BIOL 114 – Organisms & Environments, Syllabus
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Mary Oswald, Ph.D.
moswald@uidaho.edu
Office - Life Sciences South 260
208-885-4095
Office Hours: Wed, 11:30am-12:30pm, or by appointment
EMAIL:
I will communicate with you by university-sponsored email. Please be sure to check your email account
often, and ensure that my email address is not blocked.
CLASS TIME/LOCATION:
Lecture: MWF 1:30-2:20pm, AgSci 106
Lab: Days/times vary. All lab sections meet in LSS 351. You may only attend the lab section for which
you are registered*. You will receive contact information for your lab section’s TA at the first lab
meeting.
*Under extenuating circumstances, you might be allowed to switch sections for a given week. You must be approved in
advance by Dr. Oswald for a switch. There are NO special make-up labs if you miss an entire week of school (but see the
Excused Absence section for accommodations).
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course, you will be introduced to the evolution of life on Earth and the current diversity of
organisms. Additionally, you will be exposed to current research in fields such as evolution,
phylogenetics, organismal biology, and ecology. In lab, you will synthesize concepts learned in class
while learning practical scientific techniques and skills.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Learn & Integrate: Students will synthesize biological knowledge from lectures, homework, and labs to
attain an understanding of evolution, biological diversity and ecology.
Think & Create: Students will synthesize and apply their knowledge of biological processes by forming
hypotheses and conducting and designing hands-on laboratory experiments.
Communicate: Students will become conversant in the language used in biology, and will practice the
language of biology during laboratories, small group activities, written assignments, and oral
presentations.
Clarify Purpose & Perspective: Students will gain an understanding of the evolutionary context of living
organisms (including humans), as well as the role(s) different organisms play in their environment.
Practice Citizenship: Students will attain basic biological knowledge, which will allow them to make
informed contributions to discussions of issues that impact humans and the environment, for ex:
biodiversity, conservation biology, climate change, evolution education, etc…
COURSE MATERIALS
Required textbook: Freeman et al. 2014. Biological Science, 5th edition, custom version published by
Pearson. Reading assignments will be listed on the course website and syllabus. These should be read
ahead of time in preparation for the class time for which they are listed.
Required online material: Modified Mastering Biology (Pearson) – access code required, comes with the
textbook when you buy the Package deal at the bookstore, or available individually through a link in
Bblearn. Warning: purchasing the access code through other sources may result in an unusable code!
Clicker: i>Clicker remotes (or the i>Clicker app REEF Polling) are required and are available from the
UI Bookstore or on-line.
Course website: https://bblearn.uidaho.edu/webapps/login/
The course website will include a copy of the syllabus; lecture and lab materials; access to
MasteringBiology; links to online quizzes, tutorials and supplementary material; and grades. This will also
be my primary form of communication with you outside of class. Check the website often!
ASSESSMENT:
Categories of Assessment
Category
Exams
Lecture Participation
Reading Quizzes
Homework
Laboratory
Pts
400
100
90
100
210
Grading Scale
Total Points
810
720
630
540
<540
%
90
80
70
60
<60
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
I typically DO NOT curve individual exams or the course as a whole, so please don’t ask.
Exams
There will be four ‘regular’ exams, plus one final exam, each worth the same amount of points. Your
lowest exam score will be dropped at the end of the semester (only four will count towards your final
grade). With the exception of Excused Absences (see self-titled section below), there are NO makeup
exams (that’s what the dropped exam is for)!
Exams will cover material from lectures, assigned readings, assigned content on Mastering, and concepts
covered in lab. The material we will cover builds upon itself. We will often refer back to concepts covered
in previous lectures and units. For this reason, all exams are comprehensive, though the focus of each
regular exam will be on the current unit. The final exam is comprehensive of the entire semester.
Lecture Participation
Attendance at lectures is required. We will be using the i>clicker system during lecture as a way for you to
attain attendance credit and engage with me, your classmates, and with the material. This will also be an
opportunity for you to practice the types of questions that may show up on exams. In addition, at least one
day per unit will be devoted to a Case Study, with graded in-class questions and discussion.
Mastering Biology
Reading Quizzes: You will take quizzes in order to prepare you for the exams and ensure that you are
reading the assigned material. Questions will be similar to what may be found on exams. Quizzes will be
found online on the Mastering/Bblearn website. There will be 16 quizzes total for the semester. Your
lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester. Quizzes will open the week before the
content is covered in class. The due date/time for each is the beginning of the class period for which the
quiz is listed on the course schedule.
