BIOL 1312 Introduction to Biology II

Spring 2007

Room A623 MW 11 to 11:50 a.m.

Lab N920 M or W 12 to 1:50 p.m.

Dr. Brad Hoge

Office: N725E (713)-221-8289

Office Hours: MWF 10-2, or by appointment

hogeb@uhd.edu

Home Page: http://www.uhd.edu/~hogeb

 

Course:  BIOL 1312 – Introduction to Biology II – Is an integrated lecture/laboratory course emphasizing major topics in the life sciences, and their applications in society and to science literacy.

 

This course is for non-science majors, however topics covered will be equivalent to the majors course with slightly less scrutiny.  You will learn the basic concepts of the life sciences field, which consists of the study of ecology, evolution, zoology, botany, and environmental science.

 

Collaborative Learning:  It is widely accepted that one learns by doing or taking a hands-on approach to learning.  This is particularly true in a science course.  Throughout this course you will be working in groups.  You will be helping each other learn the material being presented by working on laboratory exercises.  Therefore, you will be involved in doing, reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking.  My role in this class will be that of lecturer, but also as facilitator for the labs.  In order for you to be prepared to discuss issues and work through the exercises in a timely manner, you must read the material scheduled to be discussed before you come to class.

 

There may be a field trip.  If so, the date will be announced within the first few weeks of class.  There may also be days where we leave the classroom to explore outside environments.  Appropriate dress may be required.  Every attempt will be made to meet special needs of students in this course.  For more details on this policy, see page 22 of the UHD Catalog.

 

Textbook:  Inquiry into Life, Sylvia S. Mader.

Evaluation Method:

 

Unit Tests – 60% (three exams combining lab practical and essay questions)

Final Exam – 40%

 

Lab Tests – 60%

Final Exam – 40%

 

Your grade will be determined on a straight percentage basis for all possible points in the course (90 – 100 = A, 80 – 99 = B, 70 – 79 = C, 60 – 69 = D, below 60 = F).

 

Examinations:  Because this is an integrated lecture/laboratory course, each examination will contain test material from both.  Each unit exam will contain short essay questions and lab practical style questions.  Most questions will be problem or application oriented and will make use of your critical thinking skills (problem solving, analysis, synthesis and evaluation)

 

There will be three unit exams.  The final exam will be comprehensive and all students must take the final exam.  There will be opportunities for extra credit on exams, but no extra assignments will be made.

 

Attendance:  Due to the experiential nature of this course, you are required to attend class on a regular basis.  If you do not attend class, it is your responsibility to officially drop the course.

 

Academic Honesty:  Cheating will not be tolerated.  We will adhere to the university’s Honesty Code.  It states:  WE WILL BE HONEST IN ALL OUR ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AND WILL NOT TOLERATE DISHONESTY.

 

Every attempt will be made to meet special needs of students in this course.  For more details on this policy, see page 22 of the UHD Catalog.

 

Course Schedule:  The following is a tentative schedule to help me pace the course in a timely manner and to help you prepare for class.  The schedule is subject to adjustment.

 

 

Week of:

Chapter/Exercise

Topic

Related Lab

Jan. 17

 

Introduction:  The Process of Science, Chapter 1

Introduction to Scientific Reasoning and Explanation

Introduction to Lab, Mitosis

Jan. 22

 

Jan. 24

Chapter 2, 8, 24

 

Chapter 5, 23, 24

The Chemical Basis of Life

 

Patterns of Inheritance

Meiosis, Development

Jan. 29

 

 

Jan. 31

Chapter 27

 

 

Chapter 27

Descent with Modification

 

 

The Evolution of Populations and the Origin of Species

Patterns of Inheritance

Feb. 5

 

Feb. 7

Chapter 27, 28

 

 

Phylogeny and Early Earth History

 

Review for Test #1

DNA

Feb. 12

 

Feb. 14

Test #1

 

Chapters 33, 34

 

 

Population Ecology and Ecosystems

Test #1

Feb. 19

 

Feb. 21

Chapter 35

 

Chapters 36

Ecology and the Biosphere

 

Conservation Biology

Microbiology

Feb. 26

 

 

Feb. 28

Chapter 1, Overview of Chapters 28-32

 

Chapter 3, 28

Classification and Systematics

 

 

Archaea, Bacteria and Viruses

Seedless Plants

March 5

 

March 7

Chapter 3, 28

 

Chapter 9, 10, 29

Protists and Fungi

 

Plant Diversity

Seed Plants

 

 

March 12-16

SPRING BREAK

 

 

March 19

 

March 21

Chapter 9, 10, 29

 

Test #2

Plant Systematics

 

 

Test #2

March 24

 

March 26

Chapter 30, 31

 

Chapter 14, 30, 31

Animal Diversity

 

Animal Structure and Function, plus the Digestive System (Comparative Biology)

Introduction to Invertebrates

April 2

 

 

April 4

Chapter12 30, 31

 

 

Chapter13, 30, 31

Circulation and Gas Exchange (Comparative Biology)

 

Immunity and Infection (Comparative Biology)

Animal Survey – mollusks, annelids and arthropods

April 9

 

 

April 11

Chapter 20, 30, 31

 

 

Chapter21, 30, 31

Homeostatic Mechanisms and Chemical Signaling (Comparative Biology)

 

Animal Reproduction and Development (Comparative Biology)

Animal Survey – echinoderms & chordates

April 16

 

 

April 18

Chapter 17, 18, 31, 31

 

Chapter 32

Nervous Systems and Sensory Mechanisms (Comparative Biology)

 

Animal Behavior

Test #3

April 23

 

April 25

Test #3

 

Review for Final Exam

 

Final exam

April 30 -May 2

Reading Days

 

 

May 9

FINAL EXAM