BIOL2800 – Introduction to Molecular Biology

Fridays at 11:00 -12:40

229 General Classroom Building

computer number 4860

WELCOME to Introduction to Molecular Biology! You have registered for a course designed to help you learn how to study and understand Molecular Biology. Molecular Biology encompasses cellular macromolecules including: DNA, RNA and proteins, and how each of these is synthesized and functions. A thorough understanding of molecular biology is necessary for careers in biomedicine, genetic counseling, genetics and cellular research, drug design, and many more.

Instructor: Therese M. Poole Phone: (404) 651-0921

Office: 439A Kell Hall email: biotmp@panther.gsu.edu

Office Hours: Monday 10-10:45 am, Thursday 3-4 pm or by appointment

WebCT: WebCT has been set up for this course. You will be required to participate in group activities on the webCT (described below). To log into webCT, go to help.gsu.edu and they will give you directions and your password.

Grading: Grades will be based on 3 exams, 3 assignments and 1 webCT activity. Each exam is worth 100 pts. Each assignment will be worth 20 pts. There will also be 20 pts allotted to participation, which includes attendance, in-class quizzes, and in-class activities.

There is a total of 400 points (3 exams = 300 pts., 3 assignments = 60 pts., webCT = 20 pts. and participation = 20 pts.). Grades will be based on the typical:

>89.5% 358-400 pts. A

79.5-89.4% 318-357 pts. B

69.5-79.4% 278-317 pts. C

59.5%-69.4% 238-277 pts. D

< 59.5% < 238 F

Makeup exams will only be given for extreme emergencies (you or an immediately family member is in the hospital, death of a family member, jury duty) You MUST call my voicemail within 24 hours of the exam time to notify me or you will receive a zero (0) for the exam. You MUST have written (believable) documentation of your emergency or you will receive a zero (0) for the exam.

Class policies:

All students should obey common rules of courtesy including: sitting quietly and entering unobtrusively if you are late to class, not talking in class, turning off cell phones and pagers, etc.

Makeup exams will be given only for emergency reasons: you or an immediate family member is in the hospital, a death in the family, an accident on the way to the exam, etc. You MUST call me within 24 hours of the exam and you MUST have documentation otherwise you will earn a zero (0) for that exam.

Cheating is strictly prohibited! All students should be aware of Georgia State’s policy on Academic Honesty which can be found in the Student Handbook (p. 54) or on the web at http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwfhb/fhb.html (see section 409).

All students are encouraged to form a study group and to work together on assignments and activites

Any student missing class or part of class is responsible for finding out what they missed, including announcements and course material from ANOTHER student (not from Dr. Poole!) I will not return calls or emails about missed material or information on the syllabus.

All students are responsible for knowing the syllabus

This syllabus is a general plan for the course, deviations may be necessary.

Schedule of Classes

Date Topic Reading Assignment Due

(Karp)

________________________________________________________________________________________

Aug. 24 Introduction to Macromolecules Chapter 2

and polymerization

Aug. 31 Proteins – function and structure Chapter 2, 11

Sept. 7 Proteins – synthesis Chapter 11

Sept. 14 Posttranslational modifications Chapter 11 Assignment #1

Sept. 21 Computer activity (tentative)

Sept 28 EXAM 1

Oct. 5 Nucleic Acids – structure Chapter 2

Oct. 12 Transcription Chapter 11

LAST DAY TO DROP WITH A “W”

Oct. 19 Regulation of transcription Chapter 12 Assignment #2

Oct. 26 EXAM 2

Nov. 2 DNA structure and replication Chapter 10

Nov. 9 Extensions of DNA replication – PCR, WebCT activity

Sequencing and Human Genome Chapter 13

Nov. 16 DNA mutation and its consequences Chapter 13

Nov. 23 NO CLASS THANKSGIVING

Nov. 30 Lipids Chapter 4 Assignment #3

Dec. 7 Putting it all together

FINAL EXAM: Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 at 10:15 AM