Basic

Cell Biology (Bio 309)

Class: T 12:15 2:55 CSB 222
Lab: W 1:40-4:20 or F 12:15 2:55, CSB 205

Instructor: Jennifer Waldo
e-mail: waldoj@newpaltz.edu
phone: 257 3698
Office: CSB 226

Spring 2013

Office hours: Monday 9:30-12:00 & Friday 9:30-11:00, and by appointment

Course Objectives: The cell is the fundamental unit of Biology. All living organisms are
composed of cells. In this class, we will address many of the important activities that occur
within the cell. While you likely already have an idea of the general physiology of the cell, I hope
to increase your knowledge of the details of how these processes take place. This will be
achieved by learning what the textbook has to say about cell biology, reading recent (less than a
year old) papers about modern cell biology, and by conducting experiments using some modern
laboratory techniques. It is my hope that this combination will adequately prepare you to be
able to appreciate some of the significant research in cell biology that is occurring today.

Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will understand the basic structure of eukaryotic cells.
2. Students will be able to explain in detail the structure and function of the plasma
membrane, cytoskeleton, ER, Golgi.
3. Students will be able to describe in detail the processes of transport across the plasma
membrane, cell signaling processes and cell cycle control.
4. Students will be able to access and synthesize information from a variety of sources and
media.
5. Students will learn modern laboratory techniques by reading current literature in cell
biology.
6. Students will learn how to read a current journal article in cell biology.
7. Students will learn how to conduct modern experiments in cell biology by participating in
the laboratory activities.
8. Students will strengthen their quantitative skills.
9. Students will strengthen their problem-solving skills.


Required Textsinstructions for ordering found on Bb:
1. Principles of Biology (2013) Nature Publishing (online-only biology text)
2. SimuText Cytoskeleton module (2013) free download

How Ill calculate your final course grade:
4 end-of-unit tests

50%
1 comprehensive final exam
25%
Lab assignments


25%

Format of the class: Four major topic of cell biology will be covered. For each, you will be given
reading assignments (textbook, journal articles and webpages), watching assignments (many
from the Cell Biology classes at UC Berkeley) and thinking assignments. You are expected to
spend considerable time outside of class taking in this information. In class, we will do
exercises to help you synthesize the information and learn how to use it. A big part of this class
will be focused on learning how to read and analyze current papers in Cell Biology research.

End-of-unit tests: The last 1.5 hours of the last class period devoted to each topic will be a test
on the material in that unit. You will be able to access any information you have written (not
photocopied) in your class notebook. In addition, you will be able to access your printed copies
of any assigned papers. Of the four tests, the lowest grade will be dropped prior to final grade
calculation.

Final Exam: The final exam will be the same general format as the end-of-unit tests, but it will
cover all of the material presented throughout the semester. The same open-notebook policy
will apply.

Lab assignments: These will be discussed in detail during the lab. Written reports will
comprise 25% of your final grade. You will be required to submit the reports through the Bb
Turnitin program, so please make sure you learn how to do this ahead of the due date/time. You
must bring your lab notebook to every lab sessionwhile you will not be graded on this, there
will be no lab handouts, so you must record all of the information you need in your lab notebook.

Attendance Policy: Your attendance is expected at all lectures and laboratories. For the lecture
portion of the class (Tuesday), you will receive a failing grade for the course if you have three or
more unexcused absences. For the lab portion, 1 unexcused absence results in lowering your
final grade one full point, 2 unexcused absences results in failing the course.

Contacting me: Please do not leave voicemail messagesI rarely checkmuch better to come
see me in person, or send an e-mail. I am definitely available at times other than during office
hours. Please let me know if youd like to set up an appointment.or just stop by my office or
lab. I try to respond to e-mails as quickly as possible
Academic integrity: Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty in their
academic work. Cheating, forgery, and plagiarism are serious offenses, and students found guilty
of any form of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. The Biology department
has a specific policy regarding academic integrity. We will discuss this in detail laterbut, in
general, it states that each instance of cheating or plagiarism will be kept on file, and penalties
will increase upon repeated occurrences.

Disability policy: Students with documented physical, learning, psychological and other
disabilities are entitled to receive reasonable accommodations. If you need classroom or testing
accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource Center (Student Union Building 205,
257-3020). The Disability Resource Center will provide forms verifying the need for
accommodation. As soon as the instructor receives the form, you will be provided with the
appropriate accommodations. Students are encouraged to request accommodations as close to
the beginning of the semester as possible.

Student Evaluation of Instruction: You are responsible for completing the Student Evaluation
of Instruction (SEI) for this course and for all your courses with an enrollment of three or more
students. I value your feedback and use it to improve my teaching and planning. Please
complete the form online during the last week of classes, May 1-8, 2012

Important Dates:
January 28 last day to add/drop without a fee
March 12
midpoint of semester
April 3
last day to withdraw from a course
April 10
last day to select S/U option

Lecture and Lab Schedule

January 22

February 5

February 12
Test
February 19

Introduction to the course, the

cell and membranes
Membranes and membrane
transport
Membranes and membrane
transport
Membranes and membrane
transport
No classMonday schedule

February 26

The cytoskeleton

March 5

March 12

The cytoskeleton

March 19
Test
March 26

The cytoskeleton

No classspring break

April 2

Signal transduction

Signal transduction

Signal transduction

January 29

April 9

April 16
Test
April 23
April 30

The cytoskeleton

The cell cycle

The cell cycle

May 7
The cell cycle
Test

May 15
Final exam
(12:30-2:30)

January
No Lab meeting this week
23/25
Jan 30/Feb 1 Lab I, part A: Cell
fractionation
February
Lab I, part B: Cell
6/8
fractionation, run SDS-PAGE
February
Lab I, part C: Cell
13/15
fractionation, Western blot
February
Lab II, part A:
20/22
Chlamydomonas
Feb 27/
Lab II, part B:
March 1
Chlamydomonas mutants
March 6/8
Lab II, part C:
Chamydomonas, SDS-PAGE
March
Lab III, part A: C. elegans
13/15
RNAi and GFP
March
Lab III, part B: C. elegans
20/22
RNAi and GFP
March
No labsSpring Break
27/29
April 3/5
Lab IV, part A: Enzyme
kineticsVmax and Km
April 10/12 Lab IV, part B: Enzyme

kineticsVmax and Km
April 17/19 Lab IV, part C: Enzyme
kineticsVmax and Km
April 24/26 Lab V, part A: S. cerevisiae
RT-PCR
May 1/3
Lab V, part B: S. cerevisiae
RT-PCR anslysis