I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
Natural Sciences
Dept/Program
BIOL
Course Title
Prerequisite
none
Course #
Diversity of Life: lecture and laboratory
Credits
108/109
5
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
Kevin Murray
17 Sep 08
Phone / Email
kevin.murray@mso.umt edu
Program Chair
Charles Janson
Dean
CAS
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory and
foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
BIOL 108 provides an introduction to the Diversity of Life in particular at the organismal level.
The purpose of the course is to expose students to foundational concepts employed in probing the
classification of, and evolutionary relationships among, extant life forms. While a foundational
course in phylogenetics and taxonomy, BIOL 108 is designed also to facilitate the educational
success of students with career goals in areas as disparate as Medicine, Computer Science and
Visual Arts.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
BIOL 108 explores the disciplines of organism taxonomy, systematics and phylogenetics. How
features ranging from molecular to sub-cellular, cellular to morphological and anatomical are
interpreted and employed in the understanding of the relationships among living things is
paramount in the course. Furthermore, how our interpretation of these features is a constantly
evolving process is underscored. The current world importance (ecological
interconnections/significance) of the groups of organisms discussed is also emphasized
whenever relevant. The importance of critical thinking, careful observation and interpretation
of phenomena are stressed as salient features of scientific inquiry, while underscoring the
dynamic nature of scientific thought and understanding of the natural world. The laboratory
component of the course emphasizes careful observation, data acquisition and interpretation,
experimental design and the importance of collaborative work with peers.
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
Upon completion of BIOL 108 students will have a broader and deeper understanding of the
diversity, relationships, ecology and importance of numerous forms of extant living things. How
science is an on-going process of observation and interpretation, driven by advances in
numerous fields which serve to facilitate these observations and interpretations is an additional
course objective. Furthermore the importance of select groups of organisms studied in BIOL
108/109 in terms of human culture and society is emphasized. The skills developed in
laboratory and the precision thinking required to understand concepts explored in lecture will
provide students with an appreciation of the rigors encountered in scientific research. Students
will also be prepared to better interpret important sociological and cultural dilemmas related to
the natural sciences.
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus preparation
see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
BIO 108 Principles of Biology: Diversity of Life
Course Syllabus and Lecture Outline
Fall 2008
Professor: Dr. Kevin Murray
Office: NS 113; office hours 10-12 Tues
Contact information: phone 4495; email: kevin.murray@mso.umt.edu;
Class meeting times: MWF, 1-2 pm; NULH 101
Required text:
Biology 8th edition. Campbell, Reece et al. 2008.
Course scope and objectives.
The diversity in form and function encountered among living organisms is astounding. From a
single cell, to a simple organism such as a jellyfish, to plants and ecological communities, living things
exhibit a staggering hierarchy of complex organization. Nothing found in the abiotic world (non-living
systems such water, rocks, stars and yes, even computers and other man-made machines) comes close to
the complexity of even a single cell.
Biological diversity manifests on many levels. For instance, we may refer to the diversity in form
and function of mammal fore-limbs, or the variety of organelles found in a eukaryotic cell, the number of
species in an ecosystem or even the number of different ecosystems that make-up a biome. From a
temporal perspective we should also note the diverse parade of living innovations represented in the
evolutionary history of life on earth.
In BIOL 108 we cannot address all of the many levels of biological diversity on earth. Our focus
will be instead on the major categories of living things, ranging from unicellular bacteria, to protists, plants,
fungi and animals. We will strive to attain a complete picture of the mosaic of life on earth, and,
importantly, how the pieces of this mosaic (major taxonomic groups) are related to one another. For
instance, consider a small pond. Within even a relatively limited ecosystem such as a freshwater pond we
could likely find representatives of all major forms of life earth: bacteria, protists, plants, fungi and animals,
each represented in probably numerous forms (species). BIOL 108 will provide you with principles needed
to understand many things about life in that pond as well as throughout the biosphere: What is a protist?
