BIOLOGY
315: CELL BIOLOGY
FALL 2004
SYLLABUS
3016
Cowley Hall
785-6455
(office)
Lectures: M
W F
Required Text: Karp, G. Cell and
Molecular Biology, 3rd edition (2002).
*Additional
readings will be handed out in class as needed.
Lab Manual: Howard, DR and J Miskowski. Cell Biology Lab Manual (2004)
Desire2Learn (D2L) Site:
Course supplements, documents and assignments will be posted through the D2L
Web site. Some lab assignments will
require you to use D2L. Therefore, you must learn how to use this simple
campus function.
How to get on D2L: If you have not used Blackboard for other
courses, follow these directions.
1. Use the internet to access https://uwlax.courses.wisconsin.edu/
2. Log in using your UW-L
e-mail username (mine is howard.davi).
3. Your D2L password is the same
as your email password. If you used D2L
in the past and had a different password, this has been changed. If you change your email password, your D2L
password will automatically change to match.
4. If you cannot gain access to
D2L using the approaches listed above, contact Instructional Technology:
785-8774, or ITSsupport@uwlax.edu
5. At your D2L homepage, you
will see all your current courses that use D2L.
Click on "Cell Biology" to go to our D2L site. Start using it.
Course Objectives:
·
Become familiar with
experimental techniques used in cell biology research.
· Strengthen critical and
analytical thinking skills both in verbal and written communications.
Expectations:
Cell Biology is designed to
be a rigorous course, and it requires a significant amount of work outside of
class. Reading the text is not optional.
I fully expect you to read and comprehend the assigned pages in the text
or on handouts which provide the necessary background on a course topic. This allows us to spend more lecture time
discussing experimental techniques, current advances in the field, and the
relevance of a topic to our everyday life.
This course does not
emphasize simply memorizing “facts”, and this is reflected in the homework
assignments and exams. Our understanding
of Cell Biology, as with most scientific fields, is constantly changing with
new technological advances that allow researchers to ask and answer different
questions. Some of the Cell Biology
“facts” of today might very well be different from the “facts” taught in 2010. Therefore, in addition to understanding the
cellular processes that we cover in lecture, we stress the importance of
interpreting and analyzing new information and applying your knowledge to new
situations. These are skills that are
critical to the success of any kind of scientist, and any professional for that
matter. Thus, this course will prove
valuable to you even if Cell Biology does not appear to be directly related to
your future career.
One example of technological
advances dramatically influencing Cell Biology is that the genomes of several
different organisms, including humans, have been sequenced. The vast amount of data that have been
generated, and the fact that these data are freely available, has lead to the
emergence of bioinformatics, which
is the study of the information provided in genomic or protein sequences. Bioinformatics has permeated the field of
Cell Biology, and many other scientific disciplines, changing the types of
questions that researchers might ask and enhancing the answers they might
obtain. Therefore, in order to give you
a true representation of modern Cell Biology, bioinformatics will be included
in this course.
Instructional Techniques and
Assignment Guidelines:
Although the majority of classes will have a lecture style format, in-class problems will also be employed throughout the semester. In-class problems are exam-like questions that are posed to the class during the lecture period. You will have approximately 5-15 minutes to answer the problem either individually or working in a small group. These problems will be based on the most recent lecture/reading material, and may even cover information discussed just minutes before. These exercises are extremely useful because they:
· reinforce the lecture material
· help you to determine whether or not you understand a topic
· allow you to teach and learn from your peers
· give you practice answering exam-like questions
· help the instructors assess whether you are grasping the information and/or what are the points of confusion.
Your answers will be handed in and “lightly” graded for one point, so you will get credit for your effort. Importantly, after you hand in your answer we will work through the problem as a class to make sure that you leave with the correct answer and the explanation behind it.
You might be given various
homework assignments throughout the semester.
These exercises will often build upon lecture material, but they may
cover information that is deemed important to the class, but was not discussed
in lecture. To obtain full credit, your answers should be in complete sentences,
spelled correctly, legible, and submitted on time. We will not search for the correct answer in
a mish-mash of haphazard thoughts that have been jotted down.
Policy on Late
Assignments:
·
Assignments handed in after
·
Assignments handed in after a review session covering the assignment
will be marked down two letter grades.
