BIOLOGY

105B: Modern Biological Concepts

Fall Semester 2018
Course Organization and Syllabus
T Th 5:30-6:50pm SMB Room 162


Welcome:
It is difficult to read through the news without hearing about issues that involve biology. The Ebola
epidemic devastated communities in western Africa and was studied by ecologists and geneticists to
understand the pattern of spread and to make predictions about how to best contain the pathogen.
Climate change is impacting our ecosystems and the services they provide. Genetic engineering has
become more of a reality with the advent of the CRISPR-Cas system. During this course, you will learn
some of the central principles of biology including biodiversity, ecology, cell structure, reproduction,
genetics and evolution in relation to current issues like the ones listed above. This course provides you
with an understanding of the living world and will allow you to become a more scientifically literature
member of the community.

Course Description:
An introduction to biological concepts designed for nonscience majors. This course presents the central
principles of biological theory: Cell structure and metabolisms, reproduction, genetics, biodiversity,
ecology and evolution in relation to current issues. The course provides students with an understanding
of the living world through the process of science. Three lecture hours per week. Co-requisite BIO 145
(Lab).

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to
• Describe the value of biodiversity to humans.
• Describe the carbon cycle and connect it to climate change.
• Describe the characteristics of all living things.
• Name and describe the four different classes of biological molecules.
• Describe energy flow through systems and relate photosynthesis and respiration to these
processes.
• Relate the structure and processing of DNA to its importance in human genetics and evolution.
• Apply the processes of mitosis and meiosis to organismal life cycles.
• Apply your understanding of the processes of cell division toward an understanding of diseases
such as cancer.
• Apply principles of Mendelian genetics to human inheritance.
• Apply your understanding of the process of evolution by natural selection to why certain
organisms look or act the way they do.
• Apply knowledge, skills, and understanding to communicate principles of biology to the public in
an understandable and accessible way

Instructor: Kayleigh O’Keeffe
Email: kokeeffe@live.unc.edu
Office Hours Location: Science and Math Building (SMB) 162
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30-5:30pm
Individual assistance is always available by appointment. I look forward to seeing you during student
hours. Stop in.
Textbook: I will assign readings from selected chapters of Biology Now by Houtman, Scudellari, Malone,
and Singh-Cundy, 2015. The text is published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY. The
textbook is an excellent reference to assist you in your studies. Also, it should be noted that the text covers
far more material than we will be covering in the lecture. As such, students should refer to the class
objectives and lecture outlines to guide course preparation.

Instructional Format
In this class, you will take an active part in the learning process. Rather than class sessions involving
predominantly lectures from me as the professor, class time will be used for activities, discussions, and
debates on the material we go over. In some ways, this will make the course more challenging than
others you may have taken; however, I hope this approach will make the course more fun and
interesting as well.

To facilitate in-class activities and discussion, you will be expected to complete the assigned readings
before class. Each member of this course will be part of an intellectual community. We will discuss and
debate topics related to the course content, and I expect that everyone respects each member of our
community. In order for a productive exchange of ideas, everyone must feel comfortable speaking and
knowing that their community will respect what they have to share.

I consider teaching and learning to be a mutualistic relationship, so you can expect certain things from
me. I make myself available at the above listed times, but if you cannot make that time, I welcome
requests to meet at times that best fit both of our schedules. I encourage you all to stop by! I will
provide ample description of assignments and exam expectations before due dates and I will return
assignments and exams in a timely fashion. Importantly, I take your feedback seriously. I will have you
fill out mid-course evaluations twice during the semester, and I will read and take your feedback into
account. I will also tell you how I will address your feedback to improve the course during the semester.

Class Attendance
Because of the interactive nature of the course, attendance and participation will be necessary for you
to completely achieve the course goals. Attendance will be required, and I will make note of attendance
each class period. Please inform me if you have circumstances that keep you from coming to class. I will
allow one unexcused absence, after which I will take 1 point off your final grade for each subsequent
absence.

