BIOLOGY 105

The Biological World: Contemporary Issues in the Life Sciences

Spring 2021

Instructor: Mrs. Debra Chapman

Phone: 570-262-7636
E-mail address: [email protected]
Office Hours: Just email, call, or text me and we will set up a virtual or phone appointment
Text: Discover Biology by Anu Singh-Cundy and Gary Shin, sixth edition

LECTURE SEQUENCE

DATE TOPICS AND READINGS

WEEK 1
February 3 Introduction to BIO 105 course
SARS CoV-2 and COVID-19
Assigned Readings/Videos TBA

WEEK 2 QUIZ 1 (15 points) February 3 lecture

February 10
The Process of Science
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 1: pages 1 -18

WEEK 3 EXAM 1 (100 points) February 3, 10 lectures

February 17
Introductory material: DNA, proteins and cells
Assigned Readings:
Chapter 2: pages 53-54
Chapter 3: pages 63, 68-70

WEEK 4 QUIZ 2 (15 points) February 17 lecture

February 24
Cloning and Stem Cells
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 13: pages 291-297

WEEK 5 QUIZ 3 (15 points) February 24 lecture

March 3
Topics in Genetic Engineering
 Assigned Readings:
Chapter 13: pages 280-291, 297-305

WEEK 6 EXAM 2 (100 points) All material since Exam 1

March 10
Introduction to genes and inheritance
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 10: pages 217-220, 223-233

WEEK 7 QUIZ 4 (15 points) March 10 lecture

March 17
Genes and inheritance
Genetic disorders
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 10: pages 223-233

WEEK 8 QUIZ 5 (15 points) March 17 lecture

March 24
Cell Division
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 7: pages 148-156

WEEK 9 EXAM 3 (100 points) All material since Exam 2

March 31
Control of Cell Division
Assigned Readings:
Chapter 7: pages 148-156

WEEK 10 QUIZ 6 (15 points) March 31 lecture

April 7
Cancer
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 8

WEEK 11 QUIZ 7 (15 points) April 7 lecture

April 14
Cancer
Human Aging
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 8
WEEK 12 EXAM 4 (100 points) All material since Exam 3
April 21
Human Reproductive System
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 33

April 28 NO CLASS
UNIVERSITY WELLNESS DAY

WEEK 13 QUIZ 8 (15 points) April 21 lecture

May 5
Human Reproductive System
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 33

WEEK 14 QUIZ 9 (15 points) May 5 lecture

May 12
Meiosis
Nondisjunction
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 7: pages 161-169

TBA FINAL EXAM (100 points) Cumulative Exam

***This syllabus reflects the ORDER of topics only. The

time spent on each topic is subject to change due to student
interest in various topics/class discussions. As a result, the
topic(s) listed last may not be covered.
 Additional Information
Structure of the Course: As the syllabus indicates, we will cover several contemporary
topics during this class. The time spent on each topic will depend on the contributions and
enriching conversation YOU make possible.

Professional Expectations for Joining this Class Remotely:

Do: Have your camera on and be engaged.

Don’t: Talk to other people in your room or on the phone, play video games, or do work for
other classes.

Do: Sign into D2L using your official name.

Don’t: Use any silly names to sign in.

Do: Sit up at a desk or table.

Don’t: Be reclined in bed, riding or driving in a car, or sleeping.

Do: Have a back-up plan in case your camera does not work.
Don’t: Forget the computers in the library and the computer labs.

Do: Have a back-up plan in case your WiFi does not work.
Don’t: Forget to make a list of public WiFi spots available on campus or near home.

IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE GETTING CONNECTED OR FINDING A COMPUTER ON

CAMPUS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL HELP YOU.

Attendance Policy: Since many of the topics covered in this course are contemporary, the
information cannot be found in textbooks. Therefore, attendance is expected at each lecture and
attendance records will be kept and used in determining the final grade. Please note that D2L
keeps a record of the time that you are in class, which I will use for attendance records. It is
expected that students enrolled in this course will attend the full 3 hour class each week
and, to ensure quality instruction, each student is required to participate with their camera
on. If you are uncomfortable about this requirement and/or require accommodations, please
reach out to me by email.

In accordance with Wilkes University Policy, excessive absences may be deemed cause for
failure. Policies recorded in the Wilkes University Student Handbook will be followed. If a
student misses a lecture, (s)he is responsible for making up the work (s)he missed, and (s)he
must take the quiz or exam that covers the missed material when that quiz or exam is given.
All lectures will be recorded on D2L.
In order to avoid unexcused absences which will be penalized, please email Mrs. Chapman
if you must miss a class or portion of a class ([email protected]).

