[draft version] Syllabus for Dr. Thompson's Principles of Evolution Class Spring 2012

PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTION   Biology 3330-03/3331-05      Fall 2012 - Syllabus

Instructor: James F. Thompson, Ph.D., MT(ASCP)

Phone: 931-221-6286

E-mail: thompsonj@apsu.edu

Web Page: http://www.apsu.edu/thompsonj/

“Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.”   Theodosius Dobzhansky (1973)

The Principles of Evolution course (4 credit hours) is designed to impart an understanding of the core concepts in modern evolutionary theory, and an appreciation of the central position that theory holds as a theme unifying all subdisciplines of biology. Due to its subject matter, this course does not provide a traditional laboratory experience. Instead, there will be discussion, independent reading, study, and interaction with Internet resources including a specific companion website developed by the author and publisher to accompany the textbook. While it is not essential that each student have Internet access from home, it will be more convenient if home Internet access is available. Please inform the instructor if you cannot access the web from home.

Course Description: Designed to impart an understanding of the core concepts in modern evolutionary theory, and an appreciation of the central position that theory holds as a theme unifying all subdisciplines of biology.  Prerequisite: Biology 1110/1111 or permission of the instructor.

Class Periods:

Lecture - Mondays, Wednesdays and some Fridays, 12:20 PM to 2:20 AM, Sunquist SC B223

Lab - some Fridays, 12:20 PM to 2:20 AM, Sunquist SC B223

Textbook: Brian K. Hall, Evolution:  Principles and Processes, 2011, Jones and Bartlett.

Evolution:  Principles and Processes (B.K. Hall Text Book Site)

This website contains supplemental materials, some of which will be used in the course.

Please ask questions whenever you have any problems with the material of the course. If you need extra help or have a question outside of class, please send an E-mail or make a phone call or an appointment. Be proactive; don't wait until the week of the exam to discover you need assistance.

Information which is not in the text may be introduced in lectures or laboratories. Students will be responsible for this information on exams.

Electronic Devices: All beepers, cell phones, and other outside communication devices MUST be turned off during class. Their intrusion and use during class are disruptive to the course activities and to the learning process for your fellow students. You may have a laptop computer in class, but if so, it may only be used for purposes associated with the course. No other computing activities are permitted.

Students with Disabilities: Any student who has a condition that may affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with the coordinator of Disability Services, Beulah Oldham, Clement 140, 221-6230 or (V/TTY) 221-6278 to discuss this matter.

APSU Policy on Minors on Campus: According to APSU policy #3:032, minors (defined as those under the age of 18) are not allowed in classrooms. While I recognize that extenuating circumstances occur and make it difficult for some students to attend without bringing children with them on occasion, I must enforce University policy and thus will deny any request for a child in my classroom. You should also be aware that minors are not allowed in academic labs, computer labs, science labs, or the library. Further, children cannot be left in halls outside classrooms. Please be aware that the policy on unattended minors is for the purpose of ensuring that our classrooms are conducive to learning and for the safety and protection of minors. For additional information on minors on campus, contact the Office of Student Affairs in the Morgan University Center.

Tutoring: Free tutoring is available for all students for a variety of classes including Human Anatomy & Physiology in the Academic Support Center, ( http://www.apsu.edu/academic_support/ ) - Marks Building,  Room 122 and phone 931-221-6553. Call to check tutoring schedules. Some students may also meet eligibility requirements to receive academic assistance from Student Support Services ( http://www.apsu.edu/sss/ ) . For more information contact: Student Support Services Program, Ellington, Room 337, (931) 221-6142.

GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS

1. To develop skills of inquiry, abstract and logical thinking, and critical analysis.

2. To develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

3. To develop an understanding of the scientific method.

4. To develop skills in mathematics, computation, and statistics.

COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of this course in Principles of Evolution, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and principles of organic evolution as the unifying theory of all biological science.

2. Demonstrate the relationships between basic principles of genetics and of molecular biology and their fundamental relationship to evolutionary processes.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of major evolutionary processes including mutation, variation, natural selection, adaptation, genetic drift, migration, speciation, sexual selection, kin selection, and extinction.

4. Demonstrate the relationships between micro-evolutionary and macro-evolutionary processes.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of human evolution, physical, social and cultura.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Format: Two or three periods of lecture/discussion/presentations/per week.  In some weeks, lab computer simulations or other lab experiences on select Fridays.  Please ask questions whenever you have any problems with the material of the course. If you need extra help or have a question outside of class, please send an E-mail or make a phone call or an appointment.

