Dr. Bier's
Mercy College Course Connection

Biology

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Biology (nonmajor)
General Biology I
General Biology I Lab
General Biology II
General Biology II Lab
Microbiology
Microbiology Lab
Genetics

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last updated: 4 Jan 2013

This course is a three credit hour introduction to biology. This class only includes a classroom portion; there is no lab section. The intention of the class is to provide a good background for subsequent science classes. Topics that will be covered include the scientific method, biochemistry, cell biology, bioenergetics, cell cycles, genetics, molecular biology, evolution and ecology.

For more detailed information, examine the syllabus and course policies. For advice on how to succeed in this course, and in all other courses, take a peek at the lecture hints. Bloom's taxonomy of understanding will help you differentiate the increasing levels of insight of a topic.

It is critical to read the text before coming to class. The fourth and fifth columns are my list of questions that accompany the readings in Biology: Concepts and Connections by N. A. Campbell, J. B. Reece, M. R. Taylor, and E. J. Simon, 5th and 6th editions, respectively. If you find that you are unable to answer the questions, it may indicate that you did not read the material carefully enough. Read the material again, only more thoroughly and with these questions in mind.While the answers to the questions may not become clear when you read the text, the lectures will help clarify the most important points. However, not all of the reading material will be covered in class, but you are expected to recognize it all.

Other important documents
Syllabus
Class Schedule
Course Objectives
Old Quizzes and Exams

To view any of these documents, you need Adobe Reader. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you can download and install it for free here.

No. of Classes (Approx.)
Dates (Approx.)


Topic

Readings in
5th ed.

Readings in
6th ed.
1 08/23 Introduction, Study Methods


08/29 Last Day of Add/Drop

3 08/25 08/30 09/01 Scientific Method
Exercise -- What is Alive?
Exercise -- Scientific Method
1.1-1.8,
15.7, 15.10
1.1-1.10,
15.15, 15.19

09/06 Last Day to Drop with 80% Refund

3 09/06 09/08 09/13 Chemical Basis of Life
CAT -- Previous Chemistry Knowledge
Exercise -- Basic Chemistry Practice
Exercise -- Basic Chemistry Practice (answers)
Exercise -- Water (discussion responses)
2.1-2.17,
5.3, 5.5,
6.5
2.1-2.18,
5.12, 5.14-5.15,
6.5

09/19 Last Day to Withdraw with Refund

2.5 09/15 09/20 09/22 Molecules of Cells
Exercise -- Biochemistry Review
Exercise -- Biochemistry Review (answers)
3.1-3.16,
10.2-10.3
3.1-3.17,
5.13,
10.2-10.3
3.5 09/22 09/27 09/29 10/04 Cells and Cell Structure
Exercise -- Subcellular Structures
Exercise -- Subcellular Structures (answers)
4.1-4.4,
5.10-5.20, 4.5-4.19,
5.21
4.1-4.5,
5.1-5.9,
4.6-4.23
2 10/06 10/11 Energy Transformations 5.1-5.9,
6.1-6.5
5.10-5.16,
6.1-6.5

10/17 Last Day to Withdraw with a W

3 10/13 10/20 10/25 Respiration
Exercise -- Respiration Review
6.6-6.16 6.6-6.16

10/18 No Class - Fall Break

4.5 10/27 11/01 11/03 11/08 11/10 Cell Cycles, Mitosis, and Meiosis
Exercise -- Mitosis
8.1-8.23,
9.22
8.1-8.24,
9.20
3.5 11/10 11/15 11/17 11/22 Genetics and Inheritance
Exercise -- Punnett Squares
9.1-9.24 9.1-9.23

11/24 No Class - Thanksgiving

2 11/29 12/01 Molecular Biology of Genes 10.1-10.16, 11.2-11.5 10.1-10.16, 11.2-11.4
2 12/06 12/08 Microevolution, Macroevolution 13.1-13.18,
10.16,
14.1-14.10
13.1-13.17,
10.16,
14.1-14.11
1 12/15 FINAL EXAM @ 10:00-12:00