BIOLOGY 311C: INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY I

MWF 10:00-10:50
Fall 2013

Instructor: Dr. Jessica Wandelt

Email: jewandelt@mail.utexas.edu
Office Hours: By appointment. Please see me before/after class or email to schedule a convenient time.
Teaching Assistant: Ashley Green
Email: argreen@utexas.edu
Office Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays 12:30 - 2:00 in BIO 119.
Course Description
311C is designed for majors in biological sciences, and for others if required by their departmental programs. This course covers major
concepts in biological chemistry, cellular organization, metabolism, cell cycle, gene expression, and gene regulation.
This course may be used to fulfill three hours of the natural science and technology (Part I or Part II) component of the university core
curriculum and addresses the following four core objectives established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: communication
skills, critical thinking skills, teamwork, and empirical and quantitative skills.
Prerequisites
Credit for (with a grade of at least a C-) or concurrent registration in Chemistry 301 (or its equivalent). If you do not meet this requirement,
you will be automatically dropped from this class.
Supplies
Textbook (highly recommended): Biology by NA Campbell and JB Reece (7th, 8th or 9th edition)
Clicker (required): i>clicker or i>clicker 2. It is recommended that you buy the i>clicker 2 if you do not yet have a clicker.
Print outs of powerpoint lecture outlines (available on Blackboard before each lecture).
I also recommend that you have some colored pencils/pens handy for class.
Course Organization
Lectures (3 hours/week)
You are strongly encouraged to attend all lectures. The material presented during lecture will be the basis for the exams. In addition, a part
of your grade will be determined by your daily participation in class (see below). Outlines of lecture powerpoint presentations with figures will
be available on Blackboard (courses.utexas.edu) prior to class. It is suggested that you bring these to class as a guide for note taking. Just
looking at these outlines or the textbook will not be an adequate substitute for attending class. If you must miss a lecture, review the slides,
do the recommended reading and check with at least one other classmate who attended the lecture for any additional notes. After you have
done this, you may also make arrangements with your lecturer or T.A. to review the material you missed.
Discussion Sections (1 hour/week)
Each student is enrolled in a one hour per week discussion section (see below). These discussions, which are led by your TA, are run for
your benefit. The purpose of these sessions is to review and reinforce the material covered in lecture, as well as to provide you the
opportunity to discuss topics in smaller groups. It is highly recommended that you attend all discussion sessions. In addition, participation
during these meetings will be factored into your overall course grade (see below). Please attend the discussion section to which you are
assigned. Discussions will begin meeting the week of September 9.
49255

Tuesday

8:00 9:00

RLM 5.126

49260

Thursday

8:00 9:00

RLM 5.126

49265

Friday

11:00 12:00

GDC 1.304

49270

Friday

12:00 1:00

ETC 2.132

Course Learning Outcomes

Information on learning outcomes will be provided in the course website on Blackboard (courses.utexas.edu).
Grading
Your overall grade in this course will be determined by the following:
Exam 1
15%
Exam 2
15%
Exam 3
15%
Exam 4
15%
Lecture Participation
9%
Discussion Quizzes & Participation
6%
Final Exam
25%
The final course grade is expected to obey the following grading scale:
A = 93.50% and above
B = 83.50-86.49%
C = 73.50-76.49%
A- = 90.00-93.49%
B- = 80.00-83.49%
C- = 70.00-73.49%
B+ = 86.50-89.99%
C+ = 76.50-79.99%
D+ = 66.50-69.99

