Bio 301E Problems in Modern Biology, Plan II, Fall 2010

This class, designed for Plan II students who are not concentrating in the life sciences, introduces major principles in genetics, molecular biology, evolution, ecology and physiology. Our emphasis will be on human biology and its applications, as we are living in times of unprecedented expansion of information in biology and significant consequences of how we use that information..

Instructor: Dr. Ruth Buskirk, PAI 3.04, phone 471-7793, rbuskirk@mail.utexas.edu
Office hours in PAI 4.30: MF 10-10:45 am, M 2-3 pm, Tu 10:30-11:30 am, and by appointment.

Discussion Instructor: George Livingston, PAT 419, gliv@mail.utexas.edu

Lecture Classes: MWF 1:00-1:50 BUR 116

Discussion Sections by unique number:
47955 W 9-10 PAR 305
47960 Tu 10-11 PAR 214
47965 Tu 11-12 PAR 214
47970 W 11-12 UTC 4.114

Textbook: Audesirk: BIOLOGY with Physiology, either the 8th or 9th edition. Pearson Prentice Hall

Blackboard Web Site (for syllabus, assignments, reference handouts, ongoing grade posting, announcements) http://courses.utexas.edu

Course Web Page (especially for links): http://www.bio.utexas.edu/faculty/buskirk/p2bio/links.html

Course grading system
100 points Exam 1 Friday, October 1, location in our classroom
100 points Exam 2 Friday, November 5, location, in our classroom
100 points Final Exam, Friday, December 14, 9-12, location to be announced
  45 points In-class exercises, homework, discussion section activities
  25 points Class Field Trip, Marine Science Institute (Port Aransas, TX) September 24-25
  30 points Point Papers (three “making your point” papers on applied biology topics, 10 points each)
400 total points possible for Bio 301E

•Point papers consist of short papers (about 2-3 pages) stating a point about a puzzling or controversial topic of current interest. At least six possible topics and submission deadline dates for the semester will be announced, and each student may choose three.

•Exams consist mostly of written short-answer questions, with some multiple choice and short essays. Lecture topics are emphasized, and there will also be some questions about discussion section topics. Class handouts will include learning objectives, and practice questions from previous semesters will be posted on Blackboard. The final exam will cover mainly the last third of the course. All grades are kept (on Blackboard) in points that accumulate over the semester, with current plus/minus letter grade scales announced after each test. For example, A=93% and above, A-=90-92, B+=86-89, B=83-85, B-=80-82, C+=75-79, C=69-74, C-=65-68.

•The class field trip to Port Aransas begins 3 pm on Friday, Sept 24, returns late Saturday night, Sept 25, includes a boat trip out on the Gulf on the R/V Katy, tours of fisheries & mariculture labs, applied biology exercises, and some free time on the beach. (An alternate field trip exercise will be scheduled.)

•Religious holy days sometimes conflict with class and examination schedules, and students who miss class on a holy day have the opportunity to complete the work after the absence. UT Austin policy states that a student must notify each instructor at least 14 days prior to such an absence.

•Special Needs: UT Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY or visit Dean of Students online http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/

•All written work is expected to be the student's own, individual work, and cheating will not be tolerated. See UT's academic integrity policy online http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/ acint_student.php

Class Topics and Relevant Reading

Exam dates are set, but the schedule of topics is subject to change. Reading assignments are from Audesirk: Biology, with Physiology, either 8th or 9th edition, Pearson. Last day to drop with academic penalty: Wednesday, September 22 Last day to withdraw or change to pass/fail, credit/no credit, Wednesday, October 01