Spring 2008
BIOL 405: Cell & Molecular Biology
TH 11:15am-12:35pm
PROFESSOR: Dr. Melinda Ekkens-Villanueva
CONTACT INFO: 301-891-4462; mvillanu@cuc.edu
OFFICE HOURS: S 102E; M-F 1-2pm; Th 10-11am
TEXTBOOK:Lodish H, Berk A, Kaiser CA, Krieger M, Scott MP, Bretscher A, Ploegh H, Matsudaira P. 2008. Molecular Cell Biology. (6th ed). W.H. Freeman and Co., New York, NY. ISBN: 978-0-7167-7601-7.
http://ebooks.bfwpub.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION: BIOL 405 Cell and Molecular Biology (4): An in-depth analysis of the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells both as organisms and as subunits constituting multicellular organisms. The lecture will examine the physiology of the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles, cell growth and division, and cellular regulatory mechanism. The laboratory will introduce students to a variety of microscopic, cytological, protozoological, and cell culture techniques useful in experimental cell biology.
Three lectures and one laboratory period per week.
Prerequisites: BIOL 162 with a minimum grade of "C;" and BIOL 305.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
The general objectives of the course include the following:
1. To provide a basic understanding of the design and function of the cell as the fundamental unit of life.
2. To provide a basic understanding of the many processes performed by cells, including regulation of growth, communication, and metabolism.
3. To provide opportunities to learn about some of the current concerns and interests of cell biologists.
4. To provide opportunities to work collaboratively in groups to solve course-related problems.
5. To enable students to become aware of their place in the world of living organisms and to awaken in them an appreciation of the beauty and complexity in the Creator’s design of life.
COURSE FORMAT:
Science is built on questions; the desire to find an answer and solve a problem. Therefore, this course will include both lectures and problem-based, group-learning activities. To facilitate the group-learning activities, you will form small groups during the early part of the course. You will work in these groups to address specific problems, using the collective resources and efforts of the group. A portion of your grade will depend on these group activities; both your performance in the group, and the overall group’s performance. You will evaluate yourself and the other members of your group at various points throughout the course; how your group members evaluate you can affect your grade. In order to ensure that the group functions smoothly, it is recommended that each group formulate a set of ground rules. Some suggested guidelines are included here, but feel free to create your own ground rules.
1. Attendance: Be on time for every class or group session. Promptly notify the other group members, and the professor, if a class or group session must be missed. Advance notice is preferred, as this will allow your group members to make alternate plans.
2. Preparation: Be prepared to discuss the assignment. Be sure to bring any assigned materials to class or group meetings.
3. Participation: Share the workload among the group members. Also, be willing to share information gathered outside class with other group members.
4. Respect: Respect all group members. Be sure to listen to, and value, contributions made by all group members.
It is also recommended that each person within the group assume a role (discussion leader, recorder, reporter, accuracy check or questioner [devil’s advocate], time keeper, etc.), and that the roles are switched between group exercises. For additional information, please see “Problem-based learning” on Desire2Learn.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILTIES:
Statement of student responsibility: Education is more than simply taking courses to satisfy graduation requirements. It is a life-long process whereby you gain knowledge regarding the world around you. This will most easily be accomplished if you take an active role in your learning by
* Cultivating curiosity.
* Recognizing that struggle is a requisite for learning, that learning often requires students to spend time in areas where they may not be sure of themselves, and that learning may require students to spend time following leads that may turn out to go nowhere.
* Realizing that accepting responsibility for your own learning entails spending the necessary hours preparing for classes and examinations, doing homework and writing papers, asking questions, finding help from faculty, seeking opportunities for learning, and using available resources.
* Tolerating the discomfort that sometimes accompanies contact with new ideas, including being open-minded, considering other points-of-view, and not rushing to judgment.
* Recognizing that thinking critically about ideas and problems and making mature judgments can take place only if you cultivate certain habits of mind, such as readiness to gather information, develop reasoning skills, and learn methods of specific disciplines.
