General Biology

General Biology - Animals

Spring 2008

Christopher L. Higgins	Office Hours:
Office: 213I Science Building	MWF: 9:00 - 10:00 & 11:00 – 12:00
Phone: (254) 968-9019	And by appointment
E-mail: higgins@tarleton.edu	http://www.tarleton.edu/~higgins

Course Description:

BIOL 121 is designed to provide a broad overview of animal biology, emphasizing animal diversity and taxonomy, basic anatomy and physiology, evolutionary adaptations, and ecological relationships. The first part of the course will provide a basic overview of the various animal phyla starting with the protozoans, which are the simplest animal-like organisms, and ending with human evolution. The second part of the course will provide a comparative examination of the major organ systems found in animals, with an emphasis on vertebrate organ systems. The third part of the course will provide a broad overview of how animals interact with each other and their environment. The entire course will be placed within an evolutionary context.

Major Learning Outcomes:

Students should gain an appreciation for the diversity of animals, both extinct and living forms.
Students should be able to compare and contrast the various animal phyla, with particular attention to key evolutionary advances.
Students should develop a working knowledge of the major organ systems, including digestive, respiratory, circulatory, immune, nervous, and reproductive systems.
Students should gain an appreciation for the diversity of behaviors that animals use in everyday life.
Students should be able to describe how animals interact with each other and their environment.

Class Schedule:
Section 010 MWF: 8:00 – 8:50 in room 102 of the Science building

Section 030 MWF: 10:00 – 10:50 in room 105 of the Science building

Required Course Materials:

Starr, C. and R. Taggart. 2006. Biology: the unity and diversity of life. 11^th edition. Thomson Brooks/Cole

Attendance:

Attendance in this course is required and will be taken on a daily basis. Although attendance does not directly factor into course grades, there is strong evidence that suggests class attendance is positively correlated with overall performance in the course.

Grade Determination:

The final course grade will be calculated on the basis of laboratory (25%) and lecture exams (75%). No grades will be dropped, and no curves will be given. Course grades will be assigned as follows: A = 90 – 100; B = 80 – 89; C = 70 – 79; D = 60 – 69; F = 0 – 59.

Grade Posting:

Grades will be posted in Blackboard to protect student confidentiality.

Exams:

There will be four examinations throughout the semester, the dates of which are given in the lecture schedule. Each exam will consist of multiple-choice questions and will include information presented in lecture and from the textbook. The final exam will not be cumulative; rather, it will only cover material since the third exam. Students will be allowed to make-up an exam only in the event of a serious illness, legitimate emergency, death of immediate family members, or Tarleton State University sponsored activity; in each case, proper documentation must be provided.

Academic Honesty:

Tarleton State University expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students guilty of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an exam or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. The faculty member is responsible for initiating action for each case of academic dishonesty that occurs in his/her class.

Disability Services:
Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Director of Disability Services in the Teaching and Learning Center at (254) 968-9480 early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. The policy of Tarleton State University is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal, state, and local laws. The Office of Disability Services fully supports this policy.

Religious holidays:
Students who expect to miss class and/or exams because of recognized religious holidays should notify the instructor as soon as possible so that alternative arrangements can be made. Examinations or assignments scheduled for that day will be rescheduled within a reasonable time either before or following the absence.