Biology 201 - Biological Principles I

York College, The City University of New York

Fall 2016

Lecture: T 9-11, Th.10-11

Instructor: Dr Olujimi Aderibigbe
Office: 4E03
Phone: 7182622700
E-mail: oaderibigbe@york.cuny.edu
Office Hours: W 12-1

Course Description:

2 hrs. lecture; 1 hr. Recitation/prep.; 3 hrs. lab; 4 cr,

The biology of organisms, structure and function of plant and animal organ systems; plant and animal phylogeny;
ecology and evolution. Experimental study of biological systems.

Desired Learning Objectives:

• Describe the process of evolution and understand its importance to the field of biology
• Identify the characteristics of the diverse phyla of the animal kingdom
• Demonstrate a knowledge of basic plant physiology
• Gain an understanding of the evolutionary significance of animal behavior
• Learn the basic principles of ecology

Required Text:

Reece et al. 2014. Campbell Biology plus Mastering Biology, 10th Ed. ISBN-10: 0-321-77584

Only Pearson technology products purchased through your campus bookstore, or direct
from Pearson’s website can be guaranteed and supported. Products purchased from online
websites such as Amazon, eBay, etc. cannot be verified, and are not guaranteed to work. 
Pearson unfortunately is unable to support a non-working access code unless it was
purchased from a campus bookstore or direct from Pearson’s website. When purchasing
your course materials, please keep this in mind, and exercise caution when purchasing.

Laboratory:

• In addition to lecture, this course includes 14 laboratory exercises. Directions for each lab are indicated in the
study guide posted on the BlackBoard page of your lab section.

Evaluation:

• 4 Exams: 35 %
• Mastering Biology Exercises: 10%
• Lab: 30 % (quizzes, lab project, midterm exam, and final exam)
• Final Exam: 25 %
• No extra credit will be offered.

For every three lectures missed, students will be penalized 1 % of their final grade.

Students who accumulate 93.0% or more points will earn an A, 90.0-92.9% an A-, 87.0-89.9 a B+, 83.0-86.9% a B,
80.0-82.9% a B-, 2.30 77.0-79.9 a C+, 73.0-76.9 a C, 70.0-72.9 a C-, 67.0-69.9 a D+, 60.0-66.9 a D and 59.9 or lower
an F.
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Mastering Biology Exercises

Students must register for a Mastering Biology account. Access codes are provided with purchase of the textbook.
Registration must be completed through the course Blackboard site. If you experience difficulty registering for
the course, please contact Pearson tech support (https://support.pearson.com/getsupport/s/?tabset-dd12d=1).

Exercises for each chapter can be accessed through your course Blackboard site. Deadlines can be found in the
lecture outline and online.

Lecture Schedule (subject to change)

Lecture Topic Reading Mastering Biology
Assignment Dates
Aug 25 Introduction - Theory of evolution Chapter 22
Aug 30 Theory of evolution 22 Sept 2
Sept 1 Basic genetics 14.1 Sept 9
Sept 6 Evolution of Populations 22
Sept 8 Evolution of Populations 23 Sept 16
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells Figures 6.5 & 6.8
Sept 13 Origin of Species 24 Sept 23
SEPT 15 EXAM 1 (CH 22, 14.1, 23)
Sept 20 History of Life 25 Sept 30
Sept 22 Phylogeny 26 (p 536-41, 542-3, Oct 7
551-3)
Sept. 27 Plant diversity l 29 Oct.14
Sept. 29 Plant diversity ll 30 Oct. 21
Oct 11 No classes scheduled
Oct 14 Plant diversity ll 30 Oct 28
Tue. schedule Introduction to Animal Diversity 32

Oct 18
Invertebrates 33 Oct 28
OCT 20 EXAM 2 (CH 24, 25, 26, 29)
Oct 25 Invertebrates 33
Oct 27 Vertebrates 34 Nov 4
Nov 1 Vertebrates 34
Nov 3 Animal Behavior 51 Nov 11
Nov 8 Animal Behavior 51
NOV 10 EXAM 3 (30, 32, 33)

