Bio 1: Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology

Lecture: tbd
Lab: yes
Activity: yes
Prerequisite: none
Scheduling: Every semester, including summer. Next offered by me Summer 2015. Other instructors teach it each semester.
Units: 5
Website: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/c/colemanr/courses/bio1/bio1.html

Syllabus: WordPerfect document PDF Word html (Updated for Summer 20154)

Catalog description:

BIO 1. Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology. Introduction to properties of life and cells leading to genetic and biological diversity. Survey of biological diversity emphasizing variation leading to natural selection; introduction to ecological concepts within an evolutionary framework; a survey of ecosystems and global climate change. Development of scientific skills will be emphasized. Designed for science majors. Lecture three hours; laboratory three hours; activity two hours; fee course. Note: Field trips may be required. Graded: Graded Student. Units: 5.0

Texts:

Raven, P.H., Johnson, G.B., Mason, K.A., Losos, J.B.and S.R. Singer (2014) Biology. Tenth Edition. McGraw-Hill, New York. ISBN 978-0-07-338307-1. Required for Summer 2014. The Looseleaf version of the text is available in the bookstore and the cover looks different, but it is the same book inside.

Bio 1 Lab Manual. Available only from the CSUS bookstore. Required for Summer 2015

In my sections (Sections 15 and 50), I do NOT require students to use or purchase the ConnectPlus/LearnSmart electronic supplements, though students may find these helpful for understanding the material. Instructors of other sections may require these. Check with your instructor.

You may find the following books very useful throughout your career as a biology student. Strongly consider obtaining copies.

MacMillan, V.E.(2012) Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences. 5th Edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, New York. ISBN: 978-0-312-64971-5

Borror, D.J. (1988) Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms. Mayfield, Mountain View, CA.

Term Paper:

Term paper handout Bio 1 Scientific Term Paper handout (.pdf) (Updated for Fall 2014)

Sample term paper proposal

 

Sample term paper (.doc) (a portion of a sample term paper; the last part of the paper has been omitted, but you should be able to get the idea from this)

The Portfolio (or efolio) concept

More Resources

National Center for Science Education (NCSE)

Kitzmiller versus Dover case

Tree of Life

The Plant List www.theplantlist.org

Fishbase www.fishbase.org

Reptile database www.reptile-database.org

AmphibiaWeb.org www.amphibiaweb.org

 

CSUS BIO SCI