ECOLOGY & FIELD BIOLOGY
Biology 3 Mt. San Antonio College
Fall 2014
Web: : http://instruction2.mtsac.edu/cshannon/
Office Hours: M & W 10:15-11:15am, M & W 3-4pm
Instructor: Dr. Cindy Shannon
Office: 60-2104
Phone: (909) 274-4551
Email: cshannon@mtsac.edu
SYLLABUS
Required Textbook: Elements of Ecology 8th edition, Authors: Smith & Smith
Lecture Notes/Handout book available at Day & Nite Copy Center
Course Objective: Identification and ecological relationships of common local plants and animals.
Evolutionary relationships and ecological topics such as succession, communities and population
dynamics are emphasized. The laboratory does include collecting and preservation of specimens.
Many laboratory meetings are conducted off campus. Most trips require walking/hiking. Course
includes all day or overnight field trip(s).
YOU MUST BE ENROLLED IN BOTH THE LECTURE & LAB. This is a 4 unit course.
NO BEEPERS (PAGERS) OR CELLULAR PHONES ALLOWED!--Points will be subtracted for
violations of this rule!
ATTENDANCE: Since most lecture test questions will come from lecture material, it is critical
that students attend all class meetings. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the notes
from a fellow student. If you have any questions after that, see me. Poor attendance will reduce
your grade!
If your number of absences exceeds the number of hours the class meets in three weeks, you will
be dropped from the course, unless I hear otherwise directly from you.
THE LAST DAY TO RECEIVE A "W" (WITHDRAWAL) IS October 31st !!! After that you
must be given a grade in the course.
If you are late to class, it your responsibility to report it to the instructor at the end of class, or it
will be counted as an absence. Three times late to class counts as one absence.
EXAMS: Your course grade will be comprised of your lecture and your lab grades. There will be
4 hourly exams given in lecture, and one cumulative final exam. Each hourly exam is worth 100
points, and the lowest of these four exam scores will be dropped. (You may not drop the final
exam.) THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS (although any exam, except the final and
practicums, may be taken early.)
The exams will consist of multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, definition and
short essay.
Supplies: You will need a scantron form #882 and a no. 2 pencil for all hourly exams and the
final exam. YOU MUST TURN IN 4 OF THESE SCANTRON FORMS TO YOUR
INSTRUCTOR NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2014, in order to keep taking lecture
exams.
1
POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Anyone cheating may receive a failing grade (F) for
the assignment, for the course, or the student may be dropped. Additional disciplinary action
may be taken--see section on cheating in Schedule of Classes and Biological Sciences
Department Policy on Student Cheating. A copy of the department policy will be distributed and
signed by each student the first week of classes.
BASIS FOR YOUR COURSE GRADE:
Three Hourly Exams.........................................300 pts
Final Exam........................................................100 pts
Laboratory.........................................................370 pts
Lecture Quizzes/Homework...............................30 pts
__________________
Total Possible
800 pts
There will be some extra credit points possible for active participation in certain class
discussions. This will be explained further when these discussions occur.
FINAL GRADES:
A=
B=
C=
D=
720 points & above (90-100%)
640-719 points
(80-89%)
560-639 points
(70-79%)
480-559 points
(60-69%)
Final Examination (Final is Cumulative)
Wednesday December 10th 10:30-1:00pm!
You must take the final at the time it is scheduled for your course section or receive a zero!!
Holidays!
Sept. 1 (Monday)................................................................................Labor Day
Nov. 11 (Tuesday)………….……………………............................Veteran's Day
Nov. 27-28 (Thurs./Fri).....................................................................Thanksgiving
STUDENTS IN THIS COURSE ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND (AND WRITE UP
IN THEIR NOTEBOOKS) THE OVERNIGHT/ALL DAY TRIPS. FAILURE TO
DO SO WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THIS COURSE!!!!!
2
BIOLOGY 3 TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
The following is the approximate schedule for the semester. The chapters in Smith &
Smith corresponding to each topic, should be read before that subject is covered in class.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEING AWARE OF ANY CHANGES MADE IN THIS
SCHEDULE BY THE INSTRUCTOR!
DATE
TOPICS
CHAPTERS
Aug. 27
Introduction, Scientific Method
Taxonomy
Photosynthesis, Climate, Topography
Soil Composition, Thermoregulation
Ecosystems, Energy Flow
Biogeochemical Cycles
Exam #1 & Evolution
(Macroevolution/microevolution)
1,5
Sept. 3
Sept. 10
Sept. 17
Sept. 24
Oct. 1
Oct. 8
Oct. 15
Oct. 22
Oct. 29
Nov. 5
DNA & Genetics
Origin of Life/Paleontology
Biogeography/Darwin
Survey of Domains
(Life Cycles: insect, frog, mouse)
Exam #2
Organisms/Comparative Physiology
2,3,6,30
4,7
21,22,23
5
5
handouts
handouts
15 (p.281-284),7
Plants, Animal Mating Systems
Reproductive Systems (Sexual & Asexual)
Populations (demography and growth)
Exam #3 & Species Interactions
10,handouts
Nov. 19
Competition/Predation
14,15
Nov. 26
Communities/Foraging
16,17,18,19
Nov. 12
Landscape Ecology/Biomes
Conservation/Endangered Species
Ecological Applications
Exam #4
Dec. 3
Dec. 10
Lecture Final
8,9,11,28
13
12,20,24,25,26
27,28,29
10:30am-1pm
Course Student Learning Objectives:
view at http://www.mtsac.edu/instruction/outcomes/sloinfo.html
3