BIOL 3200 – Cell Biology

Course Syllabus – Fall 2009

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Administration Building room # 23, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course description:

Number and title: BIOL 3200 (CRN 87090), Cell Biology

Credit hours: 3.0 semester credit hours

Catalog description: An exploration of life's basic unit. Students will examine the cell from both structural and functional viewpoints. The fundamentals of cellular chemistry, life cycles, and regulation will be discussed. Seminal experiments in cell biology will be examined, and current studies in primary research journals will be addressed. Students will gain an understanding of how contemporary methods of laboratory experimentation are being used to unravel the mysteries of life's irreducible unit.

Course prerequisites: BIOL 1108, BIOL1108L, CHEM 2412, CHEM 2412L

Notebook Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

• Able to use the Windows^TM operating system.
• Able to use a the Microsoft Word^TM word processing program.
• Able to send and receive e-mail using the Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM program.
• Able to use a Web browser.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers may be used extensively in this class. Various in class assignments may require students to use their computers.  In addition, computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.  Plan on bringing your laptop to class or arrange with another student prior to the meeting time of the class to share computers.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Biology outcomes:

BIOL3200 supports outcomes 1, 4, 5, and 7 of the biology major:

• Outcome 1.  Knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology.
• Outcome 4.  Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a clear concise manner.
• Outcome 5.  Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking skills to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.
• Outcome 7.  Appreciation for the impact of biological and physical science on the environment and society

Course objectives:

• To investigate the organelles that compose eukaryotic animal cells and understand how these organelles function individually and cumulatively to contribute to the overall function of the cell.
• To understand the molecular interactions that occur within cells and contribute to the overall function of the cell.
• To investigate cell-cell communication and cell-environment communication.

Instructor Information:

Dr. Paul Guy Melvin
Office: Faculty Hall A21
Phone: (678) 466-4789
email:  PaulMelvin@clayton.edu
Internet address: http://a-s.clayton.edu/pmelvin/pmelvin
Fall Office Hours: TBA

Textbook information:

Required text: The World of the Cell, 7th Edition. Becker, Kleinsmith, Hardin, and Bertoni.  Pearson/Benjamin Cummings, 2008. (This textbook comes with a CD-ROM.  It is recommended that you have the CD-ROM and online access as they may be incorporated into the class, including for graded assignments.  No exceptions can be made for those not having access to this.)

Recommended text: http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/insidethecell/pdf/inside_the_cell.pdf 

Evaluation:

Grading:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Mid-term Progress Report

The mid-term grade in this course will be issued prior to October 9, 2009, and it will be based on 2 examinations and on any assignments given.  To calculate your grade, you should use the following formula:  (the number of points you earned) / (total number of possible points).  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of 'W'.   Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar or from the Registrar's webpage, on or before the mid-term, which occurs on Friday, October 9, 2009.  If the withdrawal is submitted after June 26, 2009, the grade will be a 'WF', which is equivalent to an F in the calculation of a student's GPA.

Special Announcement: 

Here's info on the H1N1 virus & you.   "The CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.”

To help curtail the spread of the virus, please go see a doctor and don't come to class if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Tentative course schedule:  

This lecture schedule and lecture testing schedule is tentative and may change.  IT IS VERY LIKELY THESE DATES WILL GET PUSHED BACK AS THE SEMESTER PROGRESSES.

Classroom regulations and policies:

