MODERN BIOLOGY II (BIO 152)
COURSE SYLLABUS – SPRING 2010
SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
AMMERMAN CAMPUS
Instructor: Prof. Marianne E. McNamara
Email: mcnamam@sunysuffolk.edu
Phone: (631) 451-4688
Website: www2.sunysuffolk.edu/mcnamam
Office Hours: Monday 10:00-10:45AM, 3:00-4:00PM; Tuesday 2:00-3:00PM;
Wednesday 3:00-4:00PM (via email or appointment only); Thursday 2:00-2:30PM;
Friday 10:00-10:45AM
Course Description: Evolutionary and environmental adaptations are the context in
which macroevolution, molecular and classical systematics, structure, function and
process are studied. This course is designed for science-emphasis students who have
completed Modern Biology I.
Course Goals: Instructors and students will engage in a teaching and learning
experience to provide students:
1. with a firm foundation in traditional concepts;
2. with new information and current research discoveries; and
3. with critical thinking strategies to understand the growth of
biological thought.
Students will have the opportunities to demonstrate the acquisition of
these objectives on examinations, in the laboratory, through discussions
in class, and by papers written outside of class.
Course Procedure: Modern educational methods will be incorporated into the traditional
subject matter for this biology majors-level course. The lecture style will include
explanation of factual material, presentation of critical thinking strategies, and student
participation. Audio-visual material may include overhead transparencies, study sheets,
slides, videos and computer demonstrations.
Laboratory will include modern biotechniques, dissections of preserved
specimens, microscopic study of prepared slides, experimental testing on living
organisms, recording, analyzing and discussing data.
Required Text and Materials: Raven, Peter, et al. Biology (8th edition), McGraw-Hill,
New York, NY, 2008
Anastasia, Jean. Modern Biology II Laboratory Manual, Pearson Custom
Publishing 2006.
Latex surgical gloves (for lab), binder or folder for lab handouts
Course Objectives: The design of this course work will enable students:
1. To trace the functional and structural adaptations in the evolution from simple to
complex organisms in their respective environments
2. To apply principles of systematics to construct taxonomic schema, and to investigate
contemporary molecular systematics
3. To compare and contrast systems for nutrient acquisition, digestion, gas exchange,
internal transport, osmoregulation, and excretion in representative species
4. To explain the maintenance of homeostasis through biofeedback mechanisms
5. To analyze the intricacies of neural control and effectors in the evolutionary
progression from unicellular organisms to the human species
6. To understand the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of hormonal control in
growth, development and regulatory processes in plants and animals
7. To correlate patterns of reproduction and embryonic development with natural
habitats and evolutionary station of representative species
8. To develop skills in biotechnology, dissection, microscopy, experimental testing on
living organisms, and making physiological measurements
9. To synthesize strategies for problem-solving, making scientific observations, data
analysis, and formulating conclusions and inquiries about biological phenomena
10. To apply critical thinking strategies to arguments on contemporary
controversial issues in biology and medicine
Attendance Policy:
 Attendance at lecture sessions is expected, and you are responsible for any
materials missed. Attendance will be taken at every meeting as per college
protocol. The College defines excessive absence or lateness as more than the
equivalent of one week of class meetings during the semester.
 Attendance at laboratory meetings is required. Students who miss more than one
(1) lab session may be dropped from the course. If you know in advance that you
will miss a laboratory meeting or have missed one due to illness, emergency, etc.,
it is your responsibility to make-up this session with another instructor. However,
this is dependent on permission of the other instructor and the availability of other
laboratory meetings, and you will need written documentation of your make-up
by the other instructor. Please see me if you need to make such arrangements.
 A student may be removed from the class roster by an instructor at any time
when, in the judgment of the instructor, absences have been excessive or when a
student is disruptive or disrespectful. Leaving laboratory class early is not
permitted.
Notes: Lectures will be presented using Power Point. All Power Point lectures will be
posted on my website. In the event that lectures are not posted prior to our class meeting,
handouts of these lectures will be distributed for the purpose of note-taking.
Laboratory Schedule: Laboratory schedule follows timeline of course outline (e.g.,
Ecology lab ‘during’ Ecology lecture). Please see below.
Course Outline:
Date
Topic
Required Text Readings
02/01
Evidence for Evolution
Chapters 21 & 22
02/03
Origin of Species/Macroevolution
Laboratory: Evidence of Evolution
02/08
Population Ecology
Chapter 55: 55.1-55.5
02/10
Community Ecology
Chapter 56: 56.1-56.4
Laboratory: Ecology
02/15
NO CLASS
02/17
LECTURE (only) CANCELED (lab still meets)
Laboratory: Systematics
02/22
LECTURE CANCELED
02/24
LECTURE CANCELED AND LABORATORY CANCELED
03/01
Taxonomy and Systematics
Chapter 23 & 26: 26.2-26.3
03/03
Diversity: Bacteria, Protists, Fungi
Chapter 26
Laboratory: Reproduction & Development
Chapter 28.1-28.3 & 29.1-29.3
Chapter 31: 31.1-31.3, 31.10
03/08
Diversity: Plants
Chapter 30
03/10
Diversity: Animals
Chapter 32
Laboratory: Lab Practical #1
Chapter 35: 35.1-35.3
03/15
Lecture Exam #1
GOOD LUCK!
