Welcome to Biology 1A, UC Berkeley, Summer 2003

Transcription

1 Welcome to Biology 1A, UC Berkeley, Summer 2003 Introduction: Hopefully you will find Biology 1A to be a fun and exciting class. It will be readily apparent to you that the lecturers, graduate students, and staff enjoy biology and teaching! Warning - the pace will be blistering fast. You are expected to have a good understanding of chemistry examine the chemistry review sheet to test your understanding. The class consists of four lectures, two labs and two discussions each week. All students must fill out the form on page 7. Use this form to add/switch AND create a password. Even if you are not switching or adding you must fill out this form to select a password. Turn it in after lecture or place it in the mailbox outside of 2088 VLSB, by 5 PM on June 23. Attendance: You are expected to attend ALL lectures, discussions, etc. Communication: Office hours are held in 2084 or 2088 VLSB. Messages for lecturers, Mike Meighan, and the GSI's may be left at addresses are on page 4. Lectures and Lecturers: The lecturers are Dr. Jim Baxter (6/23-7/16) and Professor Neeraj Chugh (7/17-8/13). Lectures are held M. - Th. from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM in 100 Lewis. Office hours: Office hours are held in 2084 (or 2088 VLSB). A list of office hours will be provided on 6/30. Please come to any office hour lecturer s, GSI s, or Mike s. GSI s: The GSI s will teach labs and discussion. Each will hold one office hour per week. A schedule of GSI office hours will be handed out in lecture on 6/30. Labs and Discussion: Labs and discussion meet twice a week and are required. You must fill out the form on page 7. Turn it in after lecture or place it in the mailbox outside of 2088 VLSB, by 5 PM on June 23. Further lab information is provided. Mike Meighan will handle section changes and adding. Repeating Students: Students repeating the class may not have to repeat the lab if they scored above the lab mean (when they took the class). If interested, fill out the form outside of 2088 VLSB by 5 PM today. Eligible students will be contacted (by phone/ ). Study Advice: Read the material before lecture-- at least read the first paragraph and the outline for each chapter before lecture. During lecture take notes and pay attention. Refer to the lab manual for further information on studying. The Student Learning Center will be offering study groups on M/W from 10 AM to Noon. There will also be drop in hours. GRADING PROCEDURE: Letter grades will be determined from numerical scores as follows: Midterm Examinations (2 x 150) (each lecture is worth about 15 points) 300 pt s Laboratory & Discussion: Lab Exam # 1, 7/22, in lecture (Labs 1-7) 90 pt s Lab Exam # 2, 8/11 or 12, during your lab period (Labs 8-12) 75 pt s Quizzes - In discussion or lab (12 labs x 3 pts minus the lowest quiz scores) 33 pt s Final Exam (held on 8/14) 120 pt's Total 618 pt s A or A or A % C or C or C % F 59-00% B or B or B % D or D or D % Page 1 of 7.

