Evolution and Diversity of Life (Biology 2010)
Syllabus for Spring, 2008
Overview: Organisms are the result of their evolutionary history. This course teaches that history and how
it is investigated. We trace the evolution of reproductive, metabolic, and morphologic diversity from the
origin of life through the major lineages of extant organisms. The environmental and biological processes
behind major milestones in evolution are discussed along with their basis in evidence and methodology.
The diversity of major groups is explored in their evolutionary context.
Instructors:
Teaching
Assistants:
Lectures:
Textbook/
Readings:
Discussion
Sections:
Lynn Bohs – 228 BIOL, 585-0380, bohs@biology.utah.edu
David Carrier -- 123 BIOL, 585-7967, carrier@biology.utah.edu
Office hours by appointment
Ryan Bixenmann: 540 ASB, 585-9853, bixenmann@biology.utah.edu
Susan Bush: 502B ASB, 587-3405, sbush@biology.utah.edu
Félix Guzmán-Díaz: 232 SB,585-0420, f.a.guzman@utah.edu
Martin Moyano: 310 SB, 581-6893, martin.moyano@utah.edu
Adam Nelson: 580 ASB, 585-9678, adam.nelson@utah.edu
Office hours by appointment
M, W, F, 11:50am – 12:40pm, ASB 220
Required Readings:
1. Campbell & Reese, Biology 8th edition (available at the U. bookstore and on 2 hour
reserve in Marriott Library). Note: previous editions of this textbook may be adequate,
but we cannot guarantee this.
2. Andrew Knoll, “Life on a Young Planet” (available at the U. bookstore and on 2 hour
reserve in Marriot Library).
3. Journal articles as announced. On reserve in the Marriott Library. Go to the Reserve
Desk or visit the Marriott Library home page (http://www.lib.utah.edu/) and select
“course reserves.” Type the course number or instructor's last name to find a list of
articles available for downloading.
We strongly recommend that you attend a discussion section each week. Choose from the
alternatives below to suit your schedule. These sessions, which are led by the teaching
assistants (TAs), allow you to ask questions regarding the lectures or assigned readings.
You may attend more than one discussion if you prefer.
Discussion times and places are as follows:
M
T
W
W
Th
9:40am—10:30am
10:45am—11:35am
8:35am — 9:25am
12:55pm— 1:45pm
10:45am — 11:35am
Félix Guzmán-Díaz
Ryan Bixenmann
Adam Nelson
Susan Bush
Martin Moyano
SW 137
LCB 225
ASB 230
ASB 230
LCB 219
TA office hours and places are as follows:
M
T
W
10:35—11:25 AM
4:35—5:25 PM
2:00—2:50 PM
Adam Nelson
Féliz Guzmán-Díaz
Susan Bush
580 ASB
232 SB
502B ASB
Th
Th
2:00 – 2:50 PM
12:55—1:45 PM
Martin Moyano
Ryan Bixenmann
310 SB
540 ASB
There will be no Discussion sections the first week of class.
During exam week there will be an additional review session(s).
Attendance and lecture notes: You are expected to attend all lectures. You are responsible for taking
your own notes during lecture. If unavoidable circumstances prevent you from attending a lecture, obtain
lecture notes from someone else in the class. Lecture notes will not be provided by professors or teaching
assistants.
Handouts: Most lectures will have handouts, made available outside the lecture hall. Handouts will also
be available for downloading from the library’s course reserves website (see next).
Course Website and Reserve Materials: The syllabus, handouts, homework and exam keys, and other
course related items will be posted on the WebCT site assigned to this course. You should be able to
access this site by logging on with your uNID number and password to the University of Utah homepage.
Lecture notes will not be posted, but the power points will be available. Journal articles are available on
the Marriott e-Reserve linked to this site. Extra copies of the course textbooks are on 2-hour reserve in the
Marriott Library.
Grading: The final grade is based on a total of 500 points. There are four exams of 100 points each.
There are four homework assignments of 25 points each. No grades are dropped. There are no extra credit
exercises. Letter grades are assigned at the end of the class. The point breakdown will be no more strict
than the following: 90-100% A/A-, 80-90% B+/B/B-, 70-80% C+/C/C-, 60-70% D+/D/D-, <60% E. In
other words, if you get 85% of the total points, you are guaranteed of a grade of B or above.
Exams will be based on lecture material. The best study guide for the exams are your own lecture and
discussion notes. Review session(s) will be given out of class time for each exam.
Exams will be graded as quickly as possible and returned in class. Keys will be posted on the website.
