BIOL 1404 Course Syllabus

Syllabus
BIOLOGY II (for Life Science Majors)
BIOL 1404, SPRING 2008

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, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1403.

1st half: Dr. Mark McGinley 2nd half: Dr. Michael Dini, rm. 007, 742- 2729
McClellan Hall rm. 215, 742-1828 ext 242 Of. Hrs: M-Th 11-11:30 or by appt.
Of. Hrs: MWF, 11-12, or by appt. Website: http://courses.ttu.edu/biol1404- mdini
Group Of. Hrs: M, 5:30-7, rm. tba Group Of. Hrs: T, 5:30-6:30, rm. 023
e-mail: mark.mcginley@ttu.edu e-mail: michael.dini@ttu.edu

Required materials:
1. Class Text: Biology, 7th ed., by Campbell & Reece (last semester in use)
2. Lab Text: Lab Manual for Biology II, by M. Dini
3. dissecting kit and 5-6 prs of examining gloves
4. H-iTT 2-way “clicker” device

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. Understand basic concepts of evolutionary ecology, general ecology, cellular energetics, plant water potential, biodiversity, animal anatomy & physiology. ASSESSED BY: scores earned on four unit tests and a cumulative final exam.
B. Enable students to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in biological sciences, and enable students to understand the basis for building and testing theories. ASSESSED BY: pre-semester and mid-semester performance on laboratory science process skills test.
C. Develop skills in scientific writing. ASSESSED BY: scores on expository essays that are parts of the four unit tests, and by scores on draft & final versions of written lab reports.

3. ENROLLMENT & ATTENDANCE

You should be enrolled separately in a lecture section (001 or 002) and in a laboratory section (501-518). 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. Talking, 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.

4. EVALUATION

Your semester letter grade will be determined from the scores you earn on four unit tests (50%), on your laboratory work (31%), on the cumulative final exam (19%). 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 = 712-800 B = 624-711 C = 536-623 D = 448-535 F < 448
(89-100%) (78-88%) (67-77%) (56-66%) (<56%)

The four unit tests are worth 100 points each; the cumulative final exam is worth 150 points. The distribution of the 250 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 matching questions. All tests (except the final exam) will also contain essays. A limited number of students may take an all-essay version instead by making a request, as per the professor’s instructions. 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.

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. Hand-written notes (only!) can be used during the regular tests of the semester, but not during the final exam. 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 PASS Center (205 West Hall; hours M-Th 8-8, F 8-5) 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 tape record lectures, 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. 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 few 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 5:30 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. Below are descriptions of typical "A" and "C" students in BIOL 1403/1404 modified from an article in The Teaching Professor, August/September 1993.

The "A" Student -- An Outstanding Student The "C" Student -- A Mediocre Student
Attendance: "A" students have virtually perfect Attendance: "C" students sometimes miss class. They
attendance. Their commitment to the class put other priorities ahead of academic work. In some
resembles that of the teacher. cases, their health or constant fatigue renders them
Preparation: "A" students are prepared for class. physically unable to keep up with the demands of
They always read the assigned pages. Their high-level performance.
attention to detail is such that they occasionally Preparation: "C" students prepare their assignments
catch the teacher in a mistake. consistently but in a perfunctory manner. Their work
Curiosity: "A" students show interest in the class may be sloppy or careless. At times, it is incomplete.
and in biology. They look up or dig out what Curiosity: "C" students' interests are limited to issues
they don't understand. They often ask inter- like "Do we have to know this for the test?" They
esting questions or make thoughtful comments. are most interested in coping or getting by. Their
Retention: "A" students have retentive minds. goal is to spend as little time as possible in lab or
They are able to connect past learning with the studying.
present. They bring a background with them to Retention: "C" students only memorized things for
class and they continually check new information tests in high school; thus, they bring little background against what they previously learned. to the class. They will probably take little from it
Attitude: "A" students have a winning attitude. because they still use the same poor study habits.
They have both the determination and the self- Attitude: "C" students are not visibly committed to the
discipline necessary for success. They show class. They participate without enthusiasm. Their
initiative. They do things they have not been body language often expresses boredom.
told to do.
Talent: "C" students vary enormously in talent. Some
Talent: "A" students have something special. It have exceptional ability, but show undeniable signs
may be exceptional insight and intelligence. It of poor self-discipline or bad attitudes. Others are
may be unusual creativity, organizational skills, diligent, but below-average in academic ability.
commitment -- or a combination thereof. These Results: "C" students obtain mediocre or inconsistent
gifts are evident to the teacher and usually to results on tests. They have some concept of what is
other students as well. going on, but clearly have not mastered the material.
Results: "A" students make high grades on tests --
usually the highest in the class. Their lab work is
a pleasure to read.

Grade Distributions for the last two BIOL 1404 Classes
spring 2006 spring 2007
A = 11.8 A = 5.3%
B = 44.9% B = 34.1%
C = 31.5% C = 40.7%
D = 9.9% D = 17.0%
F = 1.9% F = 2.9%
W = 5.3% W = 8.2%

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 P.A.S.S. Center will sponsor a program in Supplemental Instruction (SI) specifically for BIOL 1404 students. The student leader will attend all lectures this semester 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 Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 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. 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 12. To withdraw, students go to room 103 in West Hall and complete the proper paperwork. 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, 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, or beepers.

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

WARNING- Some of the information about dates listed in this syllabus that I have posted on-line are incorrect. Thus, I have deleted that information from the blog. The information listed in the paper syllabus that I passed out in class are correct. This info can be found on-line at Dr. Dini's website http://courses.ttu.edu/biol1404-mdini/syllabus().htm

I am sorry for any inconvenience.