Dr. Richard Ellis Fall, 2000

BIOL 121-01 Syllabus

Date:		Topic:	Text:
Aug.	30	Course Philosophy; Nuts & Bolts
Sept.	1	Biology and Its Critics
		Some Fundamentals of Biochemistry
Sept.	4	Properties of Water; Acids & Bases	3.2-3.5
	6	Molecules of Life	3.6-3.10
	8	Energetics, Metabolism	5.1-5.2,5.7-5.8
	11	Enzymes	5.3-5.6
		The Cell
Sept.	13,15	Organelles & their Functions	4.1-4.11
	18,20	Diffusion, Osmosis, Transport	4.12-4.13
		Energy for Life
Sept.	22,27	Photosynthesis	6.1-6.6
	25	DEBATE 1
	29	Cellular Respiration	6.7-6.12
Oct.	1	Review, 7:00®
	2	EXAM I
		What Genes Are
Oct.	4	DNA Structure & Replication	18.1-18.5
		How Genes Are Transmitted
Oct.	6	Cell Reproduction - Mitosis	18.9-18.12
		F A L L B R E A K
	11	Cell Reproduction - Meiosis	18.13
	13	DEBATE 2
	16,18	Mendelian Genetics	Chapter 20
	20	Mendelian Genetics: Complications, Variations	21.7
	23	DEBATE 3	57-58
	25,27	Human Genetics	Chapter 21
		How Genes Work
Oct.	30	Genetic Code, Transcription	18.6-18.7
Nov.	1	Translation	18.7
	3	Control of Gene Expression	18.8
	5	Review, 7:00 PM
	6	EXAM II
		Applications of Molecular Biology
Nov.	8,10	Procedures of Recombinant DNA	Chapter 19
	13,15	Genetic Engineering, DNA Fingerprinting	422-423
	17	DEBATE 4	378-379
		Biology of Whole Organisms: Plants
Nov.	20	Flowers & Seeds	28.2, 28.6
		THANKSGIVING
	27	Seed Germination & Plant Development	28.9
	29	Plants & Light	28.11
Dec.	1	DEBATE 5	528-529
	4	Plants & Water	29.1-29.11
	6	Reproduction, Photoperiodism
	8	DEBATE 6
	11	Degradative Development
Finals Week:		Review; EXAM III

GRADING

EXAMS: 3 x 100 pts. each = 300 = 50%

LABORATORY: 150 pts. 25%

BIOLOGY & SOCIETY: 150 pts. 25%

Points in this section can be earned either by participation in a debate or by submission of written material. There will be six debates (dates given in course schedule, topics described below) with six volunteer participants each = 36 students. Their responsibilities will be to prepare for and actively participate in the scheduled debate. The only additional obligation will be to turn in their notes and to attend the other debates. Those students not involved in debates will be required to (1) attend all 6 and to prepare a 1- to 2-page written analysis (specific directions may be given at the time) for each, due by the next class meeting, and (2) submit two 2- to 3-page typed reviews/analyses of appropriate science articles (1999-2000) in periodicals such as Time, Newsweek, NY Times Science Section, Omni, Discover, etc. Include a copy of the article with your review. Ninety (90) points will be allotted to the debate write-ups (6 x 15 ea.) and 60 points for the two article reviews (2 x 30 ea.). Only one of the two reviews may come from articles listed in the text or its web/on-line resources.

Make-up exams will be given ASAP after the scheduled date and only to those with a written excuse from doctor, dean, coach, advisor, etc.

90% A-, A

79-89 B-, B, B+

68-78 C-, C, C+

INSTRUCTOR Dr. Richard Ellis

303 Biology Bldg.

X71321

e-mail: rellis@bucknell.edu

Office hours: T 11-12, R 11-12--by appointment

LAB COORDINATOR Ms. Kate Toner

115B Biology Bldg.

X71744

e-mail: toner@bucknell.edu

DEBATES/PANEL DISCUSSIONS

1. Sept. 25: Are silicone breast implants physically damaging? They are alleged to cause auto-immune pathology, diseases of connective tissue, and even breast cancer. Because of these allegations, courts have awarded women "sufferers" billions of dollars, in effect bankrupting Dow Corning, the primary producer. But are these allegations true? Should damages have been awarded the plaintiffs? Mock trial
1. Oct. 13: What diseases are studied by publicly-funded medical research? Which diseases get the most funding? Why? Do you think the distribution of funding is ethically and/or medically appropriate?
1. Oct. 23: Should cloning be permitted? What are the potential benefits and risks? What are the ethical issues raised, particularly in the cloning of humans?
1. Nov. 17: Should the Human Genome Project proceed? This ambitious project proposes to map and sequence every single gene in the human nucleus. In addition to the fundamental interest to science, this knowledge would allow the early identification of genetic disorders and their possible genetic cure. But the project is very costly and brings up many social and ethical questions such as: Is your code "defectiveí and who should know about it? Do you really want to know your genetic destiny (will you get Alzheimerís at age 50?).
1. Dec. 1: Should we genetically engineer new organisms? What agricultural and medical goods will this bring? Is it safe? Do we need it? Is Jurassic Park a possible scenario? Is it inevitable? Canít humans control their creations?
1. Dec. 8: Should a person convicted of first-degree murder be set free on the sole basis of DNA-fingerprint analysis showing a mismatch between the killer and liquids from the crime scene?

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