Course Description:

Evolutionary biology not only helps us to understand how and why organisms have become the way they are, evolution is a feature of our everyday lives. In this course we will examine the mechanisms that have resulted in the rich diversity of life on our planet. We will also explore how evolutionary biology helps us to understand current issues in ecology, conservation biology, global climate change, agriculture, human health and medicine and human behavior. Topics in this course will include: the Fossil Record, Biodiversity, Mass Extinctions, Human Evolution, Infectious Diseases and Antibiotic Resistance. The focus of the course will be concepts over details and scientific reasoning over terminology.

My goal for you as students is that you expand your critical thinking and science literacy skills; skills which will serve you for a lifetime. Listening attentively to the lectures in this course will provide you with pertinent background information on evolutionary biology issues. However, to really learn how to think about evolution, you will need to do just that. So, come to lecture each day prepared to fully engage your brain. In this course we will have short clicker quizzes, small group work, and class discussions where you will learn how to grapple with how evolutionary biology influences our everyday lives.

WebCT be used extensively in this course for posting lectures, the updated syllabus, outside readings, assignments, and general notices regarding the course.  You should be sure to familiarize yourself with WebCT and make sure you are able to access posted material.  Any problems with WebCT should be reported to ITS.

Contents of the syllabus are subject to change as the semester progresses. Therefore, the most current version of the syllabus will be posted on WebCT. Always refer to WebCT to find out the current assignment/readings dates.

We will have daily, short “clicker” quizzes that will test your understanding of the reading and previous material. In addition, we will have two short assignments and three exams. The third exam, the final, will be cumulative.

Any information from previous lectures or readings is game for the daily clicker quizzes. We will be using the Interwrite Personal Response System (PRS or clickers) each day in class to take these quizzes. If you forget your PRS, you will receive a “0” for the day so REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR PRS TO EACH CLASS!  NOTE: Using someone else’s PRS is considered to be plagiarism and, therefore, cheating. Plagiarism cases will be dealt with as outlined below in the plagiarism section.

1) Evolution in the News Presentation
2) Hardy-Weinberg Worksheet

TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS: Unless we have previous arrangements, if an exercise is not in by the Due Date, I will deduct 10 points for each day it is late. No points will be awarded for any assignment that is more than one week late. You need to hand in your assignments in class; I do not accept work that is e-mailed unless I ask for that exercise to be submitted via e-mail or we have made previous arrangements.

Attendance:

This is an interactive class and your participation is critical to the success of the entire class.  You are expected to attend every class session on time. If you do miss class, you are still responsible for all material presented in class and for any assignments/changes announced in class. If you miss class due to an excused absence, you are still responsible for material presented during class.

If you miss an exam during an unexcused absence you will get a 0 for that exam. Should an emergency arise, you are responsible for informing me before the class you will miss. If you are unable to call, have someone make the call for you. Calling me does not guarantee my acceptance of your reason for absence, but failing to notify me, even if your absence is excused, does guarantee that you will get a 0 for that exam.  There will be absolutely no make-ups for missed clicker quizzes.

Please review the College’s definition of plagiarism is it appears in the Student Handbook.  I will report all plagiarism offenders to Judicial Affairs. In a collaborative project, all students in a group may be held responsible for academic misconduct if they engage in plagiarism or are aware of plagiarism by others in their group and fail to report it. Students who participate in a collaborative project in which plagiarism has occurred will not be held accountable if they were not knowledgeable of the plagiarism

Every effort will be made to accommodate special needs of students. Please consult the Student Handbook for procedures and policies regarding accommodations