Syllabus Biology 101: Introduction to Biology

Levin Auditorium; MW 1-2pm F 12-2

Date Topic Related Reading
11-Jan Introduction
2.1-2.3, 3.1-3.2, 4.3,
B 13-Jan Macromolecules and the chemistry of biology
5.1, 5.2, 5.5
B Biochemistry 18-Jan Proteins - structure 5.1, 5.4
Macromolecul
B 20-Jan Proteins – enzymes 8.4, 8.5
es
B 23-Jan Lipids and bilayers 5.3, 7.1-3
B 25-Jan Cell Structure: Dynamic membranes and functions 7.3-7.5
B 27-Jan Metabolism: glycolysis 9.1-9.3, 8.1-8.3
Biochemistry
B 30-Jan Metabolism: TCA cycle and photosynthesis 6.5, 9.4, 9.5, 10
Metabolism
B 1-Feb modern topics in biology lecture
B 3-Feb Cell types 6.1, 6.2
B 6-Feb cytoskeleton, cell transport 6.6, 6.7
B 8-Feb Cell Transport: vesicles 6.4
Cell Biology
B 10-Feb Midterm 1
Transport
B 13-Feb modern topics in biology lecture
B 15-Feb Secretory Pathway: Vesicles and exocytosis 11.1, 11.2
B 17-Feb Endocytosis 11.2
B 20-Feb Cell signaling 11.3, 11.4
B 22-Feb modern topics in biology lecture
Cell Biology
B 24-Feb Cell Cycle 12.3
Regulation
B 27-Feb Mitosis and Cell division 12.1-12.2
B 1-Mar modern topics in biology lecture 11.5, 12.3
W 3-Mar Single gene inheritance 14.1 14.2
W 13-Mar Independent assortment of genes 14.3
W Genetics 15-Mar Mapping by recombination
W 17-Mar Gene interactions 14.4
W 20-Mar modern topics in biology lecture
W 22-Mar DNA and Replication 16.1 and 16.2
W 24-Mar midterm 2
W Synthesis of 27-Mar mRNA: Transcription and processing 17.1 and 17.2
DNA, RNA
W and proteins 29-Mar Protein synthesis 17.4
W 31-Mar Gene isolation and manipulation 17.5
W 3-Apr modern topics in biology lecture
W 5-Apr Gene expression in bacteria and viruses 18.1
W Regulation of 7-Apr Gene expression in eukaryotes 18.2-18.4
W cell identity 10-Apr Chromatin 16.3, 15.5
W and function 12-Apr Epigenetics 16.3, 15.5
W 14-Apr modern topics in biology lecture
W 17-Apr Genetic Control of Development 21.5, 21.6
 The phenotypic consequences of mutations, modern
W 19-Apr 18.5
Form and genetics
W genomes of 21-Apr midterm 3
W organisms 24-Apr Genomes and genomics 21.2, 21.3
W 26-Apr modern topics in biology lecture
5-May Final exam 12-2pm
Nick Betley (B): email: jnbetley@sas.upenn.edu 304F Lynch Lab
Doris Wagner (W): email: wagnerdo@sas.upenn.edu 103G Lynch Lab
Head TA: Staver Bezhani email: sbezhani@sas.upenn.edu

Questions regarding course material must be asked on the Canvas site. We will not answer
emails regarding any course material. This is to ensure that everyone in the course has the ability
to view all information given from the teaching team.

LABORATORY

In order to receive credit for the course, you must successfully complete the laboratory program.
Instructions and procedures for each exercise should be read before coming to the laboratory.

Week Date Lab Topic

NO LABS Jan 11-Jan 20 NO LABS
1 Week of 23-Jan Lab Skils
2 Week of 30-Jan Enzyme Kinetics
Microscopic Examination of
3 Week of 6-Feb Cells
4 Week of 13-Feb Photosynthesis
5 Week of 20-Feb UV Irradiation Session 1
6 Week of 27-Feb UV Irradiation Session 2
NO LABS Week of 6-Mar NO LABS-SPRING BREAK

Genetics of Arabidopsis thaliana

7 Week of 13-Mar - Session 1
Genetics of Arabidopsis thaliana
- Session 2
8 Week of 20-Mar & Mitosis and Meiosis
9 Week of 27-Mar Tn Mutagenesis Session 1
10 Week of 3-Apr Tn Mutagenesis Session 2
11 Week of 10-Apr Tn Mutagenesis Session 3

12 Week of 17-Apr Tn Mutagenesis Session 4

Textbook for the course:
* Campbell Biology, Second Custom Edition for the University of Pennsylvania, 2014,
Reece et al., Pearson Educ., 10th ed.
-a copy of the textbook will be on reserve in the Biomedical Library Reserve Call no
QH308.2.C34

Faculty office hours:

Betley schedule (before March 3rd):
• 12:30 – 1:00 pm Monday and Wednesday (before lecture): Levin
• 2:00 – 2:30pm Friday Levin

Wagner schedule (after March 4th):

• 12:30-1:00 am Wednesday before lecture: Levin
• Tuesday Lynch 103G (by appointment)

Recordings of lectures: Recordings of lectures will be available on the course Canvas Web site.
Lecture slides will be available on Canvas after each lecture as well.
The Laboratory Manual (Biology 101) should be downloaded chapter by chapter from the
course Canvas site.
Grades and Exams: A perfect score for Biol 101 is 450 points: 300 points from lecture and 150
points from lab. There will be three hour-exams (midterms 1, 2 and 3), each worth 90 points. All
three are scheduled as shown on the lecture syllabus. The final exam date and time are also
shown. The final exam, which is comprehensive, covers material from the entire semester, and is
worth 90 points. 30 points will be given for participation: 20 points for class activities such as
assignments, surveys and quizzes and 10 points for active, verbal participation in class. Your
participation scores will frequently updated so you can get an idea where you stand. Remember,
while attendance is not mandatory, you do have to be present to participate. Lab score (quizzes
and assignments) will total 150 points, and its detail will be given during the lab sessions.
Final grade calculation: The grading in this class is not curved, and we place a strong emphasis
on working together and learning from each other. The lowest of your three midterm-scores will
be discarded in calculating your final grade. Your two best midterm exam scores, together with
your final exam score and your total lab score will be used in computing your overall numerical
score. No make-ups will be given for the midterm exams. A missed exam will be the one whose
grade is dropped.
Resources for Succeeding in Biol 101: The course covers a great deal of material in a short
time! The most important strategy for success is to keep up with the work on a regular basis.
While we post our lecture slides and the lectures are recorded, it is important to attend lecture
and be an active participant. After class, it is very useful to go over your lecture notes sometime
later the same day in order to consolidate your learning and to clarify your lecture notes while
the material is still fresh in your mind. Also it is very important that you do the assigned
background reading before attending lecture, as the lecture will cover only some of the material
we expect you to be able to draw upon. If you encounter difficulties, feel free to see the faculty
(do not be shy!); the faculty instructors are here for help with the subject matter or for advice that
you might need; you can also turn to your TA if you feel more comfortable.
In addition, you can contact Academic Support Programs for tutoring or help with studying and
test-taking skills (573-9235).