· Absolutely no assignments will be accepted after one week late or after graded assignments are returned to other students. This point supercedes the second point.
Review Paper Assignment:
Each student will be
responsible for writing a review paper that interprets a primary literature
article in the field of cell biology. See the handout "Cell Biology
Primary Literature Review" for the details of what will be expected of
you.
Paper
Deadlines:
|
Due Date |
Points |
What Is Due |
|
Sept.
24, F |
3 |
Photocopy
of 1st page of paper you chose, including title, citation, and
abstract |
|
Nov.
3, W |
7 |
Detailed
outline with 2 additional references |
|
Dec.
6, M |
50 |
Final
draft of paper and photocopy of original article |
Exams:
The exams will consist
primarily of short answer and multiple choice-type questions. Questions will include problem solving and
data interpretation. At least some of
the multiple-choice questions will have multiple answers (e.g. options like A
& B, B & C, All of the above).
Exams will take a week to
grade because of the time needed to thoroughly review your responses to the
short answer questions.
For the multiple-choice
questions, we will be using the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique, or
IF-AT, forms. These are lottery
ticket-style forms where you scratch off your answer, instead of circling it. The correct answer will show a star, so you
know immediately if you are correct and receive full-credit on the
problem. If you are incorrect, you are
able to make a second or third, if necessary, selection and partial credit will
be allocated for the correct answer on these tries. This technique has several benefits in that
it provides immediate feedback, you can receive partial credit for second and
third choices, and you leave the exam knowing the correct answers and how you
performed on the multiple choice section of the exam. For more information on this technique, you
are encouraged to visit the web site: http://enigma.rider.edu/~epstein/ifat/
Missed Exam Policy:
If you must miss an exam
because of an illness or an officially approved university activity, you need
to contact me before the exam. If an
emergency makes this impossible, you must inform me within 24 hours after the
exam. In any case, be prepared with
official documentation of the reason that forced you to miss the exam. Without
proper notification and documentation, you will receive a zero on the exam.
Exams scheduled in two or
three other courses around the same time as a Cell Biology exam is not a good reason for missing or
rescheduling an exam.
Grading and
Point Totals:
In this course, you are not
in competition with anyone for a grade.
Your grade is based on total points earned, meaning that it is
theoretically possible for everyone to get an A. Grades will be based on your performance on
the following assignments.
GRADES A = 91-100% AB
= 88-90% B = 81-87% BC
= 78-80% C = 68-77% D = 58-67%
ASSIGNMENT POINTS
3
exams X 75 pts each =
225
Amino
acid quiz = 10
Homework
& in-class problems = ~25 (will vary)
APPROXIMATE
TOTAL =644
pts (will vary)
Laboratory:
Attendance in lab is
mandatory and will be noted. Lab
assignments and grading are outlined in the lab syllabus.
Academic Honesty:
There is a student honor
code at the
Because the nature of
science is a collaborative one, you will find yourselves working in groups both
in the laboratory and lecture. Although
it is quite beneficial to share ideas and brainstorm with colleagues, it is
imperative that you formulate your own answers on written assignments both to
adhere to the honor code and to make sure that you truly understand the
information being covered. Writing assignments will be spot-checked
for plagiarism and violators will be punished. The
consequences will range from receiving an F or zero on that particular
assignment to receiving an F in the class and having the incident officially
documented at the Dean of Students Office.
Students With A Disability:
Any student with a
documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, or
hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the
instructor and the Disability Resource Services Office (165 Murphy Library) at
the beginning of the semester. The lecture and lab instructors are willing to
make reasonable accommodations for students with special needs.
Instructor
Meeting Times:
As a former student, I
understand that this course is challenging to many
students. It is important that you
recognize that this course is cumulative in that you must master the
information presented early in the course in order to succeed later in the
course. I want to provide as much
assistance as possible throughout the semester, and my time is not limited to
regularly scheduled office hours. If
none of the scheduled times work for you, please contact me to set up a
personal appointment. I strongly
encourage you to take active responsibility for your own learning.
Note to
teacher education students:
Activities in this course
can potentially be used for portfolio development. These activities include written components
on exams, the literature review paper, ALP lab report, immunofluorescence
poster, and cell growth and division PowerPoint presentation.
