PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II
SYLLABUS
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Semester: |
Fall 2009 |
Faculty Name: |
Jason Fuller |
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Course: |
BI 108, CRN 20055 (lec) / 20052 (lab) |
Office location: |
SN 216 |
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Day/ Time: |
TR 9:00-10:15 (lecture) SS227 |
Telephone: |
240-567-1348 |
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R 10:30-1:10 (lab) SS220 |
Office hours: |
Tues. 10:30 - 11:30 |
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email: |
jason.fuller@montgomerycollege.edu |
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Wed. 12:00 - 1:00 |
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Thurs. 1:30 - 2:30 |
This course is designed for Natural Science Majors and examines evolution, taxonomy, kingdoms of life, ecology and behavior. In addition, this course will explore international aspects of the above topics. Specifically, we will cover basic tropical parasitology, and cultural and geographical aspects of diversity and environmental topics. This course will expose students to animal and plant groups found in varying geographical locations, and will compare biomes worldwide. The environmental impact of humans will be addressed along with international efforts to reduce those impacts.
The course consists of three hours of lecture per week and three hours of laboratory. As this course progresses, you will gain confidence and expertise in logical thinking, the ability to work with others, analyzing what you learn, and communicating your ideas to others. All of these are skills highly sought after in today’s competitive employment market place.
After completing this course, students will be able to:
· Describe the theory of evolution, including principles of microevolution and macroevolution.
· Explain how phylogenetics aids in understanding biodiversity, and describe how scientists create and interpret phylogenetic diagrams.
· Differentiate between organisms representing the different lineages of life and between major groups within those lineages.
· Describe the diverse adaptations and ecological roles of organisms within each group.
· Explain the basic principles of ecology; including population, community, and ecosystem ecology.
· Explain how human activities alter existing biodiversity and impact evolutionary and ecological processes.
· Analyze and interpret experimental results to reinforce biological principles.
COURSE PREREQUISITE:
Assessment levels: EN101/101A, MA100, RD120.
TEXTBOOK:
Lecture: Biological Science Custom Text, 3rd Edition. Freeman.
Lab manual: BI 108 Laboratory Book
Optional: A Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory, 6th Edition. Van De Graaff and Crawley
Optional: A guide to the Biology Lab, Rust
SUPPLEMENTAL SOFTWARE/WEB:
Textbooks come with CDs and you are encouraged to use them to enrich your understanding of the lecture and/or to complete lecture notes. You are also encouraged to use the Freeman Website to help with understanding and gaining exposure to the basic themes of the class.
Support material and grades will be made available online using WebCT. To access the course website you must log in to MyMC, and then simply follow the WebCT link on the MyMC page. Online materials include syllabus, assignment sheets, study guides, informational web links and lecture handouts. For assistance accessing WebCT, ask your instructor.
You are expected to attend and show up on time to all class and laboratory sessions. Because of the accelerated speed of this course, there is little time to catch up on missed work. Missing more than one class period may result in your becoming hopelessly behind. Further, much of the material covered on the examinations comes from class lectures- so it is to your benefit to attend all classes. If you are late to lecture or lab session, please be courteous to your class-mates by quietly sitting in a rear desk. It is your responsibility to get the lecture notes from a classmate if you are late or absent from lecture. If you choose to withdraw, it is your responsibility to complete all necessary paperwork to remove your name from the class roster. Failure to do so could result in a grade of “F” for the semester. Consult your catalog for the add/drop day.
Missed examinations may be made up upon showing a written and valid excuse within one week following the examination. However, NO student will be permitted to make up more than ONE test and all makeups will be essay in format and be given in the last week of class. Due to the long preparation to set a lab test, absolutely NO lab test will be made up. Makeups for Final Exams are rarely given. If you have a conflict with the exam time you must contact your instructor as early as possible (at least one week before the exam). It is at your instructors discretion as to whether or not you may take the exam at another time and when that time will be (usually earlier if allowed). In the case of an emergency for any exam, call your instructor and leave a message at the earliest possible time. Any note from a doctor will be checked for authenticity.