Homework Assignments: For every unit of the course, there will be a homework assignment posted to
Mastering. These assignments are designed to reinforce the concepts that have been covered in lecture and
lab. Homework will range from multiple-choice style questions to guided activities. Homework
assignments will be available for the entirety of a unit, and are due by the beginning of the unit’s exam.
It is your responsibility to finish the quiz/homework before each closes. Keep in mind that
computer/internet issues can arise, so it is in your best interest to plan ahead and complete them early in
the week. For Excused Absences that extend beyond the open period, refer to the Excused Absences
section below.
Lab Assignments
Weekly lab points:
1. Quizzes/Pre-lab exercise: To prepare for lab, you are required to read each week’s lab instructions. As
an incentive for preparedness, quizzes over the material will be given at the start of each lab period; no
late quizzes will be accepted. Occasionally, a pre-lab exercise may be assigned rather than a quiz.
2. In-Lab Participation: Your behavior in lab will affect others in the room. To encourage active
participation and accountability, a small portion of each week’s lab points belong to this category. You
will start the semester with full points, and you will lose points in a given week for incidences of the
following: disruptive behavior, not contributing in group efforts, or failure to satisfactorily clean up
your lab station. Deduction of lab participation points is at the discretion of your TA.
3. Lab Packet: Each week will have slightly different requirements. Details will be provided in the files
posted to Blackboard for each lab. Work is turned in at the end of lab (unless directed otherwise).
Writing Assignment: There is one writing project. Further information will be provided in lab.
Lab Presentation: You will participate in a group presentation to teach your classmates about an animal
phyla. Further information will be provided in lab.
Lab Practical Exam: At the end of the semester there will be a cumulative exam over the lab materials.
You will be expected to answer questions, identify specimens, and use equipment in the manner
demonstrated throughout the course.
Late Assignments: lab work will be docked 25% for each 24 hour period after your normal lab.
Lab Absences: Attendance in lab is mandatory. Missing lab will result in a loss of all points associated
with that lab, except for Excused Absence (see section below). There will be no make-up labs after the
week is finished (the space needs to be available for setting up the next lab).
You should keep a 1.5 or 2-inch binder just for lab materials – i.e., your lab packets, quizzes, and notes
taken during lab. If you keep everything organized throughout the semester, you will have a useful
guidebook from which to study for exams or to refer to in the future. Keep every graded item handed
back to you for the entire semester; this is useful for studying as well as insurance against typos when
scores are entered into the gradebook.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Only students with documented major medical/family issues or written official university excuses will be
allowed accommodation. Accommodation make take the form of make-up work or dropping an
assignment from the student’s grade. Makeup work may differ from the original assignment. Final
acceptance of accommodation is at the discretion of the instructor. Arrangements must be made at least
one week prior to your absence in the case of known schedule conflicts (ex: participation in official
university sporting events, course field trips, etc…). In the case of an emergency/non-scheduled absence
(major medical/family issues), accommodation must be requested immediately following the absence
(don’t expect to be granted make-up work if a month goes by between the emergency and your request). It
is the student’s responsibility to document the extent of his/her issue and promptly make a written request
for accommodation.
GRADE DISPUTES:
If you feel that an assignment has been graded incorrectly, you have one week after receiving the graded
assignment to dispute your score. You must return the assignment to your instructor or TA, along with a
written request for re-grading that includes a description of the dispute. Final grade assignment is at the
discretion of the instructor or TA.
COMMUNICATION:
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, logic and legible handwriting are critical elements of communication.
You may lose points on quizzes, exams and/or lab assignments for misspelling, poor grammar or syntax,
improper punctuation, flawed logic or illegible handwriting.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Refer to Article II of the UI Student Code of Conduct
(http://www.uidaho.edu/DOS/judicialaffairs/studentcodeofconduct/articleii). Plagiarism or academic
dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. Offenses will lead to an F on the assignment or in the class,
letters to your Department Chair and College Dean, and a formal complaint filed with the Dean of
Students. Be aware than even one incident of academic dishonesty may result in expulsion from the
university.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
The following behaviors are rude to the instructor and fellow students, and are considered unacceptable
behavior for class and lab: ringing cell phones, use of cell phones for talking or texting, web surfing,
sleeping, reading extraneous material, chatting with neighbors, etc… The instructor or TA reserves the
right to dismiss students from class (with appropriate grade deduction for missed assignments) that display
any of these behaviors. Repeated violations may result in an F on that day’s quiz/exam/lab homework, an
F in the course, and/or removal from the course.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO CLASSROOM LEARNING CIVILITY CLAUSE
In any environment in which people gather to learn, it is essential that all members feel as free and safe as
possible in their participation. To this end, it is expected that everyone in this course will be treated with
mutual respect and civility, with an understanding that all of us (students, instructors, professors, guests,
and teaching assistants) will be respectful and civil to one another in discussion, in action, in teaching, and
in learning. Should you feel our classroom interactions do not reflect an environment of civility and
respect, you are encouraged to meet with your instructor during office hours to discuss your
concern. Additional resources for expression of concern or requesting support include the Dean of
Students office and staff (885-6757), the UI Counseling & Testing Center’s confidential services (8856716), or the UI Office of Human Rights, Access & Inclusion (885-4285).
