MCDB 1150 Biofundamentals


MCDB 1150-003 - Fall 2012 MWF 10-10:50 in MCDB A120


Prof. Mike Klymkowsky (aka Dr. K):
Office: 425 Porter Bioscience: Office hours: Thursdays 2 to 4 PM
phone 492-8508 : email
porter


Teaching Assistant: Alokananda Mukherjee [google doc]
Mondays 2-3PM in MCDB A450

Learning Assistants
:

Robin Braa [google doc]
Thursdays 2 to 3 PM in MCDB coffee room
&
Jasvinder Dhesi [google doc]
Tuesdays 3-4PM in Learning Lounge B0054


For policies on disabilities, religious observances,classroom behavior,
sexual harassment,
and the honor code : click here

COURSE INFORMATION: MCDB 1150-003 uses an interactive on-line text, tutorials, and in class questions and answers to help you learn the basic concepts of modern biology.

This course may be different from what you are be used to. There is no co-seminar for this course, and all exams are held during scheduled class periods.

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  • No text book is required, all relevant materials available through the
    Biofundamentals-2012 web site. You will therefore need access to the web.

Because the class involves active discussion about materials covered, we have a few rules (many based on research on how students learn).

  • Computers and phones in class: In class, there will be NO use of computers or phones, please keep them closed.
    • You will probably want to take notes, so bring a notepad and a pen or pencil!
  • Reading and reacting to the text before class: It is important that you come to class prepared to engage in a discussion of the materials presented (that means to raise, answer, or respond to questions), particularly since I tend to wander around the classroom, and may tap on the shoulder and ask for your opinion.
  • For this reason, we use an interactive web based text.
    • Before class starts we will assign you to a group of up to 4 other students. You will receive an email (to your official university email address) from Highlighter.com (HL). Sign up with HL to establish an account.
    • We will go over how to use HL in class. If, by the second week of class, you find your group to be dysfunction, let me know and I will assign you to another group.
    • Please note: 20% of your grade is based on your using HL to interact with the text and your fellow students before class. I will be using your comments to structure in class discussions, so they are both important and valuable.
  • Links within the text are not required reading (and if you are not careful could be distracting). Let me know about broken links.
  • Office hours: Our TA and LAs will hold weekly meetings that your can attend (we will announce where and when in class, and then it will be posted here).
    • I have office hours from 2 to 4 every Thursday, feel free to drop in. My office is 425 Porter BioSciences (in the back of the lab).
    • There is also the MCDB Learning Lounge (Porter B0054) where students from a number of different classes often hang out [map], feel free to use it, since it is for you.
  • Syllabus: The syllabus will be changed only if there are serious unforeseen circumstances, count on it to make your study/travel plans.
  • Exams: This course builds from one concept to the other -- therefore all exams are cumulative, but primarily focused on the topic of the section leading up to the exam. There are three midterms and a final (dates can be found on the syllabus).

EVALUATION (GRADES) : Your grade is determined by three independent measures.

  1. Interacting with the text: (20%). The course text is interactive. You will be placed into a group with 4 to 5 other students. You will be expected to comment on, answer, or help answer the questions in the text. Your responses are captured by the system. At the end of the semester, you will be awaredd full points if you engage the text and your group in an active and substantial manner. If you miss more than 6 of the readings, you cannot earn more than 50% of the available points. If your interaction with the text is trivial or late, you may not earn any points.
  2. Classroom participation, in part determined by clicker responses, will be used to resolve letter grade boundaries if necessary.
  3. Exams: (80%) Your exam score will account for 80% of your grade. Exams are not curved.

Summary: A > 90%, B > 80%, C > 65% D>50%. F>40%


Exam structure (clarified : 3 October 2012)

We are using a modified testing strategy from previous years.

points
total
midterm 1 (12 x 7)
84
midterms 2,3 & 4 (15 x 7)
105 each
315
final (15 x 7)
105
Highlighter + beSocratic
126
total possible
630

A>90% (567 pts; ) B > 80% (504 pts); C >65% (410 pts); D >50% (315 points) F< 50%

*There will also be three "I know it now" exams (for midterms 1, 2 & 3) available during the final; these can add as much as 10 points to a previous midterm grade.

We will give a number of chances to practice on this exam format before the first midterm.