Description of the course

In this course, you will learn about the molecular and cellular basis of life. The course is organized in four main sections:

1)        Chemistry and Macromolecules of Life

2)        Cell organization

3)        Energy Conversion and Cell Metabolism

4)        Gene Expression and Principles of Genetics

In the first section, we will study the molecules of life. From water to nucleic acids, we will explore their composition, chemical characteristics, and function in the cell. We will then begin our journey inside the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. We will explore the functions and structure of the most important cellular organelles, such as the nucleus, the cell membrane, and the endoplasmic reticulum. In the second section, we will see how cells reproduce and communicates with each other and the environment. In the third section,

we will focus on two important processes taking place in the mitochondria and the chloroplasts: energy production and cellular respiration. We will conclude our course in the nucleus. You will learn about DNA replication and how genes encoded in the DNA become functional proteins with essential activities in the cell. You will also be introduced to the principles of genetics and heredity.

Course Objective:

1)        Become knowledgeable about the fundamental molecules and the cellular structures supporting life.

2)        Becoming familiar with molecular processes underlying gene expression and cell metabolism.

3)        Gaining critical thinking, which will help you understand current discoveries in science and medicine.

Textbook: Biology by Brooker et al., McGraw Hill Publisher, ISBN: 1264039719.

Course structure

This  is  bi-weekly  lecture-based  course.  The  slides will  be  upload  to  Brightspace  before  each  lecture. Additional reading material will be also upload to Brightspace. Attendance is mandatory. You must record your presence through a QR code shown at the beginning of each lecture. Each class is worthed 0.4 points to a total of 10. Attendance is 10% of your final grade.

You must be mentally present in class. Texting, browsing the internet, sleeping, or doing work for another course endangers your focus and concentration. If you are too tired to focus, or you have something else that you need to do during class time, do not come to class. It is distracting to your classmates and disrespectful to the instructor to spend class time texting, browsing, sleeping, or otherwise not engaging in biology

Home assignment: Every Tuesday I will assign a quiz with ten multiple choices questions to do at home. The quiz will be posted on Brightspace; you must return the quiz the next Tuesday at 8:00 AM (you will have about a week to complete the quiz). A zero will be assigned to the quizzes returned after the deadline. The quiz with the lowest grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. Quizzes will not be re-opened after the deadline.

Examinations: There will be three midterms during the semester and a final exam at the end of the semester. You can see the dates of the midterms on the course schedule below, the date for the final exam will be communicated by the registrar. All exams are in person, and you are not allowed to use any electronical devices. The exam will be composed of multiple-choices and short answers. Make-up exams are not obered unless excused by Student Advocacy. If you miss a midterm, the grade of your final exam will be used as the grade of the missed midterm. Missing the final exam will results in a zero unless excused by Student Advocacy.