Presentation

Expectations & Challenges

Course Syllabus

Test Center

Test Schedule

Test Progress Chart

Grading

Biology is one of the natural sciences which is generally defined as the "study of life, or living systems". Actually, biology is a very broad discipline which some would argue is the study of life forms, both living and extinct. Be that as it may, clearly biology is a complex discipline encompassing multiple sub-categories.

In addition, there are a number of related disciplines, such as:

As you probably know, we are experiencing an information explosion on a global scale: new information and knowledge is expanding at an exponential rate. Given this fact, clearly a one semester course in biology is not expected to cover the full breadth of this subject. The size alone of most the General Biology textbooks precludes this. Accordingly, this one semester experience will focus on several of these areas, and hopefully provide you, the student, the opportunity to capture some aspects of biology which will serve you well along life’s journey.

EXPECTATIONS AND CHALLENGES

Keep in mind as you journey with me through this semester that it is not my intent to turn you into biologist or scientists. I fully recognize where most all of you are coming from--you are taking BIO 101N as an introductory level science course with a laboratory experience to fulfill certain curriculum requirements. I also recognize that collectively you represent a broad cross section of experiences in science in general, and biology specifically. However, lack of a science or biology background in other educational settings (i.e., high school) is not a limitation to your success in this course. In my opinion, each of you starts out on equal footing, although some will have to "work harder" than others in order to attain the same level of success (i.e., grade) in the course. The "helps" which I have designed and present on this web page will assist you in being successful.

This is a large mass lecture setting which limits me in taking attendance (something I prefer not to do); however, I expect each of you to attend lecture each day and to come prepared by reviewing previous lecture material, reading the textbook as per assigned readings. You will be expected to interact during class—I ask a lot of questions. I challenge you to spend 10-15 minutes each day (seven days per week) with biology material; this activity will help you be better prepared and increase your chances of successful mastery of subject matter for exams.

Test Center

All tests except for the final exam are given in the Test Center (Center for Learning Assessment—CLAS) located in the lower level of Robinson Hall.

Click here for a complete map of campus.

Each will be multiple choice (see example test questions for each unit). After you turn in your answer sheet, please wait to have it scored. Keep your score sheet so you can review the questions missed.

TEST SCHEDULE

As illustrated in the "Course Syllabus" above, I have designed this one semester course around eight (8) units of instruction, each of which may contain one or more distinct modules of instruction. These eight units are laid out in such a manner so as to allow the student the opportunity to take tests (one test per unit) over smaller "blocks" of material, thus increasing the potential for mastery of the subject matter and success grade-wise.

Seven tests (one test over each of the first seven units of instruction) will be given at the Test Center according to the schedule provided below. The final exam is a test over the last unit of instruction. It is not comprehensive—it only covers material presented in the last unit (unit eight).

EXPECTED PROGRESS CHART FOR TESTS

Tests for corresponding units will be available at the Test Center during the times indicated in the bar chart below. You must take each test within the time specified. Note: no exams are to be taken during the last week of classes (week 15).
   

Test Schedule at CLAS

Biology 101N—Fall 1999

T-TH @ 11 A.M. & 12 P.M.

INSTUCTOR: R.E. BAILEY, Ph.D.

 

Week	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Test 4
Test 5
Test 6
Test 7
Test 8																FINAL EXAM WEEK
Month		September				October				November				December
Date Test Begins		6		20		4		18		1		15		11/29
Date Test Ends			19		3		17		31		14			5	12	11 a.m. T-TH: 12/16 @ 10-12 12 p.m. T-TH: 12/14 @ 12-2

NOTE: ALL TEST DATES END ON A SUNDAY

• T1-- Sept 6-19
• T2-- Sept 20-Oct 3
• T3-- Oct 4-Oct 17
• T4-- Oct 18-Oct 31
• T5-- Nov 1-Nov 14
• T6-- Nov 15-Dec 5
• T7-- Nov 29-Dec 12
• T8-- Final Exam Week—December 13-17

GRADING

Lecture: 70%--based on average of eight (8) multiple choice tests.

Lab: 30%--based on average of various evaluation criteria, as specified by lab instructor (i.e., quizzes, lab
write-ups, reports, etc.)

COURSE MASTERY AND STUDY HELPS

TEXTBOOK: Starr, Cecie and Ralph Taggart. 1995. Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life. 8^th ed., Wadsworth Publishing Co., Belmont, CA. 933 pgs. [note: CMU uses a "special" paperback version of this text which includes only specific chapters of the book]

TEXTBOOK CD-ROM: Each paperback version of the text should come with a CD-ROM—if it was not included with your copy, check with the bookstore.

BAILEY’S BIO 101 WEB PAGE CONTENT

STUDY GOALS

"CLASS NOTES"

POWERPOINT NOTES AND TEXTBOOK AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS

EXAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS

ADDITIONAL WEB PAGE SITES OF INTEREST