Biology 1012  -  General Biology II  - Fall 2008

WELCOME to the second semester of General Biology.  During this term you will build upon the concepts from General Biology I as they specifically apply to organisms, especially plants and animals.  The lectures will provide the vocabulary and fundamental information necessary for you to benefit from the visual and hands-on experiences provided in the laboratory. You'll learn how organisms have evolved in their diverse forms to cope with the ever-changing conditions in which they live. 

LECTURERS:  

Brian W. Kram Office: 317 Life Science Phone: 726-7774 Email: bkram@d.umn.edu Office Hours: T 9-11, F 10-11:30 or by appointment

Lyle J. Shannon Office: 329 Life Science Phone: 726-7276 Email: lshannon@d.umn.edu Office Hours: T 11-12, W 11-12, or by appointment

Teaching Assistants:

• Diana Ostrowski: ostro127@d.umn.edu
• Terry Hams: hams0005@d.umn.edu
• Lee Sims: simsx019@d.umn.edu
• Lauren Hildebrandt: hild0213@d.umn.edu
• Carly Lapin: lapi0029@d.umn.edu

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Books: 1) Biological Science, 3rd ed.  Freeman. 2008. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings. Online Course Companion for 3rd ed. 2) Lab Manual  (Not yet available in the bookstore - Printable Exercises are available on Lab Schedule website. Print and bring to lab.) 3)Personal Response Device (PRD) - Turning Technologies Radio Frequency Clicker (available at UMD Bookstore).  For instructions on how to register your PRD, visit: https://www2.webvista.umn.edu/   Sign in with your user name and password, and then click on Biology 1012.  Once you're in the Biology 1012 site, just click on "Register Your Clicker Here".

 

Optional References Available In UMD Bookstore:

Photo Atlas for Biology, J.W. Perry, Wadsworth Publishing. 1996.   

                                          

Grading: Your grade for Biology 1012 will be determined by your participation in class (using your PRD), and your performance (points accumulated out of 585 total) on lecture and laboratory exams, lab reports, assignments, and participation.

Letter Grades will be assigned by comparing your point total to the mean point total of the top 5 students in the class.  We will use the following grade scale:

Grade	% of mean point total of top 5 students
A	93%
A-	90%
B+	88%
B	83%
B-	80%
C+	77%
C	73%
C-	70%
D+	67%
D	63%
F	60%

NOTE: The laboratory is an integral part of this course. You must not miss more than a combined total of 3 laboratory or discussion sessions to pass this course (no exceptions). If you miss more than 3 sessions, you will receive a failing grade.

Exams:

1. Four lecture exams to total 300 points, as follows:    

                                                  

Exam I	75 pts	Monday, Sep 29	9:00-9:50 AM	Chem 200
Exam II	75 pts	Friday, Oct 24	9:00-9:50 AM	Chem 200
Exam III	75 pts	Wednesday, Nov 19	9:00-9:50 AM	Chem 200
Final Exam	75 pts	Thursday, Dec 18	10:00-11:55 AM	Chem 200

2. Class Participation (with Personal Response Devices) to total 30 points.  

3. Laboratory to total 180, as follows:   

                                                               

Lab Exam 1	40 pts	Week of Oct 13-17	SSB 109
Lab Exam 2	40 pts	Week of Dec 1-5	SSB 109
Lab reports	70 pts	Various times	SSB 109
Quizzes	20 pts	Various times	SSB 109
Other assignments	10 pts	Various times	SSB 109

4. Discussion to total 75, as follows:

 

Examination Policy:

It is expected that students attend lecture and lab sessions and take all exams and quizzes as scheduled.  As a general rule, no makeup exams are given.  However, exceptions may be granted for purposes of illness or other serious personal crises.  Exceptions are also granted for University-approved absences.  Lack of preparation is not considered an adequate reason for failure to take an exam.  You are required to contact your instructor (in person, phone or email) before the exam to request permission for a makeup quiz or exam.

 

Liberal Education Statement:

The biological sciences represent a fundamental area of knowledge essential for a strong liberal education background.  Biology 1012, General Biology II, is the second and final semester of the sequence.  This course surveys the living world and leads students to carefully observe and identify organisms.  In doing so, they are encouraged to think critically about form and function at different levels - from the cellular to the organismal, to populations and communities of interacting individuals. Strategies for survival and success are examined, along with the historical and experimental evidence fundamental to understanding how plants and animals live.  The laboratory stresses observation, assisted by tools such as microscopes, dissection specimens, interactive computer exercises and hands on experimentation with basic laboratory instruments and techniques.  General topics of study include origin of life, prokaryotes and eukaryotes; structure, growth, nutrition and regulation in plants and animals; plant and animal diversity; biotechnology and ecology.      

 

Access For Students With Disabilities:

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all of its students shall have equal educational opportunities.  Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary that might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the semester. Adaptation of methods, materials or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation. 

 

Promotion Of Bias-Free Instruction:

The University of Minnesota expressly forbids discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran's status, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin or marital status.  If you believe that your instructor has not upheld this policy, you are invited to bring it to the confidential attention of the Biology Department Head (Dr. Matt Andrews, 207D SSB; 726-7263) or the Associate Dean of the College of Science and Engineering (Dr. Tim Holst, 140 Engineering; 726-7585). Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD's reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students. UMD is committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. This pledge can only be redeemed in an environment of trust, honesty, and fairness. As a result, academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/integrity. This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders.)

Academic Integrity:

Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD's reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students. UMD is committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. This pledge can only be redeemed in an environment of trust, honesty, and fairness. As a result, academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/integrity. This policy sanctions students engaging in academic dishonesty with penalties up to and including expulsion from the university for repeat offenders.)

Student Conduct Code:

The instructor will enforce and students are expected to follow the University's Student Conduct Code (http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/code). Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic achievement and integrity. Disruptive classroom behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach, or student learning, is prohibited. Disruptive behavior includes inappropriate use of technology in the classroom. Examples include ringing cell phones, text-messaging, watching videos, playing computer games, doing email, or surfing the Internet on your computer instead of note-taking or other instructor-sanctioned activities.