Exams that are not picked up will be available in Building 44. There will be no makeup exams unless
permission has been obtained before the exam from the instructor.
The homework assignments are take home exercises that consist of study problems. You may discuss the
exercises with other students but your written answers must be your own work. Late exercises will be
subject to point deduction, and their safe handling cannot be guaranteed.
Questions regarding grading other than arithmetic errors should be submitted in writing to a Teaching
Assistant within one week of the day on which assignments are returned.
Course Drop Policy: The drop and withdrawal policy is the same as the University of Utah policy
described in the Class Schedule. Wednesday, January 16 is the last day to drop with no tuition and no
notation on the transcript. Friday, February 29 is the last day students can withdraw, but tuition will be
assessed. Consult the registrar or academic calendar for more information.
Evolution and Diversity Lab, Biology 2015: A separate lab course, Biology 2015, runs concurrently with
Biology 2010. It meets Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-5 PM. The topics follow the order of Biology
2010, but give you a chance to experience examples of the organisms that we cover in class. This course
complements Biology 2010 and is highly recommended but not required. Contact instructor Ed King for
more information.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): In accordance with University policy with respect to ADA
matters and students with other identifiable disabilities, we will provide additional examination time as
needed and appropriate. Students needing this service should identify themselves to the course instructor at
least one week in advance of the first examination. In addition you must provide a written statement of how
we can assist you in completing course requirements. Students requiring additional time with teaching
assistants are encouraged to attend as many discussion sections as needed and also to arrange to meet with
the teaching assistants or the faculty during their office hours.
Lecture Schedule
DATE TOPIC
PROFESSOR
Jan 7
Course intro. Scientific names and classification
Bohs
Jan 9
Phylogenies
Bohs
Jan 11
The tree of life
Bohs
Jan 14
Origin of life I
Bohs
Jan 16
Origin of life II
Bohs
Jan 18
Prokaryotic lineages. Homework 1 Assigned
Bohs
Jan 21
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No class
Jan 23
Prokaryotic metabolism.
Bohs
Jan 25
Evolution of eukaryotes. Homework 1 due
Bohs
Jan 28
Protozoans: heterotrophic protists
Bohs
Jan 30
Protist diversity
Bohs
Feb 1
EXAM 1
Bohs
Feb 4
Origin of the algae
Bohs
Feb 6
Algal diversity
Bohs
Feb 8
Reproductive biology of algae
Bohs
Feb 11 Evolution of land plants
Bohs
Feb 13 Bryophytes: non-vascular plants
Bohs
Feb 15 Seedless vascular plants. Homework 2 assigned
Bohs
Feb 18 Presidents’ Day – No class
Feb 20 Evolution of seed plants
Bohs
Feb 22 Gymnosperms. Homework 2 due
Bohs
Feb 25 Origin of angiosperms
Bohs
Feb 27 Angiosperms
Bohs
Feb 29 EXAM 2
Bohs
Mar 3
Fungi I. Chitrids, zygomycetes, ascomycetes
Carrier
Mar 5
Fungi II. Basidiomycetes, deuteromycetes; symbioses
Carrier
Mar 7
Animal origins, body plans & phylogenetic hypotheses
Carrier
Mar 10 Rise of metazoans and the “Cambrian Explosion” Homework 3 assigned
Carrier
Mar 12 Placozoa; Sponges
Carrier
Mar 14 Radiate phyla Homework 3 due
Carrier
Mar 17-22 Spring break – No class
Mar 24 Origins of Bilateria. Flatworms: Planarians, flukes & tapeworms
Carrier
Mar 26 Origins of body cavities; Rotifers & nematodes
Carrier
Mar 28 Protostomia I. Mollusca
Carrier
Mar 31 Protostomia I. Mollusca
Carrier
Apr 2
EXAM 3
Carrier
Apr 4
Protostomia II. Annelida
Apr 7
Protostomia III. Arthropoda
Carrier
Apr 9
Protostomia III. Arthropoda
Carrier
Apr 11 Protostomia III. Arthropoda
Carrier
Apr 14 Echinoderms Homework 4 assigned.
Carrier
Apr 16 Protochordates; Origin of vertebrates.
Carrier
Apr 18 Vertebrates I. Fishes. Homework 4 due.
Carrier
Apr 21 Vertebrates II. Tetrapods
Carrier
Apr 23 End of Diversity
Carrier
May 1
Carrier
.
(Thursday) EXAM 4. 10:30am--12:30 pm. ASB 220
Carrier