Attendance: Required for all sessions. Punctuality will be appreciated. Any material missed will be the responsibility of the student. It is the responsibility of the student to report absences and the reasons for any absences, before the fact when possible, when they occur. No one may be present in the classroom or lab who is not enrolled in the course.

Grading:

Lab Reports and Quizzes ............................................ 15%
Three exams ............................................................... 45%
Comprehensive* final exam .......................................... 15%    [*The comprehensive final will cover material from the text, lectures, labs and student PPTs.]
First Student PowerPoint Presentation ..........................8%
Second Student PowerPoint Presentation ...................17%

Grading Scale: 0-59% = F; 60-69% = D; 70-79% = C; 80-89% = B; and 90-100% = A. (Note: Most exams will include approximately 10% additional "bonus points.")

The final grade will be computed as defined above and awarded in both lecture and lab.

Make-up lecture exams will be permitted for only those students with excused absences. It is the student's obligation to arrange for make-up exams within 48 hours. Make-up exams will not receive the benefit of bonus points. Part of your obligation in this course is "to be prepared" to take the exam on the assigned day. Absence from an exam must be covered by appropriate documentation or it will be counted as unexcused. It is the student's responsibility to complete the appropriate paperwork to obtain excused absence status. Failure "to be prepared" is not a valid excuse.

The student is expected to have read the material assigned before coming to each class session. Then following the class session one should re-read the material and coordinate it with the notes. A short, unscheduled, quiz may be given during any class period.

First (Minor) Student PowerPoint Presentation: 

(1) Each student must select a geological period from the List provided in class. You may not  use a presentation on a topic which you have or are using for another class as a paper, project, or presentation.  The purpose of this presentation is to briefly introduce this topic to your classmates.  Useful things to include in this brief introduction to the geological period would be (1) how it got its name, (2) the years of its span of time, (3) a map of the positions of the continents and oceans at the time, (4) descriptions and photographs (or illustrations) of example organisms, marine and terrestrial, from this geological period, (5) descriptions and photographs  (or illustrations) of the climate regimes and biomes/habitats present at the time, (6) descriptions of any major evolutionary changes, e.g., major extinctions or major adaptive radiations, and their causes, if known.  If you selected a topic other than a time period, see Dr. T. for suggestions for content. 

(2) Prepare a PowerPoint presentation on the topic.  Include a title slide with the title, your name, “Prepared for Principles of Evolution,” and “Austin Peay State University Biology Department” at the beginning of the presentation.  Include a second slide with brief abstract which summarizes the presentation.  Include a slide or slides with a list of 3 (minimum) current references other than our textbook which provide additional information on the subject at the end of the presentation.  (Professional journal articles, books and appropriate Internet sites are examples of appropriate references.)

(3) Prepare a one page handout to accompany the presentation which can be distributed to your classmates on the day of your presentation.  The handout should contain your name, the date, your title, appropriate information on the time period, including your abstract and your list of references, so that the handout may be used as summary of your presentation.   (The instructor will make copies of your handout for you if you submit it a week in advance of your presentation.)

(4) On the day of the Student Presentations, be prepared to make a 3 to 5 minute oral presentation which summarizes the information contained in your presentation to your classmates.  Presentations which are too short or too long will receive a lower grade.

Second (Major) Student PowerPoint Presentation: 

(1) Each student must select a topic related to the subject matter of the course. Obtain approval for the topic from the instructor.  Feel free to inquire of the instructor about appropriate topics.  You may not  use a presentation on a topic which you have or are using for another class as a paper, project, or presentation.   

(2) Prepare a PowerPoint presentation on the topic.  Include a title slide with the title, your name, “Prepared for Principles of Evolution,” and “Austin Peay State University Biology Department” at the beginning of the presentation.  Include a second slide with brief abstract which summarizes the presentation.  Include a slide or slides with a list of 7 (minimum) current references other than our textbook which provide additional information on the subject at the end of the presentation.  (Professional journal articles, books and Internet sites are examples of appropriate references.)

(3) Prepare a one to two page handout to accompany the presentation which can be distributed to your classmates on the day of your presentation.  The handout should contain your name, the date, your title, appropriate information on the topic, including your abstract and your list of references, so that the handout may be used as summary of your presentation.   (The instructor will make copies of your handout for you if you submit them a week in advance of your presentation.)

(4) On the day of the Student Presentations, be prepared to make a 9 to 11 minute oral presentation which summarizes the information contained in your presentation to your classmates.  Presentations which are too short or too long will receive a lower grade.

Computer Assisted Learning: The biology courses at APSU provide computers and numerous computer based tools to help students learn the central concepts of this discipline. You will find additional course review material and useful links elsewhere on Dr. Thompson's web site. I urge you to explore those links.

