Spring 2001

updated 01/29/01 EES
 BIOLOGY 211G:

CELLULAR AND ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY

Course Description & Requirements 

Hardman 216
 
SECTION 01:  SECTION 02:
9:30 am  - 10:20 am 10:30 am - 11:20 am

 

 
Dr. Elba Serrano
eserrano@nmsu.edu
646-5217
Lecturer: Jan 10 - Mar 9
Dr. Graciela Unguez
gunguez@nmsu.edu
646-7963
Lecturer: Mar 10 - May 4


 
COURSE GOALS:
Biology 211 (3 cr) provides an introduction to principles of cell structure and function, metabolism, molecular biology, genetics, and physiology of microbes, plants, and animals.  The course is suitable for nonmajors with sufficient chemistry.  Completion of  BIOL211G and BIOL 211L will satisfy general education requirements.

PREREQUISITE:
CHEM 110G or CHEM 111 or consent of instructor.

 Spring 2001
COURSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
 
  TEAM TEACHING
  211G CALENDAR:  SERRANO LECTURES  UNGUEZ LECTURES
 TEXTBOOK
  EXAM CONTENT AND MAKEUP POLICIES
GRADING SYSTEM AND GRADES
STUDY GUIDE  EXAM 1
EXTRA CREDIT    FEB 16  MAR 7
 BIOLOGY LAB  211L (1 cr) INFORMATION & SYLLABUS
  INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 
 IN CLASS COURTESY GUIDELINES
 BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OFFICE
 USEFUL WEB PAGES STUDENT JOBS ETC
 STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
 CONTACT THE INSTRUCTORS
  CONTACT THE GRADUATE ASSISTANT
 WHAT IS GENERAL EDUCATION?

IMPORTANT DATES

MIDTERM EXAMS: 
    Feb 12 
    Mar 9 
    Apr 11
FINAL EXAM:
  Section 01   Friday  May 11 
                         8 am - 10 am 
  Section 02   Monday  May 7
                        10:30 am - 12:30 pm
EXTRA CREDIT DUE DATES:
  Feb  16 
   Mar  7

 
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to provide students with a thorough foundation in contemporary cell biology, genetics, and organismal biology. It is a prerequisite for many Biology courses, and as such, is intended to prepare students for upper division courses in Biology.  The course is suitable for non-majors with sufficient chemistry. When combined with Biol 211L lab, it meets the requirements for general education.
TEAM TEACHING:
Dr. Serrano and Dr. Unguez will teach this course jointly.  Lectures, exams and other assignments will be the same for both sections. You must take all exams with your section.  Due to the limited number of seats in the room, the instructors request that you attend lectures with your section.


 
PART 1: CELL BIOLOGY TENTATIVE CALENDAR
JANUARY 10 - MARCH 9

FACULTY:    Dr. Elba Serrano,  Associate Professor of Biology
Office and Office hours: Foster Hall Room 337D.  Wednesdays 11:30am – 1:00pm and by appointment. Sign up for appointments on the schedule on my office door. I encourage you to come and see me!  I enjoy meeting students and it is a way for me to get ongoing feedback about the course.
Telephone: call 646-5217 or send email to eserrano@nmsu.edu to reach me for any reason and to schedule a mutually convenient time for appointments if you cannot come to office hours. Leave your name, telephone number and a good time to reach you.  I will return your phone call as soon as I am able.
 
Day
Month
Ch.
 Major theme Emphasis
 
JAN
      
Wed
10 
   Introduction Introduction
Fri
12 
2,5
Course Overview Chemistry review
 Characteristics of life
Atoms, bonds, water, pH, functional groups
Mon
15
-
 NO CLASS Martin Luther King Holiday
Wed 
17
5
 Biomolecules Lipids,carbohydrates, and nucleic acids
Fri
19 
5,7
 Biomolecules Proteins: enzymes
Mon
22 
-
 EXAM PREPARATION Workshop in learning skills
Wed
24 
6
 Cells  Structure
Fri
26 
6,9
 Cells  Structure/communication
Mon
29
9
 Cells  Communication
Wed
31
10
 Cells  Division
 
