Department of Biology, Ave Maria University

COURSE SYLLABUS

Concepts in Biology BIOL 202: Organismal physiology, Anatomy and Ecology

Lab Section 2, Spring 2008

I.

II.      COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Designed for non-majors.  This course is designed to be an introduction to experimental natural science in the context living organisms focusing on organismal physiology, anatomy, behavior ecology and biological diversity.

III.    COURSE OBJECTIVE

At the end of this course, students should be able to understand and carry out the process of generating and communicating, and revising scientific knowledge especially as it relates to organismal physiology, anatomy, population dynamics, behavior, ecology, and biological diversity.

IV.    REQUIRED COURSEWORK:

1.  Research reports are papers reporting on experiments done in the laboratory.

2.  Question sheets are assignments where you will need to answer questions about a scientific paper read in lab, experiments done in the lab, or observations made at the various natural areas we visit.

3.  Lab final is a take home test.  Details will be provided later.

You are required to work in a group during lab and follow safe laboratory practice.

V.      EVALUATION PROCESSES

The objective of this course: Understanding, generating and communicating scientific information, will be evaluated primarily through assignments related to the lab exercises.

1.  Research reports Research reports will report the results of scientific investigations carried out in the lab.  They will assess the student’s ability carry out scientific investigations and communicate the results of the investigations.

2.  Question sheets The question sheets will assess how well students observe and interpret scientific data, experimental results and field observations.

3.  Lab final The lab final assesses students’ ability to design experiments, identify flaws in experimental design, interpret data, and research information.

VI.    GRADING

Your grade for the laboratory portion of Biology 202 will be worth 50% of your grade for Biology 202.  However, in order to pass Biology 202, it will be necessary to get a passing grade in both the laboratory and lecture sections. The lab section will be graded out of 200pts total points.

1.  Research reports                           30%   120pts

2.  Question sheets                             10%   40pts

3.  Lab final                                        10%   40pts

In order for you to receive credit for work: 

1.     You must do the work.  For laboratory courses such as this one, you must be present to do the work, so you must be at lab, on time.  You may not turn in assignments for laboratories that you did not attend.  Representing the work of others as your own is plagiarism.  You should seriously read the section of the student handbook on plagiarism.

2.     You must do the work on time.  Assignments must be received on time to be considered for full credit.  Assignments turned in late will lose 10% of the grade for each day they are late.

3.      You must do the work using only authorized material, communication, aid and assistance.  If you are unsure about whether assistance is authorized, you should ask.  Unless specifically instructed, students should complete written work on their own.  Students are expected uphold the honor code. 

VII.   REQUIRED TEXT:

Dickey, Jean Laboratory Investigations for Biology 2^nd ed. Benjamin Cummins, 2003.

VIII. SCHEDULE: