Our Living World: Evolution, Ecology & Behavior (Bio 9)

Course Information

Spring 2009

Instructor:

            Dr. Ron Coleman       Office: 119 Humboldt

                                                            916-278-3474 (w)

                                                            916-705-2606 (cell) until 10 pm

                                                            rcoleman@csus.edu

                                                or        rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com

                                                            website: http://cichlidresearch.com

                                                or                    http://www.csus.edu/indiv/c/colemanr/index.html

Course Location & Times:

  Lec:   #35924                        Mon,Wed,Fri 11:00 to 11:50 am        Room SQU 301

Office hours: 

  Ron Coleman                         Wed 2:00 - 5:00pm                 Room 119 HMB

Course description:

Designed for non-majors, this course is an introduction to the biological science behind important issues that face us today, such as those surrounding evolution, endangered species, conservation of ecosystems, and the behavior of organisms. By gaining an understanding of the scientific approach and the principles of evolution, ecology and behavior, students will be equipped to evaluate scientific developments and arguments in these and other issues as informed citizens.

Learning Objectives:

∙ Understand key issues/discussions in the areas of evolution, ecology and behavior

∙ Appreciate how scientists study the natural world

∙ Appreciate biodiversity (morphological and behavioral) and the tree of life

∙ Understand what evolution is, the evidence for it, and how it operates resulting in changes in organismal structure and function

∙ Appreciate the relationship between structure and function at various levels of organization; from genes to cells to ecosystems

∙ Understand what an ecosystem is and the major kinds of interactions between organisms, and between organisms and their environment

∙ Understand the evolutionary and ecological basis of these interactions including, but not necessarily limited to, cost/benefit tradeoffs, sexual selection, altruism

∙ Understand the concept of the selfish gene in shaping those interactions

∙ Appreciate how the actions of people can destabilize ecosystems

∙ Evaluate media (e.g., newspaper stories) with a keener appreciation of the science behind the story

Attendance and Deadlines:

I expect you to attend every lecture; you miss class at your own risk. Anything I say is fair game for exams, whether it is in the text or not. Some things I say will definitely not be in the text, and some may contradict the text. In the latter case, what I say is taken to be the correct answer. If there is a difference between what I say and what is in the text or what you have learned elsewhere, please ask about it in lecture or after class and we will discuss the differences.

My goal as a lecturer is to guide and assist you in learning about this material. I can't do that if you aren't in class or if you don't tell me what you don't understand.

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the notes from another student, not from me. I DO NOT hand out lecture notes, nor do I post them to the web. Do you realize that missing a class will likely drop your grade in the course by almost a grade? Do you realize that attendance is the best predictor of success in a course?

Deadlines are strictly adhered to. It is not fair to students that complete work on time for other students to have extra time to do the same work. Plan ahead and schedule your time. Most importantly, don't leave things to the last minute; you don't need that kind of stress!

Lab?

This course does not have a lab. However, students may elect to enroll in Bio 15L to compliment this course.

Textbook:

Audesirk, T., G. Audesirk & B.E. Byers. (2008) Biology: Life on Earth. Eighth Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. ISBN 0-13-238061-7 REQUIRED

Exams:

There will be two midterms and a final for the course. Midterms are held during the lecture period and will be a mixture of fill-in the blank, short-answer and essay questions. I do not believe in multiple choice questions and do not use them.

Exams will be comprehensive, i.e., anything in the whole course up to that point in time is fair game. My previous students comment on two aspects of my exams: I am a hard grader and I am a fair grader. You can expect long exams that test your knowledge, but they will be exams without tricks. My goal is to have you tell me what you know and understand. You will have to work very quickly.

Grading:

            This course is worth 3 units.

The number of points/questions on a particular exam is irrelevant to the exam's worth -- it is merely a tool for grading. What matters are the following percentages.

            Your lecture grade will be calculated according to the following scheme:

Midterm I 20

Midterm II30

Final Exam35

                        Term paper                             10

                        Quizes                                     5

                                                                        ----

                                                                        100% 

            Your letter grade will be calculated according to the following table:

                                    A = 93 to 100%                    C+ = 77 to 79%

                                    A- = 90 to 92%                     C = 73 to 76%

                                    B+ = 87 to 89%                    C- = 70 to 72%

                                    B = 84 to 86%                     D+ = 67 to 69%

                                    B- = 80 to 83%                     D = 60 to 66%

                                                                                    F = 0 to 59%

I generally do not adjust or curve or scale grades; If you want an "A", work for it and make it happen!

I do not hesitate to correct any errors I make in grading (e.g., incorrect addition or if I missed grading an answer), but keep in mind that I am looking for clear, succinct answers, not answers that sort-of-show-you-possibly-might-know-what-you-mean. If you feel that your answer deserves a better grade, please return it to me promptly.

I do not use "extra credit" assigments.

Honor Code:

Please don't cheat. Besides the fact that we will be forced to take strong measures if we catch you -- including recommending your dismissal from the class and from the university -- I will be profoundly disappointed in you.

            Don't even think about doing any of the following:

            a.         giving or receiving information from another student during an examination

b.using unauthorized sources for answers during an exam such as writing answers on hats, clothing or limbs

            c.         illegally obtaining the questions before an exam

            d.         altering the answers on an already-graded exam

            e.         any and all forms of plagiarism

            f.         destruction and/or confiscation of school and/or personal property

Feedback:

I appreciate your feedback on this course. It is most useful to tell me things while the course is in progress, rather than waiting until the end of the course. If there is something that needs changing, LET ME KNOW and I will see what I can do about it. This course is a collaboration between you and me. I really enjoy teaching this class and I want you to have a great time as well.

Bio 9: Tentative List of Lecture Topics. This list is subject to change.