Biological Science I

Course Description:
Biology is the study of life. A scientist can explore life on many levels; the cell, a molecule of DNA, a protein structure, an organ, the organism, the interaction of organisms within their environment.....and at each level there are regulatory mechanisms that provide a constant dynamic balance of life. ?Biology is the scientific extension of the human tendency to feel connected to and curious about all forms of life. It is a science for adventurous minds.? Campbell 2005.

Required Course Materials:
Book: Biology with Mastering Biology: International Version - Neil A. Campbell
ISBN:0321758048 ITEM:15845

Course Objectives:
This course will cover four major units in introductory biology: 1) Atoms and biological molecules, 2) Energy transformations, 3) Molecular genetics, and 4) Animal exchange, transport and regulatory systems. It is my intention to provide a broad foundation in general biology that the student can build upon in advanced courses depending upon their career interests and sub- specialties. A solid knowledge base is vital for the student of modern biology. During an era of information overload and heightened accessibility, our objective will be to establish a diverse base upon which the young biologist can draw from in later academic years as the information presented is refined and narrowly tuned. This course will permit an understanding in cellular biology in its broadest sense so that the young student finds excitement in exploring many niches of biology as a foundation of their general biology education.

Attendance:
In order for you to meet these objectives it will be necessary for you to attend class and other class activities when they meet. Class meets two days per week with the instructor. You will be allowed up to one (1) unexcused absences with no questions asked. Excused absences are the following: participation in a scheduled event as a member of a university-sponsored athletic/scholastic team (official absence form required); religious holidays; accident or illness (accident report or FSU health/doctor's note required); or a death in the immediate family.

***Students are responsible for making up all work missed during absences. Students may not make up graded work for unexcused absences. Students must be sure to arrive on class on time! Two ?lates? equals one absence.

*Each unexcused absence after the first two will reduce the final grade number by one letter grade. (e.g., if you were to receive an A-. your final grade would be B+ instead)
*Excuses for absences must be submitted within one (1) week of the time of return.

Disabled Students:
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) and bring a letter to the instructor from the SDRC indicating a need for academic accommodations (or do similar appropriate actions as required at FSU?s Valencia Study Center). This should be done the first week of classes. This syllabus and other course materials could be available in alternative format upon request.

Course Evaluation:
All students will be expected to take the hour examinations and the final examination at their scheduled times. These examinations typically will have the format of multiple choice questions and possibly a few short answer questions. If a discrepancy develops between the material covered in the lecture, and the scheduled topics, the examinations will be only on the topics actually covered.

Academic Honor Code
Honors Statement:
The Academic Honor system of Florida State University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility (1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the University community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University community.

Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published in The Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook.

- This class meets two () days per week in the classroom or outside the classroom. Some assignments will be completed outside of class.
- Please be aware of the fact that this is a "flexible" syllabus and, due to pedagogical considerations, it may be necessary to modify it during the course of the semester. Any changes, however, will be minimal.