GENERAL BIOLOGY : ORGANISMAL DIVERSITY (BIOL 2051)

 

FALL SEMESTER 2013

 

Dr. Jim Demastes, Professor; Department of Biology, 70 McCollum Science Hall, 273-2022; jim.demastes@uni.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS:  Wed. Thurs..: 1:00-2:30 pm; also by appointment (best done by email)

 

LECTURE TEXT: J. Reece, et al.  2011.  Biology, 9th edition.  Benjamin Cummings Publishing Co.

 

LAB TEXT:  manual:  J. W. Tamplin, W. B. Stickle, and J. P. Woodring.  1997.  Introductory Zoology Laboratory Guide, 2nd edition.  Morton Publishing Co.;  atlas:  K. Van De Graaff and J. L. Crawley. 2009.  A Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory, 6th edition.  Morton Publishing Co.

 

COURSE SYNOPSIS:  This is an introductory course intended for science majors and students who want to specialize in a life sciences field.  The lecture course follows a phylogenetic scheme through the diversity of life, discussing the structure, form and function, assortment, and significance of the major groups of organisms. 

            The lab focuses on the diversity and complexity of life, first introducing systematics and taxonomy and ultimately progressing through a survey of unicellular and multicellular organisms.  Lab activities include in-class assignments, field trips, observations of behavior, and dissections of representative animal structure.  A separate lab syllabus will be provided by your lab instructor; the lab manual and a photo atlas are available as a package at the University Bookstore.

 

SUGGESTIONS: Students are expected to attend each lecture.  Please arrive on time and do not disturb your classmates during class.  The bulk of the exam material comes from the lectures, although exams may also contain some material from readings that we don't have time to review in class.  Similarly, we may discuss material in class that is not covered in the textbook.  Assigned readings correspond to the topic listed; the textbook is intended to be a supplement to the course material, not a substitute for attending lectures.  A tentative lecture schedule is included on the back of this syllabus.  The timing and sequence of lecture material may be subject to modification.

 

Students are expected to attend all lecture sessions and asked to be considerate to those around them.

 

LECTURE EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS:  There will be four (4) 100 point exams given during the scheduled lecture periods totaling 400 overall points possible from the four exams.  There may also be periodic, in-class assignments given.  The nature and timing of these assignments will vary as the material dictates; most of these will be completed during class and cannot be made up without a valid reason, and documentation demonstrating this.  The final exam is scheduled for TUESDAY, December 13th from 10:00am - 11:50am.  Final exams cannot be changed.  You must bring a #2 pencil and your student ID to each exam.  Failure to show your ID can lead to your examination being discarded.  Please be on time for class and especially for the exams.  Once the first student leaves an exam, no students will be allowed to enter the room to take the exam.  A scantron sheet will be provided for you.  Permission to miss an examination must be obtained during the week prior to the exam being administered.  If you have to miss an exam, have a very strong reason and be prepared to provide written documentation.  Make-up exams will be administered to those who meet the above criteria on the day immediately following the scheduled exam in the main office of the Biology Department (MSH 144) at 7:00 am.  Make-up exams will cover similar material but be of a different format than the scheduled exams. Students missing an examination without receiving prior permission will receive a score of 0 on that exam.

 

LAB EXAMS: Your lab instructor will explain the structure and schedule of quizzes, exams, and assignments given during the laboratory portion of the course.  Your lab score will total 350 points and be combined with the lecture scores to produce a single comprehensive grade for this course.


GENERAL BIOLOGY : ORGANISMAL DIVERSITY (BIOL 2051)

 

GRADING SCALE:  The lecture [exams = 400 points (65%); and the lab scores [350 points = 35%] will be combined and a single grade assigned based on the following percentages:

            A = 93.0% and above             C = 73.0% - 77.9%

            A- = 90% - 92.9%                  C- = 70.0% - 72.9%

            B+ = 88.0% - 89.9%               D+ = 68.0% - 69.9%

            B  = 83.0% - 87.9%                D = 63.0% - 67.9%

            B- = 80.0% - 82.9%                D- = 60.0% - 62.9%

            C+ = 78.0% - 79.9%               F = 59.9% and below

 

