Semester:  Spring 2008

                                                                                                                             CRN  82651

                                                                                                                             CRN  90521           

 

SUBJECT AREA AND COURSE NUMBER:  Biology (BIOL) 210B

COURSE TITLE:  Introduction to the Biological Sciences II                         UNITS:  4.00

                                                                                                Letter Grade or CR/NC option           

 

LECTURE/LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 

Lecture hours per week:          3.00

Lab hours per week:                3.00

 

REQUISITES: 

Prerequisite:  Biology 210A (Introduction to the Biological Sciences I) with a grade of “C” or better, or equivalent.

                                                                                   

INSTRUCTOR:  Janice Clymer, Ph.D.                                                                    

Phone (619) 388-2785                         website: http://homework.sdmesa.edu/jclymer

e-mail:  jclymer@sdccd.edu              Web CT: http://www.sdccdonline.net/

                       

            Message center (mailbox):  K202

Office Hours and Location: 

            Room I 3303 (3rd Floor I 300)

            Tuesday           1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

            Wednesday      2:15 PM – 4:15 PM

            Or by arrangement

           

CRN 82651 ROOM LOCATIONS and TIMES:

               Lecture            F 201   T Th    11:10 AM-12:35 PM

Laboratory       I 3412  Th        01:00 PM-04:05 PM

 

CRN 90521  ROOM LOCATIONS and TIMES:

               Lecture            I 119   T Th     05:30 PM-06:55 PM

Laboratory       I 3412  Th        07:05 PM-10:10 PM

 

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is an introductory course which is a continuation of Biology 210A. This course emphasizes the developmental and physiological processes of the Five Kingdoms, the phylogenetic relationships of major evolutionary groups of organisms, behavior, and ecological principles including population and community ecology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEXTS AND SUPPLIES:

Required Texts: 

Biology, 8th ed., sections II and III, by Raven et al.

Custom Lab Manual:  (from Biological Investigations, 7th ed. by Warren D. Dolphin.)             The custom lab manual includes cps enrollment (see below).

            Reading Primary Literature, 1st ed, by Gillen.

           

            Dissection kit (may be shared) and gloves; plain microscope slides and coverslips

            Bound Lab Notebook, e.g. Avery® Quadrille Laboratory Notebook, 60 Pages, 7 7/8" x                                     10 1/8"

            Scantrons

            Cps e-instruction RF keypad and enrollment http://www.einstruction.com/ 

                        Your school is San Diego Mesa College.

                        e-instruction Class Key for Day CRN 82651 is N35266A419

                        e-instruction Class Key for Eve CRN 90521  is L35267F929  

             

     

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

It is the student’s responsibility to add, drop, or withdraw from classes before the deadlines stated in the class schedule.  Petitions to add, drop, or withdraw after the deadline will not be approved without proof of circumstances beyond the student’s control which made him/her unable to meet the deadlines.  Lack of money to pay fees is not considered an extenuating circumstance.  Students anticipating difficulty in paying fees before the add deadline should check with the Financial Aid Office about sources of funds or other alternatives for which they may be eligible.  If you decide to withdraw from this course, you are reminded to do so before 4/11/08.  IF YOU FAIL TO WITHDRAW BY THAT DATE, EVEN IF YOU STOP COMING TO CLASS, A FINAL GRADE MUST BE ASSIGNED TO YOU.

 

STATEMENT OF RETENTION:

Students, please discuss your plans to withdraw from class with your instructors.  They may have other options for you that may allow you to continue in class.

           

INSTRUCTOR’S ATTENDANCE POLICY:  

Attendance is critical to teaching and learning.  You will fall behind in acquiring course content and skills if you do not attend class regularly.  I realize that situations may develop which are beyond your control and which may interfere with your attendance but you need to discuss them with me to establish approved excused absences.  You are expected to attend class and participate in all assignments, including field trips and dissections.  Please see also the section below on class participation.  You may be dropped if you miss more than 1 week of class (or 6 hours accumulated unexcused absence) and you will be dropped if you miss 2 weeks of class (or 12 hours accumulated unexcused absence). If you miss two exams, you will be dropped from the course if it is before the withdrawal deadline.  

 

 

 

 

DISTRICT POLICY ON INSTRUCTOR’S ABSENCE:

If no substitute appears, students wait 15 minutes for classes up to two hours and 20 minutes for classes meeting over 2 hours.  Students may sign an attendance sheet.

