Bio 137: Cell and Molecular Biology

Spring 2004

Course description: Ultrastructure, composition and function of cells and their organelles, DNA replication, transcription and translation are covered in depth. Includes a discussion of the major research techniques in cell biology. Prerequisites: BIO 1&2; CHEM 3A, 3B; pre or corequisite: CHEM 4A, 4B.

Textbooks for the course: Cell and Molecular Biology, 3^rd ed, updated 2003, by Karp and A Short Guide to Writing about Biology  (5e) by Pechenik. Both books are available in the Hofstra bookstore. Be sure to get a CD ROM and problem book with the textbook; I think that you will find the CD useful for studying and broadening your understanding of specific topics. 

The web-based course information will be posted on Blackboard. You can enter from this link or through the "Hofstra Blackboard" icon on the Hofstra home page. You will need your 700 ID number and the same password that you use on the Hofstra Information System. Please be sure to attend class the first week--readings and assignments will start immediately.

My office hours are listed on my home page.

For this class it is VERY important that you come to each class prepared. Be sure to read each chapter BEFORE the lecture and on workshop days, be prepared to actively discuss the problems. Lecture notes and workshop problems will be posted on Blackboard prior to the class session so that they are available for use during class. The course is divided into 5 period blocks. In each block there will usually be three chapter lectures in periods 1, 2, and 4 with a quiz on the chapter before each lecture. The lectures will concentrate on more difficult or interesting aspects of the chapter. Self-explanatory material in the chapter will not be usually be reiterated during lecture. I expect you to read that on your own.  You must write a multiple choice question (see below) after each lecture that is due before the next class period. Period 3 will usually be a workshop. Period 5 will be a test and then another workshop and/or a head start on the next lecture topic.  KEEP A COPY of everything that you hand in for this class. There is a lot of paperwork that can easily be mixed up or lost in the electronic netherworld or my desk. Please contact me about any material that you do not understand—regardless of whether it was covered in lecture or not.