Spring 2007 Semester
Bio 100: Principles of Biology
Syllabus
Lecture Locations:
Section 12 meets in Rm. 2237 ofOxendine Hall
This page last updated on 3rd January 2007

Instructor: Wm. Bruce Ezell, Jr.
Office: Oxendine Hall, Room 2215
Telephone: (910)-521-6421
E-mail: william.ezell@uncp.edu
Office Hours: Students are always welcome!
Formal Office Hours:
Hours are Posted on my office door.

Course Description: A student successfully completing this course should be able to:

a) Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts of cellular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
b) Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose, methods, and principles of scientific inquiry.
c) Better understand self and environment through knowledge of scientific principles and concepts.
d) Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of technology upon the physical and human environment.

Text: Biology: Concepts and Connections.5th ed. Campbell, Mitchell, and Reece. Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., CA (Required). If you purchased a used book, make sure your copy has a CD-ROM disk, as assignments may be made using this technology.

Website: A website (www.uncp.edu/home/ezell) is provided to help each of you. In most cases, the material on the website is to be used as a review after any given class. You are responsible for all material that appears on the website. In general, quizzes shall correspond with the units listed on the websites. This means that Quiz one shall cover material in Unit one.

Attendance: I expect of my students what I expect of myself to wit, punctual, regular attendance, and diligent preparation. Class attendance is expected, and will be monitored. No matter what the cause, an absence from class does not relieve the student from any course requirements. There are no excused absences. You are allowed to miss six class sessions without penalty. Please save these absences for real needs (e.g., visits to see a physician, medical tests, etc.). Any absences beyond the six allowed shall result in a deduction of three points per class missed from the students final average. The roll is kept on a signature basis for each class. Students who fail to sign this role shall be counted absent. Signing for another student constitutes an honour violation (see UNCP Academic Honour Code).

Miscellaneous Concerns: Students may not receive cell telephone calls during class. Make the members of your calling circle aware of the times you are in class. Do not leave class for any purpose other than an emergency. Students leaving class early without permission shall be counted as absent.

Evaluation: You are required to read the textbook prior to the lecture and review the website after each class. There will be five exams during the lecture periods and a comprehensive final during final week. The lowest exam grade of exams 1-5 will be dropped. The four remaining exams and the final will count (20% for all exams) towards your final grade. The 5th Exam is normally given on the same day as the final. You may not drop the final exam. An exam missed for any reason will count automatically as one's drop grade. Missing two exams may result in an "F," or an incomplete grade for the course. If an incomplete is assigned, the exams must be taken in the following semester. Student response sheets for all tests are retained for 7 days only, after the administration date of the exam, and then destroyed. Any students concerns regarding any tests must be expressed during this time period.

Grading Scale:
A = 93-100   C = 74-76
A- = 90-92   C- = 70-73
B+ = 87-89   D+ = 67-69
B = 83-86   D- = 64-66
B- = 80-82   D = 60-63
C+ = 77-79   F = below 60

TENTATIVE LECTURE AND READING SCHEDULE**

Dates:

Readings:  Topics:
 
Special Terms & History of Biology (1)
N.B. The first two topics are not in the text

Introduction, Philosophy & History of Science
10 August Chapter 1 (2) Complete History/ Begin Scientific Method
17 August Chapter 1 (3) Nature of Life 
20 August Review ***
22 August Chapter 2 (4) Chemical Basis of life
24 August Chapter 3 (5) Chemical Basis for life
27 August Chapter 3 (6) Cellular molecules
29 August Chapter 3 (7) Cellular molecules
31 August ***Exam 1*** ***History, Scientific Method, and Chapters 1-3***
3 September Holiday (8) Labour Day Holiday: No Classes!
5 September Chapter 4 (9) Tour of the Cell
7 September Chapter 4 (10) Tour of the Cell
10 September Chapter 5 (11) The working cell
12 September Chapter 5 (12) The working cell
14 September Chapter 5 (13) The working cell
17 September Chapter 7 (14) Photosynthesis Modules 7.1 through 7.6 only
19 September ***Exam 2*** ***Chapters 4,5, & 7***
21 September Chapter 6 (15) Cellular Respiration (88-95 & Page 103)
24 September Chapter 6 (16) Cellular Respiration (see pp above)
26 September Chapter 6 (17) Cellular Respiration (see pp above)
28 September Chapter 8 (18) Cellular basis for reproduction (text as assigned)
1 October Chapter 8 (19) Cellular basis for reproduction (text as assigned)
3 October Chapter 9 (20)  Patterns of Inheritance
5 October ***Exam 3***(21) ***Chapters 6-9***
8 October Chapter 9 Chapters 6 & 9 Cont.
10 October Chapter 10 (22) The Molecular Biology of the Gene
12 October Chapter 10 (23) The Molecular Biology of the Gene
15 October Chapter 13 (24) How Populations Evolve
17 October Chapter 14 (25) The Origin of Species
19 October Flex Date  
22 October Chapter 15 (27) The Origin of Species
24 October Chapter (28) The Biosphere
26 October Chapter 34 (28) The Biosphere
29 October Possible Review (30)  
31 October ***Exam 4***  ***Chapters 10-15 & Chapter 34***
2 November Chapter 35 (31) Population Dynamics (text as assigned)
5 November Flex Date  
7 November Chapter 35 (32) Populations Dynamics
9 November  Chapter (33) Communities & Ecosystems
12 November Chapter (34) Communities & Ecosystems
14 November Chapter 38 (35) Conservation Biology
16 November Chapter 38 (36) Conservation Biology
19 November "Flex Day"  
21 November "Flex Day"  
26 November Exam Number 5  
28 November Flex Day  
30 November Last Day of Classes  
N.B. Special Note: Examination 5 shall be given with the Final Exam if we are running behind the schedule
     
  ***Examination for this Class: See Exam Schedule  

N.B
.:
Much of your academic work at this University shall be dependent upon your willingness to develop the specialized vocabulary needed to understand any discipline. This is to say that there is a specialized "language" associated with each field-of-study (e.g., chemistry, biology, sociology, etc.) The quicker you understand this, the better your chances for success. It is not unusual for students to need to develop a working definition of 20-30 words peculiar to biology per class period.

N.B.: In most cases, I shall be asking you to learn a new word for most classes. This is part of your "nickel knowledge." These appear on the websight for each class. These words shall appear later on every exam. Therefore, these are easy points for you to earn. Each chapter of the textbook contains an introductory essay. These essays are a permanent assignment, and 1-2 questions from the essays shall appear on every exam. Again, if you learn the new words and review the essays, you shall have an easier time with the exams.

Special Needs: Students with documented disabilities needing academic adjustments are urged to contact the course instructor and the Disability Support Services office early in the semester (preferably within the first week of classes). All discussions are confidential. For additional information,please contact Ms. Mary Helen Walker, Disability Support Services, The D.F. Lowery Building. The telephone number for this office 910-521-6695. This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

N.B. The syllabus is not a contract. It is a statement of intent. In most cases, the website shall be a better guide to our plans for the immediate future, as it shall be updated frequently. The instructor reserves the right to change any and all information contained in this and other handout materials in this course.

Emergency: The UNCP hotline number for weather announcements and other possible emergency announcements is: 910-521-6888.

University Website: The URL for the main UNCP webpage is www.uncp.edu

Good Luck!