Biology 13, General Zoology, Fall 2008

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the principles of animal biology. The phylogenetic series, structure, function, heredity, comparative relationships and evolution of the invertebrates and vertebrates shall be studied. This course is designed for life science majors and students in pre-professional programs. The laboratory portion of this course includes required field trips.

Meetings:

Make sure you are present and on time for all lecture and lab meetings. Instructions, announcements, and changes may occur at any time during the scheduled lecture or lab. You are responsible for all information presented including any updated grade information and/or your status in the class (even if you were not present at the time the announcement was made). It is your responsibility to obtain any verbal or written material delivered during class or lab. Handouts are distributed only once. You must make a copy of the material from another student in class if you are missing that item or see me during my office hours.

Required Texts:

Lecture: Integrated Principles of Zoology, Hickman, Roberts, Larson, and I'Anson, 14th edition, 2008, McGraw Hill publisher.

Laboratory: Laboratory Studies in Integrated Principles of Zoology, Hickman, Hickman, Kats, 14th edition, 2008, McGraw Hill publisher.

Materials:

1. Dissecting Kit (scalpel, scissors, probes, ruler)
2. Colored pencils (Drawings to be done in pencil)
3 . Lab coat (0ptional)
4 . Gloves (0ptional)

Prerequisite Skills:

Upon entering this course, the student should be able to:
Biol 4
A. Understand and describe the concepts of the scientific method and basic philosophies of biology.
B. Analyze and define theories on the origin of life.
C. Examine the use of various types of laboratory equipment.
D. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of both the compound and dissecting microscopes.
E. Understand and explain the cell theory as it relates to biological science.
F. Understand and describe the structure, function, and evolution of the cell.
G. Recognize and contrast the concepts of unity and diversity as it relates to cell structure, design, and function.
H. Compare and contrast the process of reproduction in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
I. Understand and analyze the concepts associated with modern molecular genetics
J. Examine concepts of Mendelian genetics and be able to apply these concepts to estimate phenotypic and genotypic ratios.
L. Examine the premises upon which the theory of evolution is based along with the observations of Darwin and others leading to the concept of natural selection.
M. Examine the principles of ecology emphasizing the relationship of communities and ecosystems underlying physical and chemical processes.
N. Evaluate, contrast, and understand the leading facts, generalizations, and ideas of population ecology by employing probability theory and other statistical methods.

Advisory Skills:

Upon entering this course, it is recommended that the student be able to:

English A:
A. Make the appropriate connection between reading, critical thinking, and writing.
B. Write at the English 1A entrance level.
C. Have a thorough understanding of sound grammatical principles.
D. Become acquainted with writing resource tools, such as library research skills, thesaurus, handbook of writing skills, and dictionary.

English 41:
A. Reading comprehension appropriate to college-level texts such as magazine articles, editorials, and newspapers)
1. Evaluate author’s ideas and opinions
2. Paraphrase ideas within selections
B. Reading comprehension appropriate to college-level textbooks
1. Identify main ideas with increased efficiency in college level material
2. Identify supporting details with increased efficiency in college-level material
3. Recall significant facts with increased efficiency
4. Distinguish fact, inference, and opinion with increased efficiency in college-level material
5. Apply reading principles to content areas of college-level textbooks
C. College-level critical thinking skills
Apply problem-solving strategies

Expected Student Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student is expected to be able to:

A. Appraise the scientific method and its function in animal research.
B. Analyze the basic chemical principles as they relate to the study of animal biology.
C. Relate the structure and function of the cell to the discipline level of this course.
D. Compare and contrast body architecture through a study of structural organization of the animal body through the phyla.
E. Compare and contrast the principles of cellular reproduction, and the study of mitosis and meiosis through the phyla.
F. Evaluate the principles of inheritance and its implication to evolution.
G. Appraise the concept of evolution as it relates to origins and development and diversity of species.
H. Examine the processes and methods of taxonomy in the naming and classifying of animals studied in this course.
I. Evaluate and organize a detailed survey of the animal phyla to include (but not be limited to):
1. Protozoa
2. Porifera
3. Cnidaria
4. Platyhelminthes
5. Nematoda
6. Mollusca
7. Annelida
8. Arthropoda
9. Echinodermata
10. Chordata
J. Compare and contrast the physiology of the body systems through the phyla to include:
1. The integumentary system
2. The skeleton
3. The muscular system
4. The digestive system
5. The circulatory system
6. The respiratory system
7. The excretory system
8. The endocrine system
9. The nervous system
l0. Sense organs
11. The reproductive system
K. Examine diverse animal species in a laboratory setting to evaluate their taxonomy and physiology.
L. Dissect and evaluate the dissections of various animals in a laboratory setting to support the concepts related to body form and function.
M. Observe and evaluate in their natural habits the organisms studied in the laboratory.

Methods of Evaluation

Quizzes and exams may be partially objective (multiple choice, T/F, etc.) and partially subjective (essay, completion, and problem solving).

Lecture exams will usually be given on designated days (see schedule) unless otherwise instructed. You will not be allowed to make up exams except in cases of extreme emergencies (with documentation) and prior notification is given. There is no make up on quizzes since some will be dropped at the end of the semester (depending on the number of quizzes given).

Lab exams are given in the form of practicums which will be explained when the time comes to use one. There are no make ups of missed lab exams, however you may take the exam with the other section with prior approval. Use your notebooks to study for the lab exams. How to construct a notebook follows.

Lab Reports
Lab Reports are due one week from the scheduled completion of lab. Lab Report instructions will be given for each lab and will consist of a sequence of questions and labeled representations from the labs.

Attendance:

Daily attendance is expected and you are required to maintain at least 80% attendance in order to remain in the class. It is your responsibility to officially drop the course if that should be your desire. I do not assume that you have dropped simply because you have stopped coming or have missed assignments. Not dropping by the end of the fourteenth week of instruction may result in an F grade.  You may also be dropped from the class if I feel that you have missed too much material due to absences and/or tardiness (usually more than 20% of the course). I may also drop you if you have missed two consecutive lectures or labs.

Academic Honesty Policy

Academic honesty is expected of all students in this course. Academic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to) cheating and plagarism and extends to students who may aid or encourage such acts. Plagarism is defined as presenting someone else's writing or ideas as your own. If the unfortunate situation of dishonesty arises, the course policy is as follows: The student(s) involved will receive a zero and/or "F" on the assignment (includes but not limited to homework, exams, quizzes, lab practicums etc.) and the appropriate college authorities notified.

Tentative Point Assignment

(there may be changes to assignments, some added new assignments, some modified, etc., so the point structure may differ).

Grading Scale:

For example, if the total points for the semester = 1040 pts., and you earn 90% of 1040 pts. (936 pts.) you would receive an "A" grade, earn 80% of 1040 pts. (832 pts.) you would receive a "B" grade, earn 70% of 1040 pts. (728 pts.) you would receive a "C" grade, earn 60% of 1040 pts. (624 pts.) you would receive a "D" grade, earn less than 60% of 1040 pts. (less than 624 pts.) and you would receive an "F" grade.

Use this table to keep track of your scores