|
BIOLOGY
2120 |
INTRODUCTION TO CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY |
Spring 2008 |
|
Monday-Thursday |
10:00-11:2 0 AM |
Ricketts 203 |
Instructor: Dr.
Email address: ploppg@rpi.edu
Phone:
276-8288, Office: Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary
Office
Hours: Tuesday 9:00-10:00 AM, in
9:00-10:00
AM, in Ricketts 203 (i.e., immediately before lecture).
Required
Text: The
World of the Cell, 6th Edition,
by Becker, Kleinsmith and Hardin
Recommended
Text:
Biology, 5th Edition, by Neil Campbell, or equivalent introductory
biology text
Course
Description:
This is an introductory course in cell structure and function. It is intended
for Biology majors, and covers such topics as chemical composition of cells,
molecular structure and function of organelles, and the basic biochemistry
underlying cellular behavior. Introductory college courses in biology and chemistry
are prerequisites for this course.
Aims: To provide an
understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of cellular function and to develop
critical thinking skills in the context of modern cell biology.
Learning
outcomes/objectives:
At the end of this course, students should understand:
·
The
structure, assembly, and function of cellular membranes, nucleic acids, and
proteins
·
How
proteins are sorted in eukaryotic cells
·
How
metabolic energy is generated in cells
·
How
chemical signals are generated, dispersed, and interpreted by cells
·
The
structure and function of the cytoskeleton
·
The
molecular mechanisms responsible for cell division, and how they are regulated
·
How
to use common analytical tools and molecular methods to solve current problems
in cell biology
Recitation
Sections:
All students will be required to attend weekly recitation section. These
recitations are designed to clarify subject matter covered in lecture, practice
answering exam-type questions, and apply the subject matter to real-world
problems in biology. Sections will be taught by graduate teaching assistants,
with help from undergraduate students who have completed this course in
previous years.
Computer
accounts:
Outside of office hours, the best way to contact the instructor is through
electronic mail (email). All students should have email accounts.
Course
web site:
There is a web page to support this course. There you will find course
announcements, a copy of the course syllabus, and links to relevant web pages.
This web page can be found at: http://www.rpi.edu/~ploppg/BIOL2120.html
Instructor’s
Responsibilities:
1) To be prepared for each lecture, 2) To present the most important
information from assigned reading in a clear and concise fashion, 3) To be
available outside of class to answer questions, 4) To reply to electronic mail
promptly, and 5) To return exams in a timely fashion. The instructor will not post lecture notes or
distribute past exams.
Student’s
Responsibilities:
1) To be prepared for each lecture and each exam, 2) To seek assistance from
the instructor when appropriate, 3) To check electronic mail regularly, and 4)
To bring a #2 pencil and a photo ID to all exams.
Teaching
Philosophy:
Cell Biology is a core course for all Biology majors because the cell is the
fundamental unit of life. All biological
processes, from virus replication to bird migration to gymnosperm evolution,
arise as a direct consequence of basic cellular mechanisms. Cell biology is
therefore a study of the mechanism of
life. Because this course represents
a significant stage in undergraduate training in biology, it is assumed that
students in this course will ask deeper questions than, “What do I need to know
to get an A?” Instead, students should
ask themselves, “What should I be learning to advance my career as a
biologist?” You will be expected to think in this course, not just memorize. I will provide you
the tools to understand basic cellular functions, and will work with you to
create a positive learning environment. To make the most of this course,
however, you must provide the motivation, and do the work. My job is to help you learn cell biology; your job is
to want to learn it.
Attendance
Policy:
Attendance in lecture is not required, but is strongly encouraged. Attendance in recitation sections and
laboratory sections is required.
