BIOL 122 – Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology
Meets: 11:30 - 12:25 in TCNW # 224
Instructor: Dr. Keith Philips 745-3419 Keith.Philips@wku.edu
Office: TCNW #205C
Office Hours: Mon. and Wed. 8:00-9:00
Text: Required: Biological Science - Scott Freeman
Course Description: We will examine the major biological areas beyond the micro-scale. Topics will include: the tree of life, macroevolution, bacteria, protists, plants, fungi, animals, and ecology.
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Evolution |
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Class Information, Introduction to Biology |
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Origin of Life, the Tree of Life (pgs. 1-24 & 46-48) |
1 |
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Classification, Systematics, Phylogenies (Chapters 23-26) |
2 |
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Species, Populations, and Microevolution (Chapters 23-26) |
2 |
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Macroevolution, Natural Selection, Genetic Drift, Fossils (Chapters 23-26) |
3 |
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Exam 1 |
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Diversity |
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Endosymbiosis, Eukaryotic Evolution, Prokaryotes (pgs. 615-617 & Chapter 27) |
3 |
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Protists (Chapter 28) |
4 |
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Plants (Chapters 29, 35-40) |
4 |
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Plants (Chapters 29, 35-40) |
5 |
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Exam 2 |
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Fungi (Chapter 30) |
6 |
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Fungi (Chapter 30) |
7 |
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Animals (Chapters 31, 41-49) |
7 |
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Animals (Chapters 31, 41-49) |
8 |
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Animals (Chapters 31, 41-49) |
8 |
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Animals (Chapters 31, 41-49) |
9 |
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Animals (Chapters 31, 41-49) |
9 |
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Animals (Chapters 31, 41-49) |
10 |
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Exam 3 |
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Ecology |
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Nature of the Environment (Chapter 50) |
11 |
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Behavioral Ecology (Chapter 51) |
12 |
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Autecology, Population Ecology (Chapter 52) |
13 |
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Communities, Ecosystems (Chapters 53-54) |
13 |
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Human Impacts, Conservation, Biodiversity (Chapter 55) |
14 |
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Final Exam: MONDAY May 7 at 10:30-12:30 |
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GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Please note that the syllabus is a basic guide. There may possibly be times when we cover more than is listed or leave out certain topics due to time constraints. We will try to cover all the material I have listed in the syllabus.
2. Grading: Each test is worth 100 points, except for the comprehensive final that is worth 200 points. Your final grade is based on 500 points. All grades are based on the current University ten-point grading scale; 90+ = A, 80-89 = B, etc. Grades will not be adjusted (curved) on individual exams. If the grade distribution is deemed by me to be too low at the end of the course, then the grading scale will be altered.
3. All test material will be taken from the lectures, handouts
and anything else we may do in class.
Exams II, III will cover only the material back to the previous exam. In contrast, the final will be comprehensive although there will be a greater emphasis on the most recent material which was not covered in the four previous exams.
3. Missed exams: If a student misses a regularly scheduled exam, he or she must have a valid excuse such as an illness or injury, death in the family, legal arrest /court subpoena, or a car accident or similar transportation calamity just before exam time. All excuses need to have independent documentation (e.g. physician's letter, tow-truck receipt etc.). Make-up exams are likely to consist of essay questions.
4. Class attendance is usually necessary for a good understanding of material. Even though I do not take attendance, you should plan to attend all lectures and by doing so will most likely do better in the course. If you know about everything listed in the lecture powerpoint presentations or the textbook and understand the material, you undoubtedly will receive a grade of "A."
5. Office hours: I will be available from 8:00 to 9:00 Mon. and Wed. in my office. We can also meet at another time by arrangement. You can ask me for a meeting time immediately before or after class, by phone, or email. If my door is open, drop in. If you are having any problems with the course, I encourage you to meet with me as soon as possible. Don't wait and don't feel inhibited- just come!
6. Be aware of the dates to drop and receive refunds, if you choose to do so. Also it is YOUR responsibility to drop the class as I cannot do this for you.
7. Disabilities: "Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 445, Potter Hall. The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004 V/TDD. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services."
8. Lastly but most importantly:
LEARN as much as you can! Earn a quality degree!
Learning takes effort, and research on college students has shown that
students who invest more time in learning get better results! Many times
students feel helpless when they experience difficulty in class. ... However,
it is important that you take responsibility for your learning and build
partnerships with your professors. Success is a choice - your
choice. To get what you want, it helps to know what you want and know
how to go about it. ... Becoming a master student is a lifelong process.
The final destination is up to you!
SACS Accreditation
This course fulfills the D.1. (Science/Mathematics) general education requirement. It will help you attain this general education goal and its corresponding objectives: An understanding of the scientific method and knowledge of natural science and its relevance in our lives, including 1) how scientific knowledge is created, developed, and changed through experimentation and reasoning, 2) demonstration of knowledge in one or more of the sciences, including theories, concepts, and principles that explain observations and make predictions, 3) how to locate and evaluate reliable resources to acquire information about scientific developments, and 4) the outlining of the reciprocal relationship between humans and the rest of the ecosystem.
As part of this course, you will be required to get online and attempt the module located at: NOTE: currently not active- I will let you know when it is available. https://mail.wku.edu/Redirect/bioweb.wku.edu/courses/Biol115/Wyatt/Sci_method/Sci_method1.asp
This is our method of
assessing your mastery of the above objectives. You will not be graded on
your attempt nor will it affect your overall grade in the course, however it is
required.
STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES:
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