2 GRADING PROCEDURE: In the event that some examinations have been unusually difficult, the cut-offs for letter grades may be lowered (but only by a few percentage points, and only as deemed necessary). Historically around 40-50% of the class EARN A s and B s. Grades are based upon total points which includes your lab and lecture points. Some adjustments are made to lab exam 2 grades and quiz grades to adjust for differences between the various sections. How is this done equitably? A linear regression analysis is used to adjust grades. The mean for lab exam 1 is determined for each section and those values are used for the X axis. The mean of lab exam 2 (or quiz scores) are the values used for the Y axis. A best fit line is generated. Each section is then adjusted UP to the easiest/highest of all of the sections (maintaining the same slope but modifying the intercept which adjusts for the easiest/highest section). Then adjustment points are added for each student within a section. Thus no students are penalized (for being in a hard section) and no students have an advantage (for being in a easy section). See below for a graphical representation of these adjustments. Quiz scores by section Easiest grader line Average Grader Line Lab Exam 2 scores by section Easiest grader line Average Grader Line Lab Exam 1 Points (by Lab Exam 1 Points (by sect.) sect.) Average lab exam 1 scores, quiz scores, and lab exam 2 scores are determined for each section/pairing (2 sections take the same lab exam 2). Lab exam 1 averages are used for the X axis and quiz scores (or lab exam 2) for the Y axis. A best fit line is generated. The slope of this line is kept and is brought UP TO THE :EASIEST/HIGHEST" average. This is repeated for lab exam 2 (Y axis). The total points is then determined for each student. We look at 90% of the points in the class and see what % of the students earned a guaranteed A/A/A-. If there are fewer than about 20% of the students we then typically lower the number of points required for some form of an A (since it is the lower end it would be A-). We continue to do that for each guaranteed grade range, B, C and D. If need be, we lower the total number of points necessary to get a certain grade. We usually give out about 20% A s, 30% B s, 20% C s, 10% D s and 10% F s. We then go back and make the exact cut-offs for each form of a grade (eg. C, C, C-). We then look to see if students are within 5 points of the next highest grade. If so we need to determine if they should be bumped to the next higher grade. The most important criteria for this bump in the summer is attendance and participation in lecture/lab/discussion (prelabs/worksheet averages). We only consider bumps if the students are within 5 points. On average about 50% of the students who are within 5 points get bumped, 50% do not. Note that the class is, in a sense, curved. But we would rather that you strive to reach the 90 percentile, instead of us having to lower the percentage cutoffs for given grades. Page 2 of 7.

3 Lecture: Lecture exams will be taken in class. The midterms are scheduled for July 14 (lectures 1-10 = 150 pts,) and Aug. 4 (lectures = 60 pts, lectures = 90 pts). The final is scheduled for August 14 (lectures 21-28, 120 points). Exam Format: Exams will contain both multiple-choice questions and short answer, essay or fill in the blank questions. 150 point exams will have about 100 points multiple choice and 50 points that will be short answer, essay or fill in the blank. The final will be 85 points multiple choice and 35 points short answer, essay or fill in the blank. Lab exam 1 will have about 25 pts multiple choice and 55 pts short answer. Lab exam 2 will be almost exclusively short answer. There will be NO make-up exams. If you miss an exam due to illness, you must present a written, verifiable medical excuse. Your exam will be calculated on a pro-rated score. Lab: Daily lab quizzes worth a total of 33 pts (12 X 3 pts minus the lowest score) will be given at the start of each lab. Pre-labs are required in order to do lab. Worksheets are also required. Lab exam 1 worth 90 points will be held in lecture on July 22. It will cover labs 1-7. Lab exam 2, worth 75 pts, covers labs 8 12 and will be given in your lab, either Aug. 11 or 12th. June 25/26 Safety/Microscope July 22 Lab Exam I (90 pt's) Spectrophotometer Micropippetters June 30, July 1 Cells July 23/24 Invertebrates I July 2/3 Enzymes July 28/29 Invertebrates II July 7/8 Photosynthesis July 30/31 Vertebrate Anatomy July 9/10 GMB I Aug. 4/5 Vertebrate Diversity July 14/15 GMB II Aug. 6/7 Reproduction & Development July 16/17 GMB III Aug. 11/12 Lab Exam II (75 pt's) TEXTBOOKS AND LAB MANUAL Required Textbook: Biology, Campbell, 6 th ed., by Benjamin Cummings. Required Lab Manual: The lab manual is available at surrounding bookstores. Recommended Lab Manual: A Guide to Biology Lab, T. G. Rust, 3rd ed., by Southwest Education Enterprise. Exam Reader: An exam reader will be available at Replica Copy, 2140 Oxford on July 7th. It will contain representative exams from previous semesters and summers. Our exam format has changed slightly. The exams in the reader should be used as a study tool. Biology 1A Web Site: HOW TO DO BETTER IN BIOLOGY 1A 1. Come to lectures and take your own notes and then review them after lecture. 2. Keep up with the material. It is essential that you do not fall behind. 3. Clarify topics you do not understand by a. Coming to faculty office hours and ask questions b. Coming to GSI office hours and ask questions c. Joining into a study group d. Reading the book e. Using to ask the faculty questions 4. Use the exam reader, making sure you understand the reasoning behind the answers. 5. Come to the exam review sessions and ask questions. Seek help, if needed. Page 3 of 7.

