General Biology A: The Unity and Diversity of Life LIB 154 10-10:50 MWF

Text: Biology-The Unity and Diversity of Life by Starr and Taggart Office Hours: Tues 9:30-11, others by appointment (gilchris@virtu.sar.usf.edu; 359-4377) Han 42

This course is an introduction to suborganismic concepts of biology. Science literacy requires that citizens become familiar with these to understand everyday events such as reports on cancer treatments and possibilities of cloning. As students of science, we will delve beneath these to gain an understanding of the architecture and interactions of suborganismic systems. Several patterns of both unity and diversity can be examined. By viewing them, one can develop an understanding of how to evaluate critically research and ideas advanced as science.

To gain an understanding of living systems, each student will become a life monitor. Each will be given a set of plants for observation during the term. As a class, we will engage in an experiment using an OTC plant growth enhancer. There will be at least two groups for the class; each will plant both a control and an experimental set of organisms. Individuals will care for the organisms and will record weekly growth rates. These data will be combined to obtain an overall picture of growth during the term under different conditions. Students will record observations of growth rate and plant characteristics as a part of a journal. In addition to this information, the journal will contain a weekly essay based on an article from a newspaper or magazine of student choice. The essays should be a critical response to the article, noting how it relates to the class information and the veracity of the presentation. Essays should be accompanied by a copy of the article.

In addition to the journal, there will be a variety of opportunities to show understanding of class materials. We will use minute papers (3-5 minute responses to questions at the beginning of class), chain notes (passing an envelope with a question where responses are included by students), memory matrices (filling in cells of a two-dimensional diagram), two quizzes (one on the net; at least one question on each will be generated by students), application notes (after each major concepts identified, students note a real-world application of the idea) and a final poster (featuring results of the plant experiment—individual and class results). No late work will be accepted for evaluation. Journals are due no later than 5 pm EST on the last day of class. Below is a general outline of topics for the term.

Week #	General Topic	suggested reading
1	Introduction to practice of science Nature of inquiry Application note Plant experiment design	class web site topic 1 S&T 1, 2
2	Chemistry of living systems minute paper 1 in class experiment 1 in class video on proteins	S&T 2, 3 library 1 class web topic 2
3	Cell structure and function matrix exercise	S&T 4 class web topic 3 library 2
4	Cell membranes chain note 1 in class experiment	S&T 4, 5 class web site topic 4
5	Metabolism matrix exercise	S&T 6
6	Energy acquiring pathways minute paper 2	S&T 7 class web topic 5
7	Energy releasing pathways in class video on pathways QUIZ	S&T 8
8	B R E A K
9	Cell Division and mitosis application note	S&T 9 class web topic 6
10	Meiosis in class video on meiosis/mitosis	S&T 10
11	Patterns of inheritance minute paper 3	S&T 11 class web topic 7
12	Chromosomes and Human Genetics application note	S&T 12 library 3
13	DNA structure and proteins in class experiment matrix exercise	S&T 13, 14 class web topic 8
14	Control of gene expression in class experiment-possibly virtual lab application note QUIZ	S&T 15
15	Recombinant DNA and genetic engineering POSTER SESSION JOURNAL DUE FRIDAY 5 PM	S&T 16