Location: Section 02 OSH 122 T-Th--11:00-12:15
Instructor: George T. Davis Telephone: x4120
Office: HSC 272 Email: gdavis@bloomu.edu
Web page: http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/gdavis/
Text: Mader, Sylvia S. 2009. Biology, Tenth Edition, Customized for BIO 102
Clicker information--How to buy, register, etc.
Other readings will be assigned throughout the semester. In addition to readings, other assignments may be made on which you may be tested. The point value for each assignment will never exceed more than 3 test questions, i.e., the same value as questions taken from "Biology in the News".
Office Hours:
LECTURE TOPICS
TOPIC Reading Assignment Dates Test
Evolution Weeks 1-5 2/23
The Scientific Method Chapter 1 (pp1-5, 10-11)
Evolution of a Theory Chapter 15
How Populations Evolve Chapter 16
Speciation and Macroevolution Chapter17
Origin and History of Life Chapter 18
Evolution of Humans/Ethology Weeks 6-9 3/30
Evolution of Humans Chapter 30
Animal Behavior
Chapter 16 ( pages 291-293),
Chapter
43
Ecology Weeks 10-14 4/22
Population Biology Chapter 44
Communities Chapter 45
Ecosystems and the Biosphere Chapter 46
Conservation Biology Chapter 47
Bioethics: Readings assigned if time allows
Genetic Engineering
Some Ethical Issues
*NOTE: Exam dates are approximate and will be adjusted as necessary. If, for example, we, as a class become obsessed with any particular topic, we may linger on that topic, thus necessitating adjustments in the hourly exam schedule.
FINAL EXAM: YOU MUST TAKE THE FINAL IN YOUR ASSIGNED SECTION
Section 1 ---Tuesday, May 4---10:15-12;15
University Final Exam Schedule
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES: Spring 2010
Class Policies—BIO102, section 1
To avoid confusion and misunderstandings, the following policies will be in place in this class.
1. Cheating: Students will be severely penalized for demonstrating a lack of academic
integrity. The penalty is at my discretion and may include a failing grade for
the course or request that the student voluntarily withdraw from the course.
Examples of conduct lacking academic integrity include plagiarism, fabrication
and cheating. Additional examples are listed in “The Pilot” and under “Academic
Policies” at
http://www.bloomu.edu/. Cheating is defined as “unauthorized use of books or
notes, use of crib sheets, copying from another student’s papers, exchanging
information with another student orally or by signals, obtaining a copy of the
examination illegally, and other similar activities”. A student suspected of, or
caught, cheating will be given a failing grade for this course, and may be
expelled from school. No one will be allowed to wear headgear during exams.
No one will be allowed to bring calculators, cell phones, iPods, or other electronic devices during exams. YOU KNOW WHAT CHEATING IS, DON’T DO IT,
IT’S NOT WORTH IT!!
Academic Integrity Policy
2. Readings from journals in Andruss Library will be assigned. Up to three questions/hourly exam will come from these readings. Up to three questions/hourly exam will also come from the "Biology in the News" articles.
3. Extra-credit: The clickers will be used to gain extra credit. The points will be calculated at the end of the semester as follows:
90% correct =5 extra points
80% correct =4 extra points
70% correct =3 extra points
60% correct =2 extra points
50% correct =1 extra point
No other extra credit opportunities will be provided.
4. Library assignment: Readings from journals in Andruss Library will be assigned. Up to three questions/hourly exam will come from these readings.
5. Students in this class are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the English language reflective of your status as active scholars in the BU community; the ability to clearly articulate a thought is necessary for success both in college and in the professional world beyond. I will stop reading any email or other written correspondence if it contains 3 or more grammatical errors, misspellings, or incomprehensible ramblings. In instances where the maximum number of errors is exceeded in an email correspondence, I will send a response with an empty "Reply" field. Any email written in "text speak" will be ignored and deleted without a reply. Please include a salutation, addressing me as "Dr. Davis", "Professor Davis", “Dr. D.”, Dr. George”, "George", etc. I will respond to "Mr. Davis" with an empty "Reply" field; you're not in high school any more.
6. Examinations: Exams will consist of objective questions (multiple choice, True/False, matching, etc.), and will be computer graded. Provided the scanner is functioning properly, grades will be posted within 48 hrs. Your grades will be posted outside Room 100 HSC. Up to three questions/exam may be based on "Biology in the News", three from assigned readings. I will not answer any questions regarding the exams by email or over the phone.
7. Make-up examinations: If the
student misses an exam, (s)he will be given a “zero” for that exam. Exceptions
will be made at the instructor’s discretion for documented illness, death of a
family member, or absence due to a university approved function (see Pilot).
Acceptable documentation of illness will be a written evaluation from a medical
professional indicating illness of sufficient severity to disable the student at
the time of the exam. Exams will not be given early.
NOTE: IN THE EVENT THAT CLASSES ARE CANCELLED OR SHORTENED DUE TO BAD WEATHER, A
SCHEDULED EXAM WILL BE RESCHEDULED TO THE FIRST FULL DAY FOLLOWING THE CANCELLED
CLASS.
COMPRESSED CLASS SCHEDULE
8. Final Exam: The final exam will be comprehensive in nature. It will be equivalent to two hourly exams. The final will be administered as described above unless otherwise noted during the semester. Other than because of schedule conflicts with other final exams, no makeup will be given of the final, i.e., if you miss the final, you will receive a “zero” for the final exam grade. The final will be administered only at the designated time. .
9. Final grading: The final grade for the course will be determined as a straight-scale percentage of the highest possible grade total (500 points). Assignment of letter grades will be as follows:
450 (90%*500) A
400 (80%*500) B
350 (70%*500) C
300 (60%*500) D
Below 300 E
10. Any student whose grade is in the top 5% at the end of three exams will be allowed to design their own comprehensive final exam.
11. Students will be expected to conduct themselves in an adult, considerate manner during class. Biopoints will be deducted for disruptive behavior.
NOTE: How To Forward Your Bloom Email to Your Personal Email Account
Step 1: Log on to Student Email- go to http://www.bloomu.edu/today/index.php , click on Student Email. If you do not know your login and password, log on to STINF, and click on Biographical.
Step 2: After you have logged on to Student Email, click on the Options and Styles Drop Box.
Step 3: Click on Forwarding.
Step4: Type in your personal Email address. Messages will be forwarded to that address.
Students should read the assigned material before class. Lectures supplement and highlight the text. Time does not allow for all assigned reading to be discussed in class. However, an understanding of the assigned reading is necessary for mastery of course content (and a decent grade). Material in the readings that is not discussed in class will be included on exams. Be sure to ask any questions you have about assigned material not discussed in class.
Notify me the first week of class if you have any learning needs that require special instructional assistance, or as soon as such need arises.
SUGGESTIONS--Please feel free to make suggestions anytime during the semester. These suggestions are anonymous.
Response to Suggestions---If I don't address your suggestion or concern in class, please check here
TOP 5% AFTER 3 EXAMS