D = 63.50-66.49%
D- = 60.00-63.49%
F = 59.99% and below

If your grade falls within one of the categories, you are guaranteed the letter grade indicated. Occasionally, I have been known to slightly
modify the grade categories downward to reflect the overall performance of the class, but this is not a guarantee. DO NOT COUNT ON A
CURVE OR CATEGORY ADJUSTMENT TO RAISE YOUR GRADE. Please DO NOT ask for a grade adjustment, as this will guarantee that
you will not receive one.
Exams
There will be four in-class exams during the semester (60% of your final grade) and a comprehensive final exam (25% of your final grade)
during the scheduled exam period. All exams will be based on the material covered in lecture (unless otherwise specified). Due to the nature
of the course material, the exams will be cumulative. Exams will cover factual material, but will also emphasize application and synthesis of
material. Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank and short-answer/very short essay questions. You are expected to
bring a pencil, pen and your UT ID to all exams.
There will be assigned seating for all of the exams, so it is advised that you arrive early to find your seat and minimize chaos. If you do not
sit in your assigned seat, your exam will not be graded; please take the time to double check. At your seat, you will only be allowed pencils,
pens and your photo ID; make sure all books, purses, and backpacks are placed at the front/side of the room and cell phones are turned off.
You must have your photo ID to turn in your exam. Any cell phone disturbances during exams will result in a 50% grade reduction on the
exam. You may not leave the room during an exam, so please plan ahead. Make sure to come to the exams on time: no exams will be
collected after time is called at the designated time and no late-comers will be allowed to start the exam if another student has already
finished the exam/left the room.
If you require special test-taking conditions, you must inform your instructor at least two weeks before the first exam. Please provide a letter
of documentation from the Disabilities Office (SSB 4.100, 471-6259). If you are allowed extra testing time, you may be taking your exams at
the SSD office. It is your responsibility to download the Scheduling an Exam/Test Form from the SSD website
(www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/forms_docs.php) and to see that this form is completed and delivered to SSD on time.
Make-up exams will be given only in the event of a valid and documented medical emergency or death in the immediate family. All make-up
exams must be completed before the exams are returned to the class. If a make-up exam cannot be scheduled in this time window, points
from the missed exam will be counted as the dropped exam (see below) or added to the value of the final exam.
Each student will have the opportunity to drop (or exchange) their lowest in-class exam during the semester. The points dropped will be
replaced by the next lowest in-class exam grade. In order to qualify for this point exchange, you must meet the following criteria:
a. You must have full credit (at least 90% of available points) for lecture participation
b. You must have taken all 4 exams.
c. You must have attempted all extra credit assignments (see below for more details).
If you wish to contest the grading of an answer on an exam, you must submit your exam and a written request to your instructor with an
explanation of your concern within one week of the date the exam is returned to the class. All exams submitted for re-grade will be
completely re-graded so that it is possible other deductions will be made for credit that was inappropriately given. If there is any question
that the student has altered the exam after getting it back, there will be no credit given for an answer. Exams written in pencil will NOT be
eligible for re-grading. Formal re-grade submissions are not required for mathematical errors.

