UCC/UGC/ECCC
Proposal for New Course
Please attach proposed Syllabus in approved university format.
1. Course subject and number: BSC 435C
2. Units:
See upper and lower division undergraduate course definitions.
3. College:
Extended Campuses
4. Academic Unit:
3
Department of Arts and
Sciences
5. Student Learning Outcomes of the new course. (Resources & Examples for Developing Course Learning
Outcomes)
1. Describe Darwinian evolutionary theory, including natural selection, adaptation, sexual selection,
and coevolution
2. Analyze models of speciation
3. Describe the application of phylogenetic reconstruction to the study of evolutionary processes
4. Analyze macroevolutionary patterns, radiation and extinction, and biogeography
5. Analyze the fossil record and describe the significance of key events in the history of life on earth
6. Describe how the contributions of population genetics to the understanding of key evolutionary
processes, including variation, natural selection, genetic drift, and fitness
7. Describe evolution on the molecular level, including molecular clocks and evolution of multi-gene
families
8. Develop hypothesis testing in evolutionary biology, through critical analysis of research articles in
the primary literature
9. Compare and contrast the difference between the scientific perspective of evolutionary theory and
the non-scientific concepts of creationism/intelligent design.
6. Justification for new course, including how the course contributes to degree program outcomes,
or other university requirements / student learning outcomes. (Resources, Examples & Tools for Developing
Effective Program Student Learning Outcomes).
This course will contribute to the degree requirements of the environmental and biological science
degree and can be used as a course to satisfy the liberal arts requirements of scientific inquiry for
other degrees.
7. Effective BEGINNING of what term and year?
See effective dates calendar.
8. Long course title: Evolutionary Biology
(max 100 characters including spaces)
Effective Fall 2012
Spring 2015
9. Short course title: Evolutionary Biology
(max. 30 characters including spaces)
10. Catalog course description (max. 60 words, excluding requisites):
Evolution of organisms: including variation, natural selection, adaptation, population genetics,
speciation, patterns and rates of evolution, phylogenetics, and the fossil record. CAP
11. Will this course be part of any plan (major, minor or certificate) or sub plan (emphasis)?
Yes
If yes, include the appropriate plan proposal.
No
12. Does this course duplicate content of existing courses?
Yes
No
If yes, list the courses with duplicate material. If the duplication is greater than 20%, explain why
NAU should establish this course.
BIO 435C, BSC courses were created to meet the needs, requirements, and degree requirements
associated with the biological science degree that builds on the partnership with community colleges
in the Lower Colorado River region.
13. Will this course impact any other academic unit’s enrollment or plan(s)?
Yes
No
If yes, describe the impact. If applicable, include evidence of notification to and/or response from
each impacted academic unit
14. Grading option:
Letter grade
Pass/Fail
Both
15. Co-convened with:
N/A
14a. UGC approval date*:
(For example: ESE 450 and ESE 550) See co-convening policy.
*Must be approved by UGC before UCC submission, and both course syllabi must be presented.
16. Cross-listed with:
N/A
(For example: ES 450 and DIS 450) See cross listing policy.
Please submit a single cross-listed syllabus that will be used for all cross-listed courses.
17. May course be repeated for additional units?
16a. If yes, maximum units allowed?
16b. If yes, may course be repeated for additional units in the same term?
Yes
No
Yes
No
18. Prerequisites:
BSC 350
If prerequisites, include the rationale for the prerequisites.
BIO 350 introduces students to some of the main principles that are paramount to this course.
Successfully passing BSC 350 will adequately prepare students to succeed in this course.
Effective Fall 2012
19. Co requisites:
None
If co requisites, include the rationale for the co requisites.
20. Does this course include combined lecture and lab components?
Yes
If yes, include the units specific to each component in the course description above.
21. Names of the current faculty qualified to teach this course:
No
Dr. Marie McGee
Answer 22-23 for UCC/ECCC only:
22. Is this course being proposed for Liberal Studies designation?
If yes, include a Liberal Studies proposal and syllabus with this proposal.
Yes
23. Is this course being proposed for Diversity designation?
If yes, include a Diversity proposal and syllabus with this proposal.
