CELL BIOLOGY

BS 461

FALL 2006

Texts: 

1) Alberts, B., A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts, and P. Walter. 2002. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4e. Garland Science, New York, NY.

2) Ambrose, III, H.W., K.P. Ambrose, D.J. Emlen, and K.L. Bright. 2002. A Handbook of Biological Investigation, 6e. Hunter Textbooks, Winston Salem, NC.

Course administration. Grading: First writing assignment (100 pts.: article listing (50 pts.), five abstracts (50 pts.)), second writing assignment (150 pts.), 4 completed labs (25 pts ea., 100 pts), lab team peer assessment grade (25 pts), lab practical (25 pts.), two examinations (100 pts. each, 200 pts.) Course total - 600 pts. Each student will be expected to complete three written assignments based on searches of a specific topic in the current literature. Late policy: Assignments which are turned in after the due date will have 10% of the value of the assignment deducted for each day late.  Weekends and holidays are not exempt from the late penalty. Attendance policy: Attendance at all introductory pre-lab sessions is mandatory unless the student has been specifically excused; failure to attend may result in a grade of 0 for that laboratory exercise. It is each student's responsibility to assure that his or her schedule is arranged to accommodate this requirement.  Attendance in the lecture is the responsibility of each student, but there is no specific attendance requirement.  However, each student is individually responsible for all material and assignments presented during each class.  Periodic, unannounced quizzes may be given, at the discretion of the instructor; these are not intended to be punitive, but to assure that each student is current with the information being presented.   Laboratory practice policy: Supplies for each laboratory exercise are provided; students who obtain supplies or equipment from other laboratories without express permission from Dr. Porter, Mr. Natale, or the course GSI will receive a grade of 0 for that laboratory exercise; missing or exhausted supplies should be brought to the attention of Dr. Porter, Mr. Natale, or the GSI immediately. Make-up policy: No opportunities will be provided for the make-up of laboratory exercises beyond the due date. Make-up examinations will be provided only if the student provides a written, valid excuse within 48 hours of the missed exam; all make-up exams will be scheduled at the time designated by the registrar for make-up examinations.  Incomplete policy:  An incomplete for the course will be granted only for unusual circumstances beyond the control of the student.  Failure to attend, take examinations, or do the work assigned will not automatically qualify the student for an incomplete.  Except in unusual circumstances, failure to satisfy any incomplete work by the end of the 42 day period following the semester will result in a course grade of F.  ETHICAL BEHAVIOR: Each student is expected to behave in an ethical manner throughout the course. This includes demonstration of respect for the instructor and classmates, restraint from cheating on exams and/or quizzes, and avoidance of plagiarism on written assignments. The definition of plagiarism in this course follows that established by the Department of Biological Sciences and is succinctly stated as "representation of the work of others as one’s own." Incidents of cheating, plagiarism and unethical behavior will be referred to the Judicial Officer for action.  In addition, each student is expected to sign a copy of the "Code of Ethical Conduct" receipt form.  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Statement:  USP supports the educational endeavors of all students, including students with disabilities.  ADA defines a disability as a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.  If you believe that you have a disability that may impact your ability to fulfill your course or degree requirements, and you would like more information on applying for an accommodation under ADA, please contact the Assistant Dean of Students who serves as the ADA Coordinator at 215-596-8980.

Objectives (Expected Outcomes)

Prior to taking the class, each student should

• Have a basic understanding of cell structure and the functions of most cell components
• Know basic cell types and the role of each in various tissues and organs
• Have a basic understanding of biomacromolecules
• Have an understanding of cellular metabolism
• Have an understanding of gene organization and regulation
• Have a basic understanding of mitosis
• Know the properties that characterize living systems
• Know the major kinds of organisms (Kingdoms) and understand the differences among them

Course Outcomes

By the end of the class, each student should

Knowledge

• Be able to identify on examinations structures of cells, the function of cellular organelles and components, and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between structure and function
• Be able to describe the cell cycle and its regulation
• Discuss the process of apoptosis, the outcomes and uses of the process for the organism and the regulation of the process within a cell
• Discuss the mechanisms of regulation of the transport if water, minerals, small molecules, macromolecules, and small particles across the cell membrane, organellar membranes, other intracellular membrane systems, and the nuclear envelope
• Explain the role of electron transport in the cell’s energy and molecular transport needs
• Discuss and explain the basic mechanisms for cell-to-cell communication and the types of responses that hormones, cytokines and growth factors control and elicit
• Be able to discuss protein turnover in cells and the means by which proteins are maintained or destroyed
• Discuss cellular mechanisms that lead to cancer, cystic fibrosis, autoimmune disease, Tay-Sachs disease, viral disease, diabetics, and CJD/BSE

Laboratory Skills

• Demonstrate an understanding of precision, reproducibility, and accuracy in the cell biology laboratory environment
• Be able to pipet solutions accurately and consistently with an error < 1%
• Demonstrate and practice techniques of cell culture, fluorescence and light microscopy, centrifugation, cell fractionation, and electrophoresis

Bibiliographic Literacy

• Know how to select, refine and obtain relevant literature on topics of current cellular research.
• Write about a cell biology topic using correct forms of construction, literature citation, and evaluation of current literature content
• Never practice plagiarism in written or oral assignments

Tentative Syllabus

Accompanying pages for Cell Biology (BS 461)

Visit some Cell Biology Internet sites.

Go to the Laboratory Schedule.

Go to the Writing Assignment 1.

Go to the Citation List.

Go to the Search Strategies document

Go to the Writing Assignment 2.

Return to the top of this document.

Last revised 26 Aug 2006
http://is.usip.edu/bs461/index.html