Ostraff - Biology - Brigham Young University

BIO 100 - Principles of Biology, Section 003 Fall 2012 Section 003: C215 ESC on M W from 11:00 am - 12:15 pm Name: Melinda Ostraff Office Location: 401 WIDB Email: [email protected] Name: Stephanie Burdett Office Phone: (801)422-4339 Office Location: 109 HRCB Email: [email protected] Name: Mary Bonham Office Phone: Office Location: 1520 WSC Email: [email protected] Name: Megan Brunson Office Phone: Office Location: Email: [email protected] Office Hours: M,W 10:00 am to 11:00 am T,Th 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Name: Meghan Aitken Office Phone: Office Location: Email: [email protected] Name: Kristen Alexander Office Phone: 425-373-6797 (cell) Office Location: Email: [email protected] Office Hours: M 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm F 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Th 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Name: Ismail Szink Office Phone: Office Location: Email: [email protected] Office Hours: T,Th 9:30 am to 10:30 am Name: Erin Jones Office Phone: Office Location: Email: [email protected] Office Hours: F 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Name: Jodiann Philp Office Phone: Office Location: Email: [email protected]

Course Information Description

This course will not only help students to better understand basic biological principals and concepts but will also introduce the subject of ethnobiology. In all human societies, plants and animals have been, and continue to be, an important source of foods, materials, and medicines. This importance is reflected in the ways in which life forms are named, classified and incorporated into the spiritual and mythological realms of human culture. Indigenous peoples are particularly recognized for their close relationships with their local environments, and in many cases their knowledge about biological organisms and their habitats and ecological interrelationships is very detailed. This knowledge has been largely ignored by modern technological societies, but at present it has come to be recognized as important in helping to document biodiversity and cultural diversity, and to better understand and protect the environment. We will also spend about 1/3 of the class discussing current biological topics and applications.

Material Item i>clicker Required ISBN: 9780716779391

Vendor

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BYU Bookstore

$40

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BYU Bookstore

$61

Discover Biology by Cain, Yoon, Singh-Cundy 4th edition0

Text book is optional! You may choose to purchase an online e-book with the designated chapters, rather than the full hard copy version. Text book options will be more fully discussed the first day of class. www.wwnorton.com/orders/customebooks/BrwChapters.aspx?ceid=117 DISCOVERING BIOLOGY 5E (E-BOOK) by E, CAIN, Edition 5 ISBN: 9780393918243

Learning Outcomes Course Objectives Course Objectives

1.

Provide students with accurate and current content-knowledge about basic biological principles and processes;

2.

Help students better understand and appreciate the mechanisms and dynamic outcomes of scientific inquiry;

3. Cultivate an understanding of and appreciation for real-life applications of scientific knowledge to the human experience; 4. Provide students with a clear sense of their divinely appointed responsibility to care for the Earth and its resources; 5. Help students think more clearly and accurately about traditional ecological knowledge and how it is important in all of our lives; and 6.

Cultivate a life-long interest in pursuing and applying information about scientific knowledge and processes.

Learning Outcomes

Acquire basic literacy in the language of science and biology – Students will be able to:

1. Explain the foundational assumptions underlying science and evaluate the strengths and limitations of science as a human endeavor. 2.

Develop basic technical skills for effective analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of data.

3.

Describe basicprinciples and concepts of biology using appropriate vocabulary.

4. Analyze and interpret data represented textually, numerically, and graphically, and infer a conclusion from the data. 5.

Plan and perform a simple experiment, draw conclusions, and effectively communicate results.

Exercise sound scientific reasoning – Students will be able to: 1. Evaluate scientific evidence and claims at the level of a well-informed layperson in order to make rational decisions on science-related public-policy and moral issues. 2. Develop intellectual abilities and character traits in order to strengthen the quality of their personal judgments and interpersonal interactions*.

Accept responsibility for personal and public stewardship – Students will be able to: 1. Integrate sound scientific analysis and interpretation with the reasoning patterns and methods used in other disciplines to more effectively address real-world biology-related issues and concerns. 2. Reflect on how literacy in biology and sound scientific analysis and interpretation integrate with the reasoning patterns and methods used by other disciplines to enhance their ability to act responsibly as stewards and citizens in their families, communities, and the world.

* As outlined in the BYU Aims and the GE foundation document: Scientific Principles and Reasoning: Biological Science, Physical Science, and Social Science

Grading Scale Grade

Percent

A

93% to 100%

A-

90% to 92%

B+

87% to 89%

B

83% to 86%

B-

80% to 82%

C+

77% to 79%

C

73% to 76%

C-

70% to 72%

D+

67% to 69%

D

63% to 66%

D-

60% to 62%

E

0% to 59%

Grading Policy Grades will be assessed by the following criteria:

Alternative classification system Current biological issue

50 100

Case Study

50

Quizzes (20 @ 5 pts each)

100

Tests (2 @100 pts each)

200

TOTAL POINTS

500

Teaching Philosophy We will spend approximately 1/3 of the class covering basic biological concepts. The other 2/3 of the class will be spent on current biological issues and applications, including my personal field of study which is Ethnobotany (the study of the relationship between people and plants). I also set the class up so that much of your learning will be done independently. We cover topics in class, but open the door for you to explore the topics and deepen your depth of understanding on your own. The more personal effort that is put in, the more understanding and relevancy of biological concepts will take place.

Grade Check While we make every effort to correctly record scores for your assignments there is always the possibility that one of your assignments might go unrecorded. It is the wise student who keeps all graded papers until final grades are posted by the university. To help ensure that our grades are accurate we will have two times during the semester when we will give you the opportunity to review your grades: Oct 22-24 (Covers: Current Biological Issue assignment, Alternative Classification, Quizzes to date and Test #1) Dec 3-6 (Covers: Case Study and Quizzes) If you do not check your grades for accuracy during this time period and find them to be inaccurate or have some other reason to want to challenge your grade at a later date, you will have lost the opportunity.

Schedule Date

Topics

M - Aug 27

Introduction

W - Aug 29

Scientific Process

M - Sep 03

Labor Day Holiday

W - Sep 05

Cells

M - Sep 10

Cell Division

W - Sep 12

Cellular Respiration

M - Sep 17

Photosynthesis

Assignments

Column Title

Date W - Sep 19

Topics Photosynthesis Guest Lecturer

M - Sep 24

Genetics/DNA

W - Sep 26

Human Defense System

M - Oct 01

Movie

W - Oct 03

Classification

M - Oct 08

W - Oct 10

Assignments

Pollination Ecosystems

Current Biological Issue (100 points)

Alternative Classification System (50 points):

Essay handed out Test #1 in the testing center

M - Oct 15

Ethnobotany

W - Oct 17

Evolution/Natural Selection

M - Oct 22

Guest Speaker (Evolution)

W - Oct 24

Domestication/Food Origins

M - Oct 29

Plant Defenses

W - Oct 31

Test #1, Essay due Test #1 objective portion Opens Test #1 essay portion

Test #1 objective portion Closes

First Grade Check

Nutracueticals

First Grade Check Deadline

Column Title

Date M - Nov 05 W - Nov 07

Topics

Assignments

Column Title

GMO's Food Inc. (Movie) Jeff Maughan

M - Nov 12

W - Nov 14

M - Nov 19 W - Nov 21 M - Nov 26

W - Nov 28

Genetically Modified Organisms Plants and Medicine Intro to the Case Study Case Study (50 points)

Case Study No Classes

Case Study Guest Speaker Afa Palu 2nd Grade Check

M - Dec 03

Global Warming

Essay #2 out Test #2 essay portion Opens

Essay #2 due W - Dec 05

Cool It (Movie)

2nd Grade Check Deadline Test #2 essay portion Closes

F - Dec 07

Test #2 Objective portion Opens

M - Dec 10

Final Exam available in the Testing Center

T - Dec 11


Date

Topics

W - Dec 12

Assignments Test #2 Objective portion Closes

Column Title Final Exam available in the Testing Center

Th - Dec 13


F - Dec 14


M - Jan 18

Assignment Descriptions Current Biological Issue (100 points) Due: Monday, Sep 24 at 11:59 pm Each student will pick an article from the National Geographic journals with a current biological issue as its theme. You will then decide how you will address or resolve the issue. You will also pick at least two articles from peer reviewed journals to support your solution or point of view. You will post your information on digital dialog outlining your article and your solution along with the articles that support your viewpoint. Be sure and include a summary of your article, the problem, your solution and other relevant information, videos, pictures etc. as well as citations. You will also be required to read and review three other student posts and make comments on them. An example of this assignment and grading rubric is posted under content. The actual assignment is worth 85 points. 15 points will be awarded based on your three reviews (5 pts each).

Alternative Classification System (50 points): Due: Monday, Oct 08 at 11:59 pm We will be learning about taxonomic classification and how organisms are placed into categories based on their evolutionary relationships. We will also be discussing other indigenous (non-western) classification systems. You will each be required to come up with your own alternative classification system based on what you have learned in class. The assignment will be one page in length and will include a selection of organisms and how and why they are related or classified in your system. An example of this assignment will be posted on Blackboard. A grading guide for this assignment will also be posted on Blackboard.

Case Study (50 points) Due: Monday, Nov 19 at 11:59 pm This case introduces students to the medicinal value of plants and to scientific investigations carried out to understand the effects of various plant chemicals on human physiology. Students first learn background information about medicinal plants and experimental design. They then meet Mildred and play the role of Mildred's friend to help her sift through information about traditional herbal remedies in order to make a decision about her health.

Each student will form into small working groups of 3- 5 people. Each group will then choose a Medicinal Plant of Interest. Each individual in the group will also find one additional outside resource to contribute to the group information. Each group will discuss their findings about their medicinal plant and prepare a group summary of the medicinal or herbal uses of their plant of interest (25 pts). Each group will also be introduced to a current case study and will be asked to review two clinical trials to help determine whether "Mildred" should consider taking Kava (Piper methysticum) and/or St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) for her depression. After reviewing the data each group will complete 5 questions in order to determine their answer (25 pts).

