Marc Pline
321 Cherry Emerson Bldg
tel :(404) 894 3701
marc.pline@biology.gatech.edu
Office hours (G. Holzer):
use e-mail to contact me or set up an appointment
Textbook LIFE: The Science of Biology , sixth Edition, Purves, W.K., Sadava, D., Orians, H.C. and Heller, H.C., 2001, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.
Lab Manual Investigating Biology, 4th Edition, Morgan, J.G. and Carter, M.E.B., Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., Menlo Park, CA.
Class meeting: MWF, 9:05 - 9: 55 am, Howey-Physics Lecture Hall 2
Lab: one lab session per week, Cherry Emerson Bldg
Course Objectives:
Biol 1510 is an introduction to the basic principles of modern biology with the emphasis on molecular processes, bioenergetics, cell structure, genetics, evolution, and ecological concepts.
The major goals of this course are to help you to:
get familiar with the important concepts of modern biology
gain a working knowledge of the major topics in this course
foster an inquisitive attitude in questions of modern biology.
Lecture attendance is mandatory. Mulitiple unexcused absence may result in the deduction of up to 3% points from your grade
Excused absences from exams: You have to provide a valid, documented excuse within 24 hours of the missed exam . Valid reasons for absence include approved academic activities, illness, accident or a death in the family. If you are ill, you need a note from a physician, stating that "during the time of the exam or lab you were confined to bed or your were too incapacitated to leave home". If you have car trouble, you need a statement from an emergency road service, showing the date of the incident coinciding with the exam date. Family reunions, weddings or anniversaries etc are not legitimate excuses and no make-up exams / labs will be given in such cases.
Assignments:
After each major topic a short quiz has to be submitted by each student. Check under "Announcements" or "Assignments, Quizzes, Exams " for submission deadlines. It is important that you study the course material before submitting the quiz. A score of 60% has to be attained, before full credit is given for the assignement.
How can I make an A in this course : This course will emphasize concepts and it will be important that you understand the material beyond mere memorization of facts. Thus, exposure to the course material during class is very important. Being alert during class and taking notes will be equivalent to studying the material for the first time. You cannot expect to be successful in this course if don't attend class regularly. Before every lecture you should have acquired some understanding of the topic to be discussed through reading the assigned sections in your textbook . After class, when your memory is still fresh, you should review the material to the extend that you gain a working knowledge. The lectures are not independent of each other. If you are not current with the material, you will be lost in lectures which build up on previous topics. A studying time of 3 hr per 1 lecture hour is recommended. For each section of the course material a short quizzes is made available. After studying the topics, take the quiz before the deadline has passed. These quizzes will test your command of the course material. In case of a low score you should study the material again. This will be an important preparation for the lecture exams. The lecture exams will be made of multiple choice questions. Only topics discussed in class will be on the exams. Allow adequate time to prepare for the exams. If you have acquired the habit to have your first serious look at the course material a day or two before the exam, I can assure you that this will an inadequate preparation for the exams. If you are serious about a good performance in this course, follow these recommendations.
The major reasons for problems with this course are:
poor attitude of personal accountability and responsibility, missing class (each absence puts you further behind), insufficient knowledge and comprehension of the course material because of poor studying habits.
Grading:
In class exams : 45%
Final exam : 20%
Assignments: 10%
Laboratory : 25 %
Letter grades will be based on the following scores: A: 90% or higher, B: 80 - 89.9%, C: 70 - 79.9%, D: 60 - 69.9%, F: less than 60%