Grades: For the lecture
portion of the course, grades will be computed from performance on
three midterm exams (10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively ), and one comprehensive
final exam (40%). Final grades will be computed from lecture (60%), recitation
(5%) and laboratory (35%) scores, and will be based on a standard percentage
scale (A=100-88%, A minus=87-85%, B plus=84-82%, B=81-73%, B minus=72-20%, C
plus=69-67%, C=66-63%, C minus= 62-60%, D plus=59-57%, D=56-50%, F=49% or lower)
but may be curved or otherwise adjusted at the discretion of the instructor. Thus,
scoring 70% in lecture, 85% in recitation, and 90% in lab will result in a
grade of B: (70 x .60) + (85 x .05) + (90 x .35) = 78%.
Mid-semester
assessment:
By week 7 in this course (2/25-2/28), students will have received four graded
quizzes, one graded midterm exam, plus feedback from the laboratory instructor
(Professor George Edick).
Makeup
Exams:
Midterm exams may be taken as makeup exams if arranged prior to the test date and approved by the instructor. The format of these exams may differ
significantly from the standard exams.
No makeup exam will be given for the Final Exam. No extra credit
assignments will be given.
Academic
Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. A complete statement
on academic dishonesty can be found in the current Rensselaer Handbook of
Student Rights and Responsibilities. Further information can be found at http://www.rpi.edu/dept/doso/handbook.html.
If you have any questions, or require clarification on the policy, please feel
free to speak with us.
Disability: Students requesting
support must contact Disabled Student Services at 276-2746
(email:hamild@rpi.edu).
Tentative Lecture
Schedule
|
Week |
Date |
Topic |
Becker Chapter |
|
1 |
1/14 1/17 |
Introduction
to course; Nucleic Acids Macromolecules
of the cell: Proteins |
3, 18 3 |
|
2 |
1/21 |
NO CLASS: MARTIN
LUTHER KING DAY |
|
|
|
1/24 |
Macromolecules
of the cell: Lipids and Polysaccharides |
3 |
|
3 |
1/28 |
Methods:
Microscopy, Image analysis |
|
|
|
1/31 |
Membrane
structure; Methods: proteins |
7 |
|
4 |
2/4 |
Cytoskeleton
I: microtubules and intermediate filaments |
15 |
|
|
2/7 |
Cytoskeleton
II: actin |
15 |
|
5 |
2/11 |
Extracellular
matrix, receptors, cell junctions |
17 |
|
|
2/14 |
Cell
division and cancer I |
19 |
|
6 |
2/19 |
(TUESDAY = MONDAY) Cell division and
cancer II |
19 |
|
|
2/21 |
EXAMINATION
1 (Chapters 1, 3, 4, 7, 15, 17, 19, Appendix) |
--- |
|
7 |
2/25 |
Protein
translation & sorting; Membrane trafficking I: ER-Golgi-TGN |
12 |
|
|
2/28 |
Membrane
trafficking II: endocytosis and exocytosis |
12 |
|
8 |
3/3 |
Cell
movement |
16 |
|
|
3/6 |
Membrane
transport |
8,13 |
|
9 |
3/10 |
SPRING BREAK |
--- |
|
|
3/13 |
SPRING BREAK |
--- |
|
10 |
3/17 |
Bioenergetics,
photosynthesis |
5, 11 |
|
|
3/20 |
Glycolysis,
fermentation |
9 |
|
11 |
3/24 |
Citric
acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation |
10 |
|
|
3/27 |
EXAMINATION 2
(Chapters 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16) |
--- |
|
12 |
3/31 |
Signal
transduction I |
14 |
|
|
4/3 |
Signal
transduction II |
14 |
|
13 |
4/7 |
Regulation
of gene expression |
23 |
|
|
4/10 |
The
Endocrine System I |
--- |
|
14 |
4/14 |
The
Endocrine System II |
--- |
|
|
4/17 |
Stem
Cell Biology I |
On-line materials |
|
15 |
4/21 |
Stem
Cell Biology II |
Manuscript |
|
|
4/24 |
Stem
Cell Biology III |
Manuscript |
|
16 |
4/28 |
EXAMINATION 3
(Includes chapters 14, 23, on-line materials) |
|
Final
Exam: TBA. BE VERY CAREFUL TO CHECK FOR CONFLICTS IN YOUR FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE ONCE
IT IS POSTED.