Cyberbiology

Blue Ridge Community College
Cyberbiology
General Biology
(Bio 102-70)
Summer Semester - 2008
(Lecture 3 hrs.,
Lab 3 hrs., 4 credits)

Joseph Murray
Assistant Professor

Office Hours:
Need to see me? No problem. I'll be on campus for 10-20 hours/week working in the arboretum. Send an e-mail and we can arrange a time to meet.

Rather talk by e-mail. No problem. I check my e-mail about every other hour during the day and evening.

Phone:
(540) 453-2349

Office: J111
email: murrayj@brcc.edu
homepage: Cyberbiology

Phone:
(540) 453-2349

Course Description:
Explores fundamental characteristics of living matter from the molecular level to the ecological community with emphasis on general biological principles. Introduces the diversity of living organisms, their structure, function and evolution.

Through the year, students are expected to conduct investigations that may require travel. This semester students will be conducting independent/group investigations at Sherando Park Recreation Area (Sherando, VA), National Zoo (Washington DC; trip is optional), BRCC Arboretum (Weyers Cave campus), your backyard and more. See your schedule for links that will provide more information about each investigation.

Student Performance Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Summarize Mendel's contribution to genetics.
2. Correctly work through Mendelian and non-Mendelian problems (including sex-linked, incomplete dominance & pedigree charts).
3. Predict outcomes in population genetics using the Hardy-Weinberg theory.
4. Explain different mechanisms for speciation.
5. Discuss gradualism v. punctuated equilibrium.
6. Explain the relationship between phylogeny and animal development.
7. Describe each human system at the organ, tissue, and cellular levels (including homeostatic mechanisms for each system).
8. Summarize the evolution of land plants.
9. Distinguish between the major groups of plants with respect to reproduction and alternation of generations.
10. I'm a botanist, so you can bet your sweet bippie that you will know plant anatomy and physiology inside and out! This includes two of my favorites: transpiration and translocation :-)
11. Identify a tree using a dichotomous key.
12. Discuss the genetic basis and subsequent development of behavior.
13. Describe adaptive behavior and current aspects of sociobiology.
14. Describe population ecology and community ecology using examples from the Shenandoah Valley.
15. Summarize the human effect on the ecosystem by describing chemical cycling.
16. Perform some basic demographic analyses (includes interpreting population growth rate and survivorship curves).
17. Understand the importance of conservation biology and the direct and indirect value of biodiversity.

Evaluation and Requirements:
Attendance Policy: Mandatory On-campus meetings - Only YOU are to attend. I love kids too, but you must not bring children (or any other close relatives/friends/pets) to lab.

Grading Policy: Your semester grade will be based on a 10 point scale, with:

A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-59.

Investigations (labs): Your lab/investigations will count 25% towards your final grade. Your Laboratory Investigation Quizzes will be posted on BlackBoard (new to BlackBoard? Check out this page).

Lessons (lecture): Your lecture/lesson average will count 75% towards your final grade (tests = 75%, midterm = 12.5%, final = 12.5%). Your lowest test will be dropped. You will take your lecture tests will be on BlackBoard.

Exams: I will try and personally administer your mid-term and final exams. This means you will be required to come to campus to take your exams on scheduled dates (see the schedule for these dates). The mid-term will be administered when you're on campus for your mandatory Saturday meeting (March 1, 2008). See your schedule for the dates of the final exam.

Make-up? There will be NO make-up investigation quizzes, lesson tests, or exams. If you know that you will be absent - arrange a time to take your test or exam early!

Test Policy and Procedure:
For more information on testing please click on the above link.

Withdrawal:
If you must withdraw from the course it is your responsibility to complete the necessary paperwork for the withdrawal at the Admissions Office. If you stop participating in lectures or labs without officially withdrawing from the course, you will receive the grade earned based on your point total (at the time you stop participating) divided by the maximum points (as if you had completed all work). This usually means a grade of F will be recorded.

Text (required):

Purchase a password at our bookstore to access the biology lectures online (www.thinkwell.com). In addition to using the required online lectures, I still strongly recommend you purchase a used biology book, or at least check out one at your local library.
BiologyLabs On-Line. Michael A. Palladino. These are also on sale in our campus bookstore. Make sure you purchase the entire lab manual.

Instructional Materials:

Independent Project/Paper: Each semester, an independent project/paper MAY be assigned and counted as an additional "Test" grade. I will let you know by the mid-term if a project/paper will be assigned.

Serendipity: By all means, help yourself to my traditional biology course web site and associated resources at Serendipity.

Academic Dishonesty:
I will follow the written description of what constitutes academic dishonest acts described in your current Student Handbook.

Class Schedule and Sequence of Instruction:
See on-line schedule