Biology Course Overview and Structure

Welcome back message to students after the holidays, maintaining a light and engaging atmosphere.
Confirmation of course structure; reassured students that taking Biology 150a is not a prerequisite for this course.

This course emphasizes functional biology more than Biology 150a.
Main focus will be on lower levels of biological organization compared to previous courses.

Chemistry of cells and biochemistry.
- Biochemistry: Study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.
- How different molecules in cells interact to sustain life.
Bioenergetics.
- Important to understand energy transformation in living things, extending laws from chemistry and physics.
- Historical context: Science has moved away from the notion of "special forces" in living organisms.
Physiology of multicellular organisms.
- Limited time to cover either plant or animal physiology extensively but the focus will be on key points about both.

Lecture schedule: 09:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and an additional section at 01:30 on the same days.
Teaching both sections and maintaining parallel progress in both timelines.
Heavy reliance on course website.
- Lecture notes provided mirroring the format as seen in Biology 150a.

Instructor: Greg Beaulieu, familiar with the course as a previous teacher in Biology 150a.
Office hours: Wednesdays, 03:30 to 05:00 in Elliott 062.
- Sessions open for questions and study space.

No prerequisites; however, students with credit in a higher-level biology course (e.g., Biology 190a/b or 184/186) are not eligible.
Cannot register simultaneously for both this course and Biology 186, as they cover similar material but at a deeper level.
Biology 150b can serve as a prerequisite for advanced lab courses.

Textbook: "Concepts of Biology" by OpenStax
- Available as a free online resource or for purchase (~$75) for a paper copy.
- Illustrations in the textbook are not of the best quality; supplemental lecture illustrations from other sources will be provided.

Focus on how biological systems function at a molecular and cellular level.
Development of general academic skills, such as time management and note-taking.
- Comparison of learning approaches: Lecture followed by textbook reading is recommended instead of the reverse.

Evaluations include two midterms and a final exam.
Midterm Structure:
- Midterm 1: February 16 (30%), Midterm 2: March 13 (30%) - Non-cumulative; understanding of earlier material may still be necessary.
Final exam scheduled for April, likely multiple-choice format with about 70 questions.
Grading specifics:
- 40% from the better midterm (students must write at least one) and 60% from the final exam.
No accommodations required for missed exams under specific circumstances (e.g., illness, sports commitments).

Students can write on the question paper during exams for clarification and better recall.
Explicit instructions regarding grading; final grades are not subject to change based on individual requests.
Temporary grades (N) assigned under specific conditions until deferred exams are completed.

Detailed timeline with significant dates outlined.
- Initial focus on basic chemistry to ensure preparedness.
- Topics will explore biomolecules, cellular processes, plant and animal physiology, with an emphasis on the unifying principles among biology, chemistry, and physics.

Encouragement for students to collaborate and form study groups.
Note-taking help available; students can volunteer to assist peers across course sections.