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BISC 101 Fall 2008 Course Overview

This document provides an overview of the BISC 101 Biology course for Fall 2008. It outlines the course details including instructor information, textbook, topics to be covered each week, examinations and grading. The course covers basic cell structure and function, genetics, plants, animals and other core biology topics. Students are expected to read the textbook chapters before each lecture and use the provided PowerPoint slides as a study guide. Regular weekly tutorial questions will also be assigned. Understanding of concepts rather than just memorization is emphasized.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
8 views3 pages

BISC 101 Fall 2008 Course Overview

This document provides an overview of the BISC 101 Biology course for Fall 2008. It outlines the course details including instructor information, textbook, topics to be covered each week, examinations and grading. The course covers basic cell structure and function, genetics, plants, animals and other core biology topics. Students are expected to read the textbook chapters before each lecture and use the provided PowerPoint slides as a study guide. Regular weekly tutorial questions will also be assigned. Understanding of concepts rather than just memorization is emphasized.

Uploaded by

kimjim
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

• Bisc 101 Fall 2008 BISC 101

• TUE, THU 9:30-10:20 C9001 • This course covers:


• Name: Dr. Eirikur Palsson – Cells: their function and reproduction.
• Office: B8267
• [Link] – The structure and function of plants and animals.

• Lab Instructor : Ivona Mladenovic, Nanne Tirajoh • This is a lot of material so you need to study from day 1.
– Office: B9236 • In my lectures I will cover the most important things.
– Take Notes! Write down what I say if you think it is important
• My research is in Mathematical Biology
– Focus your readings on what I cover in lecture
– I work on cell signaling and cell motility.
• You will have to read on your own to get more of the details. The
• Website is: [Link] and go to Bisc 101 assigned readings are found in the Bio101-08courseplan in the
Lectures and lecture readings folder.
• Textbook: Biology, Campbell & Reece 8th edition (7th edition is ok) • Study the quizzes at the end of every chapter. It will tell you if you
understand the material.
• Examinations and grading: Midterm - 20%, Lab Midterm – 17.5%, Lab Final – • My goal is to teach understanding not memorization.
17.5%, Final - 40% Weekly Tutorial questions 5%. Then there is a 5% penalty for
missing to many tutorials. • To begin with, skim over chapter 1 as an overview. You should
know what’s in chapter 2-5. If not you need to read on your own.

Lecture
Bisc 101 Fall '08 Course lecture outline
Topic 8th edition 7th edition
• My lectures will be PowerPoint slides.
Tue Sept 2 Introduction Review of biological Molecules Ch 1, Ch2-5 Ch 1, Ch2-5
Thu Sept 4 Cells and Cell Membrane Structure and Function Ch 6,7 Ch 6,7 – I may use the overhead projector occasionally.
Tue Sept 9 Cell Signaling and Communication. Cell Cycle Ch 11 Ch 11
Thu Sept 11 Cell Cycle, Mitosis Ch 12 Ch 12 • The Power Point lectures are posted on the WebCT website for
Tue Sept 16 DNA, DNA replication, Inheritance Ch 16,17 Ch 16,17
Thu Sept 18 Transcription and protein translation Ch 17,20 Ch 17,20 Bisc 101
Tue Sept 23 Transcription and protein translation/ Metabolism Ch 8,17 Ch 8,17
Thu Sept 25 Enzymes, Cellular Respiration Ch 8,9 Ch 8,9 – In the Lectures and lecture readings folder.
Tue Sept 31 Cellular Respiration/Photosynthesis. Ch 9,10 Ch 9,10
Thu Oct 2 Photosynthesis, Calvin Cycle, photorespiration C3 vs C4 Ch 10 Ch 10 • Some lecture notes or reviews may also be posted
Tue Oct 7 Mid term
Thu Oct 9 Introduction to plants, structure Ch 35,36 Ch 35,36
Tue Oct 14 Plant nutrition and transport system Ch 36,37 Ch 36,37
Thu Oct 16 Plant reproduction and transport Ch 38 Ch 38 • You should read the assigned reading before class and view the
Tue Oct 21 Plant reproduction, hormones. Ch 39 Ch 39
Thu Oct 23 Introduction to animals Ch 40 Ch 40 PowerPoint slides
Tue Oct 28 Animal Nutrition and digestion Ch 41 Ch 41
Thu Oct 30 Absorption and elimination Ch 41 Ch 41 • The PowerPoint slides are to be used as guides to help you
Tue Nov 4 Circulation and respiration Ch 42 Ch 42
Thu Nov 6 Circulation and respiration Ch 42 Ch 42 remember what I covered in class.
Tue Nov 11 Blood flow and gas exchange in different animals Ch 42, 44 Ch 42, 44
Thu Nov 13 Homeostasis, regulation of the internal environment Ch 44 Ch 44 • Note: It is not sufficient to just read the power point
Tue Nov 18 Osmoregulation, thermoregulation, excretory system. Ch 44,45 Ch 44,45
Thu Nov 20 Internal Signaling Ch 45,11 Ch 45,11
presentations or lecture notes to do well in the course, you must
Tue Nov 25 Nervous system Ch 48 Ch 48 to p1028 also read the text book and study the figures.
Thu Nov 27 Muscles and sensory system Ch 50 p1105- Ch 49 p1063-
Questions!

