BIOL 1361 - INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE - FALL 2015

Instructor:
0451

Dr. Ann Oliver Cheek, PhD aocheek@uh.edu

713-743-

Office: 453F, SR2 (Science & Research Building 2, Bldg no. 551)
Office Hours: 10:30 noon W, Th; or by appointment
Time & Location: Section 18267, M/W 2:30 3:45 pm; SEC 100
Required Text: Campbell Biology in Focus, 1st Edition, Urry et al, with Mastering
Biology access code. OPTIONS:
Hardback book + access code for ebook and
homework: ISBN 9780321813664. Loose-leaf book (you provide binder) + access code
for ebook and homework: ISBN: 9780321896896. Access code alone is available at the
UH Bookstore as an access code card or by direct purchase from the website
www.masteringbiology.com.
Required Supplies: Subscription to Top Hat bring-yourown-device polling software for in class questions and discussions. You will use your own
basic phone, smart phone, tablet or laptop to answer questions. A subscription can be
purchased at the UH Bookstore or through the Top Hat website www.tophat.com. The join
code for this section is 049859.
Course Schedule. Subject to change at instructors discretion; schedule changes will be
announced
Readin
MB
g
Hwk
Bb
(Chapt
Da Da
(due
Recitation
Assignm
y
Lecture Topic
er)
te
Sun)
Topic
ents
Part 1: Energy
Au M Intro to Course
1
g
Scientific Method Case Study
1
24
Directed Study: Chemistry of Life
2
Aug 25
Sep 1

Recitation Placement Test (required) schedule a seat at CASA for this test

26

Acquiring Energy Digestion

33

31
Se
p1
Se
p2
7
9

Digestion & Absorption

33

T
W
M
W

Last day to ADD

Python Digestion Case Study
Participation Grading Begins
Labor Day Holiday no class
Cell Membrane
Last day to DROP

14

Cell Membrane

pdf

Practic
e, 1, 2
R1 Interpreting
Graphs

33
R2 Digestion

5
R3 Membrane
Transport

16

Gas Exchange

34.5-7

21
23

M
W

28
30

M
W

Biomolecules & Cell Structure

3, 4
Biomolecules & Cell Structure
3, 4
No Hwk
EXAM 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 5, 33, 34.5-7; Ulcer
case, Python case)
Biomolecules & Cell Structure
3, 4
3, 4

Assignme
nt 1
posted

34.5-7
R4 Gas
Exchange
R5 Biomolecules

Da
te
Oct
5

Da
y
M

Lecture Topic
Biomolecules & Cell Structure

Readin
g
(Chapt
er)

MB
Hwk
(due
Sun)

3, 4

Cellular Respiration

12
14

M
W

Cellular Respiration

Cellular Respiration

Assignm
ent 1
DUE

7a
R7 Glycolyis &
TCA cycle
7b
R8 Electron
Transport & ATP
production

19
21

M
W

Metabolic Reactions & Enzymes

Photosynthesis

26

Photosynthesis

28
Oct
30
No
v2

8
Part 2: Interaction
Homeostasis: Nutrients &
33.5,
Temperature
32.1
8

Last Day to Drop with a W

M
W

Exam 2 (Chapters 3, 4, 6, 7, 8)
Homeostasis: Osmoregulation

6
8

Bb
Assignm
ents

Recitation
Topic
R6 Cell
Structure

6
R9 Photosynthesis

R10 - glucose
homeostasis

32.3

No Hwk
R11
Osmoregulation
& Circulation

Circulation

34.1-4

11

Neurons, Synapses, & Signaling

16

Hormones & Cell Signaling

37
5.6 &
32.2

18

Reproductive Hormones

36.2-3

23

Animal Development

25

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

30
De
c2
De
c9

Hormones & Behavior Case Study

Exam 3 (Chapters 5.6, 32, 33, 34.1-4, 36, 37, hormone case study)

