SYLLABUS: BIOL 3010 EVOLUTION, SPRING 2014
1/4/13
EVOLUTION - BIOL 3010 - SPRING 2013
Origins and evidence for biological evolution, and its significance for society and
science
CRN: 13757; Section: 001; Credits: 3, Depth Life/Physical Sciences
Lectures: MWF 2:00-2:50 pm, Biology/Natural Resources room 278
Prerequisite/Restriction: University Studies Breadth Life Sciences (BLS) course
Professor: Dr. Carol von Dohlen; Office - BNR 237; (435) 797-2549;
carol.vondohlen@usu.edu. Office hours - W 0730h-0930h, but best by appointment
Course Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
Gain an understanding of the scientific method, and evolution as a science
Explore the history of ideas concerning the origins and expansion of biodiversity
Examine principles and processes of variation, inheritance, and evolutionary change
Gain sufficient background in biology to appreciate how evolutionary change occurs, and
learn how new species arise and how they are recognized
5. Explore the concepts, consequences, and predictions of modern evolutionary science
6. Develop an understanding of evolutionary science that you can explain to others
7. Comprehend the central, unifying role of evolution in all biological sciences
Course Resources
Canvas website
This course will be managed through the USU Canvas site. Login with your A# and
password to find our section (001) EVOLUTION (DSC) - 3010. PDFs of lecture
Powerpoints will be available in Modules organized by week. Please check
Announcements frequently for any adjustments to the schedule.
Textbook (required)
Evolution: Principles and Processes, by Brian K. Hall. 2011. Jones and Bartlett, publisher.
ISBN 978-0-7637-6039-7.
 At USU Bookstore
 At Amazon - ~$90; other new and used from ~$25
 As “eTextbook” at CourseSmart.com: www.coursesmart.com/9781449606404 - $68
Publisher’s student resources - biology.jbpub.com/hall/evolutionprinciples/Default.aspx
Other useful resources:
 Young, David. 2007. The Discovery of Evolution, 2nd Ed. The Natural History
Museum/Cambridge University Press.
 Zimmer, Carl. 2013. The Tangled Bank, An Introduction to Evolution, 2nd Ed.. Roberts
& Co.
 Understanding Evolution (Berkeley): evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/home.php
 American Museum of Natural History, Darwin feature: amnh.org/exhibitions/darwin/
 Travels in the Great Tree of Life: archive.peabody.yale.edu/exhibits/treeoflife/index.html
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SYLLABUS: BIOL 3010 EVOLUTION, SPRING 2014
1/4/13
Grading
Your final grade will be based on 4 exams: 3 midterm exams and the final exam. Each
exam will count as 25% of your grade. Exams follow a multiple-choice format and are
graded by computer. Please remember to bring a pencil (or two) and a large blue scantron
sheet, which you can purchase from the USU bookstore. Exam scores will be sent to you by
email, so please be sure that your Banner account is up-to-date. Portable electronic devices of
any kind are NOT allowed in exams! There will be no early, make-up, or late exams
given. Missed exams earn a zero score.
A
BD+
92-100%
80-81%
68-69%
AC+
D
90-91%
78-79%
62-67%
B+
C
D-
88-89%
72-77%
60-61%
B
CF
82-87%
70-71%
< 60%
University Policies
ADA compliance: Students with ADA-documented physical, sensory, emotional or medical
impairments may be eligible for reasonable accommodations. Veterans may also be eligible
for services. All accommodations are coordinated through the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) in Room 101 of the University Inn, (435) 797-2444 voice, (435) 797-0740 TTY, or
toll free at 1-800-259-2966. Please contact the DRC as early in the semester as possible.
Alternate format materials (Braille, large print or digital) are available with advance notice.
Important Dates:
 Late adds: The last day to add this class is Jan. 27. Attending this class beyond that
date, without being officially registered, will not be approved by the Dean's Office.
