BIOLOGY 1002

Spring 2006

General Biology

Section 004 – Tues. and Thurs. - 3:10 to 4:30 – Wiliams 103

Section 005 – Tues. and Thurs. - 9:10 to 10:30 – Lockett 5

Section 006 – Tues. and Thurs. - 12:10 to 1:30 – Lockett 2

 

INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. Steven Pomarico

OFFICE:  15 Life Sciences Building

PHONE:  578-8785

E-mail:  spomari@lsu.edu

OFFICE HOURS:  Mon. and Wed. - 3:00 to 4:30 - Other times by appointment.

TEXT:  Starr and Taggart, Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life, 10th edition

INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGY PROGRAM OFFICE:  Room 102 LSB, Phone: 578-8239

 

EXAMINATIONS: There will be 5 (five) exams.   Each exam will be 40 multiple choice questions (2 points each) for a total of 400 points.  Four of the exams will be given during the semester.  The fifth exam will be given during Final Exam Week.  THE FINAL EXAM IS NOT A CUMULATIVE EXAM.

 

>Photo ID.'s are REQUIRED for all exams<

 

All of the exams (including the final) for this class are out of class and are computer based.  The computer based exams will be taken in one of the two testing centers.  EXAM DATES ARE LISTED IN THIS SYLLABUS.

 

POSTING OF GRADES: The grades for exams will be posted on the Internet via the semester book link for this course on your PAWS desktop.

                                                                                                                       

GRADES:  All exam scores will be included in the calculation of your final grade.  No exam scores will be "dropped".  Quizzes and/or homework (variable points) will also be given during the semester, and will count as bonus points to be included in the calculation of grades.  QUIZZES WILL NOT BE ANNOUNCED. 

 

Course grades will be assigned as follows:

 

90-100% - A;     80-89% - B;    70-79% - C;       60-69% - D;          < 60% - F

 

Note:  Although I may curve individual exams, there is no "end of the semester curve". 

You should always be able to calculate your current standing in the class.

 

MISSED EXAMS AND QUIZZES: It is your responsibility to schedule and take the exams.  Please do not miss a test.  If you absolutely cannot avoid it, you must let me know BEFORE the exam date.  You must support your reason for missing the exam with documentation.  If I approve, you will be allowed to take the make-up exam.  If you miss an exam without a valid excuse, you will receive a 0 (zero) for that exam.  The make-up exam will consist of short answer and/or short essay type questions.  Only individuals with a valid excuse may take the make-up exam and it will given only once within one week of the exam that was missed.  Quizzes and homework cannot be made up.  If you miss class, you run the risk of missing bonus points.

 

NOTES AND STUDY HABITS:  The lectures will be given based on the assumption that you have read the assigned material before coming to class.  Outlines of my lecture notes are available.  Most of the terminology with which you should be familiar is in bold print in the notes.   I will assume that you have a copy of the notes in class.  You should plan to spend at least 3 hours studying for every 1.5 hours you spend in class.   Repeated exposure to material in smaller portions is a much more effective method of learning than attempting to learn all the material in one large chunk (cramming).  The following strategy should be successful in this class:

 

(A) Before class, read the assigned text material (we’ll be covering between 15 - 20 pages per class) for exposure to topics and terminology; look at the figures in the text; this introduction should require 45 min.

 

(B) Come to class and take good notes (IF YOU USE THE LECTURE OUTLINE THIS SHOULD BE EASY).  The next day, read over the notes you took the day before; edit as necessary (45 min).

 

(C) Go back over the assigned material concentrating on what was emphasized in class.  Study the figures to help you develop mental images of concepts.  Modify your lecture notes as needed.  Be certain that you understand concepts, not just terminology.  Take the quizzes at the end of the chapters. (1.5 hours).

 

PROBLEMS: If you find yourself having problems with this course, come see me EARLY in the semester.  Don’t wait until you’re past the point of help (the day before an exam).

 

BIOLOGY ONLINE:  All relevant materials (lecture notes, syllabus, etc.) will be available online through the Introductory Biology Program homepage at http://www.biology.lsu.edu/introbio/ which will be link through the “course materials” section of the semester book information for this course.

 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see me as soon as possible so that we may make the appropriate arrangements.

 

DROP DEADLINES: Through January 24, 2006 this course may be dropped without receiving a grade of "W".  After January 24 and through April 10, 2006, this course may be dropped, but you will receive a grade of "W".  After April 10, no classes may be dropped.

 

CLASS BEHAVIOR: Since all students are entitled to an environment that is conducive to learning, you are expected to keep disruptions to a minimum.  This means; be in class and prepared to begin on time.  If you come in late, do so as quietly as possible.  All pagers, telephones, electronic games, radios, tape, or CD players (or any other device) that generates sound must be turned off when you enter the classroom.  Disruption of class, whether by latecomers, noisy devices, or inconsiderate behavior (talking), WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  Repeated violations by individuals may result in penalties including being dropped from the class.

 

LECTURE TOPICS AND ASSIGNED READINGS

 

Lecture topics will be covered in the order listed below.  Exam dates are fixed barring extreme circumstances.  The material coverage is a good-faith estimate, but is subject to change.

 

DATE

TOPIC

READING ASSIGNMENT

1/17

Introduction and Prokaryotes and Viruses

chap 21

1/19

Prokaryotes and Viruses and Protistans

chap 21 & 22

1/24

Final date to drop without receiving a “W”

 

1/24

Protistans

chap 22

1/26

Fungi

chap 24

1/31

Plants

chap 23

2/2

Plants

chap 23

2/6-9

Exam 1 computer based test Chapters 21, 22, 24, & 23

 

2/7

How Plants and Animals Work and Plant Tissues

chap 28 & 29

2/9

Plant Tissues

chap 29

2/14

Plant Tissues and Plant Nutrition and Transport

chap 29 & 30

2/16

Plant Nutrition and Transport

chap 30

2/21

Plant Nutrition and Transport and Plant Reproduction

chap 30 & 31

2/23

Plant Reproduction and Plant Growth and Development

chap 31 & 32

2/28

Mardi Gras – No classes

 

3/2

Animals: The Invertebrates

chap 25

3/6-9

Exam 2 computer based test Chapters 28 - 32

 

3/7

Animals: The Invertebrates and Animals: The Vertebrates

chap 25 & 26

3/9

Animal Tissue and Organ Systems

chap 33

3/14

Circulation

chap 38

3/16

Circulation

chap 38

3/20-23

Exam 3 computer based test Chapters 25, 26, 33, & 38

 

3/21

Respiration

chap 40

3/23

Respiration and Digestion and Human Nutrition

chap 40 & 41

3/28

Digestion and Human Nutrition

chap 41

3/30

The Internal Environment and Integration and Control:  Endocrine System

chap 42 & 36

4/3

Final date to drop with a “W”

 

4/4

Integration and Control:  Endocrine System

chap 36

4/6

Integration and Control:  Nervous System

chap 34

4/10-14

Spring Break

 

4/17-20

Exam 4 computer based test Chapters 40 - 42, 36 & 34

 

4/18

Sensory Reception

chap 35

4/20

Immunity

chap 39

4/25

Immunity

chap 39

4/27

Protection, Support, and Movement

chap 37

5/2

Principles of Reproduction and Development

chap 43

5/3-5

Exam 5 computer based pre-test Chapters 35, 39, 37, 43 & 44

 

5/4

Human Reproduction and Development

chap 44

5/8-11

Exam 5 computer based test Chapters 35, 39, 37, 43 & 44