Adapted from “Position Statement on Increasing Student Responsibility for, Involvement in, and Commitment to Learning” in Teaching and Learning Through Inquiry: A Guidebook for Institutions and Instructors. Edited by Virginia S. Lee. 2004. Stylus Publishing, LLC, Sterling, VA, pp. 191-193.
Therefore, students are expected to:
1. Attend, participate, and contribute to all classes and laboratory periods. This is particularly important since there will be a number of group activities in which individual grades will be dependent on the group grade.
2. Be prepared for each class and lab by reading, reviewing, and/or completing all scheduled assignments prior to each class period. This includes any group work that must be completed prior to class.
a. Read the textbook and laboratory material BEFORE you come to class or lab. Not only will you understand the lecture/lab better, but it will also increase your productivity in class/lab.
b. Review your class notes soon after each class; this will keep material fresh, and will help reinforce difficult concepts. If you spend 2 hours in study for each hour in class, you should have no problems keeping up with the course and getting the grade you want.
c. Develop study groups that meet once or twice a week, and before exams. This will help you to review complex topics, reinforce difficult concepts, and evaluate lab procedures.
3. Abide by all group rules.
4. Know the course requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to know the requirements for the course. Along with the syllabus, assignments can be made in any class or laboratory period. If you are absent or late, it is your responsibility to obtain assignments and handouts that you may have missed. It is also your responsibility to monitor due dates and be sure that assignments are submitted on time and in the correct format.
PROFESSOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Statement of professor responsibility: It is the professor’s responsibility to create an environment where students can actively learn. Therefore, the professor is expected to:
1. Provide a classroom environment that is respectful and conducive to learning. This includes the following:
a. Encourage reciprocity and cooperation among students.
b. Be respectful of diverse talents and ways of learning.
c. Be supportive of student’s honest efforts to learn.
d. Create an environment where students can gain practice, and obtain feedback, in critical thinking.
2. Emphasize persistent focus on material to be learned, and efficient use of time.
3. Communicate high expectations.
4. Promptly return graded assignments, quizzes, and tests.
5. Be available during office hours to answer questions and guide group activities.
Adapted from “Position Statement on Increasing Student Responsibility for, Involvement in, and Commitment to Learning” in Teaching and Learning Through Inquiry: A Guidebook for Institutions and Instructors. Edited by Virginia S. Lee. 2004. Stylus Publishing, LLC, Sterling, VA, pp. 191-193.
GRADING:
The final grade for the class will be based on lab and lecture as follows:
Lab write-ups - 30%
Exams - 30%
Quizzes - 15%
Class assignments - 10%
Disease projects & journal - 15%
Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A = 93-100% A- = 90-92%
B+ = 87-89% B = 83-86% B- = 80-82%
C+ = 77-79% C = 73-76% C- = 70-72%
D+ = 67-69% D = 63-66% D- = 60-62%
F = 0- 59%
The specific date for exams will be announced in class at least one week before each exam.
There will be an average of one quiz per week during lecture; the lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester.
Please note: Students whose career goals include professional or graduate school must view a “C” in this course as a partial-passing grade. A partial-pass will only assist students in progress toward their career goals if it is matched by an “A” in another science course. In short, a science GPA of 3.0 should be viewed as an absolute minimum for satisfactory progression.
REGRADE POLICY:
Quizzes, exams, or lab reports may be returned for regrading only if the total points were incorrectly totaled, or if your answer can be documented by text materials. Answers which were misinterpreted due to sloppy handwriting, poor organization, or incorrect terminology will not be considered; be clear and concise the first time. A paper must be returned for a regrade within one week (7 days) of its return to you. It must be accompanied by a TYPED concise, brief summary or rebuttal with reference to your textual sources. Quizzes or exams written in pencil will not be considered for regrading.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
It is assumed that your work is your own. Class discussions and lab projects are joint efforts, but each write-up must be your own interpretation and analysis; this will aid you in establishing collaborative efforts, while learning to interpret and defend your own work. Science builds on the work of others, so be clear with references and citations, but be sure to give credit where credit is due. PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
For further details, please see the CUC policy on academic integrity, as stated in the 2006-2007 College Bulletin.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance at all class and laboratory sessions is required. Please be prompt, as important announcements are generally given at the beginning of lecture/lab. Late-comers will not be allowed to take exams or quizzes. Please note that excused absences do not excuse you from any work or material missed; you are responsible for all material & announcements presented in class/lab whether you are present or not.