How do protists differ from each other and from other organisms such as plants and animals? What makes
an “animal” an animal? Are all green, photosynthetic organisms plants? And many more questions about
life on earth.
Grading.
There will be 3 regular session exams and a final exam; the final is partly comprehensive. Exams
are objective (true/false, multiple choice). Each regular session exam will be worth approximately 75
points; the final 100 points. Your grade will be calculated as a percentage of total possible exam points.
You will require SCANTRONS for lecture exams. Fundamentally, the following grading scheme will be
used:
100 – 90% = A; 89.9 – 80% = B; 79.9 – 70% = C; 69.9 – 55% = D; < 55% = F
Classroom attendance, make-up exams, extra-credit.
Your participation in classroom discussions may affect your final grade; please attend class on a
regular basis. Disruptive behavior such as talking or leaving lecture early is not acceptable. If you expect
to leave class early, please tell Professor before class begins. Make-up exams will be permitted only with
compelling and supported reasons. Make-up exams will take place one week after the scheduled exam,
immediately after class (2:00 – 3:00 pm). Extra-credit assignments may be arranged only under
exceptional circumstances; please contact Professor Murray for more information.
Mastering Biology.
You new textbook comes with an outstanding learning tool: Mastering Biology. This dynamic
website incorporates many features, two of which we will employ over the course of the semester. 1) The
Study Area: provides individual or group review of topic covered in lecture and text. 2) MasteringBiology
Assignments: includes assignments and feedback for students and instructor regarding students
understanding of principles covered in course. Completion of assignments will contribute to approximately
15% of your overall course grade. Note that these assignments are not graded in the traditional sense.
Lecture Notes.
Undoubtedly, the art of taking clear, concise lectures notes will be one of your most valuable skills
as a University student and beyond. Therefore, come prepared to class with a dedicated notebook. Date
your entries and strive to keep complete, organized lecture notes. Also, a proven method of learning is the
re-writing of lecture notes. This will greatly assist your comprehension of the material. If you wish to
view lecture material again (we employ Power Point media), you may do so during the office hours posted
by your lab instructor.
BIOL 108
Lecture Topic Schedule
Fall, 2008
Date
Topic
Text readings
25 Aug
27 Aug
29 Aug
Course introduction
Nature of life: molecular level
Nature of life: cell structure
68-90
94-123
01 Sep
03 Sep
05 Sep
no class
Nature of life: cell cycle
The Tree of Life; Phylogenetics
228-233; 248-255
536-540; 551-553
08 Sep
10 Sep
12 Sep
Prokaryotes: intro
Prokaryotes: metabolism & diversity
Prokaryotes: ecological relationships
556-560
564-569
570-573
15 Sep
17 Sep
19 Sep
Exam I
Protists: origins & intro
Protist diversity 1
575-579
580-584
22 Sep
24 Sep
26 Sep
Protist diversity 2
Protist diversity 3
Protist diversity 4
585-588
589-596
597-598
29 Sep
01 Oct
03 Oct
Fungi: origins & intro
Fungi: diversity
Fungi: ecological relationships
636-639
641-647
648-652
06 Oct
08 Oct
10 Oct
Protist Fungi review
Exam II
Plants: origins & intro
600-605
13 Oct
15 Oct
17 Oct
20 Oct
22 Oct
24 Oct
Plants: bryophytes
Plants: bryophytes
Plants: seedless vascular
Plants: seed-bearing; intro
Plants: gymnosperms
Plants: gymnosperms
27 Oct
29 Oct
31 Oct
Plants: angiosperms
Plants: angiosperms
Plant review
606-610
610-614
618-620
621-624
625-632
03 Nov
05 Nov
07 Nov
Exam III
Animals: origins & intro
Animals: intro
654-660
661-665
10 Nov
12 Nov
14 Nov
Animal diversity 1
Animal diversity 2
Animal diversity 3
670-673
674-677
678-682
17 Nov
19 Nov
21 Nov
Animal diversity 4
Animal diversity 4
Animal diversity 5
683-692
24 Nov
26 Nov
28 Nov
Animal diversity 6
no class (Thanksgiving)
no class (Thanksgiving)
698-702
01 Dec
03 Dec
05 Dec
Animal diversity 7
Animal diversity 8
Course summary
703-707
11 Dec
Final exam (1:10 – 2:30 pm)
Laboratory Syllabus and Exercise Schedule
693-695
BIOL 109
Fall, 2008
Labs meet in NS 203 or 202
Laboratory meets on M, T , W, Th, F. Consult your section number for meeting day/time.