Lecture Participation
9% your final grade will be determined by your participation during lecture. Lecture participation will be based mainly on i>clicker quizzes,
but may also include some in-class activities and quizzes. Each student must acquire his/her own i>clicker (original or i>clicker2) and bring it
to class every day beginning Wednesday, September 4. You must register your i>clicker on-line at www.iclicker.com/registration (Please
note: (a) registration must be completed before the first exam to receive credit for answering clicker questions and (b) you should re-register
your i>clicker even if you have registered it on the i>clicker website during a previous semester).
The goal of the i>clicker questions and in-class activities is to reinforce course material and encourage student participation. There will be up
to 10 clicker questions asked each day. For questions with a correct answer, you will receive 1 point for the correct answer or 0.5 points for
an incorrect response. (In the event of technical difficulties, you will get full credit for each answer that you attempt). Questions with no
correct answer will receive 1 point for any response. It is your responsibility to make sure that your answer is recognized by the system. All
in-class activities will also have point values that will be included in your participation points. A bonus point will be given each day to students
who respond to all questions asked/participate in all activities (regardless of answer choice).
Your participation points will be updated weekly in the grade book on Blackboard (courses.utexas.edu). You are responsible for keeping track
of these points: if you do not receive proper credit, you must let Dr. Wandelt know within two weeks of grade posting. Points will NOT be
modified after this period. Please note that you will be allowed to miss approximately 10% of the lecture points without affecting your grade =
90% is full credit (for example, last semester there were 130 questions; full credit = 115 points). Extra credit may be given for students with
more than the maximum number of participation points; details will be discussed in class as needed.
There will be no make-ups offered for missed clicker questions or activities. If you miss class for a valid and documented reason (medical
emergency, death in the immediate family, school-sponsored event), you will not be penalized for missed questions; please provide
documentation within two weeks of absence to Dr. Wandelt. It is your responsibility to bring your i>clicker to class everyday and make
sure it has battery power, has not been broken, etc. No credit will be given for lost, broken, forgotten i>clickers; please dont ask. Please
note that your instructor can fix virtually nothing related to i>clickers, therefore if you have a problem your best recourse is to contact i>clicker
(support@iclicker.com)
Do not send your clicker to class with a friend as this is scholastic dishonesty and will not be tolerated. Students who are not present in the
classroom, yet whose clicker is present will lose ALL earned clicker points for the semester and will have a scholastic dishonesty file charged
against them.
Discussion Quizzes and Participation
6% of your final course grade will be determined by quizzes and participation in your weekly discussion section. During discussion, you will
go over practice questions, learn study techniques, as well as to review difficult concepts and apply the lecture material. There will be 8
graded discussion meetings during the course of the semester (labeled #1-8 on course schedule below), each worth 15 points: 10 points
will be determined by a quiz covering course material and five points will be based on participation during the rest of the discussion hour.
Your TA will go over the requirements for participation at your first discussion meeting. During most exam weeks, discussion sections will be
optional reviews; please check with your TA for details.
Your discussion points will be updated weekly in the grade book on Blackboard (courses.utexas.edu). You are responsible for keeping track
of these points: if you do not receive credit for a discussion meeting, you must let your TA know within two weeks of grade posting. Points
will NOT be modified after this period. Please note that you will be allowed to miss some points (quizzes and/or participation) during the
semester without affecting your discussion grade (120 points possible; 100 points = full credit (6%) for semester; no extra credit given for
points above 100).
There will be no make-ups offered for missed discussions. If you miss a discussion for a valid and documented reason (medical emergency,
death in the immediate family, school-sponsored event), you will not be penalized for the missed quiz or participation; please provide
documentation within two weeks of absence to Dr. Wandelt or your TA.
Extra Credit!
There will be a number of extra opportunities offered during the semester. Generally, there will be one assignment associated with each
exam during the course of the semester, however others may come up. Please be aware that there will be NO special extra credit
assignments at the end of the semester to try and make up for lost ground, so do NOT ask.

Class Blackboard Site (courses.utexas.edu)

