Field Biology
BL107
Instructors:
Lecture: Gregory Zimmerman
Lab: Thomas Allan
CRW 213 X2470
CRW 224 X2169
Fall 2002
gzimmerman@lssu.edu
tallan@lssu.edu
Office Hours for G. Zimmerman:
0930 to 1100 M, W; 1000 to 1100 T, Th; other hours gladly by appt.
Class Meeting Times:
Lecture: 1100 to 1150 MW
Lab:
0930 to 1220 Thu
Objectives of Class:
This non-majors class is designed to acquaint you with the natural history and
conservation concerns of Upper Great Lakes region and to introduce basic concepts of
biology through this topic. After completing the class, you should be able to:
 recognize select species of plants and animals and describe their natural history
 recognize particular habitats and the basic ecological processes therein, and
 describe the conservation concerns of these organisms and habitats
Required Texts:
D. Rockwell 1998. The Nature of North America. Berkley Books, New York.
various field guides
(unfortunately I learned the week before classes started that this book is now out of print. I have ordered
10 copies and two are on reserve at the library. If you wish to purchase a copy, please contact me).
Components of Grade:
Lecture exams (4)
Final exam
Other lecture assignments/activities
Lab activities
40%
15%
05%
40%
Grading Scale:
98 to 100 A+; 93 to 97 A; 90 to 92 A-; 88 to 89 B+; 83 to 87 B; 80 to 82 B-;
78 to 79 C+ 73 to 77 C; 70 to 72 C-; 60 to 69 D: LT 60 F
Additional constraint on grade: You must pass the lab portion of the course to pass the
course.
Policies:
All university policies regarding academic honesty apply. Put simply, if you are caught
cheating on an exam or assignment, you will fail the course.
You are expected to be present for all class meetings. Some in-class activities cannot be
made up due to the interactive nature of the activity. If you miss these, you will score a
zero for that activity. You are expected to take all tests during the regularly scheduled
class time. If you know you will need to miss a test, let the instructor know two business
days prior to the absence and you will be allowed to complete a make-up version for one
such missed exam within two business days of the absence. Otherwise, you will be
required to show documentation from the appropriate university office to be able to make
up a missed exam. You will take the final exam during the scheduled final exam time.
Lab attendance is mandatory. If you miss three lab sessions, you will not pass the lab
portion of the class. Some labs require hiking in uneven terrain under all weather
conditions. Some field trips may require lengthy van rides. If you feel that you may not
be able to meet the physical requirements of the lab portion, or that due to a disabling
condition you may need special accommodations for testing or other academic services,
please contact the RCSD Coordinator in South Hall.
Schedule of Topics:
Week of
2 Sept
9 Sept
16 Sept
23 Sept
30 Sept
7 Oct
14 Oct
1 Oct
28 Oct
4 Nov
11 Nov
18 Nov
25 Nov
2 Dec
9 Dec
16 Dec
Topic
Introduction to Natural History
Geology/ Soils
Weather/ Kingdoms of Life
Fungi
Exam 1
Plants – Nonvascular, Ferns and fern allies
Plants – Gymnosperms and angiosperms
Angiosperms, cont.
Exam 2
Bacteria, Protists
Animals – Inverts
Animals – Fish and amphibians
Animals – Reptiles and Birds
Exam 3
Animals – Birds and Mammals
.
Animals – Mammals, cont.
Conservation concerns: Aquatic/Wetlands Exam 4
Conservation concerns: Terrestrial Envs.
FINAL EXAM WEEK
Consult Official Final Exam Schedule for Time and Date
Lab Activity
On-campus
Norris Woods
Norris Woods
Ashmun Ck.
Ashmun Ck.
Algonquin
St Marys R.
ARL
In-Lab
In-Lab
In-Lab
In-Lab
NO LAB
In-Lab
Lab Final
Discussion of organisms will include species ID, natural history, evolutionary and
ecological relations (including aspects of physiology and morphology), and habitats and
ecosystems ecology. Lab will incorporate habitats, species ID and natural history.