Grading: Grades for this course will be determined as follows:

5 lecture exams @ 100 points each 500 points

Genetic disorder power point 25 points
9 quizzes @15 points each 135 points
Written assignments TBA 50 points
Weekly 3,2,1 or Break Out room
Assignments @ 10 points each 140 points

TOTAL 850 points

Final grades will be assigned on a percentage basis:

90% - 100% = 4.0 70% - 74% = 2.0

85% - 89% = 3.5 65% - 69% = 1.5
80% - 84% = 3.0 60% - 64% = 1.0
75% - 79% = 2.5 under 60% = 0.0

Exam Format: Lecture exams and quizzes will be in the form of multiple choice, true/false
and short answer questions. Additional readings from the text or other sources may be added to
that already listed on the syllabus.

NO MAKE-UP EXAMS OR QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN.

If the excuse for missing the exam or quiz is legitimate (as determined by the instructor) the
grade for the exam or quiz will be prorated; if the excuse is not legitimate, the lowest of the
remaining exams or quiz scores minus penalty points will be used for the grade of the missing
exam or quiz when the final grade is calculated. If more than one quiz is missed, a “0” will be
assigned for any quizzes that are missed subsequently. If more than one exam is missed, a “0”
will be assigned for any exams that are missed subsequently.

Written Assignments: Students will complete writing assignments throughout the course,
topics and due dates TBA. During class, students will be required to watch videos and/or
participate in a Break Out Room after which they will submit a written response for which
instructions will be provided. Each student will prepare a power point presentation on a genetic
disorder of their choice.
Failure to submit an assignment on time will result in a deduction of points from the assignment;
if an assignment is not submitted, the student will receive a “0” for that assignment. Late
assignments will also put the final grade of this course at risk as follows: if the student’s final grade is
“on the line” between two grades, the student will receive the lower grade. Of course, life happens, so
communication is very important. If something comes up in your life making it difficult to
complete assignments on time, please contact me and we will work something out.

Class Participation: This is a very large online class, but I want you to participate in class
discussion as much as possible. I am very interested in your ideas, opinions, and comments, so
your participation in class discussion is very important. Remember, there is no such thing as a
bad question or a wrong answer during a discussion. Please feel free to contribute your thoughts
and ideas.

Academic Honesty: Any form of cheating or plagiarism is unacceptable and will be

penalized in accordance with Wilkes University Policy.

Required: An outline of the lecture notes will be posted by the Monday prior to the week’s
classes. Please create a folder where you can organize these notes and make them easily
accessible.

Cell phones: Cell phone use including texting is prohibited during class time.

Study Sessions: Mrs. Chapman will hold a study session each week to prepare for the
weekly quiz or exam. These study sessions will be held:

Tuesdays using D2L at 11AM

Tutoring Sessions will be recorded for those of you who cannot attend.
These sessions are not required but are HIGHLY recommended.

In addition, the tutor for this course, Urmi Patel, will hold study sessions through Google Meets:

Tuesdays, 5-6PM
Wednesdays, 10-11AM
Or by appointment ([email protected])
The code is bio105

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Given the extraordinary situation we find ourselves in regarding the
current pandemic, if for any reason you cannot complete academic work, please notify me so
that we can work together to find a solution. Communication is essential!! Please pay
attention to your Wilkes email for updates regarding the course.
 COURSE OBJECTIVES

Overall Objectives

This course is designed to:

1. introduce the student to the process of science, including its dynamic nature and its
limitations.

2. use the teaching of contemporary issues to demonstrate how the science of biology impacts
the daily life of humans.

3. emphasize the unifying themes characteristic of all living organisms.

4. provide an understanding of the basic chemical and biological principles of living systems.

5. provide an in depth understanding of the structure and function of DNA as well as the applied
science of gene technology.

6. discuss various mechanisms of cell division, how these mechanisms are regulated by a cell
and provide an explanation as to how these phenomena tie in with cancer.

7. provide an overview of the principles of genetics and heredity.

8. discuss and provide evidence for the Theory of Evolution by natural selection.

9. provide the foundation for life-long learning by encouraging students to think creatively and
synthetically about biological issues.

Subject-Related Objectives

Upon completion of BIO 105: The Biological World: Contemporary Issues in Biology, students
will know and understand:

1. the process and dynamic nature of science.

2. the chemical and cellular properties of living organisms.

3. the characteristics that define all living organisms.

4. the processes by which energy moves through an ecosystem as well as how energy is stored
and used by living systems.

5. the chemical nature of the genetic material, its replication, and the relationship between DNA,
protein production, and genetic disorders.
6. the process and regulation of cell division.

7. the biological and molecular nature of cancer, its causes, diagnosis and treatment.

8. the science of genetic engineering, including recombinant DNA technology, gene therapy,
DNA fingerprinting, and the Human Genome Project as well as the effects of this science on
medicine, agriculture, and human society.

9. the way in which genetic information is stored and the mechanisms of heredity.