Biology 201--The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life

Department of Biology
Four credit hours
Prerequisite: high school biology and chemistry
Dr. Stine
kstine@ashland.edu

Course description: This course centers on the question: What are the molecular and cellular processes that define life, and how are they sustained from generation to generation?  In the process of studying this question, students will have the opportunity to examine the application of the scientific method to the study of the fundamentals of cellular structure and function, as well as to investigate the molecular transmission of information from generation to generation and the integration of cells into whole functioning organisms.  Three lectures and one 2- hour lab per week. Meets Tier II credit for natural sciences.  Offered each fall. 

Course objectives:  This course, the first of a two semester sequence that explores critical questions in modern biology,  will help students to gain an understanding of how the scientific method can be used to investigate fundamental questions of molecular and cellular function.

Content of course: See attached schedule.

Instructional approach: Lecture/discussion, and laboratory work. 

Academic integrity is expected in this class.  All students are expected to read, understand, and follow the academic integrity policy specified in the Ashland University student handbook. 

It is the responsibility of students who have documented physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations to let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs can be appropriately met. 

Evaluative criteria:  Your work will be evaluated on the following basis:

Lecture exams (3 @ 100 points each)   300 points
Lecture/lab quizzes (10 @ 5 points each) 50 points
Laboratory write-ups (3 @ 25 points each) 75 points
Laboratory project and paper 75 points
Other writing assignments 50 points
Cumulative final exam  200 points
750 points

Exams are an important part of this course and it is your responsibility to be in class on exam days.  If you are ill or have another valid excuse, you must notify me prior to the scheduled exam to arrange how it will be made up. Otherwise you will receive a zero for that exam. 

Grades will be figured on the basis of total points:

95-100% = A, 90-94%  = A-
87-89%  = B+, 83-86%  = B, 80-82%  = B-
77-79%  = C+, 73-76%  = C, 70-72%  = C-
67-69%  = D+, 63-66%  = D, 60-62%  = D-
59% and below = F. 

Resource materials:  The textbook and lab books are:

Biology , 6th  edition by Campbell and Reece (2002)
Symbiosis:  Biology Laboratory Manual (available at the bookstore)

Because we may refer to figures, etc. from the text frequently during lectures, you may find it useful to bring your textbook with you to class.  Or you may decide it is too bulky to haul around.  The decision is up to you.  You must, however, always bring your lab manual to lab.

Office hours:   If you have problems or questions, I encourage you to come by my office anytime.  The best time to catch me is during office hours, when I will be either in my office OR a note on my door will direct you to somewhere nearby (in the research lab or main office, for example).  Of course, you can also make an appointment with me for a time other than office hours, but also please feel free to just stop by anytime to see if I’m in (I’m usually around when I’m not in class).

Meetings and other conflicts do occasionally require me to change or cancel office hours.  When this happens I will either notify you in advance (if possible) or post a note on my door.   

You can also reach me by email (which I read regularly, even from home) or by phone.  If you call my number, and the Kettering office answers it means I’m either on the phone in my office, or not in.   If you leave a message, I will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Typical Lecture and Laboratory Schedule

Week: Day:   Topics covered:  Chapters
1 M What is life?  
T LAB:  Tools for scientific inquiry  
W Scientific method 1
F The chemistry of life: basic building blocks 2
2 M LABOR DAY  
T LAB:  The microscope; study of pond water  
W The chemistry of life:  basic building blocks, continued 2
F The role of water  3
3 M Basics of organic chemistry 4
  T LAB:  pH and buffers  
W Macromolecules:  Carbohydrates 5
F Macromolecules:  Lipids, proteins 5
4 M Macromolecules:  Nucleic acids 5
   T LAB: Macromolecules  
W EXAM 1  
F Studying the cell: cell structure 7
5 M Studying the cell:  cell structure, continued 7
  T LAB: The cell  
W Membrane structure and function 8
F Moving molecules across membranes 8
6 M Communication: cell signaling, interactions  11  
T LAB: Diffusion and osmosis
W Cell signaling continued 11
F Energy management and life 6
7        M Energy management and life, continued 6
T LAB: Membranes and cell stress  
W The process of respiration 9
F The process of respiration, continued 9
8 M The process of respiration, continued 9
T LAB: Enzymes  
W EXAM 2
F Photosynthesis  10
9 M Photosynthesis, continued 10
T LAB: Cellular respiration  
W Photosynthesis, continued 10
F Inheritance:  Mendel’s observations   14
10 M Inheritance:  Mendel’s observations, continued 14
T LAB: Photosynthesis  
W Mendel, continued   14
F Cell division: mitosis 12
11 M Cell division:  meiosis 13
T LAB:  Mendelian inheritance  
W Inheritance at the chromosomal level 15
F Molecular biology: structure of chromosomes 15
12 M Molecular biology:  DNA replication 16
T LAB:  Chromosomes and cell division  
W EXAM 3  
F Molecular biology:  protein synthesis 17
13 M Protein synthesis, continued 17
T LAB: Molecular biology  
W THANKSGIVING BREAK
F THANKSGIVING BREAK  
14 M Molecular biology:  control of the genome 19
T LAB: Molecular biology, continued  
W Control of the genome, continued  19
F Molecular biology: DNA technology/genomics  20
15 M The genetics of development 21
T LAB: Population genetics  
W Natural selection and population genetics 22,23
F Population genetics, continued  
Final week M FINAL   

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