Course Requirements
Evaluation of this course will be based upon the successful completion of a variety of assignments and
tests. According to the schedule described below, I will assign short-answer quizzes that you will
complete on Brightspace to test you on the concepts covered in the previous week, as well as to test
your understanding of at-home readings. This is designed to reinforce the concepts as well as serve as a
way for me to check if there are major problems before moving on to new topics. You will have regular
assignments based on in-class discussions and at-home readings designed to practice problem solving,
data analysis, and written skills. There will be three one-hour exams that will test your application,
synthesis, and analysis skills as they relate to course content. To do well on these exams, you will need
to be able to think critically about the content, not just memorize it. There will be one final cumulative
exam that will be held during finals week. Finally, there will be a communication assignment focused on
gaining a deeper knowledge on one topic within biology and communicating its importance in a way
that can be understood by the public.

Examinations will be in the form of multiple-choice, true/false, matching and short answer questions. Each
of the first three exams will cover only material since the previous exam. No makeup exams will be given.
In the case of an excused absence the grade on the final exam will be used to calculate a replacement
grade for the missed exam. The final exam will be comprehensive. It will consist of 100 points over new
material and 50 points of review questions from the first three exams.

Quizzes will be assigned approximately once a week to be done outside of class. Quizzes will be in the
form of short answer responses and will serve as mini-reviews to make sure you understand the material.
The best way to prepare for each quiz is to review the material that was covered in the week prior. Late
quizzes will not be accepted. Each quiz will be due at noon on the quiz due date.

Homework will be assigned and completed outside of class. Homework can be completed using notes,
textbooks, online resources, and can be done with a partner/study group. Assignments will be available
one week prior to the due date, and each individual must turn in their own homework, IN YOUR OWN
WORDS, even if the homework was completed in a study group. The homework is not meant to be busy
work but instead give you an opportunity to apply the concepts that you learn in class to the larger world
around you. Typically, you will have one week to complete the assignment and the due dates are clearly
listed on the syllabus and on Brightspace. Late assignments will not be accepted. Each assignment will be
due at noon on the assignment due date and should be submitted on Brightspace.

Communication Project
Science does not happen in a vacuum, and it is important that we as scientists consider the societal
value of our work and that we take the time to convey that importance to the public in an
understandable, respectful, and accessible way. You will take on a biology topic of interest to you with
the ultimate goal of learning about it scientifically and its impact on society. You will take what you learn
and create a letter to the editor or oped piece as if it would be submitted to a newspaper, and using
accessible language, communicate that importance to the readers.

This project will be comprised of four components (200 points):
• One paragraph proposal of the topic of interest: Identify the topic and explain why it’s
important for the public to understand more about it. Provide 1-3 references that you will
explore further. (due Thursday, 9/6) (20 points for completion)
• Literature Review (2 pages, double-spaced): After reading the relevant references, write a
review paper about the work that has been done on the topic and future directions (due
Thursday, 9/27) (60 points)
• Letter to the editor/Oped (600-1000 words): Use your research to create a written piece that is
accessible to the public explaining the topic as well as why people should care about it. (first
draft due 8 weeks into the semester; final draft due on the last day of class) (60 points)
• Short presentation to the class: Along with other students focusing on the same topic, present a
5 minute presentation on the topic to the class. This should focus on the ideas that you
communicated through the letter to the editor. You can use 1-2 slides, but these slides should
not be heavy on text and only be used if it clarifies the concept or importance. (60 points)

We will devote 1 class period to best practices for researching relevant studies and papers, and how to
best communicate scientific topics in an understandable way.



Grading:
Weekly in-class quizzes (12 total, 10 points each) 100 pts (drop lowest 2)
Take home assignments (10 total, 10 points each) 100 pts
In-class exams (3 total) 300 pts.
Communication project 200 pts.
Final exam 100 pts.
TOTAL 800 pts.