Lab Manual: Biology 109, Diversity of Life Laboratory. Compiled by Kevin Murray
Laboratory Course Content
BIOL 109 lab exercises are designed to accomplish 3 primary objectives: a) help you understand more
completely, in an on-hands fashion, the diversity in form and function of living things, b) cultivate your
self-directed, inquisitive and observation-based learning abilities, and c) experience a collaborative and
communication-based learning/work environment. In most cases the lab exercises will overlap completely
with lecture material. However, sometimes lab investigations parallel or expand further on lecture topics.
In both cases however, you will be provided with as much background information as possible during the
“Introduction” period of a lab session.
Student Expectations
BIOL 109 laboratory students are expected to follow the some basic course conditions:
•
Arrive on time for lab session ; please do not interfere with Instructors valuable (and somewhat
time constrained) Introduction discussion.
•
Come to lab prepared for the investigation by reading over lab before-hand. It is at the discretion
of your Instructor to give a quiz at the beginning of lab on the upcoming investigation, if she/he
deems necessary.
•
Work in self-motivated but collaborative fashion with other individuals in your investigation group.
•
Attend the full 4-hour session, as your Instructor may present summary statements at close of lab.
Furthermore each student is expected to help in lab clean-up and reorganization at the close of lab.
Grading
Your grade in BIOL 109 Laboratory will be determined as follows.
•
Performance on weekly quizzes that cover previous week activities. Each quiz (7 in total) will be
worth 10 points. There will also be 3 lab practical exams (no quiz that week); see lab investigation
schedule for dates. Each practical exam will be worth approximately 20 points.
•
Completion of 1 research paper on a topic of your choice related to and complementary to any of
the lab exercises scheduled for this semester. Your Instructor will provide guidance on research
paper format and library/internet research tools. 15 points.
•
Lab notebook. You are required to maintain an organized, lucid account of your studies in lab.
This should include written descriptions of what you study each week, supplemented by
illustrations (not graded on artistic capacity). 25 points
•
Additional points (up to 20) can be obtained by adherence to the above-listed Student Expectations.
Note: BIOL 109 grade is not factored into lecture (BIOL 108) grade.
BIOL 109 Laboratory Schedule
Fall, 2008
Week of
Lab investigation
25 Aug
No labs
01 Sep
Lab introduction.
08 Sep
Using the microscope.
15 Sep
Prokaryotes (Bacteria and disease)
22 Sep
Protista I:
Euglenozoa, Aveolata, Stramenopila, Foraminiferans
29 Sep
Protista II:
Amoebozoans, Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta
06 Oct
Fungi (Lab Practical I: Prokaryotes, Protista I & II))
Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Deuteromycota, Lichens
13 Oct
Plant Diversity I
Bryophyta, Hepatophyta, Lycophyta, Pterophyta
20 Oct
Plant Diversity II:
Gymnosperms, Angiosperms
27 Oct
Animal Diversity I (Lab Practical II: Fungi, Plant Diversity I & II
Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Mollusca, Rotifera
03 Nov
no labs
10 Nov
no labs
17 Nov
Animal Diversity II (Nematoda, Arthropoda); Lab practical III review
26 Nov
no labs
03 Dec
Animal Diversity III (Lab practical III: Animal Diversity I & II)
Echinodermata, Chordata
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.