Biological Principles Syllabus Report

Kennesaw State University
Dept. of Biology and Physics
Syllabus
Title of course: Biological Principles ll
Number of course: BIOL 2108
Term of course: Spring 2014
Instructor: Dr. Sigurdur Greipsson
Office hours: T 13:00-14:00PM and R 10:00AM-14:00PM or by appointment
Time of class:

Lecture: T and R 8:00-9:15AM
Lab: T 9:30AM-12:15PM

Classroom location: Lecture: rm. SC 109
Lab: rm. SC 234
Office location: SC room 316
Office telephone: [phone].
E-mail: [e-mail]
Course description: An organismal approach to biology. Topics include macroevolution, biodiversity, animal form and function, animal behavior, ecology and environmental sciences. In the laboratory, emphasis is on the collection & analysis of data from exercises dealing with population genetics and ecology. Fetal pig dissection is
included.
For science majors.
Objectives: The course is intended to develop skills in the beginning science major or future educator. These skills include hypothesis formation & testing, data collection and analysis, and keen observation. The course is also designed to deliver an organismal biology content base appropriate for the beginning student. This content includes macroevolution, foundational concepts in ecology, environmental sciences, and a basic familiarity with the diversity of the living world.
Learning objectives: By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Possess the basic knowledge in macro-evolution, animal structure and function, ecology and environmental sciences. Process scientific data by: observations, hypothesis formation & testing and statistical analysis. Ask scientific questions and analyze problems that are related to the content of the course. Participate in class discussions on topics that focus on the content of the course.

1

Prerequisite: BIOL
2107.
Text: Biology, 9th ed., Campbell & Reece, 2011. Pearson Benjamin Cummings publisher.
Writing Guide: A Short Guide to Writing About Biology, 7th ed., J. Pechenik, 2010.
Lab. Text: Laboratory Exercises: Variation in Natural Systems, Davis, M., et al., Spring,
2013. Available for download from the course WebCT page.
Important dates: March 3 – last day to withdraw without academic penalty.
Course content:
LECTURE SCHEDULE – FALL 2011
Biology 2108 T&R: 8:00 – 9:15 AM.
WEEK OF (MONDAY -)
Jan 6
Jan 13

TOPICS (CHAPTERS)
Introduction - Scientific Method (1)
Speciation (24)
The Origin and History of Life (25)
Phylogeny and Systematics (26)
Biodiversity (27, 28 & 29)
Biodiversity (30, 31 & 32)
EXAM I (Feb 3)
Biodiversity (33 & 34)
Animal Form and Function (40)
Nutrition (41)
Circulation and Gas Exchange (42)
The Immune System (43)
EXAM II (Feb 26)
Osmoregulation and Excretion (44)
Hormones (45)
Reproduction (46)
Development (47)
The Nervous System (48-49)
Behavior (51)
EXAM III (Mar 28)
Week of Spring Break
Ecology and the Biosphere (52)
Population Ecology (53)
Community Ecology (54)
Ecosystems (55)
Conservation and Restoration (56)
FINAL EXAM BEGIN May 1

Jan 20
Jan 27
Feb 3
Feb 10
Feb 17
Feb 24
Mar 3
Mar 10
Mar 17
Mar 24
Mar 31
Apr 7
Apr 14
Apr 21
April 28

2

Biology 2108 – Biological Principles II
Spring 2014
Biology 2108 M 14:00 PM – 16:45 PM
LABORATORY SCHEDULE
Week of:
Laboratory
Jan 6

No Labs

Jan 13

No Labs (First full week of classes)

Jan 20

No Labs (20th is a holiday)

Jan 27

Introduction / Safety / Science Writing & Statistics I

Feb 3

Science Writing & Statistics II: Fish Lab

Feb 10

Phylogenetics Lab I

Feb 17

Phylogenetics Lab II

Feb 24

Physiology Lab

Mar 3

Pig Dissection I

Mar 10

Pig Dissection II

Mar 17

Pig Practical

Mar 24

Ecology Lab

Mar 31

No Labs (Week of Spring Break)

Apr 7*

Reserve Lab Week

Apr 14

Reserve Lab Week

Apr 21

No Labs (Last full week of classes, Finals begin May 1)

* We will meet in the lab and then walk to the woods to collect data. Wear appropriate field clothing for this lab.

Lab safety guidelines: Please follow the link below for the rules. Additional rules are posted in the lab. http://science.kennesaw.edu/biophys/LabSafetyGuideNoPic.doc
Grading: The final grade in this class will be based on your combined performance in both lecture and lab. Omitting lowest grades for reports or exams is not practiced in this class. There are no “extra credits” available. The value of each test and assignment is listed below:
Assignments
Exam. I

Points
150

3

Exam II
150
Exam III
150
Final Exam
150
Lecture quiz (i-cliker)
150
Statistics Lab Computer Exercise
10
Fish Lab Exercise
15
Phylogenetics lab Exercise
25
Physiology Lab
50
Pig Practical Exam.
75
Ecology lab
75
Total:
1,000 points
A=900-1000; B=800-899; C=700-799; D=600-699; F