BIO 214: Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology (4 s.h.

) Lecture Syllabus, Spring 2011

Instructor: Dr. Stefanie H. Baker Lecture: Section B (8:30 - 9:20 a.m. MWF) RMSC 330
Section C (9:30-10:20 a.m. MWF) RMSC 330

Lab: Section BL (2:00 – 5:00 p.m. W) RMSC 103

Section CL (2:30 – 5:30 p.m. R) RMSC 103

Office: 203B Roger Milliken Science Center Office hours*:

Phone: 597-4671 Monday: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
E-mail: bakersh@wofford.edu Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

* Other times by appointment. Please make appointments by email. If I’m not in my office, please check the lab
(RMSC 103) or check with Mrs. Thomas.
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Text: The World of the Cell, 7 ed. by Becker, Kleinsmith, and Hardin (ISBN 0-8053-9393-5) (required)
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A Short Guide to Writing about Biology, 7 edition by Jan A. Pechenik (optional; I did not place order with
bookstore so if you decide to purchase this book, you should do so online.)

Catalog Description: Study of biochemical, metabolic, structural and functional aspects of cells and cellular systems.

Course Objectives: This course provides an overview of the structure and function of the fundamental unit of living
organisms. Lectures will detail our current understanding of the rapidly evolving field of cell biology, while laboratories
will provide hands-on experience with the tools and procedures that have contributed to this understanding. The
objective of this course is to familiarize students with a diversity of topics, including:

 structure and function of macromolecules in cells;

 function of cellular structures and organelles;
 function of cells as individual units;
 cellular interactions with other cells and the surrounding environment.

Expectations: As you may already know, I maintain high standards for my classes. I structure my classes to reward
not only the intellectually bright students but also those who are willing to work hard. My philosophy is to instill in my
students a good work ethic because I believe that characteristic will serve you well in the work world. I also firmly
believe that you get out of a course what you put into it. If you have a genuine desire to understand (not memorize)
the material, use your study time efficiently, and keep up with the material on a daily basis, you should do well in this
course. The 3 hours a week in class will be an introduction to the material and, in my opinion, you will need to spend
at least 5 – 6 hours per week outside of class to truly learn the material. I am including your assigned readings and
homework in that time estimate. I also expect you to use initiative, to think about things, and to remain
enthusiastic about science.

As stated previously, I do expect a lot from my students; however, I do not expect you to needlessly struggle on your
own. My job as a teacher is not just to give you the information I expect you to learn, but to guide and motivate you to
learn. If you experience difficulty with anything in the class, I urge you to ask questions and to make use of
extracurricular help (peer tutors and office hours).

Attendance Policy: Attendance is required for all lectures; however, I realize that absences will occur. Students will be
allowed a total of 4 absences. Unless a student is absent from a test or lab, I do not differentiate excused versus
unexcused absences. Each absence beyond the fourth will reduce your grade by 10%. I reserve the right to drop
from the course any student who accumulates excessive absences [>4 total absences (excused or unexcused)]. Any
student who is in imminent danger of being dismissed from the course due to excessive absences will be given
written warning in accordance with the regulations outlined in the College Catalogue. Attendance for lab and for
tests is absolutely required. Events that constitute excused absences according to the College Catalogue are: 1)
illness, 2) family emergency (such as a death in the family), 3) a school function, 4) a special occasion (such as the
marriage of a sibling) or 5) an opportunity (such as a job interview). A student must provide adequate written
documentation in order to have an absence excused. Excusing of an absence is at the instructor’s discretion;
therefore, I advise each student to notify me as far in advance as possible if he/she will be absent from a test or lab.
Simply not showing up is not an option.

