Instructor: Dr. David A. Johnson; Office: PH 231 (also try 237 or 239); E-mail: djohnso2@samford.edu; Phone: ex. 2845; Office Hours: MTWR 2:00 - 3:00, TR 11:00-12:00, or contact me by email.

Course Home Page: See Moodle (http://moodle.samford.edu/) for link to web site. Handouts and assignments will be available on the CMB web site. Please check this site regularly for important course information. Exam scores will be posted on Moodle.

Textbook: The Cell: A Molecular Approach 7th ed., ISBN #978-1-60535-290-9, Sinauer 2016. (Loose leaf: 978-1-60535-540-5 or eBook)

About the Course: In CMB we will explore the molecular mechanisms of the unit of life: the cell. We will delve into the biochemical and cellular mechanisms whereby cells carry out their functions, with a major emphasis on molecular genetics (see course outline). Class work will include lectures and laboratory exercises. Some lecture and other class material is also online (see Video Lect/Tutorials link in the menu bar).

Course Objectives:

1. To gain an understanding of the how the genetic material functions (DNA replication, DNA-directed protein synthesis, the regulation of gene expression, genomics).
2. To gain an understanding of how the structure and basic functions of cells (cell compartmentalization, energy dynamics, membrane functions and others).
3. To gain experience in modern molecular biology techniques (DNA isolation, gene cloning by PCR, restriction enzyme analysis, gel electrophoresis, gene cloning in E. coli, DNA sequencing and others) by observing demonstrations.

Evaluation: Your grade will be based on 500 points earned from exam scores. Also, in order to pass CMB, you must have no more than 4 unexcused absences.

Exams: Exam dates are listed on the course outline below. Exam material will come primarily from lecture material, but each exam may include questions from the assigned text readings. Each exam, including the comprehensive Final Exam, will be worth 100 points. Exams may include the following types of objective questions: FILL IN THE BLANK, TRUE/FALSE, MODIFIED TRUE/FALSE, MULTIPLE CHOICE, MATCHING, DEFINITIONS, as well as subjective questions, like SHORT ANSWER, and DISCUSSION. Each exam will include one or more types of objective questions and subjective questions. I will not announce ahead of time what type of questions will be used for any exam. The comprehensive final will be worth 100 points each. Make-up exams will only be given to students who contact me and receive a reply beforehand, except in the case of emergency (documentation, such as a doctor's excuse, required for emergencies). The FINAL exam is Wednesday, May 10, 10:30 AM and will be comprehensive.

During the Exam: Leaving the classroom during the exam is not allowed. Be sure you use the restroom just before the exam starts. You should be able to make it 70 minutes without using the restroom. EXCEPTIONS: 1) If you are truly ill, then you may stop the exam, which will not be graded, and you will be given a make-up exam.

Grading: 465- 500 points (≥93%) = A; 450-464 points (≥90%) = A-; 435-449 points (≥87%) = B+; 415-434 points (≥83%) = B; 400-414 points (≥80%) = B-; 385-399 points (≥77%) = C+; 365-384 points (≥73%) = C; 350-364 points (≥70%) = C-; 335-349 points (≥67%) = D+; 315-334 points (≥63%) = D; 300-314 points (≥60%) = D-; <300 = F.

Course Outline:

                                 * = See lecture outlines for specific textbook assignments.

RAVE is the primary method of communication used by Samford University during a campus emergency. If you have not registered for RAVE alerts, please use the link provided below and go to the My Contact Information box on your Portal homepage to update your RAVE Emergency Alert Information. https://connect.samford.edu/group/mycampus/student
Samford University utilizes Samford Alert for desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile devices to provide students with information, procedures, and links about what to do in the event of a variety of emergency situations that could occur on our campus. If you do not already have the Samford Alert app on your mobile device, laptop, desktop, or tablet, please click on this link https://connect.samford.edu/group/mycampus/student and go to the In Case of Emergency box on your Portal homepage for instructions on downloading the App. Once you have downloaded the App, please take time to review the information provided, it is important that you know what to do in the case of a campus emergency.