Course announcements, lecture outlines, exam information, grades, and other information will be posted on the class Blackboard (Bb) site.
It is your responsibility to stay informed: please check Bb regularly for announcements and make sure that you have a valid, functioning
email address listed in your UT personal information so that you receive email announcements.
It is your responsibility to keep track of your grades posted in the Bb gradebook. If there is a problem with your reported grade, you must
inform Dr. Wandelt or your TA within two weeks of the grade posting date. Points will NOT be modified after this period.
Blackboard email is to be used for class-related material only. Any abuse of the system will result in a block of this tool.
Class Piazza Site (piazza.com/utexas/fall2013/311c/home)
Piazza is a Q&A platform designed to get you great answers from classmates and instructors fast. You will receive an email with a link to
sign up to our Piazza page. This is the only way that the instructors will be answering questions (other than in person, of course!); please do
not email class material questions as your response will be to post your question on Piazza. This will eliminate the need to answer repeat
questions, will allow you to see what other students are working on/confused about and will encourage collaboration students working
together to figure our the material (guided by the instructors). If you have any questions about Piazza, please contact one of your instructors.
Academic Integrity
Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the
course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University,
policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.
Religious Holy Days
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Austin that the student must notify the instructor at least fourteen days prior to a scheduled class
day that he/she will be absent to observe a religious holy day. For religious holy days that fall within the first two weeks of the semester, the
notice should be given on the first day of the semester. For the purposes of grading in this course, such days will qualify as excused
absences with written (not emailed), advance notification.
Course Etiquette
1. Cell phones. Turn them off before you come to class. You will receive one warning for the semester. Any subsequent cell phone use (of
any form) will result in the loss of one week of lecture or discussion points. Any cell phone disturbances during exams will result in a 50%
grade reduction on the exam. If there are extenuating circumstances we can discuss them, but otherwise NO CELL PHONE usage in class
will be tolerated.
2. Coming & going. Please get to class on time and stay until the end to help minimize distractions.
3. Computer usage. Computer usage in class is discouraged and is to be limited to course-related material. You will receive one warning for
the semester. Any subsequent non-course related computer use will result in the loss of one week of lecture (or discussion) points. If there
are extenuating circumstances we can discuss them, but otherwise please stay on topic.
4. Other disruptive behaviors. Please try to minimize activities (talking, newspaper reading, eating Cheetos) that may disrupt your
classmates. If such activities interrupt me or the class, you will receive one sarcastic warning for the semester. Any subsequent
interruptions will result in the loss of one week of lecture (or discussion) points.
5. Email etiquette. Emails should include a greeting and closing if you expect a response.
Strategies for Success
1. Pre-read the textbook selections/lecture outlines. The readings for each lecture will be given in class. It is suggested that you look over
the material prior to class so that the lectures will be easier to follow.
2. Attend lectures. And take notes! It is suggested that you bring the lecture outlines to class to use as a guide for note taking. These will
focus and organize your notes. Reading these outlines is not a substitute for attending lecture. If you must miss a lecture, it is a good idea
to borrow notes from a classmate. Make a friend now.
3. Ask questions. During class, after class, during discussion section, during office hours, or by email. Anytime something does not make
sense, please ask you are probably not alone.

4. Reread your notes & text after lecture. This will give you a great opportunity to identify points that need clarification. Rereading course
material will also help with your long-term memory.
5. Answer questions. Worksheets reviewing the material covered in class are available on Blackboard.
6. Go to discussion sections. These are a great opportunity to ask questions in a more intimate setting and review course material.
Discussion sections also provide a chance to meet your classmates and form study groups (see #7).
7. Review material in study groups. One of the best ways to study is in a group. Ask each other questions & make sure you can explain
answers.
8. Evaluate and review exams. Go over returned exams. Why did you get a question wrong? Do you understand the material now?
9. Residential Halls Study Groups (RHSG). Another great way to get involved in Bio311C study groups. Instructors, TAs, and students from
Bio311C (and other CNS classes) get together in Jester and Kinsolving Residence Halls to discuss the course material. This program runs
Sunday Thursday nights from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Check out the website: cns.utexas.edu/community/resident-hall-study-groups
10. The Sanger Learning and Career Center. The Sanger Center offers many resources to students: free classes, free tutoring in a variety
of subjects (including biology), peer academic coaches, and professional Learning Specialists to meet with you privately to discuss how to
improve your academic performance. Check out their website: http://www.lifelearning.utexas.edu/index.html
Prior knowledge and skills required for BIO 311C
To be academically competitive in this course, a student should be able to do the following prior to the start of the course:
1. Read a college course syllabus and identify and locate the course resources that are provided by instructors, textbook, and online
resources, and be able to plan how to be successful in the course.
2. Read a descriptive paragraph in a science textbook, and identify the major points.
3. Be able to identify what a question is asking and to answer a question clearly and to the point.
4. Utilize basic math and algebra functions to solve calculations, including calculations involving fractions, exponents, and scientific notation.
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide simple numbers without using a calculator.
5. Without using a calculator, determine the log10 of 100 and the log10 of 0.001.
6. Determine information from a graph, and construct a graph from given data.
7. Be familiar with measurement scales.
8. From linear dimensions, calculate the volume of a sphere or the volume of a cube. Calculate density from a given mass and volume.
9. Distinguish between elements, compounds, homogeneous mixtures, and heterogeneous mixtures.
10. Understand the basic organization of the periodic table. Use the table to determine atomic mass and atomic number, find elements with
similar properties based on location within the table.
11. Identify the parts of an atom and the number of protons and electrons in atoms and ions. Determine the number of valence electrons in
the elements H, C, N and O, which are important in biological molecules.
12. Define isotope.
13. Compare covalent and ionic bonds. Explain electronegativity. Predict polarity of covalent bonds within molecules.
14. Calculate the molar mass of a compound from information in the periodic table. Calculate molarity given moles (or mass) and volume.
15. Define pH and explain the difference between two solutions, one with pH 2 and the other with pH 5.
16. Define kinetic energy and potential energy, and give examples of both.