32/33.5
/34
R12 Neurons
37
no recitations
this week

36.4
32.2/5.
6

case
pdf

COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM

Location: TBA

R13 - Hormone
signaling
2:00 5:00 pm

Course Description
BIOL 1361 is the first semester of a two-part Introduction to Biological Science course
that is required of biology and biochemistry majors. It is a prerequisite for all advanced
courses in biology and is often taken as an elective by students majoring in other natural
and social sciences. Enrollment in this course requires either credit for, or concurrent
enrollment in MATH 1310 or its equivalent. The goal of this course is to introduce students
to basic concepts of biology and prepare them for upper level biology and biochemistry
course work. BIOL 1361 (fall semester) focuses on biochemistry, cell biology, and
2

physiology, while BIOL 1362 (spring semester) focuses on genetics, biotechnology,

evolution, and ecology.
Course Objectives
Students will be able to:
1)
Demonstrate mastery of the fundamental chemistry of biologically important
molecules.
2)
Relate cell structures to biological function and describe their role in metabolism.
3)
Recognize the commonalities between organ systems of diverse animal species.
4)
Work with peers to apply content knowledge in problem solving and communicate
their solutions and reasoning to classmates and the instructors.
Laboratory
BIOL 1161 is a 1 credit-hour course consisting of an introductory lecture and laboratory.
Concurrent enrollment and attendance in the laboratory course is not required for the
lecture course. BIOL 1161 laboratory starts the FIRST week of the semester. For further
information on BIOL 1161 laboratories contact the laboratory supervisor, Dr. Ana Medrano,
using this email address: introbio@uh.edu.
Student Success Program
The University of Houston has been selected to participate in the Howard Hughes Medical
Institutes undergraduate science education program. The course will include interactive
lectures, in-class demonstrations and recitation study groups. All students will need to fill
out a FERPA release form and sign a participation contract. In addition, students will
complete surveys about your perception of the course activities.
Recitation Sessions
Recitation sessions are held for one hour each week. Recitations begin the second week of
classes. The schedule is posted on the course Blackboard Learn page. All students are
invited to participate. You do not need to sign up or register, just show up at your chosen
time. These sessions provide the opportunity to participate in problem-solving activities
designed to enhance your understanding and mastery of the course content. A required
placement test will be given at CASA. You must schedule a seat for the placement test
during the period Aug 25 Sep 1. Based on your placement test score, you will be
notified whether or not you will be required to attend one recitation session
each week for the remainder of the semester. If you do not take the placement
test, you will automatically be required to attend recitation for the remainder of
the semester. If you are required to attend, recitation attendance will count for 50% of
your participation grade. Recitation attendance will be graded as the percentage of
required sessions attended, example: 8/9 sessions attended = 89%.
Exams and Graded Work
EXAMS: There will be 3 exams covering information presented in lecture, in homework,
and in the assigned reading. Exams consist of multiple choice questions which can include
interpretation of diagrams or pictures. All exams will require automated scan answer
sheets, provided by the instructor.
Mid-term and final exams will be given in two parts: individual and team. During the first
half of each exam period, each individual will complete the exam. Immediately after
individual exams are collected, students will work in teams to discuss and answer the
3

