Course Syllabus

Syllabus
BIOLOGY II (for Life Science Majors)
BIOL 1404, SPRING 2012

Class Information
Section 001: MWF 9:00 a.m. in Biology LH100; Section 002: MWF 10:00 a.m. in Biology LH100.

Test period: Tu, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Prerequisite: BIOL 1403.

1st half: Dr. Mark McGinley
Office: 215 McClellan, 742-1828 X242
Of. Hrs: MWF. 11:00, or by appt.
Group Of. Hrs: TBA BIOL
e-mail: mark.mcginley@ttu.edu

2nd half: Dr. Michael Dini, rm. 007, 742-2710 X246

Website: http://courses.ttu.edu/biol1403-mdini
Of. Hrs: MW, 11-11:30, rm. 07; TR, 3:30-4, B&N Cafe or by appt.
Group Of. Hrs: T, 6:00-7:00, rm. 023
e-mail: michael.dini@ttu.edu

Required materials:
1. Class Text: Campbell’s Biology, 9th ed., by Reece et al.
2. H-iTT “clicker” device
3. Lab Text: Lab Manual for Biology II, by M. Dini
4. dissecting kit and 5-6 prs of examining gloves
Items 1 & 2 are available from area textbook stores. Items 3 & 4 are available from TTUAB near room 025 in the Biology Bldg ‘til Jan. 27.
5. Homework Website: http://www.masteringbiology.com ID#: MB14042012

1. COURSE OVERVIEW & GOALS

BIOL 1404 is the second semester of a rigorous, writing-intensive, two-semester course. It is offered only during the spring, and designed to prepare life science majors for upper-level courses in the life sciences. Whereas BIOL 1403 focuses on the particulars of cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, classical genetics, reproductive/developmental biology and evolutionary theory, BIOL 1404 focuses on organisms as they relate to other organisms and to their physical environments (ecology), biodiversity, as well as on plant and animal anatomy and physiology. Overall, the course aims to give you a strong foundation in the principles of biology, many of which you may not encounter again in future courses. The course is meant to introduce you to the way that scientists approach and solve problems leading to the construction of new knowledge. It is also our hope that the course will continue to give you an important handle in your attempt to understand the place and role of humans in the world and, perhaps, your particular place in it. Students enrolled in this course must have passed BIOL 1403, or its equivalent at another institution. Students on academic probation, or who received a "W" or an "F" the last time they took BIOL 1403 should immediately drop this course. This course satisfies the Natural Sciences Core Curriculum requirement.

2. EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES AND METHODS FOR ASSESSING LEARNING OUTCOMES

A. Explain basic concepts of evolutionary ecology, general ecology, cellular energetics, plant water potential, biodiversity, animal anatomy & physiology. ASSESSED BY: scores earned on expository essays on each of the four unit tests, and by in-class discussions.
B. Demonstrate skills in scientific reasoning and experimental design. ASSESSED BY: group discussion and subsequent reporting via “clickers,” by scores earned on a mid-semester laboratory science process skills test, and by scores earned on written lab reports.
C. Demonstrate ability to write research reports including: abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, acknowledgments, and literature cited. ASSESSED BY: scores on draft & final versions of written lab reports.
D. Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to explain some of the major concepts in the Natural Sciences and demonstrate an understanding of scientific approaches to problem solving, including ethics. ASSESSED BY: scores on expository essays on each of the four unit tests, and by end-of-semester performance on laboratory science process skills test.

3. ENROLLMENT & ATTENDANCE

You should be enrolled separately in a lecture section (001 or 002) and in a laboratory section (501-520). See Dr. Dini immediately if you have doubts about your enrollment. Regular attendance is critical for the success of BIOL 1404 students. Success in this course will require a good set of notes, hopefully written by yourself, and the critical reading of all assigned pages in the textbook, for there will be test questions on material that has not been covered in lecture. Class will often begin with verbal announcements that are not formally duplicated anywhere else. You are responsible for getting missed announcements from classmates. We consider more than two absences during the semester to be excessive. It does not matter why you are not present in lecture. The simple fact is that if you are not present, you will not learn the material as well as you otherwise would. During the 2nd half of the semester, class participation will be monitored using the H-iTT devices. Particularly important is your regular attendance in lab. You must attend the lab section in which you are enrolled. More than two unexcused absences from lab will result in the loss of ALL points connected with the laboratory portion of this course. Not only should you be in class at every class meeting, but you should be attentive as well. Chatting, texting, dozing, reading newspapers, or listening to music during class are totally uncool and are not tolerated. Access to the Worldwide Web is important for success in this course. Dr. Dini’s website is not fully compatible with the Firefox/Mozilla Browser, though Firefox is the preferred browser for the MasteringBiology homework website.

