BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II
Course Syllabus – Summer 2008

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact 
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course Description:

Number and Title:

BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II (Summer 2008 CRN# 53246)

Credit Hours:

3.0 semester credit hours (3-0-3)

Catalog Description:

A continuation of BIOL 1107.

Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites:

BIOL 1107 with a minimum US grade of C And

BIOL 1107L with a minimum US grade of D

Note: Due to the co-requisite nature of BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L, students dropping one of the two courses must also drop the other.

Content:

Descent with Modification

The Evolution of Populations

Phylogeny and Systematics

Protists

Fungi

Plant Diversity I

Plant Diversity II

Plant Structure, Growth, & Development

Intro to Animal Diversity

Invertebrates

Vertebrates

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

Osmoregulation and Excretion

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

  • Able to use the WindowsTM operating system
  • Able to use Microsoft WordTM word processing
  • Able to send and receive e-mail using OutlookTM or Outlook ExpressTM
  • Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
  • Able to use a Web browser.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will be used in the classroom in this course. Computers will be required to access course materials, take quizzes on WebCT/Vista, and to communicate with your instructor.  Notebook computers will be used extensively in the co-requisite laboratory course, BIOL 1108L.  In this lab course, notebook computers are required for virtually all lab meetings.

Program Learning Outcomes:

General education outcomes:

The following links provide tabular descriptions of the communications outcome and the critical thinking outcome components (see BIOL 1108 in the tables):

Biology outcomes:

BIOL 1108 is a required course in the B.S. degree program in Biology.  It supports outcomes 3 and 4 of the biology major:

  • Knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology (Biology outcome #1)
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a clear, concise manner. (Biology outcome #4)
  • Ability to interpret scientific data/writing and employ critical thinking to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields. (Biology outcome #5)
  • Appreciation for the impact of biological science on the environment and society. (Biology outcome #7)

 

Course Learning Outcomes:

  • To understand basic principles of evolution and population genetics.
  • To study the characteristics of the kingdoms of life: Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
  • To understand the anatomy and growth of vascular plants.
  • To examine the diversity of the invertebrate phyla.
  • To gain knowledge of vertebrate anatomy and physiology by studying selected systems.
  • To understand basic principles of ecology.

 

 

Instructor Information:

Instructor:

Dr. Christopher H. Kodani
phone: (678) 466-4782
fax: (678) 466-4899
e-mail: ChristopherKodani@clayton.edu
internet address:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/kodani/index.htm

Office:

Arts and Sciences Building, Room G-210E

Office hours:

Monday and Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 pm in lab C-23 (Business and Health Sciences Building)

Class Meetings:

Classroom:

Lecture Hall, Room B-11

Class times:

8:00 a.m. -10:20 a.m., Monday and Wednesday

Textbook Information:

Required text: Biology, Seventh Edition, Campbell, Reece, and Mitchell, The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., ISBN 20050-8053-7146-X

Text coverage: Chapters Chapters 22, 23, 25, 28-34, 41, 42, 44, 52, 53 

Optional text: Student's Study Guide, Taylor

 

Evaluation and grading:

Tentatively, the points will be distributed as follows:

Item

Points

4 hour tests @ 100 pts each 

400

Comprehensive final

100

Quizzes or assignments

50 to 100

TOTAL

550 to 600

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Grade

Percentage range

A

90-100%

B

80-89%

C

70-79%

D

60-69%

F

Below 60%

 

Mid-term Progress Report:

The mid-term grade in this course which will be issued on June 9, 2008, reflects approximately 30% of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on Friday, June 27, 2008.  The last day to withdraw without academic accountability is Friday, June 27, 2008.

Course Schedule:

Tentative course schedule:

Week

Day & Date

PowerPoint

Chapter

Topics

1

Wed., May 28

1 & 2

22

Introduction/Descent with Modification

2

Mon., June 2

2

22

Descent with Modification

2

Wed., June 4

3 & 4

23

Evolution of Populations

3

Mon., June 9

5 & 6

25, 28

Phylogeny & Systematics; Origins of Eukaryotic Diversity

3

Wed., June 11

Exam 1

22, 23, 25, 28 on Exam 

 

4

Mon., June 16

7 & 8

28

Protists

4

Wed., June 18

9 & 10

31

Fungi

5

Mon., June 23

11 & 12

29

Plant Diversity I

5

Wed., June 25

13 & 14

30

Plant Diversity II

6

Mon., June 30

15 & 16

32, 33

Intro to Animal Diversity & Inverts

6

Wed., July 2

Exam 2

28, 31, 29, 30 on Exam

 

7

Mon, July 7

17 & 18

33, 34

Invertebrates/Vertebrates I

7

Wed, July 9

19 & 20

34

Vertebrates II and III

8

Mon., July 14

Exam 3

 33, 34 on Exam

 

8

Wed., July 16

21 & 22

41

Digestion/Nutrition

9

Mon., July 21

23 & 24

42

Circulation/Gas Exchange

9

Wed., July 23

25 & 26

44

 

Osmoregulation and Excretion

10

Mon., July 28

Final Exam

 

 

 Please note that the schedule is tentative and the dates of the exams are tentative and subject to change. Exam dates and chapters covered are not set until they are announced in class. The exam date will be announced at least one week in advance.

Course Policies:

General Policy
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

University Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Course Attendance Policy
Attendance: You are expected to attend all class meetings. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting by signing the class roll.

Making up missed work

  • There will be NO make up exams.  Serious accidents, birth of a baby, require written documentation for the length of time absent.  If proper documentation is provided, the next quiz or exam will be doubled to make up for the missed one, unless it is a final exam, in which case a makeup will be administered.
  • The final examination must be taken.
  • Routine doctor visits (i.e., annual eye exam, cleaning of teeth, etc.) should not be scheduled during class time.
  • If you know you have a conflict prior to a scheduled test, see the instructor to arrange to take the exam prior to that day.

Taking exams and quizzes:  All electronic devices including cell phones, palm pilots, pagers, calculators, etc. are not allowed during exams or quizzes.  Possession and/or use of these items during an exam or quiz will result in a zero on the graded activity.

E-mail: Important messages and announcements will be sent to you via your CCSU account. You must activate your account and check your e-mail regularly.  If you cannot use your CCSU account, it is your responsibility to send me an alternate e-mail address.  You are responsible for all e-mails sent to the class list.

Website: Check my web page (http://a-s.clayton.edu/kodani/index.htm) regularly for new postings. Handouts and other important items will be posted on the syllabus for this class.   You are responsible for printing out the handouts.

Quizzes and exams: Exams will be given at the beginning of the class period. If you come in late and the exam is still in progress, you may take the exam, but you will not be given any additional time to work. You must turn in your work when time is called. 


Academic Dishonesty
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.  All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs.   Judicial procedures are described at

http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

Disruption of the Learning Environment

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be tolerated.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior.  A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: 

 

http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm


Other Policies
All examinations are closed book.

No student-produced "memory sheets" or note cards are allowed.

Last update: May 22, 2008