COURSE CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: Biology 101 provides an introduction to the facts, concepts, and tools of modern biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology. Instruction will be accomplished via a combination of lectures, group activities, discussion and laboratory sessions. Readings for the course will be assigned from the textbook and other sources. The textbook is an excellent reference, but like all textbooks it treats many subjects in greater detail than we will go into in this course. Material that is covered in the textbook but that was not mentioned in lecture will not appear on exams. You will be held responsible for ALL material covered in lecture and laboratory sessions. (The Biology 101 Laboratory, an integral and mandatory component of the course, has a separate set of course policies, described elsewhere.)

Approximately 1/4 of the regularly scheduled class meetings will not conducted as traditional lectures. These classes, to be held throughout the semester, have been designed to encourage the active participation of students. Classes may involve student research projects, group activities, problem solving, discussion of readings, etc. The success of these classes depends on student participation; therefore, attendance is mandatory and will be taken on these days.

ATTENDANCE: Attendance at every lecture is essential to your success in this course. If you miss lecture for any reason, it is your responsibility to acquire the notes for that day from one of your classmates. Participation during class discussion is strongly encouraged, as your level of engagement during class time will be reflected in your final grade.

GRADES: Your grade for this course will be based on your performance on the 50 minute exams, pre/post-class quizzes, participation during in-class activity sessions and the laboratory activities. All work submitted for a grade must be your own. There are 350 points possible in this course, and points will be distributed in the following way:

-four 50 minute exams, worth 50 points each, for a total of 200 points

-four pre/post-class open book quizzes, worth 6 points each, for a total of 24 points

-class activity paricipation days, worth 3 points each, for a total of 24 points (please note: there are 9 activities, but only 8 will be counted towards the final grade; this allows students to miss one activity day due to illness without being penalized)

-two writing assignments, worth 15 points each, for a total of 30 points

-one population genetics assignment, worth 2 points

-laboratory component, worth 70 points

It has been our experience that final percentages in the range of 92% and above have in the past typically translated into final grades of 4.0, those in the range of 80% into grades of 3.0, those in the vicinity of 68% into grades of 2.0 and those in the range of 55% into grades of 1.0. Grades below 50% are considered as failing.

TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS: The assigned textbook for this course is Campbell and Reece, 2008, Biology, 8th edition, published by Benjamin Cummings. A copy is on reserve at Collier Library, but it is strongly recommended that you buy your own copy. Supplemental readings covering material not well addressed by the textbook or to be used in class disucssion will be posted on the course Blackboard site.

QUIZZES: Four open note, open book quizzes will be given throughout the course of the semester. The purpose of these quizzes is to reinforce concepts communicated in class. The quizzes will be posted on Blackboard. Each quiz will be available for approximately 36-72 hours, and students can take the quiz at any time during this period (see the lecture syllabus for specific dates). You are responsible for taking the quiz during the available period; if you choose to be off campus during this time, please ensure that you will have internet access to Blackboard in order to complete your quiz.

EXAMS: There are four closed-book 50 minute exams, three to be held during regular class periods (see the lecture syllabus for specific dates), and one to be held as a scheduled final exam during finals week (date TBA). Each 50 minute exam covers all material presented since the previous exam. The final exam must be scheduled by the Registrar; therefore, the date will not be announced until mid-semester. Please do not finalize your December travel plans until after the date of the final exam has been announced. We do not schedule make-up exams for this course, and failure to take the final exam results in an automatic 0 in the course.

MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS: Because of the number of students enrolled in this course, it is not possible to make individual arrangements for make-up examinations.

EXAMINATION REVIEW POLICY: When each 50 minute examination is returned to you, please take time to examine it immediately for mathematical accuracy. Also, read the comments provided by your instructor. If you have any questions about how your answers were graded, consult the posted answer key. If you still have questions, or if you have detected a mathematical error, you will have ONE WEEK from the time the examination is returned to request adjustments. After that week, the score is considered final. Please keep in mind that if you request a review of your exam, the entire exam will be re-graded.

HONOR CODE: All students in Bryn Mawr classes are bound by the Bryn Mawr College Honor Code. If you witness cheating by another student, we expect you to confront that person politely but promptly.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES: Students with learning differences who need accommodations should speak with Stephanie Bell, the Accessibility Coordinator, to arrange for and complete the necessary documentation. Ms. Bell's telephone number is extension 7351 and her office is in Canwyll House. Requests for accommodations for examinations or for other course work should be made directly to the appropriate lecturer at least one week prior to the scheduled date so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

PEER-LED INSTRUCTION: Peer-led instruction is an academic assistance program that increases student performance. It is a regularly scheduled, out-of-class meeting led by qualified upper-level students who attend the course lectures and facilitate these focused study sessions. The peer-led study sessions are open to all students and revolve around the current lecture material. The PLI meeting location and time will be announced during the first week of class. Please contact the PLI faculty coordinator, Wilfred Franklin (wfrankli@brynmawr.edu), if you have any questions or concerns regarding PLI. Attendance is voluntary but strongly encouraged of everyone.

CONCERNS ABOUT THE COURSE: If you have a concern about the course, you are encouraged to speak directly to the lecturer or laboratory instructor most directly related to your concern.

Page last updated 7-24-2008.