Syllabus for Biology 371-A (soon to be 340) - Organic Evolution

 

TIME

"A" summer session. 8 weeks, June 2-26, 2008, but see Time Limits below.
 

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Joseph R. Coelho, Assistant Professor of Biology. Office hours: by appointment, NCA 207. Asking questions by email is strongly encouraged:
 

TEXT

Volpe, E. P. & P. A. Rosenbaum. 2000. Understanding Evolution, Sixth Edition. McGraw-Hill, Dubuque, IA. 288 pp.
 

Course Guide

Coelho, Joseph R. Organic Evolution: A Course Guide for Biology 371. Accessible by World Wide Web only. See the schedule of assignments below. Log in to Moodle here.
 

DESCRIPTION

Principles of the neodarwinian evolutionary process, the central theory of biology. Prerequisite: Bio 150 or 212 or instructor consent. The course is taught exclusively via the World Wide Web. Access to the Web and E-mail are required. 3 credit hours.
 

OBJECTIVES

To understand basic genetics, the role of development in the evolutionary process, microevolution, mutation, natural selection, speciation, kin selection, macroevolution and human evolution.
 

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Any form of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will result in official action and penalties in accordance with university policy as described in the current course catalog.
 

REQUIREMENTS

6 homework assignments, 2 exams. The homework (question sets) are to be sent to the instructor for grading. These need not be elaborate nor long; two or three pages should be sufficient. They should be E-mailed.
 

Midterm Examination

The midterm is an open-book examination. The midterm is not a practice quiz. It is a real exam that counts toward your grade. The midterm consists of 80 multiple-choice questions covering Chapters 1 through 11. After you send the third homework assignment, you may take the midterm examination.
 

Final Examination

The final examination will be proctored. You must schedule your final examination with the instructor, his representative, or an appropriate, APPROVED proctor. When you are ready to take the examination, you will notify the instructor, who will enable your access to it. The final is much like the midterm in that it consists of 80 multiple choice questions. It is not comprehensive; it covers chapter 12 through the epilogue.
 

Term Paper (optional)

Choose a topic within evolutionary biology. Remember that this is a really huge field, so your topic should be quite narrow and specific. After approval, do an intensive literature search for appropriate articles on the topic. A minimum of five different references (that you actually use and cite) is required. Please -- no more than 10 pages. Cite all references used and follow the format found at the ends of the chapters in Volpe & Rosenbaum.

Your grade will be determined as follows:

 Midterm Examination100 points
 6 Homework Assignments60 points (10 points each)
 Final Examination100 points
 
260 points total
Term Paper = Potential of raising your grade by one letter grade at the discretion of the instructor.

GRADING SCALE

A: ³92% A-: 90-91% B+: 88-89% B: 82-87% B-: 80-81%C+: 78-79%

C: 72-77% C-: 70-71%D+: 68-69%D: 60-67%F: £ 59%

Time Limits

  Although the course is offered during the 4-week "A" summer session (begins June 2, 2008), registered students are encouraged to start earlier. All of the course requirements must be submitted to the instructor by the last day of the B session, July 24. The instructor will be travelling out of state and largely unreachable for much of the remainder of the summer.

Schedule of Assignments