Sample Syllabus -- Introductory Biology 151/153

Course Summary and Philosophy:

151/152 is a two semester introductory sequence for majors in the biological sciences. Emphasis will be placed on
learning, understanding and being able to use key biological concepts and the scientific method. The study of
modern biology is not only a matter of assimilating factual information. Learning how to use that information for
problem-solving, posing hypotheses and interpreting experimental results is also critical to understanding biology
as a science. The lectures examine key concepts. Discussions allow you to more fully investigate these. In the
laboratory, you will use the scientific method and apply a number of the concepts from lecture to carry out the
various exercises. In addition, labs stress the development of written and oral presentation skills. These are
required to successfully communicate scientific concepts and your research findings to others.

Faculty:
Course Coordinator:
Teaching Assistants: TA Office:

TA office hours will be announced in lab and discussion.

Textbooks & Other Required Materials

Lecture, Lab and Discussion Grade Breakdown (for 151 students)
This is a 5 credit course. Attendance in lecture, lab and discussion is mandatory. In 151, students must pass (obtain a minimum
letter grade of D) both the lecture and laboratory portions to receive a passing grade in the course.
The lecture portion of the course will comprise 60% (3 credits) of the final grade, where each lecture exam counts for 17% of
the final grade in the course. Each lecturer will assign an additional 2% of the final grade as follows:
Lecture quizzes/exercises (as defined by each instructor) will count 1% of the final course grade.
Clicker participation will count another 1%. Students who click in on at least 75% of the clicker questions will receive
the full 1%. This grade will be prorated for clicker use < 75%.
In addition, the final exam will contain a set of cumulative short essay or multiple choice-type questions worth 3% of the
total final course grade. Questions to prepare you for the cumulative portion of the final exam will be handed out in
advance of the exam.
Discussion sections are required and graded as 5% of your final grade in the course.
The lab will comprise 35% of the final grade. Your TA will explain how the labs will be graded.

Lecture and Discussion Grade Breakdown (for 153 students)

This is a three-credit course. Attendance in lecture and discussion is mandatory.
The lecture portion of the course will comprise 90% (3 credits) of the final grade, where each lecture exam counts for 25% of
the final grade in the course. Each lecturer will assign an additional 4% of the final grade as follows:
Lecture quizzes/exercises (as defined by each instructor) will count 2% of the final course grade.
Clicker participation will count another 2%. Students who click in on at least 75% of the clicker questions will
receive the full 2%. This grade will be prorated for clicker use < 75%.
In addition, the final exam will contain a set of cumulative short essay or multiple choice-type questions worth 3%
of the total final course grade. Questions to prepare you for the cumulative portion of the final exam will be handed
out in advance of the exam.
Discussion sections are required and graded as 10% of your final grade in the course.
Lecture Exam Schedule for both 151 and 153 students Exam I
Week 6
Exam II
Week 11
Final Exam
Week 16
Exam Make-Up Policy
If you have an academic exam conflict, please notify Jean Heitz as soon as possible. Conflict exams will be scheduled earlier
on the day of, or the day before, the regular exam.
There will be no late make-up exams except for extreme cases such as a death in the family or an illness. All late make-up
exams will be in oral or modified essay format.

Grading Scale (for lecture, lab and discussion)

90-100% = A
88-89% = AB
80-87% = B
78-79% = BC
70-77% = C
60-69% = D
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is an issue that is taken very seriously on this campus and within this course. Important documents on what plagiarism
is and how to avoid it can be found on the Writing Center web site (http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/QuotingSources.html).
Information on what the universitys rules are regarding plagiarism can also be found on
http://www.wisc.edu/students/saja/misconduct/misconduct.html
Please take the time to examine these resources and familiarize yourself with the information available in order to avoid problems.
If you are unclear on any matters covered here, please contact your TA or your coordinator.
Honors
If you are enrolled for Honors in 151, please print out a copy of your class schedule grid and hand it on Friday of the first week of
classes so that we can schedule evening Honors meetings with the faculty. More information will be provided during week 2 of
classes.
Lecture Schedule for the first 6 weeks
DAY

WEEK

W
F

M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
R
F

LECTURE TOPIC

READING
(Chapter:pages)

Species, evolution and cells

Water, carbon, and chemistry
Macromolecules I- carbohydrates, RNA and DNA
Macromolecules II- proteins and lipids
Membranes
Cells and organelles I
Cells and organelles II
Respiration I
Respiration II
Photosynthesis I
Photosynthesis II, bacterial metabolism
Multicellularity- colonies and organisms
Animal Development
Intercellular signaling
Cell division and the cell cycle
What is genetics?
Exam I 8 to 9:30 pm Room to be announced
Replication and transcription

You can access the full syllabus and other course information on the 151 Learn@UW site. Go to www.wisc.edu
Click on Learn@UW in the right hand column, then on:
Introductory Biology 151 (Lecture 001 - 11 MWF)

M
W
F

Translation
DNA and mutations
Gene regulation: viruses and bacteria

M
W
F

Gene regulation: eukaryotes

Gene regulation in development and cancer
Meiosis

M
W
F

Meiosis and Mendelian genetics

Mendelian genetics
Non-mendelian genetics: linkage

M
W
F

10

Sex-linkage
Basics of DNA technology
Transgenic technology and stem cells

M
W
F

11

Darwins logic
Evidence for evolution
Population genetics: Hardy-Weinberg

M
W
F

12

Population genetics: Mechanisms of evolution

Origin of species
Taxonomy and systematic

M
W
F

13

History of life: The big picture

Bacteria and Archaea
Protists

M
W
F

14

Fungi
Animal diversity
Invertebrates

M
W
F

15

Invertebrates
Vertebrates
Vertebrates