 

STUDENT TARDINESS:

In a professional setting, tardiness is not acceptable.  Tardiness is also disruptive to the learning environment.  Promptness reflects professional courtesy and is expected.  If you miss the attendance check, you may be counted as absent even if you are late.  If you leave class before dismissal it may also be counted as an absence.

 

LATE WORK, INCOMPLETE WORK, and MAKE-UP EXAMS:

Late work will be accepted only for individual exercises and laboratory reports if there were extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student and with instructor consent.  A scheduled family vacation is not an approvable excuse.  Partial credit may be assigned for incomplete work if substantial portions of the assignment are completed. 

 

Exams missed with an approved excuse will be dropped from the exam weighting, which means the other exams will be worth more, or a suitable make-up exam will be given at the instructor’s discretion.  An example of an approvable excuse is significant personal illness requiring a doctor’s visit.  A planned family vacation is not an approvable excuse.  If you miss two exams, you will be dropped from the course if it is before the withdrawal deadline. 

 

FIELD TRIP RESPONSIBILTIES:

This course includes field work.  It is your responsibility to arrange transportation to and from the field site and arrive at the scheduled meeting time.  If you cannot make the assigned field trip times and dates because of an excused reason discussed with the professor, you may complete an additional worksheet and visit the site at a time convenient for you.  You will be responsible to obtaining data from your lab group in order to study the material from the field trip.

 

EVALUATION:

Your performance in the class will be evaluated by completion of laboratory exercises, field trips, group exercises, in-class participation, homework, and lecture examinations.  Computers and internet access is available at the CIL, 4th floor of the LRC during all hours that the LRC is open.  Additional on-campus computer labs also offer some open access hours.   This course is designed as a foundation for further upper division biology courses and it is expected that you will spend a minimum of 6-9 hours a week on this course in addition to classroom and laboratory time to complete the readings and assignments. 

 

Examination methods may include any or all of the following question types:  true/false, multiple choice, matching, short answer, labeling and visual identification, and essay.  Some of the exercises and/or exams may be assigned for completion outside of the scheduled class lecture and laboratory periods. You are responsible for reviewing your performance of each graded component and will be permitted one week after the return of each assignment or exam to discuss your grade; otherwise, it will be assumed that you agree with the assessed score.

 

Class participation will be based on attendance, involvement in discussions, and response to in-class questions primarily through the cps e-instruction keypad.  You are permitted one unexcused absence without penalty. Five (5) points will be deducted for each additional unexcused absence. A ten-point bonus will be applied if you attend every class or have attended every class with two or fewer excused absences.

 

Laboratory Participation and Notebook grade will be based on attendance, attitude, and completion of a laboratory notebook.   The laboratory notebook will include laboratory notes and drawings, checked and initialed at the end of each lab period, and lab summaries to be checked and initialed the following lab period.  Lab Notebooks will be collected during Lecture Exams for grading.  Proper attire, including closed-toed shores, is required for lab participation.  It is expected that you read the lab book before class and come prepared to complete the exercises.  Points may be deducted for poor preparation and attitude.  Identification and/or labeling of material covered in lab may be included in the lecture exams. 

 

Homework will include the following:

Each homework assignment is worth 25 points.  The text of each homework assignment should be between 1200-1500 words, typed, 12-point, double-spaced, with a serif font, 1.5 in. margins, in black ink.  In addition to a hard copy, each homework assignment will be uploaded to www.turnitin.com on or before the due date.

 

1.        Three (3) peer-reviewed, scholarly, primary-source journal articles relevant to topics under discussion will be obtained and reviewed.  No review articles are permitted.  You will include a critique of their methods, results, and how they inform your understanding of a course topic.  Specific guidelines will be provided based on the Gillen textbook.  A copy of the article should be submitted with your report.  The due dates for each write-up are Feb. 28, Mar. 27, and May 1. 

 

2.        A group activity on biodiversity and conservation will include the development of a summary report and test questions as well as an oral presentation. This is due May 20.

 

Assignment submissions:  www.turnitin.com

                        Class ID for Day CRN 82651 is 2125457, password butterfly

                        Class ID for Eve CRN 90521 is 2125458, password flower

 

Mid-term exams will be restricted to current material, i.e. material covered since the previous exam.  Question types may include short answer and essay questions as well as true/false, multiple-choice, matching, labeling and visual identification questions. 

 

The Final Exam covers material from the entire course.