Students must be officially registered for this course. No tests will be graded for
students whose names do not appear on the class list.
 Drop date: The last day to drop classes is:
1. Jan. 27 - without a "W" notation on transcript
2. Mar. 7 - with a "W" notation on transcript
Incompletes – request for an “I” grade
 Must be made in writing no later than the last day of finals
 Must include full documentation of the reason for the missed work
 Will be honored only if you are passing the class at the time of the request
 Must comply with USU regulations as stated in the catalog
How to do your best in this course:
 Read the chapter before class
 Bring lecture note PDFs to class and take notes
 Ask questions in class if you do not understand something
 Go over your notes soon after class (study progressively)
 Study with friends and test each other
 Use the textbook online resources to study and test yourself
(http://biology.jbpub.com/hall/evolutionprinciples/Default.aspx)
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SYLLABUS: BIOL 3010 EVOLUTION, SPRING 2014
1/4/13
Probable Schedule
Hall
Chap.*
Date
Topic
M Jan 6
Introduction and Syllabus; class discussion - what is evolution?
W Jan 8
The nature of science & evolution; evolution as science
1
F Jan 10
The origin of matter, the Universe and Earth
2
M Jan 13
The origin of matter, the Universe and Earth
2
W Jan 15
The origin of molecules and the nature of life
3
F Jan 17
Film: “DNA: Secret of photo 51”
M Jan 20
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no class
W Jan 22
The origin of molecules and the nature of life
3
F Jan 24
From molecules to cells and the origin of selection
4
M Jan 27
From molecules to cells and the origin of selection
4
W Jan 29
Darwin and the voyage of the Beagle
5
F Jan 31
Film: “What Darwin never knew”
M Feb 3
*** Exam 1 ***
W Feb 5
Darwin and the voyage of the Beagle
5
F Feb 7
Darwin and Wallace’s evolution by natural selection
6
M Feb 10
Darwin and Wallace’s evolution by natural selection
6
W Feb 12
Darwin, Mendel, and theories of inheritance
7
F Feb 14
Film: “The evolutionary arms race”
M Feb 17
Presidents Day – no class (class meets Tues)
Tu Feb 18
Darwin, Mendel, and theories of inheritance
7
W Feb 19
From single-celled organisms to Kingdoms
8
F Feb 21
Eukaryotic cells and multicellular organisms
9
M Feb 24
Eukaryotic cells and multicellular organisms
9
W Feb 26
*** Exam 2 ***
F Feb 28
Film: “First flower”
M Mar 3
Plants and fungi as branches of the tree of life
10
W Mar 5
Plants and fungi as branches of the tree of life
10
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SYLLABUS: BIOL 3010 EVOLUTION, SPRING 2014
1/4/13
F Mar 7
Animals as a branch of the tree of life
Mar 10-14
USU Spring Break! No classes
M Mar 17
Animals as a branch of the tree of life
11
W Mar 19
Individual genetic variation and gene regulation
12
F Mar 21
Film: “Great Transformations”
M Mar 24
Individual genetic variation and gene regulation
12
W Mar 26
Natural selection
15
F Mar 28
Natural selection
15
M Mar 31
11
*** Exam 3 ***
W Apr 2
Species and similarity: On being the same yet different
16
F Apr 4
Film: “Extinction!”
M Apr 7
Species and similarity: On being the same yet different
16
W Apr 9
Origin of species
17
F Apr 11
Origin of species
17
M Apr 14
Mass extinctions, opportunities and adaptive radiations
18
W Apr 16
Mass extinctions, opportunities and adaptive radiations
18
F Apr 18
Film: “Becoming human – first steps”
M Apr 21
Human origins and evolution
W Apr 23
Film: “The mind’s big bang”
F Apr 25
Human origins and evolution
M Apr 28
Exam 4 1:30 am – 3:20 pm
19
19
*I may occasionally assign extra readings from the scientific literature; watch for these in the
week’s module on Canvas.
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