Biology 401 Cell Biology
http://www.plattsburgh.edu/faculty/slishdf
Instructor: Donald F.
Slish Office: 304B Beaumont Hall
Phone: (518) 564-5160 Cell Bio Lab:
304 Beaumont Hall
TEXT: The World of the Cell (7th edition)
Becker, Kleinsmith, Hardin & Bertoni
Email Address:
donald.slish@plattsburgh.edu
Office Hours: Mon., & Thurs. 2-3 P.M., Friday. 10-11 A.M.
Syllabus:
General Intro: (Chapters 1-3) Chemistry, Macromolecules & Cells, (self study review)
Chapter 4 Cells and Organelles
Chapter 15 Cytoskeletal Systems
Chapter 16 Cellular Movement: Motility and Contraction
Study Guide Exam 1 (February 17th)
Chapter 14 Signal Transduction Mechanisms II: Messengers and Receptors
Study Guide Exam 2 (March 12th)
Chapter 7 Membranes (self study)
Chapter 8 Transport Across Membranes
Chapter 13 Signal Transduction Mechanisms: I. Electrical Signals
Study Guide Exam 3 (April 14th)
Chapter 19 The Cell Cycle and Mitosis
Chapter 24 Cancer Cells
This schedule may change. We may not cover all of this material or we may cover more, depending on how the semester goes. Also, the timing of the exams may change based on how quickly we cover the material.
Attendance
Attendance in the class is advised. Tests will be based the on material presented in class and may differ from the way it is presented in the book. Absence from an exam for sickness or death in the immediate family will be excused when documented by infirmary staff, physician or the Office of Student Affairs. Do not schedule yourself to be out of town the Thursday before spring break. There is a test scheduled for this day and you will not be excused. If an exam is missed, notify me, preferably before, but within 5 days after the exam date. Students without a test grade after this period will receive zero for that test.
Grading Grading Scale:
The final grade will be based on the three A > 93
exams during the semester, the final exam, A- 90 - 92
writing quizzes (in lab), and the lab grade. B+ 87 - 89
B 83 - 86
100 pts. Exam #1 B- 80 - 82
100 pts. Exam #2 C+ 77 - 79
100 pts. Exam #3 C 73 - 76
200 pts. Final Exam C- 70 - 72
100 pts. Quizzes D+ 66 - 69
200 pts. Lab grade D 62 - 65
800 pts. ÷ 8.0 = Final grade E < 62
Withdrawal Policy
The withdrawal policy in this class will be the University's policy, i.e., withdrawal from a class is permitted until the last day of course selection for the fall semester. If you have failed the first two tests, seriously consider whether or not you can pass the course with a reasonable grade. There's no penalty for dropping before fall registration is over. Withdrawal after this time will only be allowed for grave illness or other serious difficulty. Withdrawal after this point will not be given due to poor grades.
When you enter a classroom, you should turn off your cell phone, as a matter of respect both for the instructor and the students around you. If your cell phone goes off during class I will stop lecturing and call attention to you.
Honor Code Pledge
It is expected that all students enrolled in this
class support the letter and the spirit of the
Academic Honesty Policy as stated
in the college catalog.
Writing Standards for Department of Biological Sciences
Included with this syllabus are the writing standards for the Department of Biological Sciences. The goal of the department is to produce graduates who both understand the important concepts in biology and are able to communicate their knowledge effectively. To increase awareness of writing skills, written answers on tests as well as written reports will be graded for spelling, grammar, syntax, organization, and other standards of good writing.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism has been a major problem in the past. In response to this problem I have decided to award a 0 to any assignment that I can prove has been plagiarized or copied from another student. There will be no discussion or exceptions to this rule.
Assessment of Student Learning: Analytical skill development
and understanding of fundamental biological principles
The faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences are committed to providing students with a first-rate educational experience as articulated in the Departmental Mission Statement:
“The Department of Biological Sciences strives to provide students with the fundamental understanding of the principles and methods of the life sciences within the context of a sound liberal arts education. Emphasis is on the development of the student’s ability to analyze problems, apply scientific method, communicate biological information, and interpret current advances in research.”
Student progress toward attaining the goals set forth in the Departmental Mission Statement will be assessed in part by an exam or quiz question that has been selected for this purpose by the faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences.
Writing Standards for Department of Biological Sciences
It is the position of the Department of Biological Sciences at Plattsburgh State that all students must learn to write in a clear and intelligent manner. We recognize that this goal cannot be achieved by depending only on the efforts of others to foster good writing. We further believe that the general quality of student writing will not improve unless we as a department are willing to state explicitly the standards we expect students to meet and to enforce those standards. Therefore, in courses taught by the Department of Biological Sciences, in addition to grading the content of written assignments, all faculty will also grade assignments for writing.