 


Your course grade will be based on the following point scale:

            A = 900 points or better  

            B = 800-899 points  

            C = 700-799 points    

            D = 600-699 points

            F = fewer than 600 points 

 

 

                        Activity                             Point Value (Total 1000 points)          

                       

                        Laboratory participation

                          and  Notebook                       150

                        Class participation                     50

                        Homework and research         100

                        Exam 1                                    100

                        Exam 2                                    150

                        Exam 3                                    150

                        Final Exam                              300

 

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR AND STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT:

Students are expected to respect and obey standards of student conduct while in class and on the campus.  The student Code of Conduct, disciplinary procedure, and student due process (Policy 3100, 3100.1 and 3100.2) can be found in the current college catalog in the section “Academic Information and Regulations”, p. 39-51, and at the office of the Dean of Student Affairs (H-500).  Charges of misconduct and disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon students who violate these standards of conduct or provisions of college regulations.  As your instructor, I have the following expectations of your behavior in this class:

  1. Promote a courteous learning atmosphere by exhibiting mutual respect and consideration of the feelings, ideas, and contributions of others.
  2. Demonstrate respect for your work, as well as the work of others, by recognizing and acknowledging strengths and improvements.
  3. Demonstrate respect for tools, equipment and supplies in the classroom.
  4. Practice consideration for others by maintaining a clean and orderly learning environment.
  5. Recognize everyone’s opportunity to contribute information in a relevant and meaningful manner by not monopolizing discussions, interrupting, interjecting irrelevant, illogical or inappropriate questions or comments.
  6. No food or beverages are allowed in class (bottled water excepted).
  7. In consideration of others, please turn off or turn to vibration mode all pagers and cell phones during the lecture period.  The second infraction due to a ringing cell phone/pager will result in dismissal from class.
  8. No cell phones, pagers, MP3 players or similar electronic devices are allowed during examinations; however, they may be kept turned off and closed within your backpack at the side of the room during examinations.
  9. This class will be conducted in accordance with the college student code of conduct and basic standards of academic honesty.  Cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.  Cheating, plagiarism or other academic dishonesty on any exercise or exam in this class will result in a grade of “0” (F) on that exercise or exam and possible additional disciplinary action, up to failure in the class. All violations of standards of academic honesty will be reported to the school dean for appropriate action. 

 

ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITY:

Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss options with their professors during the first two weeks of class.  Students must provide some kind of verification of need and evidence of participation in DSPS.

 


STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be expected to achieve the following in these areas:

 

Critical Thinking

·        Working individually, students will be able to assess in writing theories of the origin of life, natural selection, and speciation to explain phylogeny.

·        Students will use their knowledge of the scientific method to appraise and critique published scientific works with particular attention to hypothesis formulation, methodology, and conclusions.  They will demonstrate their skills in this area by exercises and essay. 

·        Students will be able to integrate their knowledge of morphology and function at the organismal level.  They will demonstrate their skills in this area by examination and essay. 

Communication

·        Students will prepare papers utilizing their understanding of the scientific method by review of peer-reviewed research papers expanding on course topics.  Topics will include behavioral, morphological or physiological responses of organisms to their respective environments.

·        Students will prepare and deliver an oral presentation on ecological and conservation issues in a group setting, and be able to answer questions relevant to their topic.

Self-awareness and interpersonal Skills

·        Working both individually and in groups, students will gain knowledge and practice good laboratory techniques and problem-solving skills as demonstrated by laboratory exercises and group projects.

Personal Actions and Civic Responsibility

·        Students will be able to participate in group discussions on land, water, and air management based on their understanding of the significant features of community ecology.  This will be evaluated by group presentation and discussions of selected topics.

Global Awareness

·        Students will be able to relate and discuss the relative scope and classification of abiotic and biotic components of different terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They will demonstrate their skills in this area by examination and essay. 

Technological Awareness

·        Students will practice and gain skills in experimental design, execution, and documentation.  Skills will be assessed in this area in the laboratory exercises and by take-home assignments.

·        Students will be able to conduct database searches to locate current scientific research.  This will be demonstrated by written exercises. 

·        In the laboratory, in groups and individually, students will be able to correctly identify and group representative species from major kingdoms.  They will demonstrate their skills in this area by laboratory and field exercises, examination and essay. 

·        Students will be able to use the microscope and dissection to locate and identify key structures of representative species from major kingdoms.  They will demonstrate their skills in this area by laboratory exercises and examination. 

·        Students will associate anatomical features with physiology with major emphasis on higher plants and mammals. They will demonstrate their skills in this area by examination and essay.

