Instructors:
Prof. Frances Weaver, KH438; ext. 4519, weaver@pop1.science.widener.edu
Office Hours MW 3:00-4:00; T 11:00-12:00 and 1:00-2:00; TH 2:00-3:00

Prof. Itzick Vatnick, KH512; ext. 4145;  vatnick@pop1.science.widener.edu
Office hours as posted

Schedule:
Lectures: MWF 1-1:50 p.m. (A+B)
Laboratories: T 2-4:50 p.m. (A); W 2-4:50 p.m.(B)

Text:  George B. Johnson, The Living World , 2nd edition McGraw Hill, Dubuque, IA, 1997.
Course Home Page: http://www.science.widener.edu/~weaver/bio101.htm

Laboratory Manual: You are required to purchase a laboratory manual from the Biology department. The laboratory manual will be available before your first lab and will cost $20.00 or less.  Your must also bring your text to lab for use as a resource.

Course Objectives:
1. To help you become biologically literate.  That is, to understand biological principles as they apply to you and your environment, and to understand how to use your knowledge responsibly.

2. To help you understand the nature of scientific inquiry by practicing inquiry in the laboratory and in the field.

Course Requirements:
Four lecture exams = 400 pts.
Class activities and/or quizzes =  100 points
5 out of class essays @ 20 pts. each = 100 points

Your grade is based on the percentage of 1000 points you earn, thus 750/1000 = 75%.  +/- grading will be used.

Letter grades are assigned using the scheme below:
     A  90-100%
     B  80-89%
     C  70-79%
     D  60-69%
     F   <60

Policies: You are responsible for all material in the course, whether it is the assigned readings in the textbook, lab manual or information covered in lectures. I will expect that you to have power read (we'll talk about this) the assigned readings before each topic is presented in lecture, and to have read the entire assignment within two days.

ALL assignments are due on the date specified on the assignment! Late papers lose 10% of their value for each day late! Activities or assignments or quizzes which take place in class may not be announced, if you are not there you lose the points. There are no make ups for any missed assignment.

Attendance:
Attendance is required. Consistent, attentive attendance is the key to a good grade.
Laboratory attendance is also required. Consult your laboratory instructor before your scheduled lab should a problem arise.

Exams: format will be either all short essays or 50-50 essays and objective formats such as multiple choice, true/false etc.

Makeup's: Make up exams are given only under conditions of documented excuses which the student has processed with the Assistant Provost. NO OTHER MAKEUP'S WILL BE GIVEN ! THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SCHEDULE MAKE UP EXAMS and will do so only after receiving documentation from the Assistant Provost.

Early exams*: A student may request to take an exam early for personal, athletic or academic reasons. Requests for early exams must be received by the instructor IN WRITING no later than ONE WEEK BEFORE the scheduled date of the exam.  Early exams will differ in content and format from regularly scheduled exams.

Late exams or late for exams*: No late exams will be given. See make-up policy above. Students late to exams will have the time remaining in the period to finish, period, that's it, no excuses!

Academic Fraud: The University Policy, which is strictly enforced by the Science Division, is that anyone who cheats, attempts to cheat or assists another student to cheat on an exam or quiz fails the course. Plagiarism, plagiarism by paraphrasing, and unauthorized collaborative work are also forms of academic fraud because you are trying to get credit for work and ideas that are not your own.  Don't risk failing when a well placed footnote or reference is needed!  If you would like further clarification, read Section F: Standards for Academic Integrity, of the student handbook.

Disclaimer: The instructors reserve the right to modify the syllabus! Modifications will be announced in class or by email.

Office hours: Five official office hours will be held each week. Students are welcome in our offices at any time - drop-in or make an appointment.

Help*: Numerous resources on campus are available to you for academic assistance. Tutoring is available at no charge to you. Do not wait until you are failing to seek help! Come in to talk to us, and we will  direct you to the appropriate resources.