Questions Are
Good.
Cell Biology
Fall 2004
Lecture Schedule
|
Date |
Planned Topic |
Assigned |
|
|
Sept. 8 |
W |
Introduction. Review of cell structure. |
|
|
10 |
F |
Reviews of cell structure and bonding. Biomolecules. |
|
|
13 |
M |
Ch.2 |
|
|
15 |
W |
Protein structure and folding. |
|
|
17 |
F |
Ras protein: conformation, mutations, families and bioinformatics. |
Ch.2, p. 651-3 |
|
20 |
M |
Amino Acid Quiz (10 pts). Protein domains and motifs |
Ch.2, p. 712-5, 764-5 |
|
22 |
W |
Protein folding and chaperones |
Ch.2 |
|
24 |
F |
Introduction to lipids, membranes, and thermodynamics. DUE: PHOTOCOPY OF PAPER ABSTRACT & TITLE. |
p.49-51, 83-92, Ch. 4: 122-150 |
|
27 |
M |
Membranes: The fluid-mosaic model. |
Ch. 4: 122-150 |
|
29 |
W |
Membranes: Proteins--the mosaic part of the model. |
Ch. 4: 122-150 |
|
Oct. 1 |
F |
Membranes: Thermodynamics & control of fluidity. |
Ch. 4: 150-165 |
|
4 |
M |
EXAM 1 |
|
|
6 |
W |
Membranes: Movement across the fluid barrier. |
Ch. 4: 150-165 |
|
8 |
F |
Membranes: Movement across the fluid barrier continued. |
Ch. 4: 150-165 |
|
11 |
M |
Membranes: Wrap up |
as previously assigned |
|
13 |
W |
Enzymes and enzyme kinetics. |
Ch. 3: 87-103 |
|
15 |
F |
Enzymes and kinetics continued |
Ch. 3: 87-103 |
|
18 |
M |
Metabolism: Glycolysis and its regulation. |
Ch. 3: 105-15 |
|
20 |
W |
Metabolism: Mitochondria structure and the TCA cycle. |
|
|
22 |
F |
Metabolism: Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. |
|
|
25 |
M |
Metabolism: Chloroplasts and Photosynthesis. |
|
|
27 |
W |
Introduction to the secretory pathway. |
|
|
29 |
F |
EXAM 2 |
|
|
Nov. 1 |
M |
Secretion: Signal Hypothesis & endoplasmic reticulum |
|
|
3 |
W |
Secretion: Protein targeting, Golgi, and lysosomes PAPER OUTLINE DUE |
|
|
5 |
F |
Endocytosis. |
|
|
8 |
M |
Vesicle formation and SNARE hypothesis. |
|
|
10 |
W |
Cytoskeleton: Intermediate Filaments, Actin, and Microtubules. |
|
|
12 |
F |
Motility: Chromatophores as a model |
|
|
15 |
M |
Motor proteins: Dynein, Kinesin, Myosin |
|
|
17 |
W |
Cilia and Flagella. (Microtubule-based motility) |
|
|
19 |
F |
Cell locomotion via lamellipodia. (Actin-based motility) |
|
|
22 |
M |
EXAM 3 |
|
|
24 |
W |
Mitosis and Cytokinesis. |
Ch. 14: 590-608 |
|
26 |
F |
Thanksgiving Break |
Ch. 14: 590-608 |
|
29 |
M |
Mitosis: Mechanisms. |
Ch. 14: 580-590, 619-623 |
|
Dec. 1 |
W |
Mitosis and the Cell Cycle. |
|
|
3 |
F |
Cell cycle: The central control system and checkpoints. |
|
|
6 |
M |
Cell cycle: Checkpoints continued, and p53. DUE: FINAL DRAFT OF PAPER TO LAB INSTRUCTOR. |
|
|
8 |
W |
Signal transduction: Receptor tyrosine kinases and cell cycle control. |
|
|
10 |
F |
Signal transduction: G-protein coupled receptors and second messengers. |
|
|
13 |
M |
Signal transduction. Apoptosis. |
|
|
15 |
W |
Extracellular matrix & cell-cell interactions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 |
F |
Final Exam,
|
|