G30 Fall AY2021

Fundamentals of Biology I
Undergraduate / Graduate

Undergraduate

Registration Code0061211

Course Category

Sciences BasicCredits

2.0

Term (Semester) / Day / Period

G-I (1st year, Fall Semester) / Wed. / 3 (13:00～14:30)

Instructor

CARTAGENA Joyce Abad

Contact e-mail of the Instructor
joyce@agr.nagoya-u.ac.jp●Goals of the Course
This course is designed to introduce the key concepts of biology and to provide the foundation for specialized
courses. Furthermore, this course aims to encourage students to think like scientists and develop scientificreasoning and literacy skills.
●Objectives of the Course
The students will acquire the basic knowledge in the different fields of Biology such as: Cell Biology,Genetics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, and Plant Biology. Aftertaking this course, the students are expected to be able to easily proceed to the more advanced Biology
courses in their curriculum.
●Course Content or Plan
1. Cell Biology
Lecture 1: Cell Structure and Function
2. Genetics and Molecular Biology
Lecture 2: Cell Division and Sexual Reproduction
Lecture 3: Genetics (Mendel’s Experiments and Heredity, Modern Understandings of Inheritance)
Lecture 4: DNA Structure and Function
Lecture 5: Gene Expression
Lecture 6: Biotechnology and Genomics
3. Evolution
Lecture 7: Evolutionary Processes
4. Biological Diversity
Lecture 8: Microbiology
Lecture 9: The Evolution of Plant and Fungal Diversity
Lecture 10: The Evolution of Vertebrate and Invertebrate Diversity
5. Plant Biology
Lecture 11: Plant Structure and Function●Course Prerequisites and Related Courses
A background in basic Biology from high school is not absolutely required but is ideal.
●Course Evaluation Method and Criteria
Attendance and class participation 30%
Assignments (weekly) 20%
Examinations (midterm and final) 50%●Study Load (Self-directed Learning Outside Course Hours)
Students are expected to read and understand one to three chapters (depending on topic) of the textbook every
week, and come to class prepared for discussion. In order to assess students’ understanding, assignments will
be given after every lecture.
●How to Respond to Questions
Communication with the instructor and teaching assistant outside of class hours will be via NUCT or email.
Furthermore, weekly virtual office hours will be available for real-time consultations with the instructor orTA.

G30 Fall AY2021●Notice for Students
1. Course format
a. Asynchronous
Recorded lectures will be uploaded to NUCT one day before the class. Students should listen to the lecture
and prepare for a discussion on the day of the class.
b. Synchronous
A one-hour Zoom discussion will be held on the day of the class, Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm JST.
Depending on the university guidelines regarding the pandemic situation in Nagoya, the final examination
may be given in the assigned classroom. The detailed schedule will be announced on the first day of class.
2. Course webpage
NUCT (Nagoya University Collaboration and Course Tools; https://ct.nagoya-u.ac.jp/portal) is an online
system that will be used for this course. PowerPoint slides, recorded lectures, other learning materials (suchas videos, websites, etc.) and home works will be accessible through this page.
3. Attendance
In case of emergency or absence from class, students should notify the instructor as soon as possible byemail.
4. Make-up exam
Make-up exams may be given on condition that the student can provide acceptable reasons for his/herabsence.
5. Academic honesty and original work
Cheating and copying (including plagiarism) will not be tolerated in this class. If caught cheating, students
will receive necessary penalties, including getting an F in all registered courses for the semester. All
submissions (assignments, exams and reports) will be checked using iThenticate.
6. Course withdrawal
Students who wish to withdraw from the course will have to submit a duly accomplished Course
Withdrawal Form by November 24, 2021.
7. Teaching assistant
Mr. Abriel Bulasag is a PhD student and will be joining the course as a TA. He can be contacted via NUCT
messaging or by email (asbulasag@up.edu.ph).
8. Virtual office hours
A regular Zoom meeting room will be open every Friday evening from 6:00-7:00 pm JST. However,students who would like to have a consultation MUST first make an appointment with the instructor.
●Message from the Instructor
Students are highly encouraged to regularly check NUCT for important announcements from the instructor.
●Courses taught by Instructors with practical experience

Textbook

Reference Book

Biology 2e (2020)
OpenStax, Rice University Digital Version ISBN-13 978-1-947172-52-4
https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e(Free online textbook)Jane B. Reece, Martha R. Taylor, Eric J. Simon, Jean L. Dickey. 2019. Campbell
Biology: Concepts & Connections, 9th Ed. Pearson (Global Edition)*or older edition

Reference website
for this Course
Updated September 15, 2021