FEB
      
Fri.
2
 14 Molecular Biology Chromosome and DNA structure
Mon
5
film
 Molecular Biology Genetic testing: Film and in-class extra credit
Wed
7
15
 Molecular Biology RNA and protein synthesis
Fri
9
16
 Molecular Biology Control of gene expression
Mon
12
   EXAM 1 Lectures Jan 10 - Feb 7 
Wed 
14
7 
 EXTRA CREDIT 1 DUE
Bioenergetics		 Energy, metabolism and thermodynamics 
Fri
16
8
 Bioenergetics Respiration
Mon
19
8
 Bioenergetics Photosynthesis
Wed
21
8
 Bioenergetics Photosynthesis and respiration
Fri
23
8
 Bioenergetics Integration of concepts
Mon
26
12
 Genetics Patterns of inheritance
Wed
28
13
 Genetics Human genetics and HGP
 
MAR
      
Fri
2
17
 Genetics DNA technology 
Mon 
5
11
 Biomedical research Diseases: Cancer, HIV, Alzheimers
Wed
7
   EXAM 2 Lectures Feb 9- Mar 5
Last day to drop course with W
Fri 
9
   EXTRA CREDIT 2 DUE 
Agricultural research 		 Crop Improvement

 
PART 2: ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY TENTATIVE CALENDAR
MARCH 10- MAY 11
FACULTY:    Dr. Graciela Unguez,  Assistant Professor of Biology
Office and Office hours: Mon. & Wed. 11:30am - 12:30pm Foster Hall Room 408. 
Telephone: call 646-7963 or send email to gunquez@nmsu.edu to reach me for any reason and to schedule a mutually convenient time for appointments if you cannot come to office hours. Leave your name, telephone number and a good time to reach you.  I will return your phone call as soon as I am able.
Day
Month
Ch.
Major theme
Emphasis
 
MAR
      
Mon
12 
24
 Form & Function Overview of form and function
Wed
14 
25
 Size & Complexity Multicellularity of living organisms
Fri
16
31
 Internal Environment Homeostasis: water and temperature
Mon
19
28
 Nutrition Digestion and nutrition
Wed
21
29
 Respiration Respiration I: gas transport
Fri
23
29
 Respiration Respiration II: gas exchange
 
26-30
   NO CLASSES SPRING BREAK
 
APR
      
Mon
2
30
 Circulation Circulation I: anatomy
Wed
4
30
 Circulation Circulation II:  fluid and chemical exchange
Fri
6
32
 Defense Immmune system:  anatomy
Mon
9
32
 Defense Immuno system: function
Wed
11
   EXAM 3 Lectures Mar 12 – Apr 9 
Fri
13
   H-O-L-I-D-A-Y !!!  
Mon
16
26
 Support & Shape Locomotion: skeletal support
Wed
18
27
 Movement Locomotion: contractile movement
Fri
20
34
 Nerves & Sensation Nervous system I:  Motorsystem
Mon
23
34
 Nerves & Sensation Nervous system II:  Sensorysystem
Wed
25
36
 Reproduction Reproduction
Fri
27
33
 Chemical Messengers Endocrinology I
Mon
30
33
 Chemical Messengers Endocrinology II
 
MAY
      
Wed
2
35
 Behavior Behavior
Fri
4
37
 Development Development
      FINAL EXAM 
SECTION 01		 Fri, May 11: 8:00 – 10:00am
HARDMAN 216
      FINAL EXAM 
SECTION 02		 Mon, May 7: 10:30am – 12:30pm 
HARDMAN 216
Calendar Changes: The instructors reserve the right to modify this calendar during the semester as considered necessary to enhance the quality of the instruction, to meet the needs of students in the class and to achieve course objectives. Any changes to the syllabus or to the course schedule will be announced in class and you are responsible for being aware of them.


FACULTY:
Dr. Elba Serrano (Lecturer, Part 1: Cell Biology, Jan 10 - Mar 9)
Associate Professor of Biology
Ph.D.  Stanford University, Biological Sciences/Biophysics
B.S.  University of Rochester, major Physics, minor Chemistry
Research Specialties: Cell and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience
Office Hours/Room: Wed. 11:30am - 1:00pm and by appointment Foster Hall Room 337D
Telephone: 646-5217
email: eserrano@nmsu.edu

Dr. Graciela Unguez (Lecturer, Part 2: Form and Function, Mar 12 - May 4)
Assistant Professor of Biology
Ph.D.  UCLA, Physiological Science 
B.S.  UCLA, Kinesiology 
Research Specialties: Developmental Biology, Neuroscience
Office Hours/Room: Mon. & Wed. 11:30am - 12:30pm Foster Hall Room 408
Telephone: 646-7963
email: gunguez@nmsu.edu