4 Lab Schedule & Room Location Lectures 12:30-2:00 in 100 Lewis Discussion Time and Room Lab Time & Room (VLSB) GSI 1 T,Th 2-3 PM 243 Dwinelle M/W 2:00-5:00 PM T,Th 2-3 PM 234 Dwinelle M/W 2:00-5:00 PM T/Th 3-4 PM 234 Dwinelle T/Th 9:00-12:00 PM T/Th 3-4 PM 79 Dwinelle T/Th 9:00-12:00 PM T,Th PM 2070 VLSB T/Th 2:00-5:00 PM T,Th PM 107 GPB T/Th 2:00-5:00 PM T,Th PM 109 Dwinelle M/W 6:30-9:30 PM T,Th PM 240 Mulford M/W 6:30-9:30 PM 2097 June 25/26 Safety/Microscope Spectrophotometer Micropippetters Lab Schedule July 22 Lab Exam I (90 pt's) June 30, July 1 Cells July 23/24 Invertebrates I July 2/3 Enzymes July 28/29 Invertebrates II July 7/8 Photosynthesis July 30/31 Vertebrate Anatomy July 9/10 GMB I Aug. 4/5 Vertebrate Diversity July 14/15 GMB II Aug. 6/7 Reproduction & Development July 16/17 GMB III Aug. 11/12 Lab Exam II (75 pt's) Exam Information Lecture Exam 1 (7/14) Lecture Exam 2 (8/4) Final (8/14) Lab Exam I (7/22) Lab Exam II (8/11or 12) Section number, Instructors and (tentative) Lect. Lect. Meighan, Mike mike_meighan@ls.berkeley.edu Baxter, Jim jbaxter@ohlone.cc.ca.us Chugh, Neeraj neeraj@socrates.berkeley.edu GSI for Section UGSI for Section Page 4 of 7.