same questions. Each team will turn in a single answer sheet. Each student will earn a
composite exam score: his or her individual score will be worth 80% of the composite
score and the team score will count for 20% of the composite score. Teams will be formed
by random assignment. New teams will be formed for each exam.
No make-up exams will be given. An excused absence may be granted if the student
speaks to the instructor in person or via phone BEFORE THE EXAM and provides
sufficient written documentation of an unavoidable absence.
If written
documentation is not provided to the instructor, the score for the missed exam is 0. If an
excused absence is granted, the comprehensive final will count for 32% of the semester
grade. If more than one exam is missed, subsequent missed exam grades will be 0,
regardless of the reason. Excuses of a purely social nature will not be accepted.
Please familiarize yourself with the University policies on cheating and academic honesty
outlined in the University of Houston Student Handbook. Cheating during an exam will
not be tolerated. Demonstrable incidents of cheating could result in the student
receiving a zero for the exam or a grade of F for the course.
HOMEWORK and SURVEYS: There will be weekly homework questions to be completed
online using the Mastering Biology interactive website (10% of your semester grade) and a
survey to be completed on Survey Monkey (1% of your semester grade). Homework
submitted by the due date and time will receive all credit earned. A late penalty of -10%
per day will be automatically applied to answers submitted after the due date and time.
Homework questions can be re-worked for study during the entire semester, but are only
graded at your first submission. Homework question sets are graded as percentage
correct answers. The survey will be graded as completed (100%) or not completed (0%).
ASSIGNMENT: One assignment will be posted for completion on Blackboard. It will
require you to assemble background knowledge independent of your instructor and
textbook. The assignment will focus on analyzing and interpreting results of published
experiments. Late completions will be accepted until 1 week after the due date, but with a
-10% per day late penalty.
ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION: Classroom: Mandatory discussion questions will
appear sometime during the lecture to assess participation. You must respond to these
questions by text message or weblink. A maximum of 3 lecture sessions may be missed
for any reason with no excuse necessary. Any additional lecture sessions missed will incur
a -5% reduction in your lecture participation grade, regardless of the reason. Correct
answers for the discussion questions will count toward EXTRA CREDIT added to the
final semester grade. Correctness is scored as follows: 2 pts for a correct answer on the
first try, 1 pt for a correct answer on the second try, if the question is repeated (at the
instructors discretion). Extra credit will be awarded on the following scale: 1 percentage
pt for a correctness score of 50%, 1.5 percentage pts for 60%, 2 percentage pts for 70%,
2.5 percentage pts for 80%, and 3 percentage pts for 90% or greater. Each 1% above a
boundary will add 0.05 extra credit percentage points. Example: A 73% correctness score
will count for 2.15 extra credit percentage points.
The final grade for this course will be calculated from the following scores: composite
exam scores (individual + team) are worth 16% each, for a total of 64%; all homework
assignments and survey completion combined will count for 11%, the online assignment
will count for 15%, and attendance & participation will count for 10%.
Exam 1*

16%
4

Exam 2*
Exam 3*
Comprehensive Final Exam*
Weekly Homework, including
surveys
Assignment - analysis
Attendance & Participation
TOTAL

16
16
16
11
15
10
100
%

*Each exam grade is 80% individual effort and 20% team effort. See details under the
EXAMS section.
Final grades may be adjusted to achieve a fair and reasonable distribution of grades. The
tentative grading scale for final grades is as follows: (59.5 to <62.5 D-) (62.5 to <66.5 D)
(66.5 to <69.5 D+) (69.5 to <72.5 C-) (72.5 to <76.5 C) (76.5 to <79.5 C+) (79.5 to
<82.5 B-) (82.5 to <86.5 B) (86.5 to <89.5 B+) (89.5 to <92.5 A-) (>92.5 A)
Classroom Policies
Cell Phones: Place phones on silent during class.
Entry and exit: Lectures: Please arrive on time for class and remain in the classroom for
the duration of the class period. To be counted present, you must answer at least half
the clicker questions asked. Clicker questions may appear at any time during lecture,
depending on the topic. Exams: If you arrive after the first person has turned in an
exam, you will not be able to take the exam. Late arrival will count as an unexcused
absence from the exam and you will receive a 0 for that exam. Bring only student ID,
pencils, erasers, and a calculator (if specified) into the classroom during exams. Any bags
brought into the classroom must be zipped and placed at the back of the classroom during
the exam. Phones are not allowed during the examination. A phone on your
person or in your immediate seating area during an exam is grounds for
receiving a 0 on the exam. Hats may not be worn during exams, with the exception of
head coverings worn for religious reasons.
Email: All class email communication will be sent to your UH email account. Your emails
to the instructor or the teaching assistants should include your name and section (MW or
TTh).
Tutoring
Tutoring is available through Learning Support Services (713-743-5411); they are located
in room N109 Cougar Village (website for schedule of tutoring hours:
http://www.las.uh.edu/lss/tutoring.aspx ).
Every student has their own expectations in terms of the final grade they wish
to achieve in the course.
Tips for Success:
1. Attend class and ask questions.
2. Lecture outlines and questions for review will be posted on Blackboard before
class. Lecture slides will be posted after each topic is completed to help you fill in your
5