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

1. No cellular telephones, pagers, instant messaging devices, etc.  One point will be deducted from your total earned points each time your device makes an audible sound.  One point will be added to each student’s total earned points if the instructor’s phone makes an audible sound.  If a student’s cell phone makes and audible noise during an exam or quiz, that student will lose ten points from his or her total earned points. 
2. No talking while the instructor or another student is talking.  Students repeatedly violating this policy will be asked to leave the classroom for being disruptive.
3. Snacks and drink are allowed, within reason.  If you make a mess, you are responsible for cleaning it up.
4. Computers are for note-taking, research, or other class related activities only.  Students using them for surfing the internet, checking email, playing games, etc will be asked to turn them off.  On subsequent offenses, the student may be asked to leave the classroom for being disruptive.
5. Visitors are not permitted without the instructor’s permission.  Children are not allowed in the classroom at anytime.
6. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class.  Students who are late must remain outside of the classroom until the quiz is finished and will receive a grade of zero.  There are no make-up quizzes.  A quiz may be based on your attendance on a particular day.  Quizzes, including attendance quizzes, may be unannounced.
7. Exams start at the beginning of class.  The instructor may permit a student to begin late if the excuse is reasonable.  Students who are more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed to begin the exam. There are no make-up exams.
8. Scantrons will be needed for exams and quizzes.  Only the answers on your scantron will be graded. 
9. Attendance is expected.  You are responsible for obtaining any missed information from other students.  This includes information concerning quiz dates, exam dates, etc.  Students who do not attend regularly generally do not do well in the course.
10. Each student is granted an absence from one exam OR one quiz during the course of the semester.  This is a “no questions asked” situation.  Illness, travel, court, doctor’s appointment, oversleeping, etc. are all valid.  It is up to you how you use it.  Missing more than one exam or quiz will result in a grade of zero for the missed work.  There are no make-up exams.  Your final exam grade will be doubled to make up for your missed exam.  There are no make up quizzes.  The next quiz you take will be doubled to make up for your missed quiz.  Students missing the final exam will receive a grade of F for the course.  There are no dropped quizzes or exams.  No excuses will be accepted for missing more than one exam.  The second missed exam will be scored as a zero.
11. No form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this course.  The most common forms are cheating and plagiarism, but any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards will constitute academic dishonesty.  The minimum penalty is a grade of zero on the work involved.  The maximum penalty is expulsion from the university.  Be aware that students found in violation of the university’s academic dishonesty code have lost scholarships, athletic eligibility, and/or their U.S. student visa (if an international student).  All forms of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs for investigation.  Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.
12. No form of disruptive behavior will be tolerated in this class.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior.  A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or is found to be repeatedly disruptive while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.  For more information, please refer to: http://as.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

Common examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:

1. Monopolizing classroom discussions
2. Failing to respect the rights of other students to express their viewpoints
3. Talking when the instructors or other students are speaking
4. Constant questions or interruptions which interfere with the instructor’s presentation
5. Overt inattentiveness (e.g. sleeping or surfing the internet)
6. Creating excessive noise
7. Entering the class late or leaving the class early
8. Use of cell phones or pagers in class
9. Inordinate or inappropriate demands for time or attention
10. Poor personal hygiene (e.g. noticeably offensive body odor)
11. Refusal to comply with faculty direction

Students exhibiting these types of behaviors can expect a warning from the instructor or dismissal for the lesson in which the behavior occurs. Failure to correct such behaviors can result in dismissal from the course.

    More extreme examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:
 

1. Use of profanity or pejorative language

2. Intoxication

3. Verbal abuse of instructor or other students (e.g. taunting, badgering, intimidation)

4. Harassment of instructor or other students

5. Threats to harm oneself or others

6. Physical violence

Students exhibiting these more extreme examples of disruptive behavior may be dismissed from the lesson or the entire course.

Students dismissed from a lesson will leave the classroom immediately or may be subject to additional penalties. Dismissed students are responsible for any course material or assignments missed.

Students dismissed from a course have the right to appeal the dismissal to the department head responsible for the course. Appeals beyond the department head may also be pursued. If no appeal is made or the appeal is unsuccessful, the student will receive a grade o WF (withdrawal – failing) regardless of the current grade in the course.

Conditions attributed to physical or psychological disabilities are not considered as a legitimate excuse for disruptive behavior.

The description of disruptive behavior and listings of examples of disruptive behavior are taken from the Web sites of James Madison University, the University of Delaware and Virginia Tech.

Changes or additions to this syllabus, including reading, exam schedule, grading, and course policies can be made at the discretion of the instructor at any time.

Last update: September 29, 2009