TEACHING ASSISTANT
Ms. Patricia Garrido 
M.S. - Cayetano Heredia University, Lima, Peru, Tropical and Infectious Diseases 
B.S. San Luis Gonzaga University,  Lima, Peru, Microbiology
Research Specialty: Virology
Office Hours/Room: Mon. & Fri. 3-30pm – 5:00pm Biochemistry Building, Room 3C
Telephone:  646-4427
email: dgarrido@nmsu.edu
 
TEXT (Required): DISCOVER BIOLOGY (2000), Cain et al., Norton and Sinaeuer, Publishers 
The text is available at the NMSU bookstore and may be ordered directly online through various internet distributors. Two copies are on reserve in the Zuhl library; you will sign out books and CDROMS separately. Ask for Biol 211 reserve material (book, CDROM, special handouts) at the checkout desk.  There is a great website you can access that goes with the book: http://www.DiscoverBiology.com/
BIOL 211L LAB: 
The laboratory is taught and graded independently of the lecture course. For all questions about lab assignments, problems, and to add or drop the lab, contact Dr. Preszler, 646-5346, Foster Hall Room 107A.  211G and 211L do not have to be taken in the same semester, although it is probably advantageous to do so. The lecturers have worked with Dr. Preszler to coordinate the lecture and lab topics as much as possible.
CODE OF CONDUCT: 
Please see the “Student code of conduct” in the current “Student Handbook”.  Pay particular attention to the sections on Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism. The penalty for plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct (as defined in the Student Code of Conduct) is failure of the course: no exceptions
WITHDRAWALS:
It is your responsibility to withdraw from the course. The instructors will not automatically drop you from the course for failure to attend class or to complete exams or assignments. The deadline for withdrawal is Wednesday, March 7.  YOU must fill out the paperwork. Failure to fill out the paperwork may result in an F grade
EXAM CONTENT AND DATES: 
  • Exams will emphasize the material presented in the lectures.  You will be required to take THREE MIDTERM exams (100 pts each) and ONE FINAL exam (200 pts). The FINAL exam will be given during final exam week. 
  •  The 200 pt FINAL exam will be divided into two parts: a 100 pt exam covering the material in the last portion of the course and a 100 pt CUMULATIVE exam covering the material in the ENTIRE course. 
  •  When you take an exam, your name will be checked against your student identification card and against class enrollment lists.
 Exam schedule:
  •  Exam 1 (100 pts): Mon, February 12: Covers material from Jan 10 though Feb 7.
  •  Exam 2 (100 pts): Wed, March 7: Covers material from Feb 9 through Mar 5.
  •  Exam 3 (100 pts): Mon, April 13: Covers material from Mar 9 through April 9.
  •  Final (200 pts): 09:30 am Section 01 Fri, May 11: 8:00 – 10:00am
  •                         10:30 am Section 02 Mon, May 7: 10:30am – 12:30pm
  THE FINAL EXAM WILL BE IN THIS ROOM (HARDMAN 216)
  Part 1 (100 pts)  Covers material from April 16 though May 4.
  Part 2 (100 pts) CUMULATIVE: Covers material from entire course
EXAM PROCEDURES:
YOU MUST TAKE YOUR EXAM WITH YOUR SECTION. 
THE PENALTY FOR TAKING AN EXAM OUT OF SECTION IS DEDUCTION OF 20% OF THE POINT VALUE OF THE EXAM.  EXAMPLE: 20 POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR GRADE FOR AN EXAM WORTH 100 POINTS [Sample calculation: (20%) x (100pts) = 20 pts.] 
YOU MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING TO THE EXAM:
1) a #2 soft pencil and eraser.
2) your student ID card. When you take an exam your name will be checked against your student  identification card and against class enrollment lists.
3) your own blue NMSU test score sheet to the exam. The score sheet is available at the bookstore.  Purchase the score sheet labeled NCS Trans-optic MB01-16184-2827.  SCORE SHEETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FROM THE LECTURER AT THE EXAM.
YOU MAY NOT REMOVE THE EXAM FROM THE ROOM AFTER COMPLETING THE TEST
GRADING POLICY WHEN STUDENTS MISS AN EXAM:
  • There will be no makeup exams. Don't miss an exam.
  • No exams will be given at times other than the announced exam times (Exception: Students with documentation from SSD).  If you have an unexcused absence, you will receive a zero for the exam. 
  • Excused absences: If you are ill, or must miss an exam for a university-sanctioned function, you must inform the instructor in writing before the exam. All excused absences from exams must be documented in writing with an explanation, signed by you, and additional documents as appropriate.  If you have an emergency that prevents you from notifying the instructor in advance, contact the instructor within 48 hours of the exam. 
  • If you have an excused absence, the score from the other two midterm exams will be averaged to calculate a pro-rated score for the exam.
  • If you miss TWO exams with legitimate documented excuses, you will receive an Incomplete and will need to repeat the class.
  • Leaving early for Spring vacation does not count as an excused absence. Please make travel plans, including purchase of non-refundable airline tickets, with this in mind
GRADES:
Grades will be calculated by adding the points from the extra credit and other assignments, the three midterm exams, and the Final exam.  You grade will be calculated based on a total of 500 points.  YOU MUST TAKE THE FINAL EXAM TO PASS THE COURSE. 
 