Yes
FLAGSTAFF MOUNTAIN CAMPUS
Reviewed by Curriculum Process Associate
Date
Approvals:
Department Chair/Unit Head (if appropriate)
Date
Chair of college curriculum committee
Date
Dean of college
Date
For Committee use only:
UCC/UGC Approval
Approved as submitted:
Effective Fall 2012
Date
Yes
No
No
No
Approved as modified:
Yes
No
EXTENDED CAMPUSES
Jenny Scott
10.16.13
Reviewed by Curriculum Process Associate
Date
Approvals:
Academic Unit Head
Date
Division Curriculum Committee (Yuma, Yavapai, or Personalized Learning)
Date
Division Administrator in Extended Campuses (Yuma, Yavapai, or Personalized
Learning)
Date
Faculty Chair of Extended Campuses Curriculum Committee (Yuma, Yavapai, or
Personalized Learning)
Date
Chief Academic Officer; Extended Campuses (or Designee)
Date
Approved as submitted:
Yes
No
Approved as modified:
Yes
No
Effective Fall 2012
COURSE SYLLABUS – APPROVED FORMAT
General Information
 Northern Arizona University- Yuma; Department of Arts and Sciences
 BSC 435C, Evolutionary Biology
 Spring
 3 hrs. Lecture, 3 credit hours
 Marie McGee
 Science and Research building, Office 112
 Office hours: Monday/Wednesday 8:00am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Course prerequisites
BSC 350
Course Corequisite
None
Course description:
Evolution of organisms, including variation, natural selection, adaptation, population genetics, speciation,
patterns and rates of evolution, phylogenetics, and the fossil record. Letter grade only. CAP
Student Learning Expectations/Outcomes for this Course
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe Darwinian evolutionary theory, including natural selection, adaptation, sexual selection, and
coevolution
2. Analyze models of speciation
3. Describe the application of phylogenetic reconstruction to the study of evolutionary processes
4. Analyze macroevolutionary patterns, radiation and extinction, and biogeography
5. Analyze the fossil record and describe the significance of key events in the history of life on earth
6. Describe how the contributions of population genetics to the understanding of key evolutionary processes,
including variation, natural selection, genetic drift, and fitness
7. Describe evolution on the molecular level, including molecular clocks and evolution of multi-gene families
8. Develop hypothesis testing in evolutionary biology, through critical analysis of research articles in the
primary literature
9. Compare and contrast the difference between the scientific perspective of evolutionary theory and the nonscientific concepts of creationism/intelligent design.
Effective Fall 2012
Course structure/approach:
The course may involve one or more of the following approaches: lecture and discussion; application exercises;
scheduled activities; case analysis; team projects; field trips, speakers with relevant expertise, and/or other
activities as appropriate to achieve learning outcomes.
Textbook and required materials: Student learning is facilitated with textbooks, readings, audio-visual content,
software, and/or other materials
Recommended optional materials/references (attach reading list): None
Course outline:
Week 1: Evolutionary Science, creationism and society
Week 2: Nova film: Intelligent Design on Trial
Week 3: Evolutionary Biology
Week 4: Tree of Life: Classification and Phylogeny
Week 5: Patterns of Evolution
Week 6: Cladistics and interpreting phylogenetic trees
Week 7: Evolution in the Fossil Record
Week 8: History of Life on Earth
Week 9: Sex and Reproductive Success
Week 10: The Geography of Evolution: Biogeography
Week 11: The Evolution of Biodiversity
Week 12: The Origin of Genetic Variation
Week 13: Conflict and Cooperation
Week 14: Genetic Drift: Evolution at Random
Week 15: Natural Selection and Adaptation
Week 16: The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
 Methods of Assessment: In-class exams, homework, in-class activities, research paper, and/or
presentations.
 Timeline for Assessment: Over the course of the semester
Grading System:
Letter grades for the course will be determined based on the percentage of the total points as follows:
90-100%
A Excellent
80-89%
B Good
70-79%
C Average
60-69%
D Lowest passing
<60%
F Failure
Course policy:
Retests/makeup tests:
No make-up exams or re-tests except for what the instructor may deem as extenuating circumstances.
Attendance Policy:
Under NAU Policy, students are expected to attend every session of the class in which they are enrolled.
Effective Fall 2012
Statement on plagiarism and cheating:
DON’T CHEAT!
Please refer to the NAU Student Handbook policy statement on Academic Integrity. Academic honesty does not
allow "plagiarism — knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own" (2005,
Undergraduate General Academic and Graduation Policies).
If your instructor determines that you are guilty of plagiarism he deserves the right to give you a zero on the
alleged assignment up to failing the course in question. All incidents regardless will be reported to the
university.
University policies
Attach the Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional Review Board, and
Academic Integrity policies or reference them on the syllabus. See the following document for policy
statements: http://www4.nau.edu/avpaa/UCCPolicy/plcystmt.html.
Your instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the course policies, schedule, or any other aspect of
the class as he sees fit.
Effective Fall 2012