Biology 15: Cells and Organisms

Fall 2017

Professor Melissa Kosinski-Collins, SSC 016A

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1-2:30

Class Meeting Time: M, W, Th 9:00-9:50 am, ****

TAs:

Summary:

This course introduces contemporary biology with an emphasis on cells, organs, and organ systems. Topics include the forms and functions of macromolecules, organelles, and cells, the integration of cells into tissues, and the physiology of fundamental life processes. The course is intended to prepare students to understand the biology of everyday life, and to provide a strong foundation for those who continue to study the life sciences.

Learning Objectives:

After completion of this course students should be able to:

·  Explain basic concepts in biology including cellular structure, bio-macromolecule composition, structure, and synthesis

·  Explain the concept of central dogma and its role in the cell.

·  Describe how and why cells make and use energy.

·  Describe the major characteristics of human organ systems and their functionality at the molecular level.

·  Recognize developing scientific literacy skills

Course Format:

This course will meet three times a week. Most classes will involve a lecture component as well as a discussion or interactive component. Written homework problems will be assigned periodically. You are required to complete and turn in all homework problems to receive credit for the participation portion of your grade.

Several times throughout the semester, you will be asked to read a paper in biology and be prepared to discuss in recitation or in class. You are required to submit two discussion questions via LATTE by 9 pm the night before the discussion class. Submission of your discussion questions will be part of your homework grade. Your participation grade will stem from your attendance and your ability to participate in these discussions and provide insightful feedback. No late homework will be accepted.

Recitation sessions will meet once per week and all students are required to attend. Recitations will include paper discussions or practice problems about that week’s class topic.

If you have a documented learning disability and would like to have an accommodation made in taking this class, please inform the professor immediately.

Academic Integrity:

Students are expected to work independently on all homework and exams unless otherwise stated. Conduct inconsistent with the policies on academic honesty in "Rights and Responsibilities" will be treated seriously.

Textbook:

Biology: How Life Works 2016. Morris, Hartl, Knoll and Lue. 2nd ed. Freeman.

Grading:

Your grade for the course will be determined by your scores on 3, fifty minute in-class exams, ongoing problem sets, and your class participation both in lecture and in recitation. Each quiz will constitute 20% of your grade and class participation, problem sets will be 20%, and attendance/homework will count for another 20%. There are 4 scheduled exams during the semester. Each exam is cumulative. The lowest exam score for the semester will be dropped, but there are no make-up exams given for any reason.

Because part of your grade is based on participation, you are required to attend and to be prepared for all lectures and recitations. Homework will occasionally be assigned and collected via Latte upload to help prepare you for class. For each reading assigned, you will be required to upload two questions to the course website by 9 am on the day of the recitation.

Periodically throughout the semester on unannounced quizzes may take place at the beginning of class OR recitation. Students either late or absent will not receive any attendance/homework/participation points for the day.

Syllabus Schedule:

Date / Topic: / Readings
Aug 30 / 1 Introduction
The chemical basis of life / Chapter 1
Chapter 2:2.1-2.4
Aug 31 / 2 Biological macromolecules / Chapter 2: 2.5 and 2.6
Chapter 3: 3.1 and 3.2
Sep 6 / 3 DNA and replication / Chapter 12: 12.1
Sep 7 / 4 Transcription / Chapter 3: 3.3 and 3.4
Sep 11 / 5 Transcription cont.
Sep 13 / 6 Making proteins: Translation / Chapter 4: 4.2 and 4.3
Sep 14 / 7 Proteins: structures and functions / Chapter 4: 4.1
Sep 18 / 8 Protein Degradation
Sep 20 / Exam 1
Sep 25 / 10 Lipids / Chapter 5: 5.1-5.5
Sep 27 / 11 Energy and thermodynamics / Chapter 6
Sep 28 / 12 Enzymes and reactions
Oct 2 / 13 Cellular respiration / Chapter 7: 7.1
Oct 3 / 14 Glycolysis and citric acid cycle, ETC / Chapter 7: 7.2-7.7
Oct 4 / 15 Cell Communication and signaling / Chapter 9: 9.1-9.2
Oct 9 / 16 Signaling and transduction / Chapter 9: 9.3-9.5
Oct 11 / Signaling and transduction (cont.)
Oct 16 / Exam 2
Oct 18 / 17 Cytoskeleton / Chapter 10: 10.1 and 10.2
Oct 19 / 18 Cytoskeleton
Oct 23 / 19 Cytoskeleton
Oct 25 / 20 Movement
Oct 26 / 21 Adhesion / Chapter 10: 10.3
Oct 30 / 22 ECM / Chapter 10: 10.4
Nov 1 / 23 Cell Division (Mitosis vs. Meiosis) / Chapter 11: 11.1-11.3
Nov 2 / Mitosis cont.
Nov 6 / 24 Reproduction / Chapter 42:all
Nov 8 / 25 Reproduction
Nov 9 / 26 Development
Nov 13 / Exam 3
Nov 15 / 27 Digestion and Nutrition / Chapter 40: all
Nov 16 / 27 Nervous System / Chapter 35: all
Nov 20 / 28 Nervous System
Nov 27 / 29 Nervous System
Nov 29 / 30 Immune System / Chapter 43: all
Nov 30 / 31 Immune System
Dec 4 / 32 Immune System
Dec 6 / 33 Vaccines
Dec 7 / Exam 4

Recitation Schedule

Reading Supplement
Sep 11/12 / Recitation 1 / Problem 1: Chemistry and Bonding
Problem 2: Parts of the cell
Sep 18/19 / Recitation 2 / Problem 3: Transcription and translation
Problem 4: Protein Structure
Sep 25/26 / Recitation 3 / Problem 5: Lipids and Protein Structure
Problem 6: Energetics and Enzymes
Oct 9/10 / Recitation 4 / Problem 7: Case Study Cellular Respiration
Oct 16/17 / Recitation 5 / Problem 8: Case Study Cell Signaling
Oct 23/24 / Recitation 6 / Problem 9: Cytoskeleton Case Study
Oct 30/31 / Recitation 7 / Problem 10: Gleevec and Cancer
Nov 6/7 / Recitation 8 / Problem 11: Mitosis Case Study
Nov 13/14 / Recitation 9 / Reading 1: Nutrition
Problem 12: Development / Nestle 2007
Nov 20/21 / Recitation 10 / Problem 13: Nervous System
Nov 27/28 / Recitation 11 / Problem 14: Case Study HIV
Dec 4/5 / Recitation 12 / Exam Review