Grade Scale:
 A 450-500 pts ( 90%)
 B 400-449 pts ( 80%-89.9%)
 C 350-399 pts ( 70%-79.9%)
 D 300-349 pts ( 60%-69.9%)
 F < 300 pts  (<60%)
 S/U option  you must earn at least a C-

INCOMPLETE:  If you miss TWO exams with legitimate documented excuses, you will receive an Incomplete and will need to repeat the class.
Note: The grade scale may be curved at the end of the semester at the discretion of the instructors
 
S/U OPTION:
Students must meet all requirements of the course.  A grade of C- is required  to receive an S.
EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS:
You will have the opportunity to earn extra credit during the semester.  Extra credit assignments will be announced in class.  Some extra credit will be earned for in-class activities.  Other extra credit assignments will require you to use the library or the Internet. Extra credit points are bonus points that are added to your cumulative exam points and are a great way to improve your grade.  For example, if you earn 5 extra credit points and receive a grade of 70 points on an exam, the extra credit points are added to exam points and you will be credited 75 points for the exam. Stay tuned!!!!
LATE ASSIGNMENTS:
10% of the total points will be deducted for each week the assignment is late.  Extra credit assignments will not be accepted if handed in more than 2 weeks after the due date
REVIEW SESSIONS: 
Review sessions will be held prior to all exams.   Locations and times for the review sessions will be arranged prior to exams and announced in class. Weekly review sessions are currently scheduled for Mondays, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm in Foster Hall, Room 110
PLEASE BE COURTEOUS: 
  • We are at full capacity in this room. When you enter, please take a seat in the middle of the row as close to the front as possible. Please leave the last row empty for late arrivals and for those who need to leave early. 
  • If you come to class, stay the duration; if you must leave early, sit near an exit so that minimal disturbance results when you leave. 
  • In this large room, even whispering to your friend makes it difficult for those in back to hear.  Don't crinkle your Roundup as you read it, please. 
  • Please turn off cellular phones and pagers so they do not ring in class.
SYLLABUS MODIFICATION: 
The instructors reserve the right to modify this syllabus during the semester as considered necessary to enhance the quality of the instruction, to meet the needs of students in the class and to achieve course objectives. Any changes to the syllabus [or to the course schedule] will be announced in class and you are responsible for being aware of them
NOTICE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: 
If you have, or believe you have, a disability and would benefit from any accommodation(s), you may wish to self-identify by contacting the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office located at Garcia Annex  (phone: 646-6840; TTY: 646-1918) to register.  All medical information will be treated confidentially.  If you have already registered, please make sure that your instructor receives a copy of the accommodation memorandum from SSD within the first two weeks of classes.  It will be your responsibility to inform either your instructor or SSD representative (in a timely manner) if the services/accommodations provided are not meeting your needs. If you have a condition that may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or that may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss this in confidence with the instructors and/or the director of Disabled Student Programs. Feel free to call Ms. Elva G. Telles, EEO/ADA & Employee Relations Director, at 646-3333 with any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
DEPARTMENT OFFICE: 
The Biology Department office is in FOSTER HALL 234 (646-3611).  Extra copies of all handouts will be available in the office.  Exam scores and other information will be posted in a bulletin board located in a glass case outside the Biology Department Office. The department chair is Dr. Laura Heunneke
WHAT IS GENERAL EDUCATION CORE CURRICULUM
This course has been certified as one in New Mexico State University’s General Education Core Curriculum (GECC). The GECC attempts to foster intelligent inquiry, abstract logical thinking, critical analysis and the integration and synthesis of knowledge; it encourages an understanding of science and scientific inquiry; it provides a historical consciousness, including an understanding of one’s own heritage as well as respect for other peoples and cultures; it includes an examination of values and stresses the importance of a carefully considered values system; it fosters an appreciation of the arts; and general education provides the breadth necessary to have a familiarity with the various branches of human understanding
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