Page 1 of 5Welcome to Biology 1A, UCB, Summer 2006Introduction: Hopefully you will find Biology 1A to be a fun and exciting class. It will be readilyapparent that we enjoy biology and teaching! Warning - the pace will be blistering fast. You are expectedto have taken the chemistry prerequisites (if you lack the prerequisites then you should drop the class). Agood understanding of chemistry is required—see the review sheet on page 5. The class consists of fourlectures and two discussions each week. The lab class consists of two lectures and two labs each week. Donot plan to take more than seven units and do not plan on working more than 20 hours per week. All enrolled students must fill out the enrollment confirmation form by 4PM on Monday June 26th. The form is located at our website,http://mcb.berkeley.edu/courses/bio1a Switching sections: After filling out the confirmation form there will be a link to submit a sectionchange form. Very few changes will be permitted. I will process your requests. Over 70 students did notenroll in the corresponding lab and discussion sections (number). I will end up moving you to the samediscussion number as your lab unless you specifically email me otherwise. I will email you back about anychanges. If you do not hear from me then did NOT get to change your section but that you have the same laband discussion number. (Due by 4 PM on Monday June 26th).Adding: All students wanting to add must fill out the add form available at our website. Look underannouncements for Summer 2006. You must submit your request by 4 PM on June 2 6th. I will contact you via email or phone. If you do not hear from me assume I was unable to add you into the class.Attendance: You are expected to attend ALL lectures and ALL discussions. Attendance may be taken at anyor all. If you are not present then it is hard to learn the material. There is no webcast of the class. Papers,exams, etc. are returned in discussion. You must be present to pick them up. Do not expect us to carry yourpapers around for two weeks. Communication: Office hours are held in 2084 or 2088 VLSB. Messages for lecturers, Mike Meighan,and the GSI's may be left at 510-642-4110. Email addresses are on page 4. Lectures and Lecturers: Dr. Jim Baxter (6/26 – 7/27) and Dr. Carol Gilson (7/31 - 8/17).Lectures are held M. - Th. from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM in 1 Pimentel. Lectures are NOT webcast. Blacklightning is authorized to take notes. For more information you can check their website.http://blln.securesites.com/Office hours: Office hours are held in 2084 (or 2088 VLSB). A revised list containing all of the officehours will be handed out next week. Please come to any or all office hours. You are not limited to thosehours held by your lab instructor. Labs and Discussion: Labs and discussion begin 6/28. You must be enrolled in the same lab anddiscussion section number. Attendance will be taken. Typically labs and discussion each meet twice a weekand are required. Attending another section other than your assigned section will almost certainlyguarantee you will NOT get that section. Attend your assigned section. One time changes can be permitted ona limited basis, contact Mike.Bio 1AL: Most students are required to take both Bio 1A and Bio 1AL. Certain students (Chemengineering, etc.) may not be required to take Bio 1AL. Students repeating Bio 1A may not have to take thelab if they already passed Bio 1AL.GRADING PROCEDURE: Letter grades will be determined from numerical scores as follows: Midterm Examinations (2 x 150) (each lecture is worth about 15 points)300 pt’sFinal Exam (held on 8/17)105 pt's Total405 pt’sA+ or A or A-100-90%C+ or C or C-79-70%F59-00%B+ or B or B-89-80%D+ or D or D-69-60%Page 2 of 5Grades are typically curved. Minimum grades are listed above. The total % needed forsome form of an A, B, C, or D may be lowered depending upon the final distribution ofstudents scores, i.e. we curve the class if need be. Grades will NOT be given based uponneeds, wants, desires, beliefs (I believe I should pass), admission requirements, etc.GRADING PROCEDURE: In the event that some examinations have been unusually difficult, the cut-offs for letter grades maybe lowered (but only by a few percent and only when necessary). Historically around 50% of the classEARN A’s and B’s. Grades are based upon your total of lecture points.Lecture: Lecture exams will be taken in class. The midterms are scheduled for July 17th (lectures 1-10/11 = 150 pts,) and Aug. 7th (lectures 10/11 -14 = about 60 pts, lectures 15-20 = about 90 pts).The final is scheduled for August 17th (lectures 21-27, 105 points).Exam Format: Exams will contain both multiple-choice questions and short answer, essay or fill in theblank questions. 150 point exams will have about 100 points multiple choice and 50 points that will beshort answer, essay or fill in the blank. The final will have about 85 points multiple choice and 35 pointsshort answer, essay or fill in the blank. There will be NO make-up exams . If you miss an exam due to illness, you must present a written, verifiable medical excuse. Your exam will be calculated on a pro-rated score.TEXTBOOKS AND LAB MANUALRequired Textbook: Biology, Campbell, 7th ed. only, by Benjamin Cummings.Course reader (lecture handouts): Available at Replica Copy, 2140 Oxford.Exam Reader: Available at Replica Copy, 2140 Oxford. It contains representative exams from previoussemesters and summers. The exams in the reader should be used as a study tool.Biology 1A Web Site: http://mcb.berkeley.edu/courses/bio1aHOW TO DO BETTER IN BIOLOGY 1A 1. Come to lectures and take your own notes and then review them after lecture.2. Keep up with the material. It is essential that you do not fall behind.3. Clarify topics you do not understand bya. Coming to faculty office hours and ask questionsb. Coming to GSI office hours and ask questionsc. Joining into a study groupd. Reading the booke. Using email to ask