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 Nov 15 Nov 18
Population Ecology 53
Nov 17 Population Ecology 53
Nov 22 Nov 25
Community Ecology 54
Nov 24 Thanksgiving Day College Closed
Nov 29 Community Ecology 54 Dec 2
Dec 1 EXAM 4 (34, 51, 53)
Dec 6 Ecosystem Ecology 55 Dec 9
Dec 8 Conservation Biology and Global Change 56 Dec 13

FINAL EXAM: Date to be determined

***The final exam will be cumulative.***

Student Responsibilities

• Turn off all electronic devices during lecture.

• Arrive on time.
o If arriving late, take a seat quietly at the back of the classroom to minimize disruption.
o Students that do not arrive on time for lecture will not be given the opportunity to sign the roster
after class and will be considered absent.
o Students that arrive late for a test will not be given additional time to complete the test.
• Maintain an environment conducive to learning (i.e. no casual conversation).
o One warning will be given before students are asked to leave the lecture hall.

You are expected to attend lectures and take notes. It will help if you read the introduction plus module headings, and
look over all illustrations of relevant portions of textbook before lectures. Proper preparation will enhance your
understanding and retention of the important concepts. In contrast to what you might be used to at high school,
YOU will have to deduce what the most important concepts are, based on what was presented in the lectures and
tutorials.

Cell Phones

Use of cell phones in class is prohibited. This includes text messaging, making calls, and taking photographs. Cell
phones must be stored out of view during exams. Text messaging, making calls, taking photographs, or simply having
cell phones in view during an exam will be considered cheating and students will be penalized.

Academic Integrity

By enrolling in this course, students agree to act with honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, sabotage, and falsification of records. It is prohibited in The City University
of New York and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. For definitions and
an explanation of specific policies, see the College’s Academic Integrity Policy on the York College Website: http://
york.cuny.edu/president/legal-compliance/legal-affairs/cuny-legal-policies-procedures/Academic-
Integrity-Policy.pdf/view?searchterm=academic+integrity. Should the instructor become aware of any
suspicious dishonest activity, the instructor is required by College policy to submit a report of suspected academic
dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, damage to lab materials, etc.) to the Department Chair and the Dean of Students
office. This report becomes part of your permanent file and may result in serious penalties.

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Policy on Missed Tests and INC Grades

The dates for the exams are given at the beginning of the semester so that you can prepare for potential conflicts with
other courses or work. All written work is counted in computing your grade and there are no make-ups except for
extreme circumstances with appropriate documentation (e.g. doctor’s note, hospital admission form, etc). Students
will be permitted to write a MAXIMUM of ONE makeup exam during the semester.
A student who, because of extenuating circumstances, is absent from the final examination and has completed the
work for the course with a passing average may be assigned an INC grade at my discretion. I must be consulted (in
person, by phone or by e-mail) within 24 hours of the final exam to be considered for this option. If approved, the
student will have up to three weeks in the subsequent semester within which to take the final and have the grade
resolved. If not resolved, the INC grade will be changed to FIN by the Registrar’s Office and be considered an F
when computing the academic index.
A student who has taken the final examination, but, because of extenuating circumstances, has not completed the
work for the course, and has a passing average may, at my discretion, receive an INC grade. The student must receive
my permission for this option before the last day of class. If I agree, the student will have up to 10 weeks in the
subsequent semester to complete the work and have the grade resolved. If not resolved in this time frame, the INC
will be changed to FIN by the Registrar’s Office and be considered an F when computing the academic index.
Accommodations for Disabled Students

Students with disabilities who will be taking this course and may need disability-related accommodations should visit
the following website for information of accessibility resources.
http://www.york.cuny.edu/it/acet/online-hybrid-course-support/accessibility-resources

Student Support Services

Outside class, York College Student Support Services provides counselling, tutoring, computer resources and study
skills workshops to improve your academic performance. Please visit AC-3E03 or visit their web site for more
information:
http://york.cuny.edu/student-development/support-services/services-activities.

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