5 Biology 1A Calendar: Summer 2003 There are two lecturers in Biology 1A during this summer. Lectures 1-14 will be given by Dr. Jim Baxter and lectures will be given by Professor Neeraj Chugh. Changes may occur to this syllabus and grading criteria. Date # Lecture Topic Reading 6 th ed. Lab, Discussion 6/23 1 Introduction to living organisms Ch 1-4 No labs or discussion 6/24 2 Biological macromolecules Ch 5 No labs or discussion 6/25 3 Introduction to cell structure and function Ch 7 Discussion & labs begin! Lab 1: Safety, Microscope, Spectrophotometer, Micropipetter 6/26 4 Membrane structure & function Ch 8 6/30 5 Introduction to metabolism Ch 6, 9 Lab 2: Cells 7/1 6 Cellular respiration Ch 9 Lab 2: Cells 7/2 7 Cellular respiration con t ; Photosynthesis Ch 9, 10 Lab 3: Enzymes 7/3 8 Photosynthesis continued Ch 10 Lab 3: Enzymes 7/7 9 Cell signaling Ch 11 Lab 4: Photosynthesis 7/8 10 Cell cycles mitosis and meiosis Ch 12, 13 Lab 4: Photosynthesis 7/9 11 Introduction to Mendelian genetics Ch 14 Lab 5: Genetics & Mol Biol 1 7/10 12 Chromosomal & molecular basis of inheritance Ch 15, 16 Lab 5: Genetics & Mol Biol 1 7/14 LECT. EXAM #1 (Lects. 1-10, see handout) Rooms to be arranged. Lab 6: Genetics & Mol Biol 2 7/15 13 From genes to proteins Ch 17 Lab 6: Genetics & Mol Biol 2 7/16 14 Prokaryotes introduction and gene regulation Ch 18 Lab 7: Genetics & Mol Biol 3 7/17 15 Molecular biology strategies and applications Ch 20 Lab 7: Genetics & Mol Biol 3 7/21 16 Eukaryotic gene regulation Ch 19 7/22 LAB EXAM #1 (Labs 1-6, see handout) Rooms to be arranged. Lab Exam, No lab, No disc. 7/23 17 Cancer Ch 19 Lab 8: Invertebrates I 7/24 18 The genetics of development Ch 21 Lab 8: Invertebrates I 7/28 19 Nutrition and Digestion Ch 41 Lab 9: Invertebrates II. 7/29 20 Circulation and gas exchange Ch 42 Lab 9: Invertebrates II. 7/30 21 Conservation, elimination, and osmoregulation Ch 44 Lab 10: Vert. Anatomy 7/31 22 Defense and Immunity Ch 43 Lab 10: Vert. Anatomy 8/4 LECT. EXAM #2 (Lects , see handout) Rooms to be arranged. Lab 11: Vert. Diversity 8/5 23 Defense and immunity Ch 43 Lab 11: Vert. Diversity 8/6 24 Nervous system Ch 48 Lab 12: Reproduction & Dev. 8/7 25 Sense and locomotion Ch 49 Lab 12: Reproduction & Dev. 8/11 26 Hormones Ch 45 Lab Exam II - in lab 8/12 27 Sex and reproduction Ch 46 Lab Exam II - in lab 8/13 28 Fertilization and development Ch 47 Discussion 8/14 Final (Lects , see handout) Rooms to be arranged. Discussion All reading assignments are from Campbell, Biology, 6 th ed. Page 5 of 7.

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7 ATTENDANCE/ADDING/SWITCHING FORM 1. All students must fill out this form. 2. Labs and discussions begin on Wednesday and Thursday. You are enrolled in the Lab and Discussion assignments as assigned by Tele-BEARS (Summer Sessions). Only a limited number of section changes can be made (don't assume you will be switched- if there isn't space there isn't space). 3. To add or switch sections fill out this form completely and turn it in after lecture. Select from the four choices, A, B, C or D. (See below.) You cannot mix lab/discussion times. 4. Order the choices in your order of preference. You most likely will not get your first choice. Please indicate your choices in the lower part and turn this in after lecture. Turn in only the lower part. Keep the upper half. 5. Section changes and Adds will be posted in the glass case outside of 2084 VLSB on Tuesday at 11 AM. All changes are final. There will be no section changes thereafter. 6. You must attend your assigned lab and discussion section starting Wed. and Thursday. Discussion Time Laboratory Time A T,Th 2:00-3:00 PM M/W 2:00-5:00 PM (S01 & S02) B T/Th 11:00-Noon M/W 6:30-9:30 PM (S07 & S08) C T,Th 3:00-4:00 PM T,Th 9:00-12:00 PM (S03 & S04) D T/Th 11:00-Noon T,Th 2:00-5:00 PM (s05 & S06) Detach here and turn in after lecture.... Permission to post section and SID. NAME (Last name), (First name) (Middle name) PHONE # SID# Are you trying to add? Yes/No. Trying to switch? Yes/No UC Student Yes/No. Transfer student Yes/No DATE Actual Year at UC: DO not include AP units, ie. starting 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th. Major. Why do you need Biology 1A? Explain. Currently Assigned Section (if any): Use the letters, A, B, C and D to select four choices. Make your selection carefully as you can not make changes. You cannot mix labs and discussion. 1 st choice 2 nd choice 3 rd choice 4 th choice Page 7 of 7.

8 Pick a password consisting of 8 digits/characters. Page 8 of 7.