Americans with Disabilities Act: Students with disabilities who wish to request accommodations should register with Disability Resources (205) 726-4078, disability@samford.edu, University Center Room 205, www.samford.edu/dr).  Students who are registered with Disability Resources are responsible for providing me with a copy of their accommodation letter and scheduling a meeting with me to discuss how their approved accommodations will apply to this course.  Accommodations will not be implemented until we have met to review your accommodation letter

Tutoring/Communication Resource Center:  The Communication Resource Center (CRC) offers free tutoring for Samford students in oral and written communication as well as support for developing and improving critical reading skills. The CRC is in Brooks 222 and is open MTWR 10:00am-6:00pm. Students are encouraged to schedule appointments at samford.mywconline.com. Students in online programs may opt for online appointments through the same appointment link and can upload files for the tutor to review. For more information, visit http://www.samford.edu/departments/communication-resource-center/
Note: The first time you schedule an appointment, you will need to create an account, using your Samford email and password.
Also, the Biology Department offers tutoring:

Inclement weather or other events beyond the control of the University that might cause risk or danger to students, faculty and staff may occasionally result in changes to normal University operations, including cancellation of classes or events; the class schedule and/or calendar may be adjusted.

Counseling Services: Students may benefit from meeting with a counselor at some point to discuss difficult issues, gain insight for dealing with stress, or to process and understand events from the past. When a need for counseling arises, students should contact Counseling Services & Wellness Programs. On-site appointments are prepaid through student fees and there is no extra cost to the student. To schedule an appointment, please email counseling@samford.edu, call 205-726-2065, or stop by Dwight Beeson Hall (DBH) room 203.

Academic Integrity: Samford's policy on academic integrity will be upheld in this course. This policy (below) is quoted from the first page of the "Academic Life" page of Samford's Student Handbook (http://www.samford.edu/studenthandbook/).
A degree from Samford University is evidence of achievement in scholarship and citizenship. Activities and attitudes should be consistent with high academic standards and Christian commitment, and should be in keeping with the philosophy and mission of the university. When a student is found guilty of dishonesty in academic work, for a first offense, the student will be placed on probation, and the professor will receive a recommendation that the student receive an "FX" in the course. Any student already on probation who is found guilty of dishonesty again automatically will be suspended.
Faculty Statement on Academic Dishonesty

Students, upon enrollment, enter into voluntary association with Samford University. They must be willing to observe high standards of intellectual integrity; they must respect knowledge and practice academic honesty. Those who cheat on an examination or class assignment are not only academically dishonest, but also completely deficient in the scholarly maturity necessary for college study.
-Value Violations

An academic integrity value violation is defined as the act of lying, cheating or stealing academic information to gain academic advantage for oneself or another. As a Samford University student, one is expected neither to commit nor assist another in committing an academic integrity value violation. Additionally, it is the student's responsibility to report observed academic integrity violations.Violations of the Academic Integrity Values Statement include, but are not limited to:

--Taking Information
---Copying graded assignments
---Working together on a take-home test or assignments when specifically prohibited by the professor
---Looking at another student's paper during an exam
---Looking at your notes when prohibited
---Acquiring a term paper written by someone else
---Taking an exam out of the classroom when prohibited
---Removing resource material from the University Library without authorization
--Tendering Information
---Giving your work to another to be copied
---Giving someone answers to exam questions during the exam
---After taking an exam, informing a person of questions that appeared on the exam
---Giving or selling a term paper or class work to another student
--Plagiarism
---Copying homework answers from your text and handing them in for a grade
---Quoting text or other works on an exam, term paper or homework without citing the source
---Submitting a paper purchased from a term paper service or acquired from any Internet source
---Submitting another's paper/project as your own
---Taking a paper from an organization's files and handing it in as your own
--Conspiracy
---Planning with one or more students to commit a violation of the Academic Integrity Values Statement
---Giving your term paper/project to another student who you know will plagiarize
--Misrepresentation
---Having another person do your computer program, course project or lab experiment
---Lying to a professor to increase your grade