Letter grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

Percent score Grade
≥ 90.0 A
80.0 – 89.9 B
70.0 – 79.9 C
60.0 – 69.9 D
<60.0 F


Academic Integrity
It is expected that you will perform your own work with honesty. We, the Meredith community,
are committed to developing and affirming in each student a sense of personal honor and responsibility.
Uncompromising honesty and forthrightness are essential elements of this commitment. The Honor
System is a method by which individual honors are protected and maintained. Any dishonorable action
will be regarded as a violation of this commitment, and corrective action will be taken. Academic
dishonesty will result in a zero for all work involved and may result in automatic failure of the course in
addition to Honor Council sanctions.
Academic dishonesty can include, but is not limited to the following: cheating on exams, copying
someone else’s homework or quiz assignments, using copies of old exams and/or assignments from
previous semesters, paying or allowing someone besides yourself to complete your work, etc…

Meredith Statement of Honor
“If I am in violation of the Honor Code, to prevent jeopardizing the Honor System or weakening
our system of self-government, I have an obligation to report myself to the proper authorities. If I am
aware of a violation of the Honor System by another student, I shall call this matter to the attention of
that student as a violation of responsibility to the community. In choosing Meredith College, I am
accepting the Honor System as a way of life. As a Meredith student, I am responsible for insuring that the
Honor System is at all times carried out.”

Honor Pledge
“I do solemnly pledge my honor that as long as I am a student at Meredith College, I will faithfully
uphold the principles of the Honor Code and will respect and observe the procedures and requirements
of the Honor System. I also pledge my support to our system of self-government, an integral part of our
way of life at Meredith College. I make this pledge in view of my fellow students thus signifying our high
resolve to keep our honor forever sacred and our self-government forever strong.”



Computers, Cell Phones, Emails, and Respect
You may bring your laptops to class if it helps you take notes and follow the lectures, however, I
would suggest you try to limit your use of your laptop during class time. You are NOT PERMITTED to
browse the internet (including Facebook, send emails, or use your computer for any other non-class
related activity). If I see you using your computer inappropriately, I will ask you to leave the classroom.
Cell phone use is NOT PERMITTED in class. Use voice mail and return the call later.
Further, I trust that you will not indulge in rude and disruptive behavior in the classroom. Rude
behaviors include showing up late for class, use of cell phones, reading material unrelated to this course,
listening to music, playing computer games, browsing the internet, indulging in private conversations, and
sleeping in class. This type of behavior not only disturbs me, but also your fellow classmates. If you are
repeatedly disruptive, I reserve the discretionary right to subtract penalty points from your grade.
Please feel free to email me with any questions you have related to the course. Please first check
that your question is not addressed in the syllabus.



Tentative Course Schedule

Lesson# Date General Topic Quizzes Assignment Due
Class Introduction and
1 Th 8/23 Expectations; Scientific Method None

2 T 8/28 Ecosystems None Assignment 1 due

3 Th 8/30 Ecology None
4 T 9/4 Ecology Quiz #1 due
Communication
5 Th 9/6 Chemistry of Life None Project Proposal due

6 T 9/11 Chemistry of Life Quiz #2 due

7 Th 9/13 Communication Proj/Review None Assignment 2 due
T 9/18 EXAM 1
8 Th 9/20 Cell Structure and Function None
9 T 9/25 Cell Transport None Assignment 3 due
Literature Review
10 Th 9/27 Viruses Quiz #3 due Due
11 T 10/2 Cell Metabolism None
Th 10/4 NO CLASS Holiday

12 T 10/9 Photosynthesis Quiz #5

13 Th 10/11 Respiration None Assignment 4 due

T 10/16 EXAM 2
15 Th 10/18 Cell Division-Mitosis None
Cell Division-Mitosis; Cancer Letter to the editor
16 T 10/23 Discussion None Assignment Due
17 Th 10/25 Cell Division-Meiosis Quiz #6

18 T 10/30 Genetics None Assignment 5 due

19 Th 11/1 Genetics None
20 T 11/6 Human Genetics Quiz #7
21 Th 11/8 Human Genetics None Assignment 6 due
T 11/13 EXAM 3
23 Th 11/15 DNA Structure None
24 T 11/20 DNA to Proteins None Assignment 7 due
Th 11/22 NO CLASS Thanksgiving
25 T 11/27 Evolution None
26 Th 11/29 Evolution Quiz #8
 27 T 12/4 Mechanisms of Evolution None Assignment 8 due