Biology II

BIO 112A

Spring Semester, 2008

4 credit hours. Prerequisite: BIO 111. Co-requisite; Bio 112 laboratory section

Instructor: Dr. Robert Hamilton

Hederman Science Room 205; Phone (601) 925-3872

Office hours:

10:00AM - 12:00AM MWF.

NOTE: I am available during these posted hours unless otherwise notified. I will be available during these hours without appointment unless I am occupied by a previous appointment. I am usually available at any time during the academic work day (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM). Also feel free to e-mail me with any questions at rhamilto@mc.edu.

Lectures:
8:00 - 9:15 AM TR
Hederman Science, Room 100

Textbooks:

Biology, 7th Edition. Campbell and Reese

IF YOU NEED SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO LEARNING, PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, OR OTHER DISABILITIES, PLEASE CONTACT DR. BUDDY WAGNER IN THE COUNSELING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER. HE MAY BE REACHED BY PHONE AT (601) 925-3354 OR BY MAIL AT P.O. BOX 4063, CLINTON, MS 39058.

THE LAST DAY TO DROP A CLASS IS FRIDAY, MARCH 28. STUDENTS CANNOT WITHDRAW AFTER MARCH 28 UNLESS ALL OF THE THREE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE MET: EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES (CLEARLY OUTSIDE THE STUDENT'S CONTROL).

PASSING THE COURSE AT THE TIME OF THE WITHDRAWAL

DOES NOT HAVE EXCESSIVE ABSENCES AT THE TIME OF THE WITHDRAWAL

Course Description:

A survey of life forms inhabiting our planet with an emphasis on vertebrate anatomy. This course is designed for Biology majors and minors.

Rationale for course:

A basic review of the science of Biology is critical for students entering a biology major. This course is necessary to support professional and preprofessional programs in Biology, such as biomedial, science education, pure and applied biological sciences, and biotechnology. This course is essential if students of the biological sciences are to utilize their skills, talents and abilities as they pursue meaningful careers, life-long learning, and service to God and others.

Learning objectives:

The objective of this course is to provide a background in basic organismal biology, with an emphasis on vertebrate biology.

Lecture:

Topics to be Covered in Lecture:

The diversity portion of the course will follow units 4 and 5 of the textbook. The diversity portion of the course will be supplemented with material from the Tree of life webpage. I will follow the classification presented in the Tree of Life where it disagrees with that of the textbook. The tree of life contains the more up to date hypotheses regarding realtionships among organisms.

Following the review of diversity, we will move on to unit 8 of the textbook for our discussion of Ecology.

Evaluation:

There will be five midterm tests and one final exam. There will be a midterm following:

Unit 4.
Unit 5, Chs 26-28.
Unit 5, Chs 29-31
Unit 5, Chs 32-34.
Unit 8.

Each midterm will be worth 10% of the final grade. The lowest midterm grade will be dropped (Assuming that the student writes all 4 midterms. A missed midterm will be counted as zero and the lowest grade of those midterms written will be dropped). The midterm grade constitutes 40% of the final grade. The final exam will be a comprehensive exam worth 25% of your final grade.

Students will prepare a presentation outlining the systematics and ecology of one species. The presentation will be worth 10% of the final grade.

The laboratory will be worth 25% of the final grade, and will be assessed independently of the lecture session. A syllabus for the laboratory portion of the course will be made avaiable in the laboratory.

Grading will follow the ten point scale, over 90% = A, 80-89.9% = B, 70-79.9% = C, 60-69.9% = D, < 60% = F.

Attendance:

Strict adherence to Mississippi College's class attendance policy will be followed. "Any student whose absences, whether excused or unexcused, exceed 25% of the class will receive an "F" in the course." This means that if you miss more than 8 classes, you get an F.

Academic Integrity:

See The Mississippi College Undergraduate Bulletin for what the university considers to be academically dishonest, the student's responsibility, and the consequences for academic dishonesty.

Missed Tests:

Makeups will be allowed only if PRIOR notification BY THE STUDENT is made to the instructor.