Lecture 1.1: Course Information and Life Concepts

Course Overview

• Topic: Human biology fundamentals, structure of the course, textbook tour, success tips, Top Hat, and what life is.
• Course components and weights:
  \text{Textbook quizzes} = 15\%
  \text{In-Lecture Quiz/Activity} = 15\%
  \text{Lab} = 25\%
  \text{Exams (3)} = 45\%
  Total = 100\%.
• Textbook: Digital textbook = "Biology Concepts from the Human Perspective" (by a U Iowa alum). Access via Hawk Shop or ICON/Follett. Each chapter has 2-4 pages with end-of-page check for understanding.
• Tools: Top Hat (in-lecture activities), ICON (chapter quizzes), digital textbook access.
• Exam policy: 3 in-class exams; no final-week exam; exams 2 and 3 are partially cumulative.
• Learning approach: review, quizzes, and in-lecture activities designed for last-minute review.

What is Life?

• Core definition (Nietzsche): "There are concepts that can be defined, whereas others only have a history." Distinguish easily described concepts from historically evolving ones.
• Essential criteria for life (as used in course):
  {\text{Reproduction}, \text{Growth}, \text{Metabolism}, \text{Response to stimuli}, \text{Maintaining internal environment}, \text{Evolution}}
• Life processes:
  • Life = Reproduction (sexual): formation of zygote from gametes; passing on DNA across generations.
  • Life = Growth: physiological changes and size changes over time.
  • Life = Metabolism: energy generation and transfer for life processes.
  • Life = Responsive to stimuli: sensing, processing, responding; optimize growth and behavior.
  • Life = Maintaining an Internal Environment: stable internal conditions (e.g., pH, water content).
  • Life = Evolution: genetic changes in populations over time; long-term evolution (≈3-4\times 10^9\text{ years}); short-term evolution across generations.
• Hierarchy of biological organization:
  \text{Atom} \rightarrow \text{Molecule} \rightarrow \text{Macromolecule} \rightarrow \text{Organelle} \rightarrow \text{Cell} \rightarrow \text{Tissue} \rightarrow \text{Organ System} \rightarrow \text{Organism} \rightarrow \text{Multi-celled organism}
• LUCA and evolution:
  • LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor) concept; life has evolved over long timescales, with gene frequencies changing in populations over time.
• Context: life is studied across structure, function, evolution, and environment.

Instructor and Course Logistics

• Dr. Joseph Jalinsky ("Joe"): PhD from University of Iowa; research areas include Evolution of sexual reproduction, Schistosomiasis transmission, cell responses to DNA damage.
• Office: Biology Building (300 BB); Lecture location: across the street from Joe’s Place/Basta; Office hours: Fridays 11am–2pm; By appointment.
• Teaching aids: Digital textbook; ICON quizzes; Top Hat activities; In-class demos and demonstrations as needed.

Textbook & Digital Resources

• Digital textbook: Biology Concepts from the Human Perspective; author: U Iowa alum.
• Access: Hawk Shop at IMU or ICON – Follett; https://www.bkstr.com/iowastore/shop/textbooks-and-course-materials
• Structure: Each Chapter contains 2-4 pages; end-of-page check for understanding; DEMO materials available.
• Reading + quizzes: After reading a chapter, take the ICON quiz; quizzes are due on Mondays at midnight; you may retake; the lowest 3 quizzes may be dropped (policy varies by term).

Grading & Assessments (Overview)

• Textbook quizzes: 15% (due Mondays at midnight; lowest 3 may be dropped).
• In-Lecture Quiz/Activity: 15% (Top Hat; no make-ups unless excused; lowest 3 dropped).
• Lab: 25%
• Exams (3): 45% (in-class; no final exam; exams 2 and 3 are partially cumulative).
• Grade scale (typical):
  90 \leq \text{grade} \leq 100 \Rightarrow A
  80 \leq \text{grade} < 90 \Rightarrow B
  70 \leq \text{grade} < 80 \Rightarrow C
  60 \leq \text{grade} < 70 \Rightarrow D
  Plus/minus may be used at margins; no curve to reduce grades.

Quizzes, Exams & Policies

• Textbook ICON quizzes: after chapter reading; due Monday midnight; unlimited time; retake allowed; lowest 3 quizzes dropped; check ICON important dates for cutoff.
• Top Hat in-lecture quizzes/activities: 15% of grade; no make-ups unless excused; lowest 3 dropped; optional device policy if needed.
• Exams: 3 in-class exams; no exam during final week; Exam 2 and Exam 3 are partially cumulative; formats include multiple choice, matching, locating items on figures; designed to be manageable with prior reading and lecture activity.

Lecture Structure & Learning Methods

• Class structure per session:
  • Introductory comments (~5 minutes)
  • Brief recap of previous class
  • Lecture Part 1 (~25 minutes)
  • Quiz/Activity (~10 minutes)
  • Break – small break with Top Hat readings/responses
  • Lecture Part 2 (~25 minutes)
• Learning styles: three modes to reinforce topics:
  • Lecture (aural/visual)
  • Textbook reading
  • In-lecture activity (writing/analysis)

AI Policy in the Course

• AI is a tool for study and revision; not to be used during:
  • Top Hat activities
  • Quizzes and Exams
• Redundancies built in (e.g., two textbook quiz attempts) to help verify understanding; use AI wisely as a study aid.

Quick Start & Important Dates (Orientation bits)

• By midnight on the due date: read Chapter 1 and take the ICON quiz (first quiz due Sept 1 in the schedule).
• For class on Thursday Sept 28: Get Top Hat access and the digital textbook.
• Expect ongoing updates via ICON: important dates, quiz windows, and exam schedules.

Quick Reference: Life Concepts Recap

• Life criteria in one line:
  \text{Life} = {\text{Reproduction}, \text{Growth}, \text{Metabolism}, \text{Response to stimuli}, \text{Internal environment maintenance}, \text{Evolution}}
• Hierarchy reminder:
  \text{Atom} \to \text{Molecule} \to \text{Macromolecule} \to \text{Organelle} \to \text{Cell} \to \text{Tissue} \to \text{Organ System} \to \text{Organism} \to \text{Multi-celled organism}
• Evolution character: long-term genetic changes in populations; short-term across generations; key concept for human biology.