1. Describe the characteristics of life.
2. Explain the methods of inquiry used by scientists.
3. Identify the basic requirements of life and the properties of the major molecules needed for life.
4. Compare and contrast the structures, reproduction, and characteristics of viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells.
5. Describe the structure of cell membranes and the movement of molecules across a membrane.
6. Identify the substrates, products, and important chemical pathways in metabolism.
7. Identify the chemical structures, synthesis, and regulation of nucleic acids and proteins.
8. Describe the unity and diversity of life and the evidence for evolution through natural selection.

“Enrollment at Midwestern State University is considered by the university as implicit declaration of acceptance on the part of the student of university regulations. Violation of these standards of conduct will subject the violator to conduct action.”

Please refer to the most recent MSU Student Handbook (pdf @ https://mwsu.edu/Assets/documents/student-life/Student%20Handbook%202016-17 %20(web).pdf) for university policies related to student responsibilities, rights and activities.  For example, see page 43 for a statement on the university’s policy on class attendance (attend all meetings of all classes), page 48 for valid grounds for an instructor drop (excessive absence, indifferent attitude, disruptive conduct, failure to meet class assignments), and page 119 for definitions of academic dishonesty that may be subject to disciplinary action (cheating, plagiarism, and collusion).

Out of courtesy to classmates and the instructor, please observe the following guidelines:

• Don’t walk through the front of classroom after class has begun or before class has ended.
• Don’t talk during lectures, videos, examinations or other official class activities.

       At the beginning of each class period, mute cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices that may make noise, disrupt or distract.

Credit toward your final course grade will be earned in five categories – with an additional opportunity to enhance the grade through earned extra credit.  The categories are listed and described below:

      ______________________________________________________________________

                Achieve Exercises                                                                               25%

                Weekly Laboratory                                                                              25%

                Scheduled Examinations                                                                    50%

                                                                                                                          100%                                                                                      ______________________________________________________________________

*These exercises will be completed at the Achieve website hosted by the Textbook publisher.  Learn how to access the exercises at the end D2L page for this course (BIOL 1114-201)

Credit toward the course grade will not be awarded for attendance, which is expected of all students.

However, attendance will be recorded to provide information to those university offices that require such information.

On-line deadlines are fixed and will not be extended for individuals.

If appropriate, on-line deadlines may be extended for the entire class.

Assignments requiring the production of hard copy work product will be penalized one point per day that the work product is submitted after the deadline.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.