaded in grey
L#
DATE
1
2
3
4
Jan 20
Jan 22
Jan 25
Jan 27
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
-
Jan 29
Feb 1
Feb 3
Feb 5
Feb 8
Feb 10
Feb 12
Feb 15
Feb 17
Feb 19
Feb 22
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
-
Feb 24
Feb 26
Feb 29
Mar 2
Mar 4
Mar 7
Mar 9
Mar 11
Mar 14
22
23
24
25
Mar 16
Mar 18
Mar 21-25
Mar 28
Mar 30
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Apr 1
Apr 4
Apr 6
Apr 8
Apr 11
Apr 13
Apr 15
Apr 18
Apr 20
Apr 22
35
36
37
38
39
40
Apr 25
Apr 27
Apr 29
May 2
May 4
May 6
May 7
LECTURE TOPIC
INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS
Introduction to Biology
Water and organic molecules
Organic molecules/Cells
Cells
GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Mitosis
Meiosis
Patterns of Inheritance-Mendel
Patterns of Inheritance-Chromosomes
Patterns of Inheritance
An Intro to Evolution
Population Genetics
President’s Day Holiday
The Origin & History of Life on Earth
Origin of Species and Macroevolution
EXAM 1
BIODIVERSITY
Taxonomy and Systematics
Microorganisms: Archaea, Bacteria
Microorganisms: Protists
Fungi
Animal Diversity: Invertebrates
“
Animal Diversity: Vertebrates
Plant Evolution and Diversity
EXAM 2
PLANTS: FORM AND FUNCTION
Intro to Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants: Nutrition
READING
DISCUSSION
Objectives
Inst.
(from page 1)
Ch. 1
Ch. 2, 3-parts
Ch.3,4
Ch. 4
NO
DISCUSSIONS
Syllabus,
Course skills
Review L#1-3
JM/LBJ
4,5,6,7
4,6,7
4,6,7
LBJ
JM
JM
JM
JM
LBJ
LBJ
LBJ
LBJ
LBJ
Ch. 13
Ch. 13
Ch. 14
“
“
Ch. 19
“
Quiz #1
Review L#4-5
Activity #1
Genetics Problems
Review L#6-8
2,6,7
2,6,7
2,6,7
2,6,7
2,6,7
1, 7
1,2,6,7
Ch. 18
Ch. 20
NO
DISCUSSIONS
1,2,6,7
1,2,6,7
MF
LBJ
1,2,3
3, 6
3, 6
3, 6
3, 6
3, 6
3, 6
3, 6
TBD
CF
LBJ
LBJ
LBJ
LBJ
LBJ
EM
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
LBJ
LBJ
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
LBJ
LBJ
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
JM
JM
JM
JM
Ch. 21
Ch. 22
“
Ch. 24
Ch. 25
"
Ch. 26
Ch. 23
Ch. 27
Ch. 29
Activity #2
Review L#11-13
Quiz #2
Review L#14-15
Quiz #3
Review L#16-18
Activity #3
Review L#19-21
SPRING BREAK!!
Flowering Plants: Transport
“
Flowering Plants: Reproduction
Ch. 30
ANIMALS: FORM AND FUNCTION
Intro to Animals and Homeostasis
Ch. 31
Animals: Neuroscience I
Ch. 32
“
“
Animals: Muscular-Skeletal Systems
Ch. 34
EXAM 3
Animals: Circulatory Systems
Ch. 36
Animals: Respiratory Systems
Ch. 37
Animals: Endocrine Systems
Ch. 39
Animals: Reproduction and Development
Ch. 40
Animals: Immune Systems
Ch. 41
ECOLOGY
Ecology and the Physical Environment
Ch. 43
Population Ecology
Ch. 44
“
“
Ecosystem Ecology
Ch. 46
Review/Question and Answer
Open
SATURDAY 6:30-9:30 PM!!!! FINAL EXAM
Activity #4
Review L#22-23
Quiz #4
Review L#24-26
Activity #5
Review L#27-29
Quiz #5
Review L#30-31
Activity #6
Review L#32-34
Ecology Q+A
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
4,5,6,7
JM
JM
JM
JM
JM
5,6,7
6,7
6,7
5,6,7
MF
JB
JB
SH
JM/LBJ
JM/LBJ
6
Assessment Alignment for Bio 001/001L
Bio 001/001L Course Learning Objective
Program Learning
Outcome #
1, 2, 3, 4
WASC Core
Competency #
1, 2, 4
2) Recognize the relationship between genotype and
phenotype.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 2, 4
3) Define key characteristics of and phylogenetic
relationships among major groups of organisms.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 2, 4, 5
4) Explain how physiological systems use energy and
work to maintain homeostasis.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 2, 4, 5
5) Distinguish how nutrients and energy flow in
ecosystems
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 2, 4
6) Identify interactions between organisms and their
environments.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 2, 4, 5
7) Diagram important biological structures and key
relationships in various biological contexts.
1, 2, 4
1, 2
1) Describe the evidence for and the mechanisms of
evolution.
Program Learning Outcomes for the Biology Major
Graduates from the Biological Sciences programs will have demonstrated:
1) An understanding of the tenets of modern biology and an understanding of how cellular functions are
integrated from the molecular level to the cellular level, through to the level of organism and functioning
ecosystems.
2) An ability to develop and critique hypotheses and to design experiments, models, and/or calculations to
address these hypotheses.
3) The ability to use appropriate instrumentation and computational tools to collect, analyze and interpret
data.
4) The ability to read, evaluate, interpret, and apply numerical and general scientific information.
5) A familiarity with and application of safety in good laboratory and field practices.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Core Competencies
1) Critical Thinking
2) Information Literacy
3) Oral Communication
4) Quantitative Reasoning
5) Written Communication
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