Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (Bio 121)

Dr. Michael Reagan's homepage                     

My email:        mreagan@csbsju.edu                         

My schedule (including office hours):    schedule

Bio 121 Announcements (check this page regularly!)

Learning styles web site: web site

You might check out the web site shown above.  It will explain different learning styles, give you a short online evaluation to assess which is your best learning style, and suggest ways to study effectively.

Welcome to Biology 121! 

 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology is designed to create a foundation for study in the life sciences by introducing students to the biology of the cell, classical genetics and molecular genetics.  The goal for this course is not only for you to become familiar with life at the cellular level, but the means by which it is investigated as well.  Some outcomes of this familiarity will be an understanding of the:

�      cell theory and the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

�      structure and function of the major organelles of eukaryotic cells.

�      structure and function of cell membranes.

�      basic structure and function of the four major types of biological molecules

�      importance of energy transformations and the role of enzymes in metabolic pathways.

�      processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis

�      cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis.

�      principles of Mendelian inheritance.  

�      molecular basis of inheritance including DNA replication, transcription and translation.

�      control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

In lab you will gain hands on experience with a diversity of biological systems: from DNA and enzymes to spinach chloroplasts and jewel wasps.  While investigating these systems you will become familiar not only with a variety of technical skills such as microscopy, spectrophotometry, and polymerase chain reaction, but you�ll also gain an understanding of how scientists communicate with each other using descriptive statistics, graphs and tables, scientific figures and scientific papers.

Instructor:      Dr. Michael Reagan                           

My office        New Science Bldg., Room 216         

My telephone  363-3110                                            

My email:        mreagan@csbsju.edu                         

Office hours:   I have decided against regular office hours.  Nearly any time that I am in my office with the door open you are welcome to come in and talk to me.  So that you can avoid wasting time, it is advisable to make an appointment to see me, that way we�ll both be prepared for the meeting.   I look forward to meeting you, please feel free to stop by and say �hello!�.

Course Structure:  Your success as a student in this course will require regular attendance, careful note taking and mastery of the textbook material through careful study.  You will meet for a 70-minute lecture period every other day.   Since the labs are smaller than the lectures, you will probably attend another lab section than most of the people in your lecture.  Labs are taught by professors and student Teaching Assistants, and meet once every cycle (including cycles 1 and 12).  Lab attendance in your lab section is mandatory.  The time scheduled for each lab is 2 hours and 50 minutes, but occasionally you may need to stay longer to complete assigned work, or come in outside of the regularly scheduled time to check on the progress of an experiment.

Text: The required text for this course is Biology by Reece and Campbell, 8th ed.

Text Web Site:  www.masteringbio.com

There are answers to end of the chapter questions, self quizzes, flashcards and lots more here.  Check it out!  If you bought a new book you should have a folded card that has a username and password to use to access the site. 

Lab manual and lab notebook:  The faculty and staff of this department have written the lab manual used in this course.  It will be handed out at the laboratory orientation session that you are scheduled to attend.  However, you also need to purchase a carbonless Student Lab Notebook for Life Science, available at the SJU Bookstore.

Evaluation:  Your grade in this course will be determined based on your performance on exams, quizzes, homework and laboratory work.  The point breakdown is a follows:

Exam 1                                                                17%

Exam 2                                                                17%

Exam 3                                                                17%

Final Exam                                                          24%

Lab                                                                      25%

The format of the exams will vary according to the material and my whims.  You can expect multiple-choice, short answer, matching, fill in the blank, label the diagram and essay-type questions. The lecture exams will cover the chapters indicated on the course syllabus.  The final will be approximately 20% comprehensive and 80% new material.

How much should I study?  I would say a minimum of two hours outside of class for every hour inside of class.  Studying means memorizing, using the quizzes in the book and on the website, being able to take a blank sheet of paper and draw out mitosis or glycolysis.  Studying is NOT sitting in your room with music and a TV on, highlighting your text.  Studying IS the hard, intellectual work of mastering the material until you could explain it to a friend or me.

Study tips from Fall, '06 Biology 121 students: Bio121 lectures/study_tipsl.htm

Academic Integrity:  The teaching of Biology 121 and other courses in the Biology Department depend on the highest standards of academic conduct.  Cheating, plagiarism and other dishonest acts will not be tolerated and may result in your expulsion from the course.   Violations of academic integrity will be dealt with according to the procedures outlined on pages 24-25 of the 2005-2007 Academic Catalog. 

Course Instructors:  Biology 121 has14 lecture sections and 24 laboratory sections.  If questions or problems arise do not hesitate to contact your instructor or the course coordinator.  We are always willing to talk with you and, if possible, assist you with your concern.  We wish you a successful and exciting semester!

Readings

12/04/2008