Each week there will be questions posted that will be


covered in the tutorials.
• Why are you taking BISC 101?
–These are found in the Weekly questions folder on the
WebCT
• A) Because I want to continue in biology
• B) I want to be a science major
The TA will have the answers for those those questions in • C) To fulfill my science requirement
the tutorials. • D) I don’t know
• E) Other reasons

• Coming to university will be a shock for most of you. You can sort of coast through high school, but
you can’t get away with that at the university level. Grades from High School to University
• Ruth from the Student Learning commons will give a short presentation High School Grade
– Her presentation will be posted on the WebCt in the Survival kit for first year students folder.
A B+ B B- C+ C #N/A Total
• For Bisc 101 the grading is curved, with a C average.
A+ 4% 2%
• In high school it was mostly memorization, here we expect you to understand the subject and use A 6% 1% 4% 3%

BISC 101 Grade


critical thinking. Many of you will struggle as you learn the appropriate study techniques that work A- 11% 4% 3% 6%
for you.
B+ 12% 4% 5% 8% 8%
• I will do my best to try to help you but with a class of 485 students you have to be self motivated B 14% 4% 3% 4% 8%
B- 14% 8% 13% 8% 10%
• You need to work very hard in this course: be prepared before class, read the assigned C+ 9% 14% 6% 9% 0% 25% 11%
material.
C 6% 13% 13% 5% 25% 0% 4% 9%
– Then you will understand the lectures much better.
C- 4% 13% 6% 5% 17% 8% 8%
– Some material you need to revisit read again and think about it.
D 4% 7% 23% 5% 8% 8% 7%
• If you are struggling with the course then seek help from me, the TA’s or from SFU DE 1% 8% 1%
student services. F 8% 23% 19% 68% 50% 67% 8% 19%
– The website is: [Link] N 4% 8% 13% 5% 25% 8% 8% 7%
WD 1% 4% 1%
• For Academic Advising go to Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
– [Link]
Grades from High School to University Rules

• Attendance at Tutorials accounts for 5% of the final grade.


• No Cell phones, no talking, attendance is not mandatory for the
lecture

• There are 485 students so please don’t leave class early. It is


BISC 101 A B+ B B- C+ C #N/A very disruptive.
grade
D 4% 7% 23% 5% 0% 8% 8%
• When you find a seat try not to have empty seats in between.
F 8% 23% 19% 68% 50% 67% 8%
Total 12% 30% 42% 73% 50% 75% 17%

• You may hear me cough or clear my throat, just ignore it.

Other Things

• Due to the size of the class, there are no make-up exams,


unless there are extreme circumstances that would justify it.
• I read my email, but may not always reply.
• You can also talk to the TA’s, they will then discuss things or
problems with me.
• Office hours are TUE 1:30-3:00 PM office B8267
–Or any other time that you can find me in the office

• Please do ask questions in class.

Common questions

Powered by AI

To do well in BISC 101, students are encouraged to be prepared before class by reading assigned materials and engaging with lecture content actively. Given the large class size, self-motivation is crucial. Students should utilize available resources such as office hours and teaching assistants for help. Furthermore, revisiting challenging material and seeking support from university student services can enhance understanding and performance .

In BISC 101, TAs play a crucial role in facilitating student learning by providing answers during the tutorials, which cover weekly posted questions relevant to course content. Students are encouraged to discuss issues with TAs, who can then relay these to the instructor. This collaborative approach helps students receive personalized support and clarifications outside of large lectures .

The distinct difference highlighted is that while high school often prioritizes memorization, university, as seen in BISC 101, demands critical thinking and understanding. This is a common challenge for students transitioning to university, who must adapt to learning strategies that emphasize comprehension of material and its application, rather than mere recall .

Independent reading is emphasized in BISC 101 because it complements the lecture material by providing a deeper understanding and broader context of the topics discussed. Given the sheer volume of information covered, relying solely on lectures is insufficient for comprehensive mastery. The instructor also notes that independent study fosters critical thinking and analytical skills, essential for success in higher education .

The evaluation system of BISC 101 includes various components to promote continuous assessment: a midterm exam (20%), a lab midterm (17.5%), a lab final (17.5%), and a comprehensive final exam (40%). Additionally, weekly tutorial questions account for 5% of the final grade, emphasizing consistent engagement with course materials across the semester rather than just one-time exams .

The 'curve' grading system implies a normalization of student scores to achieve a specific distribution, often centered around a C average. This grading method can influence student performance by alleviating stress associated with absolute grading thresholds, yet may also create competition among peers. Students must focus on relative performance to excel, impacting the study dynamics and strategies they choose to adopt .

BISC 101 integrates technology by utilizing PowerPoint slides during lectures, which are posted online for students to reference. This method aids in reinforcing material presented in class. The use of an online platform also facilitates access to lecture notes, review materials, and tutorial questions, supporting a blended learning model that enhances understanding and retention .

BISC 101 focuses on the function and reproduction of cells, as well as the structure and function of plants and animals. The course is structured to support this focus by starting with fundamental topics like biological molecules and progressing through more complex concepts like cell signaling, DNA replication, and metabolic processes. The course uses a mix of lectures, power point aids, and structured readings to ensure students develop a solid understanding rather than relying on memorization .

Homeostasis is discussed in BISC 101 within the context of chapters focusing on the regulation of internal environments, specifically examining osmoregulation, thermoregulation, and the excretory system. This concept is essential in biological studies because it explains how organisms maintain stable internal conditions necessary for survival in varying external environments, highlighting crucial adaptive processes .

The mid-term in BISC 101 covers topics including biological molecules, cell and membrane structure, cell signaling, and the cell cycle. These foundational topics are directly relevant to understanding cellular processes as they encompass the basic building blocks and mechanisms that underlie cellular function and reproduction—key elements in this biology course .

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