Introductory Cell Biology (BIOL111) Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

Introduction to Cell Biology

This course provides an introduction to the structure and function of cells, as well as the techniques used to study them. It emphasizes the foundational role of cells as the building blocks of all life and is designed for students beginning their studies in biology.

• Course Code: BIOL111

• Credits: Three

• Instructor: Dr. Cory Bishop

• Contact: [e-mail] | 902-867-4944

• Office Location: J. Bruce Brown 211

Learning Objectives

Core Concepts and Skills

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the nature and significance of intramolecular and intermolecular structure-function relationships of the four major classes of macromolecules.

• Know the names and functions of eukaryotic cellular structures and describe how events operate in chemical reactions.

• Understand how cells maintain conditions inside their bodies that are different than outside of them.

• Analyze how energy flows through biological systems: how sugars are made, how they are metabolized, and which cellular components are involved.

• Know the steps and functions of mitosis and meiosis.

• Understand the concept of alleles and how genetic variation is produced and inherited from generation to generation.

• Understand how genetic information is stored, replicated, and retrieved from DNA and how information is converted into proteins.

Course Structure

Class Time and Location

• Monday: C/A4 (10:00-12:00)

• Wednesday: K2-05 (10:15-11:05)

• Friday: K3-05 (10:15-10:15)

• Lab Sections: C4K4C5 (Section 11), K4K5K6 (Section 12), B8237

Success in BIOL111

• Class-Time: Attend lectures and actively listen, think, and ask questions.

• Assigned Readings: Complete textbook chapters before attending lectures.

• Interaction during class: Ask or answer questions to facilitate learning.

• Online Activities and Resources: Use Mastering Biology for weekly assignments and Moodle for course management and communication.

Course Materials & Resources

Textbook and Laboratory Manual

• Textbook: Open-source, provided free of charge.

• Laboratory Manual: Accessed via Laboratory Course Moodle; students will also receive a manual in their first laboratory session.

Method of Evaluation

Grading Components

Your final grade will be based on the following components:

Evaluation	Dates	Value
Midterm	October 15th	15%
Final exam (cumulative)	TBA	35%
Mastering Biology	1/week (10 weeks)	15% each (10% total)
Laboratory Section	See Lab Moodle	35%
Participation	All semester, starting in week 2	5%

Exams

• Midterm: ~20 multiple choice questions, a few short answer questions or diagrams.

• Final Exam: Multiple choice (~55-60 questions), supplemented with short answer, fill-in-the-blanks, and problem-solving questions.

Online Assignments

• Mastering Biology: Weekly online homework assignments, starting in week 2.

• Assignments are time-sensitive; late submissions may not be accepted.

Pass Criteria

Requirements to Pass BIOL111

• Pass the laboratory component (grade ≥ 50%).

• Achieve a score of at least 40% on the final lecture exam.

• Students failing either requirement will receive a maximum of 45% in the course, even if their numerical grade is higher.

Policies and Additional Notes

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• All students are welcomed and accepted regardless of identity, ethnicity, country, or region of origin.

Conduct in Class

• Be courteous and refrain from behavior that distracts or disturbs others.

• Cheating and plagiarism are strictly prohibited and will be punished as per university policy.

Financial and Personal Support

• Students facing financial or personal challenges are encouraged to contact the Faculty of Science for support.

• Support services for those impacted by sexualized violence are available.

Summary Table: Key Course Features

Feature	Description
Course Content	Cell structure, function, macromolecules, genetics, energy flow, mitosis, meiosis
Learning Platform	Moodle, Mastering Biology, TopHat
Assessment	Midterm, Final, Laboratory, Online Assignments, Participation
Textbook	Open-source, free for students
Lab Manual	Provided via Laboratory Course Moodle

Additional info:

• Students are encouraged to use TopHat for classroom engagement and communication.

• Lecture material is delivered via PowerPoint and supplemented with online assignments.

• Students must check Moodle for weekly topics and readings.