Principles of Biology BIOL-12200
Spring 2008

TR 10:50 - 12:05
225 Williams Hall
 Labs – M, T, W, or R 
CNS 107 or CNS 110 1:00 - 3:50 p.m.
Instructors: Susan Swensen (CNS 254)
sswensen@ithaca.edu
274-3511		 Leann Kanda (CNS 159)
lkanda@ithaca.edu
274-3986
Office Hours: Monday 10 – 12, Wednesdays 12 – 2 or 
by appt.		 Office Hours: Wednesdays 10 – 11:30, Thursdays 12 - 3 or by appt.
Anne Stork (CNS 213)
astork@ithaca.edu
274-1086		 Lab Instructors & Lab TAs: see below

Teaching Assistant:   Molly Trufant, Office Hours:  TBA
 
Office Hours: Tuesdays 11-12, Thursdays 11-12
Required Texts: 1. Biology, Campbell & Reece (7th Ed.) 2005.
2. Biology Laboratory Manual, Vodopich & Moore (7th Ed.-custom edition for IC) 2005.
3. A Guide to  Biology Lab, Rust (3rd Ed.) 1983
4. EcoBeaker, Simbiotic Software, 2006.
Lecture Schedule  (PDF)  Lab Schedule  (PDF) 

Course Website: WebCT -- use your IC email address as your WebCT ID (without the @ithaca.edu), your password is your IC email password.

Course Description: This is the second semester of the introductory biology series for biology majors.  Emphasis is placed on evolution, biodiversity, and ecology.

Learning Objectives:  After taking this course, students will have an understanding of the following concepts and processes:

Concepts:
origin and evolution of life and how scientific and creationist perspectives differ
populations genetics; origin of species and species concepts
organismal diversity; systematics & phylogenetics
ecological basis of evolutionary adaptations
ecology at multiple levels (e.g. population, community, ecosystem)
human dependence & impacts on natural systems; sustainability
Processes:
comparative statistics; hypothesis building & experimental design
communication via written, oral and electronic media
accessing scientific literature using electronic tools & the evaluation of reliable sources
distinguishing between original thought & plagiarism
Lecture:  Students are expected to attend all lectures with the exception of health emergencies, religious holidays, court appearances, or college-authorized extracurricular events. If you miss a lecture, it is your responsibility to get the notes from a classmate (do not ask the instructors). Do not assume that all lecture material is covered in the text. Poor attendance generally correlates with poor grades.
 
Exams will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions.  Make-up exams will be given only in special situations (see the Lecture Schedule). Requests for make-up exams MUST be made ONE WEEK ahead of the regularly scheduled exam time. Unexplained absences will result in a zero grade for that exam. The final exam will be given during finals week (see the Lecture Schedule).

Problem Sets (a total of four) will be assigned during the semester.  Each set is worth 20 points and will be turned in to your laboratory instructor the week that it is due (see the Lecture Schedule).

Reading assignments are found in the Lecture Schedule. Students should keep up with the readings as listed on the schedule. To get the most out of the lectures, students should complete the readings before the class when they will be discussed. Reading assignments are mandatory unless otherwise noted.  Additional readings may be added that are not listed on the lecture or lab schedules.

Behavior: Please be respectful of your instructors and fellow students (do not talk during lecture). Cell phones, iPods, etc. may not be used during lecture or exams. Inappropriate behavior during class could result in dismissal (or an embarrassing verbal request to keep quiet!).


Students with Disabilities:  Students that need special accommodations should contact the Office of Academic Support Services for Students with Disabilities, 322A Smiddy Hall (274-1005, TDD - 274-7319).

Laboratory: Laboratory attendance is mandatory. If you miss your lab, please arrange to attend another lab section during the same week. You must notify both your regular lab instructor and the instructor of the make-up lab section (see below). Lab absences will result in a loss of 10 points per missed lab if labs are not made up.

Lab instructors:
The sustainability project is a semester long exercise that you will begin during the third lab and complete by the last lab session.  Details will be explained in lab. You will also be required to hand in ten lab assignments. Due dates for each assignment are listed in the Lab Schedule.

Grading: There are a total of 785 points to earn in this class. Your lab grade accounts for about 30% of your overall grade. You will be graded on a straight scale (no curving).
 
Points Summary
Grading Scale
  
In-Class Exams (3 x 100) 300 points
93-100%
 A
77-79%
 C+
Final Exam 175 points
90-92%
 A-
73-76%
 C
Problem Sets 80 points
87-89%
 B+
70-72%
 C-
Lab Assignments 100 points
83-86%
 B
67-69%
 D+
Sustainability Project 100 points
80-82%
 B-
63-66%
 D
Lab Evaluation 30 points  
60-62%
 D-
Total 785 points
below 60%
 F

LabEvaluation: Your laboratory instructor will determine the number of points earned from a total of 30 possible. Factors important in this part of your grade include behavior, preparedness, and participation in discussions.

There will be no extra-credit assignments in this course.

Academic Conduct: Familiarize yourself with the college's policies on academic conduct ((http://www.ithaca.edu/judicialaffairs/).  Please make yourself familiar with plagiarism as it is defined in the Student Handbook.  Academic dishonesty can result in a grade of zero on an assignment or test and/or judicial referral.

Interesting Links

Return to Principles of Biology home page.
Go to the Biology home page.
Go to the Ithaca College home page.

Page maintained by Susan Swensen and Nancy Pierce
Last updated January 2008