BIOLOGY 202
introductory biology animals
Instructor:
Dr. David J. Germano
Science Bldg I, Room 212
Phone #: 654-2471
Email:
dgermano@csub.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:154:55 pm; Wednesdays 3:305:55 pm
Text: Integrated Principles of
Zoology, Hickman et al. 2012.
15th Edition. McGraw Hill.
Course Objectives:
This is an introductory course in biology with an emphasis on animals.
It is a majors course, so I am assuming that you have a great
interest in biology and that you have had some biology before, at least in
high school. At the end of the
quarter, you should have gained a beginning appreciation for the
quantitative nature of science: science in not based on belief or what seems
to be true, rather it is based on objectively distinguishing between
competing ideas about how the world works.
Biology specially deals with understanding the workings of living
things and how the environment affects life.
Part of what I will have you do, especially in lab, is learn some
basic quantitative skills that can be used to test hypotheses.
You will also be expected to understand biological literature and
apply it to research that you will conduct (dont be too apprehensive, I
will guide you through this process).
Another major idea that I want you to integrate into your knowledge about
biology is that evolution accounts for all the forms of life around us (some
biologists even believe that God uses evolution!).
You should have a general understanding of the process of evolution
and how natural selection is part of that process (along with other causes
of evolution). You will also be
introduced to the genetic underpinnings of evolution and how population
genetics is important in evolutionary processes.
I will discuss what an animal is (as compared to other life forms on this
planet) and I will present an overview of the diversity of this Kingdom.
Another major component of the course is the comparison of
physiological mechanisms that allow various animals to survive in relatively
hostile environments. I will
present in a basic way how gases are exchanged, how food is processed, how
waste is eliminated, how water is conserved (or eliminated), how animals
sense and react to their environment, and various ways reproduction has
evolved.
You will demonstrate your understanding of these topics by written
examination (2 exams during the quarter and a final exam) and by various lab
assignments. Lecture exams will
be a combination of multiple choice, one word answers, short answers, and a
few short essays. Exams will
test both your ability to remember facts and your ability to determine
answers to questions that make use of these facts.
Laboratory assignments will consist of two papers, conducting a
study, an exam on fetal pig anatomy, and a diversity exam.
Student Objectives:
1.) Gain an understanding of the diversity of animals
2.) Understand the scientific method
3.) Know the current accepted theory of evolution and the mechanisms that
cause evolution
4.) Know the diversity of physiological processes that animals use to live
in environments
5.) By conducting a research project, understand how to gather biological
data and how to effectively transmit this information in an accepted
scientific format
Grading:
I will assure you of an A if your earn 90% of total points (lecture and
lab), a B if you earn 80-89% of points, a C if you earn 70-79% of points,
and a D if you earn 60-69% of points. However, I will curve this scale down
slightly (in other words, 87% or 88% of points may earn you an A, etc.) if
the distribution of point totals at the end of the quarter warrant this
change. I will never curve grades
upwards. In no case will you earn a
passing grade with 50% of points or less. I
cannot be bribed and I will not grant extra-credit work on your part to make
up for a poor effort on a test: meaning that you must come prepared to do
well on tests, quizzes, papers, and other assignments.
No work will be accepted late,
unless there has been a medical emergency.
Academic Dishonesty:
The CSUB catalog lists actions by students that are grounds for
dismissal. In part, the catalog
states:
The following are the grounds upon which student discipline can be based:
(1) Dishonesty, including:
(A) Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty that are
intended to gain
unfair academic advantage
You must do all your own work and not copy any work from a classmate.
You are here to learn, not just earn a grade.
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So how will you earn your grade? Here are the ways:
Lecture:
Exam I: 75 points
Exam II: 75 points
Final Exam: 100 points
Total Lecture:
250 points
Laboratory:
Research Report Natural Selection: 40 points
Diversity Practical: 50 points
Fetal Pig Exam: 50 points
Research Report Student data: 75 points
Total Laboratory:
215 points
TOTAL POINTS: 465 points
(Grades will be determined from this total.)