It is our expectation that we will treat each other with respect and courtesy, and that we will learn from each other and we will have a good time.

*We provide alternative exams, additional time for exams and other individualized assistance to students with documented special needs.  Just ask.

Essays: Each student will submit five current awareness essays during the semester. For each essay you must locate and read an article in the current popular press (magazines, newspapers etc.) having to do with a biological issue relevant to the material in the course, and submit a report according to the guidelines below.  The articles you choose MUST present some area of
controversy or conflict, and a proposed solution based on arguments from biological knowledge. Articles chosen for presentation must have appeared no earlier than six months prior to the start of the course. Topics for the essays are given below, due dates are listed on the course schedule.

Essay one: human health and disease, such as cancer, AIDS, heart disease, nutrition, aging, new drugs, the effects of completing the sequence of the human genome, etc.

Essay two: non-human animal studies such as primate biology, biodiversity issues, aquaculture, breeding captive endangered species, birds infected with West Nile virus etc.

Essay three: plants, fungi algae, such as discovery of new species, new drugs or other plant products, plant-fungus interactions

Essay four: ecological problem such as rain forest deforestation, toxic waste production and clean-up, protection of endangered species or of natural places etc.

Essay five: any area of your choosing

Essay requirements: Each report must be typed. On the top of the first page put your name, Biology 101, Fall 2000 and the date, the title of the article you read and the author(s) names, followed by the magazine or newspaper title, date and the pages of the article. Compose a brief essay of one page or less in three parts (thanks to Dr. Bruce Grant for these suggestions) as given below.

(1) Summary: In your own words, state what the article says in a single concise paragraph. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!

(2) Biological Connections: What is the biological background for this article and what is the greater biological context of the issue described in the article? Some articles provide excellent background, for those you must consider wider connections. For example if the article is about a new gene identified as associated with a disease, and the background on the disease is good, consider other connections such as how the gene is inherited, the human genome project, what genes do in cells etc. Consult at least one outside reference to help you understand and explain the background and connections. Cite any outside source you use (Author's name, year, reference title, page number(s)) including your textbook.  Limit this section to two paragraphs.

(3) Critique: How did you feel about the author's treatment of the material, given the background information you have and the connections you have raised. Do not give your opinions on the issue, but do consider how well the author presented it and argued for a solution to the problem(s) identified. How well did the article meet the charge of creating an informed, biologically literate public?  Limit this section to one paragraph.

Following your essay, attach a complete copy of the article (original or a photocopy). If it is a clipping (less than one page), you must tape or glue it neatly to a blank sheet of paper, or submit a legible photocopy.

Week beginning                                                   Topic                                         Readings Chapter (pages)
 

F 9/8	Introduction Exercises: Power reading, avoiding plagiarism Assignment: send me an email	1,2
M 9/11	The “scientific method, science in social context. Assignment: Hypothesis formation and experimental design	2,3
M 9/18*	Origin of life on earth, evolution as central biological theme Molecules and cells	3,4
M 9/25	Energy and Life W 9/27 Review  for exam I F 9/29 Exam I	5
M 10/2	Home cooked meals: Photosynthesis Food to go: respiration in cells and bodies	5
M 10/9*	Cells, genetics and evolution Exercise: M+M+G	6,7
10/16	Genetics F 10/20- M 10/23 Fall Break	8
W 10/25	Genetics and human health	8 9 (pp. 211, 212; 222-228)
10/30*	Biology of Plants W 11/1 Review for Exam II F 11/ 3 Exam II	15, 16
11/6	Biology of Plants	16,17
11/13	Biology of Animals	18
11/20*	Biology of Animals F 11/ 24 Thanksgiving Holiday	19, 20
11/27	The human animal W 11/29 Review for Exam III F 12/1 Exam III	20
12/4	Ecosystems	28
12/11*	Global environmental change; Human population explosion and impact  F 12/15 Review for Exam IV	29,30
	Exam IV during finals week, as scheduled by the registrar