Biol 103/123: Course Overview

Course Essentials: Biol 103/123

  • Communication: Use UNBC email for contact (include "Biol 123" in subject). Check Moodle regularly for announcements, course content, assignments, and quizzes.
  • Labs: Start next week (Sept 8-12) in Room 8-322.
    • Registration: Must be registered in a lab section for Moodle access. Email Jenia ASAP if waitlisted.
    • SLSO Safety: Complete online module/quiz via Moodle for a safety sticker, required for lab.
    • Introductory Quiz: Complete an intro quiz (100% required, multiple attempts allowed) on Moodle to unlock lab 1 content. Bonus marks for fewer attempts: 11 attempt = 1%1\% bonus, 22 attempts = 0.5%0.5\% bonus.
    • Pre-Lab Quizzes: Weekly on Moodle, due 1515 min BEFORE lab. Available weekly on Thursday after last lab (66 pm).
    • Assignments: Optional weekly pre-lab assignments (due Monday noon, up to 2%2\% bonus for quality), and weekly lab assignments (due end of lab section).
    • Required for Lab: Lab manual, textbook access, lab coat (arms/knees covered), eyeglasses (contacts not allowed), long pants, closed shoes, hair contained, laptop (optional), paper/pencil/calculator.
    • Lab Questions: Contact Jenia Blair (jenia.blair@unbc.ca) or attend office hours.

Academic Conduct & Resources

  • Academic Misconduct: Review Student Rights and Responsibilities on Moodle.
  • Moodle: Access lecture slides, audio recordings (if available), quizzes, and grades.
  • MindTap: Course resource via Cengage Publishing; register with UNBC email.
  • Email Etiquette: Use proper greetings, full sentences, check spelling, consult syllabus before asking.

STEM Readiness & First Year RISE

  • STEM Readiness (5%): Mandatory pre-quiz on numeracy, scientific notation, equations, etc. Score 75%75\%+ for 5%5\% in Biol 103/Chem 100. If below 75%75\%+, attempt worksheets and retake quiz end of semester.
  • First Year RISE (5%): Complete "Notetaking" and "Prepare for Exams" modules for another 5%5\% bonus.

Core Biology Themes & Objectives

  • Basis of Life: All life uses cells, which are remarkably similar across organisms.
  • Key Areas: Cellular Structure and Genetics (DNA to proteins), Cells and Energy (Thermodynamics).
  • Unifying Theme: Evolution and Adaptation.
  • Course Objectives: Describe cell structures/functions, energy utilization, self-regulation, product machinery, genetic information transfer, and environmental action on genetics/evolution.

Course Grading (Total: 100% + Bonuses)

  • STEM Readiness: 5%5\% (bonus)
  • First Year RISE: 5%5\% (bonus)
  • Moodle Quizzes: 20%20\% (top ten out of 1414 assignments)
  • Midterms: 40%40\% (Two midterms: Oct 1 and Nov 7, nominally 20%20\% each). Incentive: Higher score on Midterm II vs. Midterm I differentially weights exams.
  • Final Exam: 30%30\%