HOW TO FIND THE INSTRUCTORS

GRADING

TEXTBOOK

HINTS FOR SURVIVAL

Biology 1 Winter 2001 (all sections)

Section	Instructors	Where is the class?	When is the Lab?
A	Sean Todd	Lecture Hall	Friday 1.00-3.55pm
B	Steve Ressel	Botany Lab, L4	Thursday 1.00-3.55pm

All classes are 10.00&endash;11.25pm, Tuesdays and Fridays

All labs are in the Botany Lab (L4)

Where/How to find Sean Todd.... Office:	Turrets Annex (3rd floor)
Office Hours:	Wednesdays 9.00-11.30am, or by appointment
Phone:	Phone: ext. 265
Email:	stodd@ecology.coa.edu
Web-page:	http://www.coa.edu/faculty/webpages/stodd/index.html
Where/How to find Steve Ressel... Office:	Natural History Musuem (2nd floor)
Office hours:	TBA
Phone:	ext. 248
E-mail:	SJR@ecology.coa.edu
Course web-page:	http://www.coa.edu/faculty/webpages/stodd/oceanweb/bio1home.htm. This site includes lecture outlines, powerpoint presentations, and useful web links, as well as other important class information. Make sure you visit it!
Teaching Assistant:	Tora Johnson

What you will be learning about:

Biology 1 is intended as an introductory overview of basic biological processes. In this unit you will specifically focus on biology at the cellular level. Working at such a fine scale may occasionally seem tedious to you, but it is essential to fully understand the knowledge covered in this class if you are to graduate onto the more complex biological topics. For example, Biology 2 covers evolution and macrosystems such as plants and animals, and is generally considered to be an easier course. Trust us, it's worth the wait. So stick with it!

If you scored well in AP Biology, then you may not need this class. Similarly, if you are interested in learning about introductory biology in a more alternative format, Biology in the News may be a more appropriate course for you. In either instance, talk to your instructor.

There will be a number of times when we will try to mix up the sections so that you can experience the views of classmates other than those in your immediate section. During these Discussion sessions (which are student-directed) take the time to discover the opinions and views of your peers. Also, make sure you know which discussion group you are in, and where you are meeting (check the schedule on the course website).

 Grading:

Your evaluation will be based on a number of assessments, including:

• Lab write-ups. In general you be required to keep a lab journal for all labs, including meticulous notes and clear, accurate drawings of what you discover in your lab time. We will occasionally ask to see these. In addition, there will be 3 labs that will be directly assessed. These are due 1 week after each lab.
  
• Problem sets. There are 4 problem sets assigned roughly on a bi-weekly basis.
  
• Discussion. During the course there will be four discussion classes, based on readings set previously. Each student will participate as part of a 2-3 person team that take turns leading the discussion (see the course website for the official roster). You will be evaluated on your comprehension of the reading, and your ability to lead a coherent and meaningful discussion.
  
• A final written exam. This will be at the end of term and will cover the entire course.
  
• A literature research project. Proposals for literature reviews will be due within the first month of term. Your final project will be in the form of a poster suitable for presentation at a professional conference, and a 5-10 minute presentation of the material you present in the poster (done in the last lab slot).

   

Textbook:

(available online at Amazon.com, or from Sherman's locally)

Biology 5th Edition by PH Raven and GB Johnson. 1999. McGraw Hill

To reduce costs, you may wish to consider purchasing a copy of the 4th edition of this text instead. If you do this, be warned that the 4th edition is deficient in the modern genetic advances that we will focus on towards the end of the course. As an alternative, there may be some second hand 5th edition books for sale around campus.

If you can afford it, get the version of the book that comes with the CD-ROM; this multimedia option has lots of resources and explanations that will help you in your studying.

Laboratory fee: $15.00

Section A only: Absence of Sean Todd, weeks 6-7

During weeks 6 and 7 Sean will be away in Antarctica on college business. During this time Tora Johnson will teach classes for Section A. Tora has ten years experience teaching biology at the college level, and will provide a useful complement to the teachings that Sean will provide you. Sean will still be responsible for assessing your work during this time, and he will provide supplementary Powerpoint resources for the topics covered while he is away. He promises you a slide show when he gets back!

In addition, there will be classes where the two sections merge for the purposes of discussion, and occasional team teaching.

Hints for surviving this course:

In class:

• Turn up on time, avoid missing classes. The more that we see you making an effort, the more inclined we will be to help you.
• Avoid copying down complicated diagrams in class. A majority of the overheads we use are taken directly from your text - simply note down the diagram and look it up later. During class, concentrate on understanding the process the diagram depicts.
• Similarly, if we use an AV presentation (e.g., PowerPoint), a copy of the text of the presentation is available on the course webpage, so that you don't have to copy everything down again. You would be advised to print these presentations and bring them to class the day of any specific lecture.
• Ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
• Although this course is more of a lecture format, participate in class discussions wherever possible. Play devil's advocate. Question what you, and what we believe in.

In labs:

• Work quickly but efficiently in labs - it is very easy to get behind.
• Learn how to use a microscope correctly. Don't be afraid to ask how to use one.
• Ask questions of the instructor, the TA, and your fellow classmates.
• Use the time to ensure you understand processes.
• Take effective notes and drawings.
• Drawings should be of correct proportions, should indicate magnification and/or scale, should have a title, should include labels where appropriate, and should be precise (use a sharp HB or H pencil, avoid 'sketching' or shading).
• If you get behind, use the make-up labs/times as provided. The Botany lab (L4) will be open on Wednesday mornings for this purpose.

For assignments, and in general:

• Assignments should be typed (there are plenty of computers available on campus to help you do this).
• All word processor programs come with a spell-checker. Use it!
• Most word processor programs come with a grammar checker. For the brave of heart, give it a go. Otherwise, don't be timid about visiting the Writing Center (top floor, Arts/Sciences building)&emdash;that's exactly what it's for!
• DO NOT plagiarize. Any work that we receive that obviously plagiarizes will receive a grade of zero. Therefore, always reference your work, and substantiate every fact with a source. If you must quote directly from someone else's work, put that quote in quotation marks and follow it with a direct credit to the author in the form of a reference. For further information on how to avoid plagiarism, see the Writing Center.
• If you have a learning disability, let us know before the first assignment is turned in. There are plenty of ways we can work around learning disabilities.
• Do the class readings before class! Also use the questions at the end of each chapter of the textbook to test yourself.
• Know that you can approach us and ask for help. If we have the time (and frequently even if we do not!), we will do whatever we can for you.

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