Remember that you have access to printing at all university computer labs. However, you are not to use the computers in the biology labs to print anything unrelated to biology course laboratory assignments. This means you may not print Principles of Evolution lecture Power Point presentations in the biology labs because the laboratory budget does not cover that type of expense (use of paper and ink cartridges).

Tutoring:  Free tutoring is available for all students for a variety of classes in the Academic Support Center, University Center Room 114, Ph. (931) 221-6550. There may or may not be tutors for Principles of Evolution, since it is only taught in alternate years.  Call to check tutoring schedules. Some students may also meet eligibility requirements to receive academic assistance from Student Support Services. For more information contact: Student Support Services Program, Ellington, Room 337, (931) 221-6142.

Withdrawals: Withdrawals will be handled in the manner outlined in the APSU Undergraduate Bulletin.

Each Student is Expected to Read the Assignment in the Text Before it is Presented in Class.

The following lecture topics are proposed. At the discretion of the instructor the topic and/or sequence may be changed. Such changes will be announced prior to the change.

Principles of Evolution Fall 2012 Biology 3330-09/3331-11

Day  Date         Topic                                                                       Chapter to Read

  F    1/13      Introduction to the Principles of Evolution Course
                     What Is the Nature of Science?

  M    1/16       * * * Martin Luther King Day Holiday -- No Classes * * *  
  W    1/18      What Is the Nature of Science? continued
                      Science and Evolution as Science                                             1
   F    1/20      Evolution of Evolution continued/Time                                       2

  M    1/23      The Origin of Molecules and the Nature of Life                          3
                      From Molecules to Cells and the Origin of Selection                  4 
  W    1/25      Darwin and the Voyage of the Beagle                                       5
   F    1/27       Darwin and Wallace' Evolution by Natural Selection                 6
                       Students are to have selected a Minor PPT presentation topic by this day.
 
  M    1/30       Darwin and Wallace' Evolution by Natural Selection (continued)
  W    2/01       Darwin, Mendel and Theories of Inheritance                              7
   F    2/03       Lab 1:  Phylostrat
 
  M    2/06      Darwin, Mendel and Theories of Inheritance (continued)
  W    2/08      From Single-Celled Organisms to Kingdoms                              8
   F    2/10      Lab 2:  Caminalcules Evolution
 
  M    2/13      Eukaryotic Cells and Multicellular Organisms                             9
  W    2/15      Plants and Fungi as Branches of the Tree of Life                     10
   F    2/17      Minor Student PowerPoint Presentations
 
  M    2/20       Exam 1: Chapters 1 - 7
  W    2/22      Animals as a Branches of the Tree of Life                                 11
   F    2/24      Animals as a Branches of the Tree of Life (continued)
 
  M    2/27      Individual Genetic Variation and Gene Regulation                     12
  W    2/29      Individual Genetic Variation and Gene Regulation (continued)
   F    3/02      Lab 3:  Evodots
                       Students are to have selected a Major PPT presentation topic by this day.
 
  M    3/06       * * * Spring Break -- No Classes * * *
  W    3/08       * * * Spring Break -- No Classes * * *
   F    3/10       * * * Spring Break -- No Classes * * *
 
  M    3/12       Genetic Variation in Populations                                                13
  W    3/14      Genetic Variation in Populations (continued)
   F    3/16       Lab 4:  Frogpond
 
  M    3/19       The Biology of Populations                                                        14
  W    3/21       Exam 2: Chapters 8 - 14
   F    3/23      Natural Selection                                                                       15
 
  M     3/26      Species and Similarity:  On Being the Same Yet Different        16
  W     3/28     Origin of Species                                                                        17
   F     3/30      Lab 5:  Bugsville

  M     4/02      Mass Extinctions, Opportunities and Adaptive Radiations         18
  W     4/04     Human Origins and Evolution                                                     19
   F     4/06*    * * * Good Friday Holiday -- No Classes * * * 

  M     4/09     Human Origins and Evolution (continued)
  W     4/11     Cultural and Social Evolution                                                      20
   F     4/13      Lab 6:  t.b.a.
 
  M     4/16      Culture, Religion and Evolution                                                  21
  W     4/18     Culture, Religion and Evolution (continued)
   F     4/20      Exam 3: Chapters 15 - 21

  M     4/23      Major Student PowerPoint Presentations
  W     4/25      Major Student PowerPoint Presentations Continued
  Th    4/26      No Classes: Study Day
 
  F      4/27      Final Exam: Comprehensive -- 1:30 - 3:30 PM (Finals Week) or
  Tu    5/01      Final Exam: Comprehensive -- 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Finals Week) ?