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BIO 301 |
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Syllabus & Policies Spring 2007
The mission of the Ferrum College Biology program is to maintain
a quality, up-to-date biology curriculum providing academically rigorous
courses and experiential learning from qualified faculty. These educational
goals shall be integrated into a liberal arts curriculum. Ferrum College's
Biology Program has always emphasized the necessity for a broad perspective
of the field and an understanding of how biological issues relate
to larger societal concerns. Students have the opportunity to pursue
more specialized interests through upper level courses that permit
variety in choice of emphasis areas. However the fundamental breadth
of our program has always been one of its strengths. III. Class and Lab Meeting Time: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 11:15
AM – 12:10 PM V. Catalog Course Description A systematic survey of the structure, function, and natural history of the phyla and classes of animals without backbones. Emphasis will be placed on evolutionary relationships which are the basis of our classification system. Detailed Description: This course covers topics related to invertebrate animals in marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Evolutionary relationships will be emphasized and parasitology will be discussed. Diversity of invertebrate animals and their characteristics structurally and physiologically will be discussed in detail. Field trips and lab activities are a required part of the class and will include trips around the Ferrum area and nearby ecosystems; labs will include dissections, living animal studies, microscopic studies, taxonomic identification and an invertebrate animal collection. A fieldtrip will be taken to Atlantic Ocean coastline, probably in South Carolina to study and collect marine invertebrates. VI. Purpose/Rationale for this Course This course is an introductory course that will prepare students to continue in the area of zoology and biology. Students will acquire a working knowledge of basic concepts of taxonomic identification of invertebrate animals and their evolutionary relationships. The study of this wide range of animals and their importance in parasitology of humans and other animals relates to the health concerns of society. The laboratory portion of this course will introduce students to methods in the study of taxonomy, morphology, physiology and evolution and will allow students to experience field and laboratory research in the biological sciences. VII. Use of Technology in Course The students will use computers and computer software programs such as simulation programs of organisms in different ecosystems which will demonstrate characteristics of animals in nature. Microscopes and video cameras attached to monitors will also be used. A course web site is set up on the Angel Course Management system Web Site. VIII. Course Goals and Outcomes Students will acquire a working knowledge of the morphology, physiology
and evolutionary relationships of invertebrate animals. The laboratory
portion of this course will introduce students to methods of studying
invertebrate animals including dissection and microscopic studies
and will allow students to learn collection of specimens in the field,
mounting of specimens for display and taxonomic identification of
specimens and field observed animals. IX. Assessment of Course Goals and Outcomes Course Goal/Outcome
Project: An invertebrate animal collection will be required and will be due Wednesday, April 11. Animals must be collected, mounted or preserved and identified taxonomically. Information must be provided on each animal about their place in the taxonomic hierarchy, place in a food web and the date, place and source of collection on a 3” by 5” card. Instruction will be provided on the methods of preserving or mounting invertebrate animals and further details of this project will be provided by instructor.
Quizzes: Many discussions of readings will be accompanied by quizzes in class and/or outside of class. Occasionally there will be a lab quiz. Tests and Final Exam: Tests may include short answer questions, multiple choice, essay and matching questions. The final exam will be comprehensive, covering textbooks, readings and will be worth 200 points. XI. Evaluation and Grading Scale XII. Academic Integrity: Academic endeavor is undermined by cheating, plagiarism, or lying for academic advantage. The faculty has the duty to promote an atmosphere of honest learning, first through its own example as a community of scholars, but also through the establishment and support of a system by which students charged with academic wrongdoing can be fairly judged, and if found culpable, held accountable. (From – Ferrum College Student Handbook, pg 19 and the Ferrum College Faculty Handbook, pg 84) XIII, Attendance Policy: Please do not be late or absent from class, labs, or field trips. If you know of future absences please discuss the absence with the instructor as soon as you know of it. If an unexpected absence occurs, call or meet with the instructor as soon as possible. The determination of (excused or unexcused) is determined only by the instructor. Lab class absences count as two absences. There will be a letter grade penalty for 4 unexcused absences or unreasonable lateness. Tobacco: There will be no tobacco products in the classroom, lab or field trips, including cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. Electronic devices: Cell phones will be collected at the beginning of each class and lab then returned by the end of class. No electronic devices may be used in class unless permission is granted by the instructor because of special circumstances. This includes cell phones, beepers, CD players, radios, computers and other devices. The device will be taken away from the student at the time of the violation and returned to the student ate the end of the class or lab period. Occasionally lap top computers will be provided by the instructor for use during class time. Proper care must be exercised by the student ts in the use of these computers or penalties will be applied to the student in violation of policy. Special Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids will be available for any qualified student with a disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As early in the semester as possible, you are encouraged to notify the instructor and Ms. Linda Albrecht, Disability Services Coordinator, in ARC 111. Instructors are not allowed to discuss individual accommodations in public or ask individual students to make use of them. Qualified students may request these services and must follow the reasonable guidelines required by the school (such as arranging at least 48 hours in advance for any special accommodations for a scheduled test), or you will lose your right to take advantage of these services. Tentative Class Schedule Term: Spring 2007 Textbook and Readings: Meeting Time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11:15 AM – 12:10 PM
Term: Spring 2007 Instructor: Dr. Carolyn Lee Thomas Texts: 1. Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory Manual 6th Edition 2002
by: Robert L. Wallace and Walter K. Taylor; Prentice Hall Publishers.
Required textbook Meeting Time: Wednesdays 12:30 PM – 3:15 PM Week Date Lab Activity Lab Exercises |