own lecture notes. The assigned chapter(s) should be read before lecture. This
strategy will help you follow the lectures and enhance your ability to master the
information and concepts needed to do well on the exams.
3. Studying for exams: Exam questions will require you to recall knowledge, explain
concepts, apply knowledge to solve a problem giving new information, analyze data,
and evaluate experimental results and conclusions.
To prepare: 1) Answer the
questions for review listed for each chapter. These short answer questions require you
to develop an answer and test the strength of your understanding. Suggested answers
are in Appendix A of the textbook. 2) Use the study guide posted for each exam and
be sure to practice the drawings indicated. Learn the vocabulary using the definitions
given during lecture and the definition in the textbook. 3) Re-work any homework
questions you found difficult.
4. Keep on schedule with the reading and studying. If you fall too far behind it may
be impossible to catch up since the fundamentals taught early on are integral to the
material taught later on in the course. A consistent effort is essential to getting a good
grade.
5. The text for this course is supported by the MasteringBiology website. Your
required homework will be completed on this website and there are many useful tools
in the Study Area such as videos, animations, tutorials, activities, word study tools (key
words, flash cards), quizzes and practice tests. The online homework assignments are
completed on this website which maintains a gradebook for the homework.

General Information
Students with disabilities are accommodated per University rules and regulations. To
make the necessary arrangements you should register with Center for Students with
Disabilities at 307 Student Service Center, or call (713)743-5400.
If a student decides to withdraw from the course, it is his or her responsibility to do so
online, directly from his or her own PeopleSoft account. Students who complete only some
of the exams and/or other required assignments for the course and do not withdraw will
receive a grade of F.
Important Dates:
Tues 9/1/15
Last day to add class online
Wed 9/9/15
Last day to drop the course without receiving a grade
Fri 10/30/15
Last day to withdraw from the course with a W

Fall 2015 MasteringBiology Guide

In this course you will be using MasteringBiology, an online tutorial and homework program.
What You Need:
A valid email address
A student access code
o Printed on the Student Access Code Card packaged with your textbook or available
separately as a Standalone Access Card without ebook:
MasteringBiology -Standalone Access Card -- for Campbell Biology in Focus
OR with ebook:
MasteringBiology with Pearson eText Student Access Code Card for Campbell Biology
in Focus
o You can purchase access online at www.masteringbiology.com.
The ZIP code for U of H: Use 77004 or 77204 (check that U of H appears in the
dropdown menu.)
The Course ID: CHEEK18267
1. Register
Go to www.masteringbiology.com and click Students under Register.
To register using the student access code inside the MasteringBiology Student Access
Code Card/Kit, select Yes, I have an access code. Click Continue.
OR Purchase access online: Select No, I need to purchase access online now.
Select your textbook, whether you want access to the eText, and click Continue. Follow
the on-screen instructions to purchase access using a credit card. The purchase path
includes registration, but the process is a bit different from the steps printed here.
License Agreement and Privacy Policy: Click I Accept to indicate that you have
read and agree to the license agreement and privacy policy.
Select the appropriate option under Do you have a Pearson Education account?
Continue to give the requested information until you complete the process. The
Confirmation & Summary page confirms your registration. This information will also
be emailed to you for your records.
Did you receive multiple access codes for MasteringBiology and/or Virtual
Biology Labs? Sometimes new books come with more than one student access code
card. If you have more than one code, register using all of your codes BEFORE clicking
Log
In
Now.
For
each
additional
code
that
you
have,
return
to
http://www.masteringbiology.com/ and click the Students button under Register again.
Important: Identify the SAME student account each time you register. To do this, answer
Yes to Do you have a Pearson account? Then enter your existing login name and
password.
2. Log In
Go to www.masteringbiology.com.
Enter your Login Name and Password that you specified during registration and click Log In.
3. Join Your Instructors Course and/or Open Self-Study Resources
Upon first login, youll be asked to do one or more of the following:
Join a Course by entering the MasteringBiology Course ID provided by your
instructor. When you join a course, you will be asked for a Student ID (follow on-screen
instructions).
Explore the Study Area or Launch Your eText, if these resources are available for
your textbook.
To Access MasteringBiology Again Later
Simply go to www.masteringbiology.com, enter your Login Name and Password, and click Log
In. After you have joined a course: You can open any assignments from the Assignments Due
Soon area or from the Assignments page. For self-study, click eText or Study Area, if these
8

options are available.

Support
Access Customer Support at www.masteringbiology.com/support, where you will find:
System Requirements
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Registration Tips & Tricks video
Additional contact information for Customer Support, including Live Chat.