Instructor: Dr. Mark Fulton 218E Sattgast 755-2787 mfulton@bemidjistate.edu
Course objective: To introduce the basic concepts of modern biology at the cellular and molecular levels.
Lecture text: Biology (8th ed.) by Raven and Johnson. McGraw-Hill. 2008.
Lab text: Biology Lab Manual (8th ed.) by Vodopich and Moore. McGraw-Hill. 2008.
Exam 1 Answer key
Exam 2 Answer key
NOTE: The final exam time is Friday 11-December at 1-3 PM, not 8-10 AM as it was originally listed on this page and on the syllabus.
| Date | Day | Topic Introduced | Reading |
| 24-Aug | M | Introduction. What is life? | Chapt. 1 |
| 26-Aug | W | What is science? | |
| Lab | NO LAB FIRST WEEK | ||
| 28-Aug | F | Atoms, periodic table, chemical bonds | Chapt. 2 |
| 31-Aug | M | Water | |
| 2-Sep | W | Biological molecules | Chapt. 3 |
| Lab | Exercise 5: Solutions and pH | ||
| 4-Sep | F | Proteins | |
| 7-Sep | M | No Class (Labor Day) | |
| 9-Sep | W | Nucleic acids | |
| Lab | Exercise 6: Biological molecules | ||
| 11-Sep | F | Lipids and carbohydrates | |
| 14-Sep | M | Origins of life | Chapt. 26, p.504-507. |
| 16-Sep | W | FIRST EXAM | |
| Lab | Exercise 7: Separating organic compounds | ||
| 18-Sep | F | Cells, Prokaryotic cells | Chapt. 4 |
| 21-Sep | M | Eukaryotic Cells | |
| 23-Sep | W | Eukaryotic Cells (contd.) | |
| Lab | Exercise 4: Cell structure and function | ||
| 25-Sep | F | Cell membranes | Chapt. 5 |
| 28-Sep | M | Cell membranes (contd.) | |
| 30-Sep | W | Energy | Chapt. 6 |
| Lab | No lab this week | ||
| 2-Oct | F | No Class | |
| 5-Oct | M | Enzymes and metabolism | Chapt. 7 |
| 7-Oct | W | Respiration: overview | |
| Lab | Exercise 11: Enzymes | ||
| 9-Oct | F | Respiration: some gory details | |
| 12-Oct | M | Respiration (contd.) | |
| 14-Oct | W | SECOND EXAM | |
| Lab | Exercise 12: Respiration | ||
| 16-Oct | F | Photosynthesis: overview | Chapt. 8 |
| 19-Oct | M | Photosynthesis: some gory details | |
| 21-Oct | W | Photosynthesis (contd.) | |
| Lab | Exercise 13: Photosynthesis | ||
| 23-Oct | F | Cell division and mitosis | Chapt. 10 |
| 26-Oct | M | Mitosis (contd.) | |
| 28-Oct | W | Meiosis and sexual reproduction | Chapt. 11 |
| Lab | Exercise 14: Mitosis / Exercise 15: Meiosis | ||
| 30-Oct | F | Meiosis: details | |
| 2-Nov | M | Mendelian genetics – basics | Chapt. 12 |
| 4-Nov | W | Mendelian genetics – multiple alleles | |
| Lab | Exercise 17: Genetics | ||
| 6-Nov | F | Mendelian genetics – multiple loci and linkage | Chapt 13 |
| 9-Nov | M | Human genetics | |
| 11-Nov | W | No Class—Veteran’s Day | |
| Lab | No lab this week | ||
| 13-Nov | F | Solving genetics problems | |
| 16-Nov | M | THIRD EXAM | |
| 18-Nov | W | DNA structure and replication | Chapt. 14 |
| Lab | Exercise 16: Molecular biology | ||
| 20-Nov | F | DNA and genes | Chapt. 15 |
| 23-Nov | M | The genetic code, information content of DNA | |
| 25-29 | M-F | Thanksgiving | |
| 30-Nov | M | Transcription and translation | |
| 2-Dec | W | Gene expression | Chapt. 16 |
| Lab | Follow-up on previous lab, review | ||
| 4-Dec | F | Gene technology | Chapt. 17 |
| 7-Dec | M | Wrap-up | |
| 11-Dec | F | Final Exam 1-3 PM |
iClickers: They are required for this course and are available in the bookstore. iClickers are used for your benefit: they are not just an attendance method. The clicker questions will let me know what is clear versus unclear to the class, help you to better understand and review the material, and prepare for exams.
Class conduct: You are responsible for what is said in lecture; if you can't be there sometime, you need to find a friend who takes good notes. I use the text as background and amplification of what we discuss in class; I don't teach right from the book - you need to do the reading AND show up to class. Do the reading just before or just after the lecture (whichever works best for you); if you wait until just before an exam you will drown.
Grading: Based on 3 midterm exams (lowest midterm dropped - the two remaining midterms count for 18% each), 1 final exam (30%), and lab (34%).
Academic integrity: Don't cheat. The rules are the same commonsense ones you are used to from high school - you do your own work on exams and quizzes. I have the right to fail students caught cheating on exams or any other assignment.
Exam Policy: You are expected to take all exams during the time scheduled. If, on the day of an exam, you have an excused absence for a scheduled university activity, or if you will be absent for a reason that I consider legitimate, you may make up the exam BEFORE the scheduled time. If you cannot take the exam due to illness or extenuating circumstances, NOTIFY ME ON OR BEFORE THE EXAM DAY by calling me at 755-2787 or the biology office at 755-2920. If you were sick, I expect you to take the exam the next day; if you cannot, you must notify me again. I won't give makeup exams after the exam has been returned (usually within a few days of when the exam is given).
Getting Help: I try to encourage questions and comments during class, but I know that a big class often deters students from asking questions. Office hours are on my website (http://faculty.bemidjistate.edu/mfulton/) and on my door (218E Sattgast), but I am available by appointment at other times. My e-mail address is mfulton@bemidjistate.edu; I am generally good about responding to e-mail. My phone number has an answering machine, but it is usually hard for me to return calls from students because they are seldom around when I'm able to call back.
M. Fulton Home | BSU Biology Home | BSU Home
mfulton@bemidjistate.edu
Updated: 30-Oct-2009