Course Description:
The primary goal of this course is to introduce you to the major topics and concepts of biology.  At the conclusion of the course, you should understand:

1) the molecular and cellular makeup of living things (organisms)
2) how cells harness and utilize energy
3) cell division and the related transmission of hereditary (genetic) information from one generation to the next
4) how hereditary information is used to build cellular and organismal structure
5) Aa basic understanding of structure and function at the organismal level, using plants and animals as a primary examples.

Performance Evaluation:
 

Grade scale      %				Lecture	Points
	A	93-100		3 lecture exams (100 points each)	300
	A-	90-92		Final Exam (covering entire semester)	150
	B+	87-89		Problem Sets (30 pts each, 4 total)	120
	B	83-86
	B-	80-82		Lab
	C+	77-79		Lab Assignments (20 pts each, 5 total)	100
	C	73-76		Lab Quiz	30
	C-	70-72		Lab Notebooks	30
	D+	67-69
	D	63-66		Total Points Available	730
	D-	60-62
	F>	< 60		There is no extra credit.

Blackboard:

This will be used extensively in this course for posting review sheets, problem sets, assignments, and general notices regarding the course. You should familiarize yourself with Blackboard and make sure you are able to access posted material. Any problems with Blackboard should be reported to
Information Technology Services (ITS): http://www.ithaca.edu/its/sp_index.htm, x43282 (helpdesk).

All the work in this class must be your own, unless stated otherwise. Confirmed instances of academic misconduct will result in a zero for that test or assignment and referral to the school judiciary system. Please refer to the Student Handbook for a detailed description of the policies regarding student academic conduct.

Lectures:  You are expected to come to lecture, however we do not take attendance.  There is a significant correlation between exam performance and lecture attendance.  Therefore, we strongly encourage you to make every effort to attend lectures.

Exams: You must take exams on scheduled exam dates. If you are participating in a collegesponsored event (athletics, performance, etc.) that conflicts with a scheduled exam, you must provide us with a written excuse from a faculty member (coach, director, etc.) at least one week prior to the exam. If you cannot make it to an exam (i.e. illness), you need to contact one of the instructors before the exam begins. Email alone is insufficient; you need to call and leave a message with a number to contact you if we are not available. Failure to do so will result in a zero for that exam.

Laboratory: Laboratory attendance is mandatory.  If you miss your lab, you may arrange to attend another lab section during the week.  You must notify both your regular lab instructor and the instructor of the make-up lab section.  If you do not make up missed labs, it will count against your lab grade.

You must maintain a lab notebook. Lab manuals will be handed out in class and you will need a 3-ring binder, plus additional paper, to take notes and record your results. Notebooks will be periodically evaluated by the instructor. These evaluations will not be announced in advance. During the last part of the semester, we will be dissecting preserved specimens in lab. Any student who cannot participate in these labs must talk with their lab instructor during the first two weeks of the semester. Accommodations for religious or ethical reasons can be made, but only with sufficient notice. Be advised that students will need to provide significant grounds for exemption from the lab exercises in the form of a formal, written justification.

All assignments (problem sets, lab assignments) are due on the date indicated in the syllabus.  Points will be deducted for late assignments, unless prior arrangements with the instructor are made.  All problem sets must be typed.  Handwritten assignments will not be accepted.

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case by case basis. Students must register with the Office of Academic Support Services and provide appropriate documentation to the college before any academic adjustment will be provided.