LECTURE OUTLINE

DATE                          TOPIC                                                                                  8th or 9th ed. (CHAPTER)

 

8/26-8/30                     Nature of Science, Speciation;                                                  Ch.1 & Ch. 24

 

9/2                                Labor Day  (No Class)                                                                        Ch. 26

 

9/4-9/6                         Tree Thinking

 

9/09-9/13                     LUCA and the prokaryotes

 

9/16-9/18                     Archaea                                                                                   Ch. 27

 

9/20, FRI                     EXAM 1

                                   

9/23-10/4                     Diversity of Eubacteria                                                             CH 27

 

10/7-10/16                   Eukaryotes: What, if anything, are protists?                              Ch 28

 

10/18 FRI                    EXAM 2

 

10/21-10/30                 Plant Diversity I: Plants hit the beach!                                       Ch. 29

 

10/30-11/6                   Plant Diversity II: Land plant diversity                                     Ch 30

 

11/8, WED                  EXAM 3

 

11/11-11/22                 Unikonts 1:  Fungi                                                                   Ch 31

                                   

11/21-11/25                 Thanksgiving Break

 

12/2-12/13                   Unikonts 2:  Metazoa                                                               Ch. 19

                                                                                                           

12/17,  TUE                 FINAL EXAM - 10am

 

 

 

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from illegal discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Students requesting instructional accommodations due to disabilities must arrange this through the Office of Disability Services (213 Student Services Center).

 

 

 

 

Get Help!

There is no reason for you to be confused or do poorly if you are really trying.  Stop by and talk to me with questions.  If you are having big problems in this class (and perhaps other classes) I encourage you to utilize the Academic Learning Center for assistance with writing, math, science, college reading, and learning strategies. These services are available at no charge to currently-enrolled UNI students:

á          The Writing Center offers one-on-one writing feedback for all UNI undergraduate and graduate students. Certified Writing Coaches work with students to help them successfully manage all phases of the writing process, from getting started, to citing and documenting, to editing and proofreading. Schedule appointments at 008 ITTC or 319-273-2361. The Writing Center also offers GRE Analytical Essay workshops and the Online Writing Guide at http://www.uni.edu/unialc/writingcenter/.

á           Math and Science Services offers individual and small-group tutoring for math and science courses. Walk-in tutoring is MTWTh 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Friday 10:00 am to 12 noon. Appointments are also available. Schedule appointments at 008 ITTC or 319-273-2361. Math and Science related workshops and GRE Quantitative Review courses are also offered.  Students can register for the math and science workshops and the GRE Quantitative Review course online at www.uni.edu/unialc by selecting ÒCourses and Workshops.Ó

á          The College Reading and Learning Center helps students transition to college-level reading and learning expectations at UNI. Students may work with trained and certified Academic Coaches by scheduling appointments. Schedule appointments at 008 ITTC or 319-273-2361. Additionally, students can register for the GRE Verbal preparation course and other study skills workshops online at www.uni.edu/unialc by selecting ÒCourses and Workshops.Ó

 

 

General topics and criteria that all biology majors at the University of Northern Iowa should be exposed to and understand while completing the biology course curriculum:

 

1.  Demonstrate an understanding of genetics from molecules through populations

2.  Demonstrate an understanding of the anatomy, development, and physiology of cells and organisms.

3.  Demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity and the relationship of living things with their environment             and with each other over time.

4.  Demonstrate an understanding of evolution, including mechanisms, evolutionary history, and evolutionary             theory.

5.  Employ logical reasoning and scientific methodology to ask and answer questions about the biological   world.

6.  Collect, organize, analyze and interpret data.

7.  Critically read and evaluate primary and secondary research literature.

8.  Evaluate current issues and ethical topics in biology.

9.  Use biological terms, concepts, and graphical representations properly in written and oral communications.

10.  Construct written documents in standard scientific style, including proper citation of otherÕs work.

11.  Procure and present biological data and information using a variety of appropriate methods.

 

General Biology: Organismal Diversity (BIOL 2051) encompasses, at least in part, items 2, 3, 4, and 5.