03/17
Reproduction
Chapter 42: 42.3-42.6
Laboratory: Nutrition in Fungi, Plants and Invertebrates
*03/20 (SAT) ATLANTIS MARINE WORLD FIELD TRIP 10:00AM
03/22
Reproduction
Chapter 52: 52.1-52.4
03/24
NO CLASS – ALL COLLEGE DAY
03/29
NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK
03/31
NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK
04/05
Development
Chapter 37
04/07
Development
Chapter 53: 53.1-53.4
Laboratory: Vertebrate Nutrition
04/12
Nutrition and Digestion: Plants
Chapter 39: 39.1-39.3
04/14
Nutrition and Digestion: Animals
Chapter 48
Laboratory: Gas Exchange
04/19
Lecture Exam #2
GOOD LUCK!
04/21
Gas Exchange: Plants
Chapter 38: 38.
Laboratory: Transport
04/26
Gas Exchange: Animals
Chapter 49: 49.7-11
04/28
Transport in Plants
Chapter 38
Laboratory: Vertebrate Circulation
05/03
Circulation in Animals
Chapter 49: 49.1-49.6
05/05
Osmoregulation and Excretion
Chapter 50
Laboratory: Osmoregulation and Excretion
05/10
Lecture Exam #3
GOOD LUCK!
05/12
Osmoregulation and Excretion (cont.)
Laboratory Practical #2
05/17
Neural Control
Chapter 44
05/19
Cumulative Final Exam
GOOD LUCK!
Laboratory (optional): Signaling Systems
Examinations and Grading:
A. Lecture Grade:
a. Three exams will be given. These exams may consist of multiple choice,
fill-in, matching, short answer, and essay questions. Anything covered in
lecture is ‘fair game’ for the exam, as well as information obtained from
your required readings. Together, these three exams will constitute 35%
of your course grade.
b. Research Paper: Details on the composition of this paper will be given in
class. The paper constitutes 5% of your grade. In addition, a paper
receiving an “A” grade will result in 2 additional points added to your
final grade; a paper receiving a “B” grade will result in 1 additional point
added to your final grade (no additional points for C or below). This will
allow you to earn points towards your final grade based upon the merit of
your work. Deadline(s) for research paper will be given in class.
B. Laboratory Grade: Two major practical examinations, laboratory work, quizzes (if
applicable), and written reports will contribute 35% of your course grade
according to the following matrix:
Laboratory work (worksheets, experimental design, lab reports, quizzes): 1/3 of
lab grade
Lab Practical 1: 1/3 of lab grade
Lab Practical 2: 1/3 of lab grade
C. Final Examination: A comprehensive final exam will be given on the last day of
the course. This exam will constitute 25% of your course grade.
D. Class participation: Although class participation is expected and welcomed, there
will not be a participation grade for this class. However, classroom disruptions
(cell phones, text messaging, etc) are not permitted and I reserve the right to
deduct up to 5% of your final grade based on any such disruption.
E. Final grade scale: In accordance with college policy, the following letter grades
will be assigned based upon your final score:
A = 90-100; B+ = 85-89; B = 80-84; C+ = 75-79; C = 70-74; D+ = 65-69; D = 6064; F = 59 or below
General Information and Class Policies:
 Academic integrity: Cheating (including but not limited to glancing at other
student’s work, talking during exams, using notes during examination, etc),
plagiarism, falsification of records/data, and other violations of the student code
constitute violation of this provision. Academic misconduct will be reported to the
appropriate office for resolution. Students in violation of the academic integrity
code may be removed from the class or the course at the discretion of the
instructor.
 Study Hints: Take notes during lecture meetings. If something is unclear, ask
questions! You are probably not the only one wondering.
 Study Hints: Be sure to keep up with the required readings. Make note of
anything that is unclear and ask for clarification as necessary. When reading the
text, refer to all figures and tables and make sure you understand the diagrams,
photos, etc. Good figures condense a large amount of information, so expect to
spend a lot of time studying figures. The course covers a very extensive amount
of material with a good degree of difficulty and technical ‘jargon’. Be prepared to
spend sufficient time reading the text, reviewing your notes, and resolving your
laboratory exercises, reports, etc. Seek the help of fellow students and friends, and
of course, see me if you have any questions or concerns.
 Late work: All assignments are due on the date assigned. Exceptions will only be
made if you have been given permission beforehand or under extremely unusual
circumstances.
 Classroom Conduct: Please respect the instructor and students by arriving on
time, and silencing your cell phones, pagers, etc. Text messaging is NOT
permitted in class and is considered disruptive. Please see grading policy in
relation to this policy. Thank you.
 Please be advised that students are not permitted to leave class during an exam,
unless they have completed the exam and handed it in to the instructor. Please
make any necessary arrangements (e.g., bathroom breaks) prior to the exam.
AMMERMAN CAMPUS CENTERS FOR STUDENT INDEPENDENT
LEARNING: Biology Learning Center: Kreiling Hall, Room M-23.
Academic Computing and Internet Center: Huntington Library, lower floor.
Electronic and Print Resource Center: Huntington Library, lobby floor.
Writing Center: Islip Arts Building, Room 116.