Biology
101
An Introduction to
Life on Planet Earth
Course Outline Spring, 1998
M W F, 9:10 - 10:10 a.m. Life Sciences Room 301
Dr. David
W. Ussery
Office Hours: Monday through
Friday 8 - 9 a.m., or by appointment
Office: 406C Office Telephone
375-2461
email:
Dave@cbs.dtu.dk
web site:
http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/staff/dave/roanoke/
Texts (4 books):
1.
Audesirk,T., and G.Audersirk,
Life
on Earth, Prentice-Hall,
New Jersey, (1997).
2.
Richard Dawkins, River
Out of Eden,
Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, (1995).
3.
Stephen Jay Gould,
Full
House - The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin,
Three Rivers Press, New York, (1996).
4. Lab Manual:
Adkisson,K.A., Gardner,D.M.,
Biology
101 Laboratory Manual.,
third edition, Roanoke College,
Salem, Virginia, (1997).
General
Objectives of the Course:
This
is an introductory
Biology course, for non-majors. As such, I will strive to give a solid
overview of biology, although of course the emphasis will be more
on understanding basic concepts, rather than a more technical approach.
I have organised the course such that we will cover most of the chapters
in the text, although some chapters will be covered in more detail than
others. I view Biology 101 kind of like a "sampler course", where
you will be exposed to several different topics, and given perhaps a flavour
of what biology is all about. I want to encourage you to think carefully
and critically about some of the current issues that society must deal
with, as a result of recent advances in biotechnology. Often these issues
will affect many people, and it is important to understand the basic concepts
behind this technology, as well as some of the limitations of science.
Policy statement:
The lectures
for this course will meet during block 2 (Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays,
from 9:10 - 10:10 a.m.). The general scheme for each week is to roughly
cover one chapter in the text each lecture. There will be often a 5 minute
quiz at the beginning of class. These quizzes will be from the assigned
reading for the day's lecture.
Although
this is an introductory course, there are nonetheless two pre-requisites
which I expect from all in this course:
1.)
You must be able to read.
2.)
you must be capable of human thought.
It is expected that you will
use the above two talents to fight for a good grade in this course.
(Who knows, you might even LEARN something along the way!)
There are TWO
REALLY NICE problems that I would be delighted
if you could create for me:
1.) I have to explain why I am giving
too many A's.
2.) someone decides maybe biology
ain't so bad after all, and they want to maybe take ANOTHER biology course
(or even better, MAJOR in biology!).
Grading:
Classroom quizzes -
10%
of course grade
2 Classroom examinations -
20%
of course grade (10% each)
2 Written papers -
20%
of course grade
Comprehensive Final examination - 15%
of course grade
Laboratory Assignments - 35%
of course grade
Examinations
are on 20 February and
20 April. The Final Examination is cumulative.
Make-up exams will only be given in extreme circumstances, and only with
a note from a physician or the Dean's Office. You are responsible for making
an appointment with me to sit for a make-up exam. Due to set-up requirements,
laboratory exercises cannot be made up and, if excused, will be dropped
from your grade calculation. Unexcused absence from an exam or laboratory
assignment will receive no credit (a zero).
Academic Integrity:
You are
expected to be familiar with and follow the Academic Integrity Code outlined
in the booklet Academic Integrity at Roanoke College. It
is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to discuss any questions you might have about this
policy with me. Please be aware that I am bound by contract to report any
suspected academic dishonesty.
Back to Dave's Roanoke College HOMEPAGE
Last change: 20 March, 1998
Last updated on 6 September, 1999 by David Ussery