ACADEMIC SUPPORT; TUTORING & COLLEGE SUCCESS
If you find that you need further assistance with course material outside of the classroom, you are
encouraged to contact the Academic Support Office
(http://www.uidaho.edu/studentaffairs/asap) or the Tutoring & College Success Office
(http://www.uidaho.edu/studentaffairs/asap/tutoring-and-college-success).
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Disability Support Services Reasonable Accommodations Statement: “Reasonable accommodations are
available for students who have documented temporary or permanent disabilities. All accommodations
must be approved through Disability Support Services located in the Idaho Commons Building, Room 306
in order to notify your instructor(s) as soon as possible regarding accommodation(s) needed for the
course.”
Phone: 208-885-6307 Email: dss@uidaho.edu Website: www.uidaho.edu/dss
Please notify the instructor during Week One of classes if accommodations are required.
FIREARMS POLICY
"The University of Idaho bans firearms from its property with only limited exceptions. One exception
applies to persons who hold a valid Idaho enhanced concealed carry license, provided those firearms
remain concealed at all times. If an enhanced concealed carry license holder’s firearm is displayed, other
than in necessary self-defense, it is a violation of University policy. Please contact local law enforcement
(call 911) to report firearms on University property."
UNIT
WK
1
2
Evolution
3
4
5
Microbial life
6
7
8
9
Animal Life
10
11
Plants & Fungi
12
13
14
15
16
DATE
TOPIC
22-Aug
24-Aug
26-Aug
29-Aug
31-Aug
2-Sep
5-Sep
7-Sep
9-Sep
12-Sep
14-Sep
16-Sep
19-Sep
21-Sep
23-Sep
26-Sep
28-Sep
30-Sep
3-Oct
5-Oct
7-Oct
10-Oct
12-Oct
14-Oct
17-Oct
19-Oct
21-Oct
24-Oct
26-Oct
28-Oct
31-Oct
2-Nov
4-Nov
7-Nov
9-Nov
11-Nov
14-Nov
16-Nov
Syllabus
Science as a Process
Distribution of life - abiotic factors
Distribution of life - biotic factors
History of biodiversity thinking
Evolution: definition & evidence
NO CLASS
Selection: modes
Selection: types & misconceptions
Case Study 1
Other Mechanisms
Speciation & Trees
Patterns of Life
Case Study 2
Flex Day
Exam 1
Cells and the Cell Theory
Life as a prokaryote
Prokaryotic importance & diversity
Case Study 3
Eukaryotic evolution
Protist importance & diversity
18-Nov
21-Nov
28-Nov
Case Study 5
Thanksgiving Break
Fungal evolution
Fungi importance & diversity
30-Nov
2-Dec
5-Dec
7-Dec
9-Dec
13-Dec
CHAPTER
1.5
56.1-.3
55.1
25.1&.3
25.2 & .3
QUIZ
LAB
No Lab
x
x
x
x
Ecology
Selection
26.3
25.5
x
26.4-5
27 & 28.1
28.2-.4
x
x
x
Adaptation Writing Proj
Phylogenetic Trees
1.2, 7.1&.2
29
Microscopes 101
x
Pond Life I
30
x
Pond Life II
Flex Day
Exam 2
Animals & development
Protostomes
Deuterostomes
Vertebrates
Case Study 4
Flex Day
Exam 3
Terrestrial living
Terrestrial reproduction
Plant importance & diversity
33.3-.4
34.2
x
x
Comparative Anatomy
35.1-.2
35.3
35.4
x
Invertebrates Project P2
Invertebrates Project P3
31
x
Plants I
Plants II
Exam 4
Viruses
32
x
Fungi
36
x
Lab Practical
Conclusion/Review
Final Exam (12:30-2:30pm)