I will begin class promptly at 8:30 or 9:30 a.m. I consider arriving to class late to be a distraction as well as
disrespectful to me and to your classmates. Again, I realize that on a few occasions, you may be late for class. If so,
please try to be as quiet as possible upon entering the classroom and take the seat closest to the entry door.
Grading Policy: The final grade will be based on the following scale:

A ≥ 93% B- 80%-82% C- 70%-72%

A- 90%-92% C+ 77%-79% D 60%-69%
B+ 87%-89% C 73%-76% F <60%
B 83%-86%
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The procedure for calculating the final grade is as follows:

Quizzes 10%
Exam 1 10%
Exam 2 12.5%
Exam 3 12.5%
Final Exam 25%
Homework 5%
Lab 25%

Quizzes and Exams: Students should expect a quiz every Friday except the weeks when an exam is scheduled.
Random midweek quizzes will be also be given if necessary. Material for quizzes includes information covered in
class, in lab, and in the assigned reading. At least two quiz grades will be dropped. If you are absent the day a quiz
is given, that quiz grade will be one of your dropped grade. You will receive a zero for each quiz missed after the first
two. Three one-hour exams will be given. The exams will consist of short answer questions (can be answered in a
paragraph or less), problems, and multiple-choice questions. A cumulative final exam will also be given.

Tentative exam dates: Friday, March 4

Friday, April 8
Monday, May 2

Final exam dates & times: Section B (8:30 class) Wednesday, May 18, 2 – 5 p.m.
Section C (9:30 class) Thursday, May 19, 9 a.m. – 12 noon

Homework: In order to do well on the tests and to learn the material, you will need to practice solving problems. You
are allowed, even encouraged, to work with your classmates. Working together means you may share ideas but
each student must independently prepare his/her own work (see Academic Integrity section below). You know
you’ve practiced enough when you can do the problems alone and efficiently without referring to your notes. As the
old saying goes “You get out of it what you put into it.” The more effort you put into working homework problems, the
more prepared you will be for the tests. Unless stated otherwise, assignments will not be accepted via email and are
due at the beginning of class on the assigned day. Assignments handed in late will result in a 10% deduction for
handing them in after class and a 20% deduction per day.

Extra credit: Multiple extra credit assignments will be announced throughout the semester. Each student may earn up
to a maximum of 2 points of extra credit. Extra credit points will be added to the final average at the end of the
semester. Example: average = 88% (B+) + 2 points EC = 90% final average (A-). No late submissions of extra
credit assignments will be accepted. Extra credit assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date and
unless stated otherwise, assignments will not be accepted via email.

Moodle: Refer to the course Moodle page for updated list of topics, reading assignments, homework assignments, etc…
Students are expected to check the Moodle site frequently for updates.

Cell Phone Policy: Unless otherwise stated, use of cell phones for talking or texting is strictly prohibited. Please set
ringer to vibrate or silence during class.

Academic Integrity: I expect all students to be honest and to act with integrity. Cheating takes many forms. Copying
homework and sharing information with ANYONE regarding material on a quiz or exam are two examples.
Sometimes students will be allowed to work together on an assignment. My definition of “work together” means that
you may share ideas, but each student must independently prepare his/her own work to be turned in for a grade. If
you work with another student or in a group, you must record the name(s) of the student(s) with whom you worked on
that assignment. You should include the word “pledged” after your name on every assignment indicating compliance
with the Honor Code. Please refer to college website or to the course Moodle site for a copy of the honor code.
Evidence of Honor Code violations will be reported to the Academic Dean in accordance with the College Catalogue.

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Tentative Lecture Schedule:

WEEK: TOPIC READING

1 (Feb 7, 9, 11) Introduction and Cell chemistry Ch. 1, Ch. 2
2 (Feb. 14, 16, 18) Macromolecules Ch. 3
3 (Feb. 21, 23, 25) Macromolecules & Bioenergetics Ch. 3, Ch. 5
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4 (Feb. 28, Mar 2, 4) Enzymes Exam 1 (March 4 ; Ch. 1 – 3 & 5) Ch. 6
5 (Mar. 7, 9, 11) Enzymes, Overview of Cell Structure Ch. 6, Ch. 4
6 (Mar. 14, 16, 18) Membrane Structure & Function Ch. 7, Ch. 8
7 (Mar. 21, 23, 25) Membrane Function, Glycolysis, Fermentation Ch. 8, Ch. 9
8 (Mar. 28, 30, Apr. 1) SPRING BREAK
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9 (Apr. 4, 6, 8) Aerobic Respiration Exam 2 (Apr 8 ; Ch. 4, 6 - 9) Ch. 10
10 (Apr. 11, 13, 15) Photosynthesis, Endomembrane System (Nucleus) Ch. 11, Ch. 18
11 (Apr. 18, 20, 22) Endomembrane System (ER, Golgi, Vesicle Transport, Lysosomes), Ch. 12
Peroxisomes
12 (Apr. 25, 27, 29) Signal Transduction, Cytoskeleton Ch. 14, Ch. 15
nd
13 (May 2, 4, 6) Exam 3 (May 2 ; Ch. 10 – 12, 14), Cellular Motility Ch. 16
14 (May 9, 11, 13) Extracellular Matrix, Translation, Protein Sorting Ch. 17, Ch. 22
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15 (May 16, 18, 20) FINAL EXAM (Wednesday, May 18 2 – 5 p.m. for 8:30 section) Comprehensive
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(Thursday, May 19 9 a.m. – 12 noon for 9:30 section)

Disclaimer: This syllabus is tentative and is subject change at the instructor’s discretion.

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BIO 214: Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology (4 s.h.) Laboratory Syllabus, Spring 2011
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Text: A Short Guide to Writing about Biology, 7 edition by Jan A. Pechenik (optional; I did not place order with
bookstore so if you decide to purchase this book, you should do so online.)

Attendance Policy: Attendance is required for all labs. Whenever possible, make up labs will be allowed for excused
absences if the professor is notified PRIOR to the start of your regularly scheduled lab period. Students absent from
lab without proper excuse will not be allowed to make up the lab and will receive a grade of zero for that day.

Grading Policy: The procedure for calculating the lab grade is as follows:

Food Lab Report 28% (7% of final course grade)

Enzyme Presentation
Fermentation Poster
Photosynthesis Figure
Lab Exam
Participation/Attendance
Total
12% (3% of final course grade)
12% (3% of final course grade)
4% (1% of final course grade)
40% (10% of final course grade)
4% (1% of final course grade)
100% (25% of final course grade)

Lab report: Each student will complete one full-length lab report. Students should submit a paper copy of their lab
report at the beginning of lab and an electronic copy through Turnitin.com (www.turnitin.com). Late submission of a
report will result in a 10% deduction for handing it in after class and a 20% deduction per day.
A Short Guide to Writing about Biology deals with writing laboratory reports and the importance of keeping a
well-organized laboratory notebook. I will not be checking your lab notebooks, but keep in mind that a well-
maintained lab notebook makes writing lab reports easier. Another excellent resource for writing lab reports can be
found at http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/lwr-home.html.

Presentation and Poster: Each lab group will give a presentation about the enzyme exercises and make poster about
the fermentation lab exercises.

Lab Participation: You will earn lab participation points by being punctual, showing enthusiasm, contributing to your
group, completing pre-lab assignments, and completing all sections of each lab. Late submissions of pre-lab
assignments will not be accepted. The type of pre-lab assignment will be indicated on the lab handouts.

Other Policies: Cell phone and academic integrity policies apply equally to the laboratory portion of the course as to the
lecture portion.

Tentative Laboratory Schedule:

Week Topic Assignment*

1 Organizational Meeting – Safety and Scheduling
2 Macromolecular Composition of Food- Starch
3 Design & Conduct a Group Food Experiment
4 Enzyme Kinetics I Food lab report
5 Enzyme Kinetics II
6 Design & Conduct a Group Enzyme Experiment
7 ENZYME PROJECT PRESENTATIONS Enzyme presentation
8 SPRING BREAK
9 Fermentation in yeast
10 Design & Conduct a Group Fermentation Experiment
11 Photosynthesis Lab #1 Fermentation poster
12 Photosynthesis Lab #2
13 Cytoskeletons & Cell Motility Photosynthesis figure
14 COMPREHENSIVE LAB EXAM

Disclaimer: This syllabus is tentative and is subject change at the instructor’s discretion.
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