 


 

Projected Lecture Schedule

 

Week   Date               Lecture Topic                                    Chapter (Raven et al)

 

1          29 Jan              Early Life, Geology & Mass extinctions         25, 26 

            31 Jan              Prokaryotes                                                     28

2          5 Feb               Fitness, Natural Section, Speciation               20.4, 21, 22

            7 Feb               Animal Behavior                                             54       

3          12 Feb             Systematics and Phylogeny; genomics             23.1-4, 24.1-24.6

            14 Feb             Early Eukaryotes – protists                             29

4          19 Feb             EXAM 1                                

            21 Feb             Fungi                                                               31

5          26 Feb             Animal Evolution                                            32

            28 Feb             Invertebrates                                                   33       

6          4 Mar              Invertebrates                                                   34       

            6 Mar              Invertebrates                                                   34

7          11 Mar            Vertebrates                                                      35       

            13 Mar            Vertebrates                                                      35                                           

8          25 Mar            Vertebrates                                                      35       

            27 Mar            Ecosystem Dynamics, communities                 57, 56.1-56.3  

9          1 Apr               EXAM 2

            3 Apr               Intro. To Animal A & P                                   43 (lab)                                                                                                           Musculoskeletal System                      47                                   

10        8 Apr               Nervous System, senses                                  44.4-44.5, 45              

            10 Apr             Digestion and Energy                                      48

11        15 Apr             Circulation and Respiration                            49                   

            17 Apr             Fluids and excretion                                        50

12        22 Apr             Animal Reproduction                                      52, excl birth control  

            24 Apr             Animal Development                                      53.1-53.4                    

13        29 Apr             EXAM 3

            1 May              Plant Diversity                                                30                               

14        6 May              Plant Form                                                       35       

            8 May              Plant Development                                          37, 42 

15        13 May            Plant Transport                                                38                               

            15 May            Plant Senses and Defenses                              41, 40.1-40.2

16        20 May            Group Project presentations   

            22 May            FINAL EXAM during Lab period                            

 


Projected Lab Schedule, Spring 2008

January                                   Lab Topic                                            Dolphin Lab #; Activities

31        Lab Safety and orientation                                 

Bacteria                                                                                    14: 1-4, 14

                                                           

February

7          FIELD TRIP   1:30 PM – 3:30 PM  (DAY CLASS)                   Batiquitos Lagoon

9          FIELD TRIP   3 PM – 5 PM (EVE CLASS)                              Batiquitos Lagoon

                                   

14        Diversity among Protists                                                 15:1-7, 9, 10, 12-15

            Cladistics, Phylogeny                                                                 handout on cladistics     

 

21        Observing Fungal Diversity and Symbiotic Relationships   18: 2-6, 8-13    

            Animal Phylogeny: Body Plans                                                   20: 1-5, 8-14

 

28        Protostomes I                                                                            20:15-18

                                                                                                            21: 1,2, 4-6, 8-13 (squid)

March 

6          FIELD TRIP    1:30 PM – 3:30 PM  (DAY CLASS)                  Cabrillo Tide Pools

8          FIELD TRIP    2 PM – 4 PM  (EVE CLASS)                            Cabrillo Tide Pools

13        Protostomes II                                                                           22: 1, 2 (1 and 2 demo only)                                                                                                                        22: 4-7, 8-9

 

27        Deuterostomes and Vertebrate Origins                                         23: 1-3, 4, 7-11 perch for all

                                                                                                            groups (2 and 4 slides only); 3                                                                                                                      each of sea star, shark, frog

April

3          Muscle, Nervous, and Skeletal Tissues and Systems                     handout : sheep brains,cow eyes,                                                                                                     vertebrate skeletons,                                                                                                                              bullfrogs, models, histology

 

10        A and P part 2, Digestive, Respiratory Systems                            fetal pigs, 28:3-6, 7, 10-18

                                                                                                            models, histology slides 

 

17        A and P part 3, Circulation                                                         fetal pigs, 29: 2-14, 16, 17,             Excretory and Reproductive Systems                                           models, 30:2-8

24        Group activity on biodiversity and conservation

 

May

1          Plant phylogeny                                                                         16: 2-5, 8-18

                                                                                                            17: 1-8; fossils;Selaginella slide

                

8          Angiosperms                                                                             24: 1-4, 9-18, 19-24

                                                                                                            25: 1, 2, 5-7, 9, 10, 12-16

 

15        Angiosperms                                                                             27:1.2.7,8, 9,10, 13-15(prepared                                                                                                       slides), 16-20    

                       

22        FINAL EXAM IN LAB DURING LAB PERIOD