Biology 202, "Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology," is one course of a two-semester sequence for biology majors, Biology 201 and 202. Biology 201 is not a prerequisite to 202 and vice versa.

In 202 we introduce principles that apply to all living organisms. The underlying theme is the unity of life while Biology 201 covers the diversity of life. Some of the biological disciplines that are touched on include biochemistry, cell biology, classical and population genetics, molecular biology, and evolutionary theory. Consequently, Biology 202 provides a foundation for much of your upper division coursework in biology, particularly General Genetics (Biol. 352) and Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology I, II, and III (Chemistry 365, Biology 366, and Biology 467).

Although Biology 202 is introductory in nature, we have a lot of ground to cover. Therefore, as a minimum background you should have all of the following:

1. A college-level chemistry course such as Chem. 200 is required as a prerequisite. You should not take Biology 202 course without Chem. 200 or its equivalent.

2. A working knowledge of algebra (graphing, interpreting graphs, simple equations, logs, exponents, etc.).

Biology 201 (Principles of Organismal Biology) is not a prerequisite for 202 but students usually have taken it before Biology 202.

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/classes/bio202/bio202.html

The Biology 202 web page contains course information including the lecture schedule, lecture notes if they are available, and a bulletin board for course announcements. Biology majors have access to the internet through the Biology Department Computer Lab in LS 126 which is supervised by graduate students who can help you get started. Students can obtain a free E-Mail account if they do not already have one; check in BA 134.

Biology 202 is a team-taught course as are many courses for Biology majors. There are three lecturers who cover topics in their particular fields of expertise, and graduate teaching assistants who handle the laboratory sections. The lecture portion of the course is divided into 3 unequal segments:

Topic	Instructor
Cell Structure and Function Energy Metabolism	Dr. Terry Frey Office:  LS 332A Phone:  (619) 594-6756 email:  tfrey@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Office Hours:  Tues/Thurs 9:30-10:30
Exam I	100 Points
Classical Genetics Molecular Biology	Dr. Robert Zeller Office:  LS 314 Phone:  (619) 594-6458 email: rzeller@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Office Hours:  Tues/Thurs 9:30-10:30
Exam II	100 Points
Population Genetics Evolutionary Theory	Dr. Tod Reeder Office:  LS 265A Phone:  594-7826 email:  treeder@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Office Hours:
Final Exam	200 Points

The lab exercises have been designed to reinforce concepts presented in lecture, and to introduce you to some of the procedures and instruments used in biological research. We have tried to schedule the various lab topics so that they come after the relevant material has been covered in lecture.

Assigned reading from the text accompanies each lecture and is indicated on the lecture outline. You are responsible for all text material assigned with emphasis on material that relates directly to the lectures. You need not bring the text to lecture or to lab meetings. There is a Lecture Notebook that may be packaged with the textbook; this contains figures from the text and space for lecture notes.

Lab Manual: Biology 202 Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology: Lab Exercises published by Burgess (ISBN# 0-8087-4495-X); available at Aztec Bookstore

Your final grade will be calculated using the following weighting: Lecture component 75% and Laboratory component = 25%. We use a point system and grade on a curve. The point values and dates of the lecture exams are shown on the lecture outline. The Final Exam is comprehensive, and segment coverage for this exam breaks down as follows:
 
 
 

The lecture exams will be about 60% objective (mostly multiple choice) and 40% short-answer essay (a sentence or two up to a couple of paragraphs). We don't accept lame excuses for missing an exam, but if you have a legitimate excuse, be sure to notify the appropriate lecturer (Frey for Exam I ; Zeller for Exam II and Frey for the Final) by the day after the exam and be prepared to provide written confirmation (letter from your doctor etc.). Job related excuses are not acceptable; you are responsible for arranging your work schedule around your classes.

Lab performance is evaluated by several criteria with the indicated weights:
 
 

The quizzes are given at the beginning of the lab period and test whether you have carefully read the lab exercise(s) before coming to lab. Unprepared students tend to make mistakes in lab and become a liability for their lab partners. Write-ups refer to the material you hand in from the previous week's exercise (graphs, answers to questions, etc.). Neatness counts here! In many cases you will share data with other students, but the lab writeup you turn in must be your own work. Turning in a copy of someone else's work is Plagarism and is considered a serious academic offense. Two students who turn in the same lab report will each receive no points for the writeup.  Multiple offences of cheating, including plagiarism, will result in the student being reported to the judicial office.  The genetics paper is a formal write-up of the "Segregation Analysis" experiment, and must be typewritten in a format spelled out in the lab syllabus and by your lab instructor at the appropriate time. The lab final will cover the entire lab course; it will be given during the last week of classes.

Important Note: Attendance at lab meetings is mandatory! Role is taken at each meeting, and missing more than one lab without a legitimate excuse is grounds for failing.

Another Important Note: You must pass both the Lecture Component and the Laboratory Component to pass the course. A superior performance in lab will not make up for a failing performance on lecture exams. A superior performance in lecture will not make up for a failing performance in lab.

Biology 202 covers a lot of material. In order to pass the course, you should keep up with the material on a daily basis. Attend lectures, take detailed notes (this involves more than copying down what the lecturer writes on the board!), either annotate or recopy your notes while the lecture is still fresh in your mind, and use the text to fill in gaps and correct ambiguities. Try to answer questions at the end of the text chapters or use the "Interactive Study" guide on CD ROM which comes with your text. These are all proven mechanisms for obtaining command of the subject matter, but it requires time.

Each lecturer and lab TA has specific office hours and a desire to help students understand the material and the assignments. If you need assistance for any reason (for example to clarify a confusing concept or explain what the instructor expects, etc.) take advantage of office hours. If the posted times do not fit your schedule, arrange with the instructor a time of mutual convenience, but don't expect your instructor or TA to drop whatever she/he is doing at the moment you drop by to help you. You can also contact your instructors by E-Mail, and this will often prove an efficient and quick way to obtain answers to simple questions.

Finally, be sure you understand the material as we go. Memorizing facts without understanding the conceptual framework is like trying to memorize 100 telephone numbers. Use the text and/or the instructor's office hours to sort out difficulties in understanding the material when these problems arise, not the day before the exam! Most students find that the exams are hard! They will test your understanding of concepts as well as the facts that support them. We will ask you to use your knowledge, not just spit it back. One method many students find successful is to study in small groups, but also leave time to study on your own.

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