COURSE EVALUATION AND GRADING SCALE:
Each chapter or particular section is indicated in the detailed course outline. Additional reading assignments may be given during the class time. You will read and summarize articles from well-known magazines/journals and present your findings to the class; you will also be required to visit the National Museum of Natural History for an out of class assignment. The grading system for this course will be based upon a point system where each student has an opportunity to earn a total of 875 points. Points will be distributed as follows:
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BREAKDOWN |
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Lecture: 3 exams |
= 300 points |
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Lab Exam |
= 100 points |
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Comprehensive Final Exam |
= 150 points |
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Lecture quizzes |
= 100 points |
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Lab quizzes/assignments |
= 100 points |
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Writing assignment |
= 75 points |
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------------------------ |
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825 total points |
EXTRA CREDIT: Interactive computer CDs are in the Math Science Learning Center. Students are invited to use them for better understanding of the lecture materials. Up to ten of them can be used for extra credit worth 2 points each. NOTE: UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM MORE THAN 3 CLASS PERIODS (LECTURE OR LAB), OR CONSISTENT TARDINESS WILL RESULT IN A FORFEIT OF ALL EXTRA CREDIT. (You are considered absent if you miss more than 20 minutes of class time).
STANDARDS:
Grade will be assigned as follows:
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A = 90%+ of total points |
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B = 80-90% |
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C = 70-80% |
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D = 60-70% |
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F = < 60% |
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Lecture Behavior: Each and every student is expected to behave in ways that promote a teaching and learning atmosphere. Students have the right to learn; however, they do not have the right to interfere with the freedom of the faculty to teach or the rights of other students to learn. All in-class discussions should be carried out in a way that keeps the classroom environment respectful of the rights of others. For example, students should not interrupt someone else who is talking regardless of whether that person is the instructor or another student. Students should not monopolize class time by repeatedly interrupting and asking questions in a manner that hinders the learning process of others. Students are also expected to conduct themselves in ways that create a safe learning and teaching environment that is free from such things as violence, intimidation, and harassment, including sexual harassment. Pagers and cell phones must be silenced when in the classroom.
Laboratory Behavior: Your lab time is very limited. To complete the labs in the allotted time, you will need to read the lab exercise before coming to the laboratory and review the appropriate chapters in the text and diagrams in Rust. You are expected to clean up after yourself following lab activities. This means that you must, for example, return models to their correct counters, return prepared slides to their specific slide trays, and wash and dry dissecting tools and then return them to their assigned bins.
TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS, FOLLOW THESE 5 STEPS:
1. Start early. You typically need two weeks to prepare for an examination. Start tonight!!!
2. Make and use flash cards. They are particularly useful for memorizing plant and animal groups (picture on one side, description on the other). Study them during “Down-time”- waiting in lines, while preparing dinner, while commuting (if you do not drive).
3. Try to understand concepts, not just memorize facts.
4. In a class such as this, it is a good idea to form study groups early. Meet other students in your lecture or lab section, exchange phone numbers and start studying together soon.
5. Work hard. Success in this course comes to those who are dedicated, persistent and enjoy the learning process.
EMAIL POLICY:
Student e-mail (montgomerycollege.edu) is an official means of communication for the College. It is expected that you check your student e-mail regularly and frequently, as you are responsible for information and announcements that will be sent to you from the College. For this class, student e-mail may be used for situations where timing is essential. Most information will be discussed in class or posted on WebCT and all assignments will be turned in as hard copy during regular class times or submitted on WebCT, as specified in the assignment sheet. If you contact me through e-mail, send messages to my campus email account and use your student e-mail account rather than a publicly available account so that I can recognize you as a student.
STUDENT DISABILITY:
Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an appointment to see me during my office hour. A letter from Disability Support Services (ST120) authorizing your accommodations will be needed. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services Office; guidelines for emergency evacuations for individuals with disabilities are found at: www.montgomerycollege.edu/dss/evacprocedures.htm.
Students should refer to the current Montgomery College Student Handbook for the official wording of all academic, classroom, and college-wide policies. Students are expected to abide by the code of Conduct.
According to the policies and procedures of the College “cheating” or “plagiarism” in connection with an academic program is prohibited and students may be disciplined. In the rare instance that a student in this course cheats or plagiarizes material, that student will receive a grade of F for the course. Cheating and plagiarism are taken very seriously. In all cases, except where teams are set up for specific exercises, your work is to be done independently.
COLLEGE NON-SMOKING POLICY
Montgomery College follows a Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy which prohibits smoking or the use of other tobacco products on any of its campuses or other property. Students who smoke or use tobacco products will be considered in violation of the student conduct code and their behavior will be reported to the Dean of Student Development office. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the Vice President and Provost’s Office, the Office of the Dean of Student Development or the Campus Security Office.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
If inclement weather forces the College to close, public service announcements will be provided to local radio and television stations as early as possible. If you have checked several stations and have not heard the announcement, you may Call the Montgomery College Information Line at 240-279-5000 or go to our web site at http://www.montgomerycollege.edu for closing information. Often classes may be cancelled for the other public schools in Montgomery County but not for the college. Any test/quiz scheduled on a day when class is canceled will be held at the next meeting of the class.
FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL OR VETERANS
If you are a veteran or on active or reserve status and you are interested in information regarding opportunities, programs and/or services, please visit the Combat2College website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/combat2college/ and/or contact your Veterans Club faculty sponsor - Andrew Herst, 240-567-3945, andrew.herst@montgomerycollege.edu.
LECTURE OUTLINE
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WEEK |
TOPICS |
READINGS |
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8/31 |
Evolutionary theory |
Ch.24 |
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9/7 |
Population genetics |
Ch.25 |
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Microevolution |
Ch.25 |
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9/14 |
Speciation |
Ch.26 |
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Phylogenies and the History of Life |
Ch.27 |
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9/21 |
Evolution wrap-up and review/Quiz 1 (ch. 25,26) |
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Field Trip: Natural History Museum |
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9/28 |
Exam #1 (Ch. 24,25,26,27) |
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Viruses |
Ch.35 |
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10/5 |
Bacteria and Archaea |
Ch.28 |
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Protista |
Ch.29 |
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10/12 |
Fungi |
Ch.31 |
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Lower Plants/Quiz 2 (ch. 35,29,31) |
Ch.30 |
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10/19 |
Exam #2 (Ch. 35,28,29 ,31) |
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Plants |
Ch.30 |
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10/26 |
Animal classification/Quiz 3 (ch. 30) |
Ch.32 |
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Protostomes |
Ch.33 |
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11/2 |
Deuterostomes |
Ch. 33 |
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Vertebrates/Quiz 4 (ch. 32, 33) |
Ch.34 |
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11/9 |
Ecology |
Ch.50 |
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Exam #3 (Ch. 29,30,32,33,34) |
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11/16 |
Biomes |
Ch.50 |
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Population Ecology |
Ch.52 |
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11/23 |
Human Population Growth |
Ch.52 |
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Thanksgiving Break – No Class |
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11/30 |
Community Ecology |
Ch.53 |
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12/7 |
Energy Flow and Chemical cycles/Quiz 5 (ch. 53,54) |
Ch.54 |
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Conservation Biology |
Ch.55 |
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12/14 |
Final Exam – Dec. 17 8-10am |
(Ch.50,52,53,54,55+33,34,24,25) |
* Additional quizzes may be given and will be announced beforehand.
Important Dates:
Last Day to Drop…………... Nov. 17 Lecture
Final ......................... Dec. 17
LABORATORY OUTLINE
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WEEK |
TOPICS |
READINGS |
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8/31 |
Fossils |
Handout, text – section 27.2 |
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9/7 |
Population genetics |
1(17) + handout |
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9/14 |
Human Evolution |
2(18), text – section 34.6 |
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9/21 |
Field Trip: Natural History Museum |
handout |
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9/28 |
Plant Competition experiment setup |
15(19) + handout |
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10/5 |
Protists and Fungi |
3(24), 4(25), 5(26) |
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10/12 |
Plants I |
6(27), 7(28), 8(29), 9(30) |
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10/19 |
Plants II |
TBA |
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10/26 |
Invertebrates |
10(35), 11(36), 12(37) |
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11/2 |
Invertebrates |
13(38), 14(39) |
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11/9 |
Vertebrates |
14(39) |
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11/16 |
Plant Competition Harvest |
Handout |
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11/23 |
Thanksgiving Break – No Class |
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11/30 |
Ecology Lab |
Handout |
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12/7 |
Lab Exam |
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Laboratory Safety Procedures:
1. Goggles are required for the labs above in bold.
2. For health and cleanliness reasons, eating, drinking, smoking, storing food, chewing gum and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the laboratory.
3. Open toed shoes are not allowed in the laboratory.
4. Your lab bench area must be thoroughly cleaned (with soap or disinfectant) at the end of every laboratory period and after every spill.
5. Disposable gloves are recommended for dissection of preserved materials.
6. Report all spills or accidents, no matter how minor, to your instructor.
7. Students who are pregnant, taking immunosuppressive drugs, or have any other medical condition that might necessitate special precautions in the laboratory must inform your instructor immediately.
8. Do not allow water or any solution to come into contact with electrical cords or outlets. Make sure your hands are dry when you handle electrical connectors. If electrical equipment crackles, snaps, or begins to smoke, do not attempt to disconnect it. Inform your instructor immediately.
9. Do not touch broken glassware with your hands. Inform your instructor of broken glass and follow their instructions for cleanup.
10. Let your instructor know if you are colorblind, as many procedures require discrimination of colors.
11. Only students who are registered in the course are allowed in the laboratory – no children or adult guests.
12. Push in stools and chairs at end of lab to avoid tripping hazard.
13. Wash hands before leaving the laboratory.