17. State the first and second law of thermodynamics.

18. Distinguish between the two major types of cells.

Tentative Lecture Schedule

The following is a rough outline of the topics to be covered. While we will likely not stay on schedule, the exam dates are firm. Readings
listed are for the 8th and 9th editions of Biology. More detailed reading assignments will be given in class.
DATE
W 8/28
F 8/30
M 9/2
W 9/4
F 9/6
M 9/9
W 9/11
F 9/13
M 9/16
W 9/18
F 9/20
M 9/23
W 9/25
F 9/27
M 9/30
W 10/2
F 10/4
M 10/7
W 10/9
F 10/11
M 10/14
W 10/16
F 10/18
M 10/21
W 10/23
F 10/25
M 10/28
W 10/30
F 11/1
M 11/4
W 11/6
F 11/8
M 11/11
W 11/13
F 11/15
M 11/18
W 11/20
F 11/22
M 11/25
W 11/27
F 11/29
M 12/2
W 12/4
F 12/6

TOPIC
Introduction
Concepts and Themes
No class: Labor Day
Water
O-Chem & Intro to biomolecules
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
Proteins
Proteins
Exam 1 in class during normal lecture time
Metabolism and Enzymes
Enzymes
Intro to cells
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells
Eukaryotic cell structure
Eukaryotic cell structure
Cell Membranes
Membrane Transport
Exam 2 in class during normal lecture time
Cellular respiration
Cellular respiration
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration & Photosynthesis catch-up
DNA
DNA Replication
DNA Replication
Exam 3 in class during normal lecture time
Cell division
Cell division
Cell division
Gene expression: Transcription
Gene expression: Transcription & Translation
Gene expression: Translation
Protein targeting and mutations
Gene regulation
Gene regulation
Exam 4 in class during normal lecture time
No class: Thanksgiving
No class: Thanksgiving
Cell communication
Cell communication
Cancer

W 12/11

Comprehensive final exam

2:00 pm 5:00 (Location TBD)

READING
Syllabus
Chapter 1
Chapter 2!!!
Chapter 3
Chapters 4 & 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5

None
Graded Discussion
#1
Exam week
Optional

Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 6
Chapters 6 & 27
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7

Graded Discussion
#2

Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapters 9 & 10
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Chapter 16

Graded Discussion
#4

Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 18

Graded Discussion
#6

Graded Discussion
#3
Exam week
Optional

Graded Discussion
#5
Exam week
Optional

Graded Discussion
#7
Graded Discussion
#7
None

Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapters 12 & 18

Important Dates
Tuesday, September 3
Friday, September 13
Tuesday, November 5

Discussion
None

Last day of the official add/drop period

Last day to add a class (twelfth class day)
Last day to drop a class or withdraw from university
Last day to change registration to/from pass/fail.

Graded Discussion
#8

Name: ______________________________________

Survey & Contract

1. Any nicknames that you prefer (or what you would like me to call you)

2. High school (location) & graduation year?

3. Major (current or planned)?

4. Last science class & when?

5. Career ambitions/plans for after college?

6. Clubs/groups/orgs in which you are (or want to be) involved?

7. Other science classes you are taking this semester?

8. Anything else you would like me to know about you?

After reading and UNDERSTANDING the syllabus, sign the contract below and return this entire page to Dr. Wandelt. No grades will be
given until I have this form.

I ______________________________________ have read and understand the course policies for BIO311C.

_______________________________________
Signature

_______________________
Date