BIOL 3300 - Vertebrate Natural History
Course Syllabus - Fall 2006

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course description:

Number and title: BIOL 3300 Vertebrate Natural History

Credit hours: 3.0 semester credit hours

Catalog description: The behavior, ecology, and evolution of vertebrate animals.

Course pre-requisite: BIOL1108 and BIOL1108L

Computer Requirement: Each CCSU 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 CCSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm .

Computer skill prerequisites: You must be able to use Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook Express (including attaching and retrieving files via e-mail), a Web browser (Internet Explorer preferred), and Microsoft Excel

In class use of Student Notebook Computers

Student computers will be used in the classroom in this course, and will be required for taking quizzes and exams.  You should bring your notebook computer to every class meeting. Computers will also be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Outcomes:

Communications Outcomes:  Students will gain a knowledge base of basic principles of biology, including evolution, population genetics, characteristics of major groups of organisms, anatomy and growth of vascular plants, diversity of invertebrate phyla, vertebrate anatomy and physiology for selected systems, and basic ecological principles . Students will also communicate their ideas orally and in written form in class discussions, reports, and exams.

Knowledge Base

Description: answers on quizzes, class assignments, and exams must convey knowledge of biology that is appropriate to the question.

Evidence: Samples of student work on examinations and class assignments.

Awareness of Recipient

Description: Communication of answers to quiz and examination problems must be understandable to a trained biologist.

Evidence: Samples of student work on examinations.

Organization

Description: Student must be able to provide organized, concise answers to questions on exams and quizzes. Points are deducted for answers that are unclear or poorly written.

Evidence: Samples of student work on class assignments and examinations.

Mechanics/Delivery

Description: Answers to questions on exams and quizzes must be communicated using vocabulary appropriate for introductory biology. Students are graded on their knowledge of, and ability to use the terminology covered in class.

Evidence: Samples of student work on examinations.

Style

Description: Students are permitted to use any method to provide appropriate answers to questions presented to them. Diagrams or tables may be used to replace prose when appropriate, but is not required. Other than this, attitude is not considered appropriate for describing the methods of biology.

Evidence: Not evaluated

Critical Thinking Outcomes  

Question/Issue

Description: Given student unfamiliarity with biological concepts, the instructor question/ issue component. Students are encouraged to ask questions about biological concepts. Evidence: None.

Method

Description: Given an instructor provided question, students are required to determine appropriate biological concepts to address the problem at hand.

Evidence: Samples of student work on examinations.

Evidence

Description: Facts learned in class or from other class work are applied to questions provided by the instructor. Short answer and essay questions are used to address student’s ability to apply concepts to new areas. Critical thinking is also evaluated through conceptual multiple-choice questions.

Evidence: Samples of student work on examinations.

Conclusion

Description: Conclusions that are based upon the current understanding of biological systems are required.

Evidence: Samples of student work on examinations

Biology Outcomes:

• 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 objectives:

• 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 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, G210E.

Office hours:  MW 11:00 to 3:00

Class Meetings: MWF 3:30 to 4:20

Textbook information:

Required text: Vertebrate Life, 7th Edition by F. Harvey Pough, Christine M. Janis, and John B. Heiser.  ISBN: 0-13-145310-6.

Evaluation and grading:

Tentatively, the points will be distributed as follows:

Item	Points
3 hour tests @ 100 pts each	300
Comprehensive final	100
Quizzes or assignments	50
TOTAL	450

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%

Tentative course schedule:

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.

Final Examination Schedule

Monday, December 11th from 12:30 to 2:30

Course policies:

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.
• 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. 

General policies:

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

Absences from QUIZZES and EXAMS must also be accompanied by a signed physician's or judge's excuse (there are no exceptions). Without an excuse provided within one week, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed assessment.  If the student does have a valid excuse 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.

Visitors (friends, children, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending class without the permission of the instructor.

No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the classroom.

Students may not play video games during lecture.

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/studentlife/judicial_affairs.htm.

Changes or additions to this syllabus, including reading, exam schedule, grading, and course policies can be made at the discretion of the instructor at any time.

 

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 770-961-3719, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.