4. EVALUATION

Your semester letter grade will be determined from the scores you earn on four unit tests (45%), on your laboratory work (32%), on the cumulative final exam (14%), and on on-line homework (9%). The scores for this course are not curved. Letter grades will be determined by the number of raw points you earn (NOT the percentage), according to the following scale:

A = 979-1100 B = 858-978 C = 737-857 D = 616-736 F < 616

The four unit tests are worth 100 points each. Your highest score on these four tests will be doubled at semester’s end, thereby making these tests worth 500 out of the 1100 points possible by semester’s end. The cumulative final exam is worth 150 points. On-line homework will consist of 14 assignments of varying point value. Late homework is not accepted. The distribution of the 350 points connected with your laboratory work will be explained at the first lab meeting. Computer-graded portions of tests will be composed of multiple-choice and/or matching questions. All tests (except the final exam) will also contain essays. No test scores will be dropped. There will be re-tests for Test #1 and Test #3. Only students who earn a 40% or higher on the original tests will have the option to take these re-tests, which will be administered one week later. The re-test score will replace the score on the original test, whether the re-test score is higher or lower. There will be no all-essay versions of tests this semester.

Most of the points for each test (90-95%) will be drawn from material covered in class. Thus, a good set of notes will be of much assistance in learning the material. Roughly 5-10% of each test will be drawn from material in the textbook or other assigned readings, but not covered in class. Unprofessionally made videotapes of our lectures will be available at the SOAR Center (80 Holden Hall; hours M-R 9-8, F 9-5) but you should be aware that equipment is subject to failure and to our inexperience; thus, videotapes for all lectures are not guaranteed. You may record the audio portions of lectures (NO video recordings or photographs), but recordings may be used only to study biology unless you have our permission to use them for other purposes. Cellular phones, palm pilots, pagers, and beepers may not be used during tests, labs, or lectures, unless directed by the instructor. Computers may not be used during tests. You may be asked to leave if your devices disturb the class.

We will make an effort to design tests that challenge you to do more than regurgitate facts. Repetitious reading of textbook and notes as a sole means of studying will get you no better than a grade of "C" because tests will ask you to apply, integrate, and evaluate information in situations which may be different from those covered in class. They will be tests of your understanding of the principles of biology, not solely tests of your ability to memorize and recall. Appendix F of the lab manual consists of tests administered during the past two years in BIOL 1404, along with the answer keys. You may find these tests helpful as you prepare for this semester's tests, but realize that no test items from these old tests will appear on your tests. Tests may include material covered in previous testing units. Students are invited to create and submit sample multiple-choice questions for potential inclusion into all tests. A review session will be held before each unit test, usually on Monday evenings from 5-6.

Tests will be on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 sharp (see schedule for dates) and will last 90 minutes. You must be prepared to present a photo ID (does not have to be a Tech ID) at all tests; failure to do so can result in the disqualification of your test. Also, bring two #2 pencils and a pen. We will provide scantron forms. Anyone entering the test after someone has completed the test and left the room will not be allowed to take that test. While tests are scheduled at a frequency of about once a month, the test period on Tuesday afternoons will often be used for optional activities such as discussions of current topics, enhancing study or test-taking skills, administering re-tests, going over old tests, working on sample test questions, etc. We strongly encourage you to be present for as many of these sessions as you can. Not all lab instructors are equal. As a result, it may be necessary to normalize lab scores in certain lab sections at the end of the semester.

5. UNDERSTANDING EVALUATION

Evaluating student performance is a complex and difficult process. While students cannot be pigeonholed, they can be judged on the basis of their achievements. Effort is an important component of achievement, but we cannot accurately gauge your effort. We are limited to measuring achievement by the number of points you earn.

Grade Distributions for the last two BIOL 1404 Classes

spring 2010 spring 2011
A = 5.6% A = 11.9%
B = 30.9% B = 31.0%
C = 37.5% C = 37.2%
D = 19.9% D = 15.6%
F = 6.1% F = 4.1%
W = 9.2% W = 6.2%

NOTE: Letter grade proportions were calculated based on the number of students enrolled on the last day of class, whereas “W” proportions were figured according to students enrolled on the 12th day of class.
6. SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION

The SOAR Center will sponsor Supplemental Instruction (SI) specifically for BIOL 1404 students. The student leaders, Jeffrey Chen & Suzanne Alkul, will attend all lectures, and will offer free instructional SI sessions at times and places to be announced. This is a superb opportunity to get help from a peer who is also an expert.

7. TEST GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

During the week of Feb. 7-10, fifteen randomly selected lab sections may elect a representative to the Biology Advisory Committee (BAC) following brief presentations by the candidates concerning their qualifications for the position. This committee of students will meet the Wednesday afternoon following each regular unit test and re-test in order to evaluate student comments/criticisms about test items and to forward their recommendations to the course instructors, who will take these recommendations under advisement. The qualifications to serve on the committee are that the student took BIOL 1403 at Texas Tech and received a "C" or better, and that the student be free Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m.

The BAC does not consider essay questions. If you disagree with the score awarded to an essay, then type a detailed presentation of your grievance, attach it to the original essay and submit it to the appropriate instructor for re-evaluation. Essays done in pencil or erasable ink will not be reconsidered. This must be done within one week of the return of the essays. Likewise, suspected errors in the filling in of any part of the scantron form must be brought to the proper instructors' attention within one week of the posting of scores on Raiderlink. Please do not procrastinate; check the posted scores as soon as possible.

8. WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSE

Students who think they should withdraw from the course should be aware that this course is offered only once a year, during the spring semester. Withdrawal must take place before 5:00 on March 28. You need not inform the instructor, but it is helpful if you inform your lab instructor and lab partners of your intention to withdraw. Failure to withdraw properly will result in the grade of “F.” Students who plan to take this course elsewhere and transfer the credits to Texas Tech must insure that the other institution’s course (a) is designated specifically for majors (not non-majors and not both), (b) has a 3-h laboratory component, and (c) is a course that treats most of the following principles of biology: basic ecology; biodiversity; plant anatomy/physiology, and animal anatomy/physiology.

9. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Dishonesty on exams, homework, written work or connected with your attendance in lab or lecture will meet with the most serious consequences. Students are expected to be aware of, and abide by, the University's Honor code. Plagiarism on written lab reports or essays (copying/paraphrasing from other students or from other sources without giving due credit) will result in the loss of all points for that exercise, at the very least. Smoking and tobacco-chewing are not permitted in lecture or lab, nor is the use of cell phones, pagers, beepers, etc.

Disabling conditions: Any student who, because of a disabling condition (e.g. diabetes, epilepsy, dyslexia) may require special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact us as soon as possible so that accommodations can be made. Students should present appropriate verification from Disabled Student Services, Dean of Students Office. No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to completion of this University procedure. Religious holidays: Any student who will miss tests because of recognized religious holidays should notify us as soon as possible so alternative arrangements can be made.

Can we talk? We can talk about anything you'd like. No appointment is necessary to see us during office hours -- just drop in. If office hours are not convenient, then feel free to make an appointment. You can also e-mail us; our e-mail addresses are on the front page of this syllabus. We should tell you that we are not happy to deliver all or part of a lecture to someone who has missed class.

10. SCHEDULING

The final five lectures will be covered as part of the Cumulative Final Exam, which is on Friday, May 11th, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at locations to be announced in class.
Tentative BIOL 1404 Schedule, 2012
Week Date Topic Text Pages Notes
1 Jan. 20 Natural Selection 476-485 NO 1404 labs this week
2 Jan. 23 Natural Selection/Altruism 1134-1139 Labs do meet this week
2 Jan. 25 Altruism/Behavioral Ecology 1118-1134
2 Jan. 27 Why have sex?
3 Jan. 30 Sexual Selection
3 Feb. 1 Population Ecology 1187-1191
3 Feb. 3 Population Ecology, cont. Last day to drop w/o penalty
4 Feb. 6 Human Population Growth 198-200 BAC Elections this week
4 Feb. 8 Community Ecology 1194-1215
4 Feb. 10 Indirect Effects
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5 Feb. 13 Cellular Respiration (Cont.) 172-182
5 Feb. 14 Test #1 (Intro. through Indirect Effects)
5 Feb. 15 Introduction to Energetics 142-151
5 Feb. 17 Photosynthesis I 184-203
6 Feb. 20 Photosynthesis II
6 Feb. 21 Re-Test #1
6 Feb. 22 Photosynthesis/Cellular Respiration 163-181
6 Feb. 24 Cellular Respiration II
7 Feb. 27 Angiosperms: Fruits and Seeds 807-811
7 Feb. 29 Plant Diversity I 600-615
7 Mar. 2 Plant Diversity II 618-634
8 Mar. 5 Plant Diversity III
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8 Mar. 6 Test #2 (Energetics through Plant Diversity)
8 Mar. 7 Viruses 381-394 2nd half of course begins
8 Mar. 9 Prokaryotes I 551-553, 556-565
9 Mar. 10-18 SPRING BREAK
10 Mar. 19 Prokaryotes II 564-573 NO 1404 labs this week
10 Mar. 21 “Protists” 575-579
10 Mar. 23 Fungi 636-642, 648-652
11 Mar. 26 Invertebrates I 654-673
11 Mar. 28 Invertebrates II 674-683 Last day to drop
11 Mar. 30 Invertebrates III 683-692
12 Apr. 2 Invertebrates IV 692-695
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12 Apr. 3 Test #3 (Viruses through Invertebrates)
12 Apr. 4 Vertebrates I 697-709
12 Apr. 6 Vertebrates II 709-717
13 Apr. 9 UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY Labs do meet this week
13 Apr. 10 Re-Test #3
13 Apr. 11 Vertebrates III 717-724
13 Apr. 13 Nervous System I 1045-1054
14 Apr. 16 Nervous System II 1055-1067
14 Apr. 18 Endocrine System I 974-982, 984-989
14 Apr. 20 Endocrine System II 989-993
15 Apr. 23 Circulatory System I 897-904, 913-914
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15 Apr. 24 Test #4 (Vertebrates-Circulatory System I)
15 Apr. 25 Circulatory System II 905-909
15 Apr. 27 Lymphatic/Immune System 910-911, 929-946
16 Apr. 30 Respiratory System I 915-922 Lab practical starts tomorrow
16 May 2 Respiratory System II 923-926
16 May 4 Digestive System I 880-886
17 May 7 Digestive System II 887-895 Last class meeting