Quiz #1 Due: Wednesday, Aug 29 at 11:59 pm Twenty-two quizzes , worth 5 pts. each, will be given throughout the semester. Only twenty quizzes will be graded, allowing the lowest two scores to be dropped. Missed quizzes can only be made up for officially excused University absences or for illnesses accompanied by an official doctor’s letter. The i-clicker is your responsibilty to bring to class in proper working condition. You will not be able to make up exams because you did not bring your iclcker to class or because of battery failure.

Quiz #2 Due: Wednesday, Sep 05 at 11:59 pm

Quiz #3 Due: Monday, Sep 10 at 11:59 pm





Test #1 essay portion Due: Monday, Oct 15 at 11:59 pm Essay portion of exam, (take home)

Test #1 objective portion Due: Wednesday, Oct 17 at 11:59 pm Objective portion of exam #1 will be taken in the testing center.

Test #2 essay portion Due: Wednesday, Dec 05 at 11:59 pm Essay portion of test #2. (take home)

Test #2 Objective portion Due: Wednesday, Dec 12 at 12:00 am Take in the testing center during Final Days.

Point Breakdown Assignments

Percent of Grade

Assignments

45.98%

Current Biological Issue (100 points)

22.99%

Alternative Classification System (50 points):

11.49%

Case Study (50 points)

11.49%

Quizzes

8.05%

Quiz #1

1.15%

Quiz #2

1.15%

Quiz #3

1.15%

Quiz #4

1.15%

Assignments

Percent of Grade

Quiz #5

1.15%

Quiz #6

1.15%

Quiz #7

1.15%

Tests

45.98%

Test #1 essay portion

11.49%

Test #1 objective portion

11.49%

Test #2 essay portion

11.49%

Test #2 Objective portion

11.49%

University Policies Honor Code In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university's expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.

Sexual Harassment Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education and pertains to admissions, academic and athletic programs, and university-sponsored activities. Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment of students by university employees, other students, and visitors to campus. If you encounter sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to your professor or contact one of the following: the Title IX Coordinator at 801-422-2130; the Honor Code Office at 801-422-2847; the Equal Employment Office at 801-422-5895; or Ethics Point at http://www.ethicspoint.com, or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours).

Student Disability Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC), 2170 WSC or 422-2767. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. The UAC can also assess students for learning, attention, and emotional concerns. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the UAC. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures by contacting the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.

Academic Honesty The first injunction of the Honor Code is the call to "be honest." Students come to the university not only to improve their minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life's work, but also to build character. "President David O. McKay taught that character is the highest aim of education" (The Aims of a BYU Education, p.6). It is the purpose of the BYU Academic Honesty Policy to assist in fulfilling that aim. BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

Plagiarism Intentional plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft that violates widely recognized principles of academic integrity as well as the Honor Code. Such plagiarism may subject the student to appropriate disciplinary action administered through the university Honor Code Office, in addition to academic sanctions that may be applied by an instructor. Inadvertent plagiarism, which may not be a violation of the Honor Code, is nevertheless a form of intellectual carelessness that is unacceptable in the academic community. Plagiarism of any kind is completely contrary to the established practices of

higher education where all members of the university are expected to acknowledge the original intellectual work of others that is included in their own work. In some cases, plagiarism may also involve violations of copyright law. Intentional Plagiarism-Intentional plagiarism is the deliberate act of representing the words, ideas, or data of another as one's own without providing proper attribution to the author through quotation, reference, or footnote. Inadvertent PlagiarismInadvertent plagiarism involves the inappropriate, but non-deliberate, use of another's words, ideas, or data without proper attribution. Inadvertent plagiarism usually results from an ignorant failure to follow established rules for documenting sources or from simply not being sufficiently careful in research and writing. Although not a violation of the Honor Code, inadvertent plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct for which an instructor can impose appropriate academic sanctions. Students who are in doubt as to whether they are providing proper attribution have the responsibility to consult with their instructor and obtain guidance. Examples of plagiarism include: Direct Plagiarism-The verbatim copying of an original source without acknowledging the source. Paraphrased Plagiarism-The paraphrasing, without acknowledgement, of ideas from another that the reader might mistake for the author's own. Plagiarism Mosaic-The borrowing of words, ideas, or data from an original source and blending this original material with one's own without acknowledging the source. Insufficient Acknowledgement-The partial or incomplete attribution of words, ideas, or data from an original source. Plagiarism may occur with respect to unpublished as well as published material. Copying another student's work and submitting it as one's own individual work without proper attribution is a serious form of plagiarism.

Technology in the Classroom Technology is an essential part of today's learning environment. However, when used inappropriately, technology can hinder learning. Using laptops in class only to legitimately take notes or to work on class projects is allowed. No other uses such as reading email, playing games or browsing the internet will be allowed during class time. Please respect your fellow students and professor and abide by this policy.