GENERAL BIOLOGY : ORGANISMAL DIVERSITY (BIOL 2051)
FALL SEMESTER 2011
Dr. Jim Demastes, Professor; Department of Biology, 70 McCollum Science Hall, 273-2022; jim.demastes@uni.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Wed. Thurs..: 1:00-2:30 pm; also by appointment (best done by email)
LECTURE TEXT: J. Reece, et al. 2011. Biology, 9th edition. Benjamin Cummings Publishing Co.
LAB TEXT: manual: J. W. Tamplin, W. B. Stickle, and J. P. Woodring. 1997. Introductory Zoology Laboratory
Guide, 2nd edition. Morton Publishing Co.; atlas: K. Van De Graaff and J. L. Crawley. 2009. A Photographic Atlas for
the Biology Laboratory, 6th edition. Morton Publishing Co.
COURSE SYNOPSIS: This is an introductory course intended for science majors and students who want to specialize in
a life sciences field. The lecture course follows a phylogenetic scheme through the diversity of life, discussing the
structure, form and function, assortment, and significance of the major groups of organisms.
The lab focuses on the diversity and complexity of life, first introducing systematics and taxonomy and ultimately
progressing through a survey of unicellular and multicellular organisms. Lab activities include in-class assignments, field
trips, observations of behavior, and dissections of representative animal structure. A separate lab syllabus will be
provided by your lab instructor; the lab manual and a photo atlas are available as a package at the University Bookstore.
SUGGESTIONS: Students are expected to attend each lecture. Please arrive on time and do not disturb your classmates
during class. The bulk of the exam material comes from the lectures, although exams may also contain some material
from readings that we don't have time to review in class. Similarly, we may discuss material in class that is not covered in
the textbook. Assigned readings correspond to the topic listed; the textbook is intended to be a supplement to the course
material, not a substitute for attending lectures. A tentative lecture schedule is included on the back of this syllabus. The
timing and sequence of lecture material may be subject to modification.
Students are expected to attend all lecture sessions and asked to be considerate to those around them.
LECTURE EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS: There will be four (4) 100 point exams given during the
scheduled lecture periods totaling 400 overall points possible from the four exams. There may also be periodic, in-class
assignments given. The nature and timing of these assignments will vary as the material dictates; most of these will be
completed during class and cannot be made up without a valid reason, and documentation demonstrating this. The final
exam is scheduled for TUESDAY, December 13th from 10:00am - 11:50am. Final exams cannot be changed. You
must bring a #2 pencil and your student ID to each exam. Failure to show your ID can lead to your examination being
discarded. Please be on time for class and especially for the exams. Once the first student leaves an exam, no students
will be allowed to enter the room to take the exam. A scantron sheet will be provided for you. Permission to miss an
examination must be obtained during the week prior to the exam being administered. If you have to miss an exam,
have a very strong reason and be prepared to provide written documentation. Make-up exams will be administered to
those who meet the above criteria on the day immediately following the scheduled exam in the main office of the
Biology Department (MSH 144) at 7:00 am. Make-up exams will cover similar material but be of a different format
than the scheduled exams. Students missing an examination without receiving prior permission will receive a score of 0
on that exam.
LAB EXAMS: Your lab instructor will explain the structure and schedule of quizzes, exams, and assignments given
during the laboratory portion of the course. Your lab score will total 350 points and be combined with the lecture scores
to produce a single comprehensive grade for this course.
GENERAL BIOLOGY : ORGANISMAL DIVERSITY (BIOL 2051)
GRADING SCALE: The lecture [exams = 400 points (65%); and the lab scores [350 points = 35%] will be combined
and a single grade assigned based on the following percentages:
A = 93.0% and above
C = 73.0% - 77.9%
A- = 90% - 92.9%
C- = 70.0% - 72.9%
B+ = 88.0% - 89.9%
D+ = 68.0% - 69.9%
B = 83.0% - 87.9%
D = 63.0% - 67.9%
B- = 80.0% - 82.9%
D- = 60.0% - 62.9%
C+ = 78.0% - 79.9%
F = 59.9% and below
LECTURE OUTLINE
8th or 9th ed. (CHAPTER)
DATE
TOPIC
8/22-8/26
Nature of Science, Speciation;
Ch.1 & Ch. 24
8/29-8/31
Tree Thinking
Ch. 26
9/2
LUCA and the prokaryotes
9/05, MON
Labor Day (NO CLASS)
9/07-9/14
Archaea
9/16, FRI
EXAM 1
9/19-9/26
Diversity of Eubacteria
CH 27
9/28-10/5
Eukaryotes: What, if anything, are protists?
Ch 28
10/7-10/12
Plant Diversity I: Plants hit the beach!
Ch. 29
10/14 FRI
EXAM 2
10/17-10/21
Plant Diversity II
Ch 30
10/24-11/2
Fungi
Ch 31
11/9, WED
EXAM 3
11/7-11/16
Invertebrates
Ch. 32-33
11/18
Vertebrates
Ch. 34
11/21-11/25
Thanksgiving Break
11/28-12/5
Vertebrates
12/7-12/9
Viruses
12/13, TUE
FINAL EXAM - 10am
Ch. 27
Ch. 19
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from illegal discrimination for
qualified individuals with disabilities. Students requesting instructional accommodations due to disabilities
must arrange this through the Office of Disability Services (213 Student Services Center).
General topics and criteria that all biology majors at the University of Northern Iowa should be exposed
to and understand while completing the biology course curriculum:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of genetics from molecules through populations
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the anatomy, development, and physiology of cells and organisms.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity and the relationship of living things with their environment
and with each other over time.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of evolution, including mechanisms, evolutionary history, and evolutionary
theory.
5. Employ logical reasoning and scientific methodology to ask and answer questions about the biological
world.
6. Collect, organize, analyze and interpret data.
7. Critically read and evaluate primary and secondary research literature.
8. Evaluate current issues and ethical topics in biology.
9. Use biological terms, concepts, and graphical representations properly in written and oral communications.
10. Construct written documents in standard scientific style, including proper citation of other’s work.
11. Procure and present biological data and information using a variety of appropriate methods.
General Biology: Organismal Diversity (BIOL 2051) encompasses, at least in part, items 2, 3, 4, and 5.