Please contact your instructor for the appropriate course password.

General Course Information

Technology Requirement

The use of a computer biology tutorial and Internet activities will be integrated throughout the course.

Desired Learner Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• explain how scientific methods are used to solve problems and explain observations.
• explain the five kingdom concept.
• describe the characteristics of living things.
• explain how organisms function and interact in an ecosystem.
• explain the role of organisms in communities and ecosystems.
• describe the role of humans in maintaining and changing the ecosphere.
• explain the principles of population dynamics.
• describe the role of elements, molecules, ions, and compounds in biological systems.
• explain the role of photosynthesis in living systems.
• describe the structure and role of DNA in living things.
• explain basic genetics principles.
• describe the significant relationships between genetics, natural selection, and evolution.
• describe and explain in general terms the vertebrate systems and their interrelationships.

Required Materials

• Textbook: Biology today and tomorrow by Starr, 1st Edition
• Lab Manual: General Biology 1009 Lab Manual by Perry/Morton/Perry/Johnson/Dingmann

Topical Outline

Weekly schedule can be found at the class website.

Enter password in the area above:

Grading

Grades will be based on:

• 15-20 homework assignments,
• 9-11 quizzes,
• 3 one-hour exams,
• lab evaluation,
• 5 outside reading assignments,
• 6 Internet activities,
• 1 team case-study project
• final exam.

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

This percentage is based on the highest achieved score in the class.
Grade " + " and " - " will apply to the final semester grades.

For more information about grades, refer to the
U of M's Uniform Grading and Transcript Policy

Academic Workload Expectations
For undergraduate courses, one credit is defined as equivalent to an average of three hours of learning effort per week (over a full semester) necessary for an average student to achieve an average grade in the course. For example, a student taking a three credit course that meets for three hours a week should expect to spend an additional nine hours a week on coursework outside the classroom.

Course Instructional Materials

To begin the course, you need to be registered for the class. A password will be provided after you register. The password will allow you to view the complete syllabus and download any course material.

Other Information

Students with Special Needs:

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class. Contact the instructor to work out the details of the accommodations.  Tutors are available and adaptation of methods, materials or tests may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.

UMC Campus Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty:

 http://www.crk.umn.edu/campusinfo/policies/dishonst.htm

Sexual Harassment Policy:

To read the University of Minnesota policy on Sexual Harassment click on this: Sexual Harassment.