Due to limited resources and space, make-up labs will not be allowed. Make-up exams and quizzes will only be allowed if the absence is unavoidable and documented. There will be NO MAKE UP EXAMS FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. Excused absences include a serious illness or a death in the immediate family; a doctor’s note or an obituary will be required. If an exam is missed, it must be rescheduled immediately upon return to class, and is generally expected to be taken within 24 hours of your return. Notification before the missed exam is requested.
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONE RINGERS DURING CLASS TIME.
During exams and quizzes, ALL cell phones and beepers must be COMPLETELY OFF, and stored in backpacks, bags, purses, etc. In case of emergency, cell phones may be left with the instructor.
LATE WORK POLICY:
Assignments are due on time, regardless of whether or not you are present in class or lab. Excused absences do not excuse you from any work or material missed. Overdue assignments will lose 15% per week; assignments more than six (6) weeks overdue will not be graded. These deductions apply if an assignment is turned in late on the due date.
CHANGES IN COURSE POLICY:
It is possible that certain changes in these policies may become necessary. Any changes will be announced in class, and will become part of, and supersede, the course policies described here.
LAB WRITE-UPS:
Lab reports will be written on an individual basis, and will follow a basic journal article format: Introduction/Objective, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion. Include citations where appropriate. Reports must be turned in by the beginning of the following lab to avoid a late penalty.
Failure to pass the lab segment will result in failure to pass the class.
DISEASE PROJECTS:
Throughout the semester, you will create two projects describing the cell biology of a specific aspect of a human disease. The first project will be a 3-4-page paper which will include the biology of the disease/pathogen, and a discussion of the SPECIFIC cell biology aspect of the disease or pathogen. The second project will follow the same general guidelines, but does not have to be a formal paper; it may be a poster, skit, etc. In addition, one project will be chosen for an oral in-class presentation. Specific guidelines will be given in class for the disease projects and oral presentation; see below for the project due dates. All final drafts must be submitted in hard copy, and via Turnitin.com. The final draft of the paper will not be graded until the originality report from Turnitin.com is received. Please note that all posters will be presented to the department on April 21, 2008.
PROJECT SCHEDULE:
Project 1 - February 21, 2008
Project 3 - April 10, 2008
Poster Presentations - April 21, 2008
LECTURE SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE):
Week of Topic Text Assignment
Jan 15 Introduction – the cell Chapter 1
Jan 22 Chemical foundations Chapter 2
Protein structure & function Chapter 3
Jan 29 DNA review – selected portions of chapters 4 – 8 Chapters 4 - 8
Feb 5 Biomembrane structure Chapter 10
EXAM 1
Feb 12 Transmembrane transport of ions & small molecules Chapter 11
Cellular energetics Chapter 12
Feb 19 Membrane trafficking: Moving proteins into membranes & organelles Chapter 13
Feb 26 Vesicular traffic, secretion, & endocytosis Chapter 14
EXAM 2
March 4 Cell signaling: signal transduction and short-term cellular responses Chapter 15
Spring Break
March 18 Cell signaling: signaling pathways that control gene activity Chapter 16
March 25 Cell organization and movement: microfilaments Chapter 17
April 1 Cell organization and movement: microtubules and intermediate filaments Chapter 18
April 8 Integrating cells into tissues Chapter 19
EXAM 3
April 15 Regulating the eukaryotic cell cycle Chapter 20-21
April 22 Cancer Chapter 25
Final Exam: 1:00-3:15pm, April 28, 2008