[BY101/102 – Introductory Biology for Non-Majors]

Instructor Contact Info

Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: By email appointment
CH374A
(205) 934-8313
Email appointments will be confirmed within 12 hours.

Course Overview

WEEK WEEK OF LABORATORY

1 January 10 -Introduction
2 January 17 - MLK Holiday
3 January 24 - Lab 1: Microscope and the Cell
-Handout I
4 January 31 -Lab 2: Nutrition and the Cell
5 February 7 -Handout II
6 February 14 - EXAM I
- Completed Handout I Due
- Lab Manual Check I
7 February 21 - Lab 3: DNA Activity
8 February 28 - Lab 4: Mitosis Activity
9 March 7 -Lab 5: Cardiovascular Physiology
10 March 14 - SPRING BREAK
11 March 21 - EXAM II
- Completed Handout II Due
- Lab Manual Check II
12 March 28 - Lab 6: Medical Exam
13 April 4 - Human Senses
- Case Studies Due
14 April 11 - Lab 7: Food Web
15 April 18 - EXAM III
- Lab Manual Check III

Required Reading
Course outlines, documents, and materials will be provided in class. There is no required
reading. Optional materials will be posted on the website for further reading.

Course Prerequisites
There are no prerequisite courses to this introductory course.
Learning Community Overview
It will be important for you to use the online resources listed on the website, as there will not be
sufficient time in class to cover all of the material. Required materials are listed as such on the
syllabus, but other optional materials are also included on the website for you to use to
supplement in-class learning. I also encourage you to use the discussion boards to your
advantage, as you can often integrate concepts more easily with your peers in these discussion
forums. If you have any questions, email me.

Netiquette & Discussion Expectations

When using the webpage, please refrain from flaming or other disrespectful behavior. Use of the
website discussion boards is encouraged, as other students may have similar questions or
interests from which you can learn or participate.

Course Goals and Assignments

This introductory course will cover materials basic to biology including the structure of DNA,
cardiac physiology, physiology of the senses, basic biology techniques, and basic environmental
science. Assignments will be given in class and turned in via email.

Assessment
Assignments: Point values: Due Dates Representing the Monday of each
week:
1. Quiz I 20 points 01/24/10
2. Specimens Due 15 points 01/24/10
3. Exam I 125 points 02/14/10
4. Handout I 20 points 02/14/10
5. Handout II 30 points 03/21/10
6. Exam II 125 points 03/21/10
7. *Pre-Labs (weekly 5 points 45 points Online weekly 30 min. prior to scheduled class
each)
8. *Participation (5 points each) 45 points In class weekly
9. *Lab Manual Checks 30 points Awarded on exam days for completion of
exercises
(see outlines for requirements)
10 Case Study 50 points 04/04/10
.
11 Exam III 125 points 04/18/10
.
Total Points: 630 points
* These points will be awarded weekly except exam weeks when lab manual checks will be
performed.
The lab coordinator reserves the right to make changes to the schedule with due notice.
However, unless expressed by the lab coordinator, you will be responsible for adhering to
the dates on this syllabus. Check your email weekly for updates.
Grading Policy: This class follows the standard 10 point scale.
Standard:
90 - 100 = A; 80 - 89 = B; 70 - 79 = C; 60 - 69 = D; 59 and below = F
Applied to this class:
A = 565 – 630 points; B = 502 – 564.9 points; C = 439 – 501.9 points; D = 377 – 438.9 points; F
= 376.9 and below
You must achieve a whole number listed within the ranges above to receive the grade
within that range. Ex: 439.0 = C while 438.25 = D
The lab coordinator reserves the right to make changes to this schedule with due notice.
However, unless expressed by the coordinator, you will be responsible for adhering to the
dates on this syllabus. Check your email weekly for updates.

**No additional assignment or bonus (other than what is already expressed in this
document) will be assigned in order to help your grade!!!**

Late Assignment Policy

Late assignments will be accepted, but will not be given credit. Assignment due dates are posted
on the website.

Plagiarism
Cheating will be taken very seriously. Anyone suspected of cheating or plagiarizing an
assignment will receive a 0 on that assignment. Anyone suspected of allowing someone to copy
their work will also receive a 0 on that assignment. Disciplinary action may be taken. The
student or students involved may have an academic misconduct placed on their permanent record
and it may result in immediate dismissal from UAB. See the academic honor code
http://main.uab.edu/Sites/undergraduate-programs/general-studies/academic-success/67537/ for
more information.

ADA and Students with Disabilities

University Policy

We are committed to making UAB programs and services accessible to students with disabilities.
Our staff handles each request for accommodations individually. Our goal is to have each
student's academic performance evaluated without the limiting effects of a disability.

If you have a disability, you aren’t at a disadvantage. UAB Disability Support Services (DSS)
provides a broad array of services and technologies to make the UAB campus—and a UAB
education—accessible for everyone. For more information, continue reading below or click on a
specific link in the left-hand sidebar.

College Preparation for Students with Disabilities

Being a college student is a big responsibility, and a big change from being in High School.  This
handbook covers all of the essential information that students and parents need to access
disability services in college so that they can maximize their opportunities for success.  Some of
the topics include the Law and Higher Education, Registering for Services, Differences between
High School and College, Life in College, Resources for Financial Aid, and other community
resources. 

If you are an outside agency or institution and would like permission to use this handbook,
please e-mail us at [email protected].  Thank you!

Transition Handbook (pdf) (doc)