BIO 114 - ORGANISMS LECTURE
FALL 2009 - SYLLABUS
SECTIONS 7-9 - T,TH (8:00 - 9:15AM)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: An exploration of how diverse life forms carry out fundamental processes that sustain life including acquiring and using essential molecules, growing and reproducing, responding to environmental stimuli, and maintaining a stable internal environment.

LECTURE ROOM: Burruss Hall 238

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. C.K. McMullen

OFFICE: Burruss 202

RESEARCH LABS: Burruss 201 and Burruss 260 (Herbarium)

PHONE: 568-3805

E-MAIL: mcmullck@jmu.edu

MY WEB SITE: http://csm.jmu.edu/biology/mcmullck

JMU's BLACKBOARD COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: http://blackboard.jmu.edu/

REQUIRED TEXTS:

1) Biological Science, 3rd ed. by S. Freeman.
2) Organisms, Bio 114 Laboratory Manual, 8th ed. by C. Hurney, A. Pesce, and S. Babcock
3) A Short Guide to Writing About Biology, 7th ed., by J. Pechenik (the 6th ed. is also acceptable)

ALSO REQUIRED:

Each student must obtain a CPS RF clicker form the bookstore and enroll it with Blackboard by September 3rd. Clickers will be used for in-class quizzes.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Content: By the end of this course, each student should understand that:
1) living systems are unique because they are water-based systems and the chemical and physical properties of water are unusual.
2) living things are hierarchically ordered.
3) there is a strong relationship between structure and function at all levels.
4) living things are highly ordered and need to make a living by acquiring and transforming energy.
5) all life makes more of itself, and the information for making living things is passed from generation to generation.
6) living things develop in an orderly and controlled manner and are influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
7) living organisms respond to environmental stimuli.
8) the diversity of life is astounding, but it can be organized by commonality of ancestry.
9) science is a way of understanding and producing explanations of nature.
10) science and social forces influence one another.
11) the products of science (discoveries and technologies) present society with ethical issues.
12) an understanding of science requires both historical and philosophical perspectives.

Skills and Experiences: By the end of this course, each student will:
1) experience working with the scientific method.
2) experience working at the "bench" in a controlled environment; experimental design.
3) use effective professional communication, both written and oral.
4) work collaboratively with others (e.g. share tasks).
5) experience applying biological knowledge.
6) experience organizing, synthesizing, and presenting information; include selection of style, audience, and intent of communication.
7) experience accessing information and evaluation of quality of source.

METHODS OF EVALUATION IN LECTURE (Lecture is 60% of your total Bio 114 grade):
4 Regular Exams (75% of Lecture Grade)
1 Final Exam (20% of Lecture Grade)
Quizzes (5% of Lecture Grade)

REGULAR EXAMS: These will cover material from the lectures and text readings.

FINAL EXAM: This will cover material from the entire course, but will concentrate on the lectures presented after the fourth exam. The final exam must be taken during the official day and time scheduled by JMU (see tentative schedule).

GRADE SCALE:
A = 90-100 %
B = 80-89 %
C = 70-79 %
D = 60-69 %
F = below 60 %

IMPORTANT CLASSROOM POLICIES: Class begins at 8:00 A.M. Please respect your instructor and classmates by arriving on time. Class ends at 9:15 A.M. Plan on staying the entire period! It is the student's responsibility to find a relaible way to make it to this class and his/her next class without arriving late and/or leaving early. Grades may be negatively affected for persons continually arriving late and/or leaving early. Students are expected to attend all lecture sections. The lectures will include material not covered in the text and not in your PowerPoint notes, so missing these will adversely affect your grade. More than 5 absences, regardless of the reason, will automatically result in a final grade reduction in lecture equivalent to one letter grade. Good attendance and participation may in fact help your grade if, at the end of the semester, you're on the border between two grades. Missed exams can be made-up only at the discretion of the professor and in a manner prescribed by the professor. You must inform me ahead of time, in person, if you are going to miss an exam. It is in your best interest not to miss an exam on the scheduled day. Exam dates will be made final at least a week in advance. The JMU Honor Code should be carefully observed. Please become familiar with "Violations of the Honor Code," found in the JMU Student Handbook. Any evidence of a violation will be immediately turned over to the Honor Council for investigation. Finally, use of laptops and cell phones, including text messaging, is NOT allowed in class. Make sure that you turn your phone off before coming to class!

Students are responsible for registering for classes and for verifying their class schedules on e-campus. Please be aware of the following important deadlines: September 1, 2009 - Last day to add the course on e-campus. Last day to drop the course. Withdrawing from a class after the drop deadline, results in a "W" grade on your transcript and corresponding tuition charges, if applicable. September 10, 2009 - Last day to add the course with instructor and unit head signatures. September 11, 2009 - Last day to withdraw from JMU with cancellation of tuition charges.

Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities and/or meet course requirements must register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and contact me to discuss access issues. ODS will provide you with an Access Plan Letter that will verify your need for services and make recommendations for accommodations to be used in my classroom. ODS is located in the Wilson Learning Center, Room 107; Phone: 568-6705.

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE