BIOL 101b Concepts of
Biology
glaugel@asia.umuc.edu http://www.oocities.org/glaugel
Office Hours: Available for consultation on request Email: Several times weekly
Text: Starr, C. Basic Concepts In Biology, Sixth Edition. Belmont, CA:
Brooks/Cole, 2006.
Tentative course outline: Weeks, Topics, Text chapters
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1-2 Cells, metabolism; first exam; Ch
1-7
2-4 Inheritance, Molecular genetics,
genetic engineering; second exam; Ch 8-15
4-6 Evolution and diversity of life;
third exam; Ch 16-19,21-23
6-8 Homeostasis; Animal reproduction and
development; social interactions, ecology,
ecosystems, animal behavior; Ch 24-30
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Course Description:? BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3). (For students not majoring in a science.) An
introduction to living things in light of our knowledge of physical, chemical
and biological principles. The organization, processes, interdependence
and variety of living things will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on
understanding the impact of biological knowledge on human societies, and
consideration will be given to current events that involved biological systems.
Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: BIOL 101 or
BIOL 105.
Course Goals/Objectives:?
After completing this course, students should be able to do the following:
explain the relevance of the basic concepts of biology in everyday life
explain the utility of the scientific method and apply it when evaluating
current scientific discoveries
describe the characteristic features common to living organisms
state the principles of chemistry and physics upon which living organisms are
based
explain the concepts of energy and entropy and the role they play in
biological systems
describe the structure of atoms, and explain the role that these structures
play in determining the chemical properties of atoms and molecules
describe the functions and properties of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and
nucleic acids
describe the structure and function of cells, as well as the role they play
in the overall structure and function of living organisms
explain the significance of DNA in determining the composition,
characteristics, reproduction, and behavior of an organism
explain the mechanisms through which information is stored, replicated, and
transmitted in DNA and RNA molecules
describe current advances in genetic technology, their impact on individuals
and social systems, and their role in medicine, agriculture, criminal justice,
global economics, and society
state the principles of evolution, including the value and necessity of
evolution in populations
explain the interacting roles that genes, the environment, and population
dynamics play in evolution
explain the structure and value of ecosystems and biodiversity
explain the various ways in which living organisms are interdependent with
each other and with their environment
describe the influence of modern human technologies and activities on the
environment
Course Introduction: ?This course is an
introductory and comprehensive study of the unifying themes and concepts in
biology. Biology is the study of living things. In this course, we will move
from relatively small non-living units to large living cells and even larger multicellular organisms, recognizing that the large cannot
exist without the small. Throughout the course we'll touch upon the scientific
methods and practices, both historic and current, that
have led to our understanding of living organisms.
Living organisms are built from a very specific set of building blocks—atoms,
molecules, and cells. We will begin with a study of these building blocks and
their importance to living things. Next, we will examine the ways in which
these building blocks interact to provide the energy living things need to
grow, move, work, think, and develop. The power and elegance of DNA and genes
will be discussed, as well as their role in inheritance, human diseases,
biodiversity, and evolution.
We'll look at plants and animals to understand how atoms, molecules, and cells
work together in balanced, interrelated systems that are critical to the health
and well-being of living organisms. Biodiversity and its importance will be discussed
and contrasted with the common fundamental characteristics all living organisms
share. We'll also look at the way living things interact with one another and
with the non-living parts of their environment. These interactions play a major
role in the overall health of populations, ecosystems, and planet earth.
Course Requirements: Your course grade will be
derived from four examinations and class participation, including one or two
(depending on class size) short in-class presentations of a topic related to
course material. A student may, instead of giving a talk, take the
comprehensive final exam, unless another exam needs to be made up (see below);
in this case, a student who does not give a talk and also needs to make up a
missed exam will forfeit the 10% “class participation?part of the course
grade, and the maximum achievable course grade will be C.
Examinations may include multiple choice,
short answer, and/or essay items covering lecture and assigned reading; they
will require familiarity with the relevant terminology and concepts.
Preparation for exams would include regular class attendance and frequent
out-of-class contact with course material, roughly (as with most courses) two
to three hours on your own for each scheduled classroom hour, on a weekly
basis.
Exams are not comprehensive (covering prior exam material) if a student takes
all four of them, although students are expected to retain significant, basic
concepts from earlier course material. The final exam will, however, be
comprehensive for students who:
-- have missed one or two prior exams. In thhis case the comprehensive exam
score will be the grade for the final exam and for missed exams
-- have not delivered the required class tallk(s) by the sixth week of the Term
-- do not otherwise need the comprehensive ffinal exam, but wish to upgrade one
of the earlier exams. In this case the comprehensive exam is optional and will
count as the final exam score. It will replace the lowest of the three prior
exam scores if it is better than the lowest of the three prior scores
Project Description: ?#060;/span>A talk should cover some aspect of scheduled
class material and should consider at least one resource external to your
textbook coverage, for example, information from reliable sources on the web. I
can assist you with your topics! My
website is a portal to many web links, as is the
You should prepare for your talk so as to not refer to
notes during your talk. It is your responsibility to to
be sure you deliver your talks, and to be sure that if you miss giving one, to
make alternative arrangements. Talks must be delivered by the sixth week of the
class (or its equivalent in terms of class meetings). No more than three talks
may be given on one day (I may waive this policy during the first three weeks
of the Term), so please plan with this in mind. In no case may a student
deliver more than one talk on one day.
You must sign up for a talk during the first two weeks of the course;
failure to do so will preclude your giving a talk.
Grading System: Exams will be weighted so that the best of
the four exams will constitute 30% of your final course grade; the other exams
will count as 20%, each. Participation (including attendance and class
presentations) is worth 10%. Maximum possible = 100; A=90; B=80; C=70; D=60.
Extra credit may be made available and may take the form of optional additional
class presentations, unannounced quizzes, or other activities. Quizzes will
apply only to those present in the classroom when they are administered.
Academic Policies and Miscellaneous comments:
Students attending University of Maryland University College should be familiar
with the Student Handbook and the UMUC Asia catalog, available on the web:
http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ugp.html
You are responsible for announcements made in class, which may include changes
in the schedule; therefore, please find someone in the class who can help you
recover material you miss!
Plagiarism (presenting others' work as your own) will be dealt with severely,
as outlined in the University of Maryland Student Handbook, and can result in a
grade of "F" for the assignment or the course. For important
information about avoiding plagiarism and appropriately referencing material
you wish to cite, Maryland’s Effective Writing Center is available at the
following URL: http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/wc_home.html
Attendance ?is expected. Please be sure that your work
schedule is compatible with (and therefore will not interfere with) your
classroom attendance, for full class time periods. Students who anticipate
missing three weeks of classes should reconsider enrolling during this Term. A
student who attends fewer than half of the class sessions will receive a grade
of F(n).
Biology is arguably the most fascinating topic one can study, because it is the
study of life itself. Welcome to this
very stimulating science !!! Please feel encouraged to
ask questions during class on assigned course topics, and to view lectures as
opportunities to expand on topics presented in the text.
You are responsible for announcements made in class, which may include changes
in the schedule; therefore, please find someone in the class who can help you
recover material you miss!?Missing a
class in no way absolves you from the responsibility to be familiar with what
was discussed. Please come prepared to
discuss class material; don’t be an academic parasite (someone who doesn't
actively participate).
I look forward to an interesting and enlightening experience in this course,
and encourage you to do the same!