COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
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COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS
TERM: Fall YEAR: 2013
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Marta D. de Jesus
OFFICE/DIVISION LOCATION: SCI-337
OFFICE HOURS: M/W 12:30-1 PM & 5:30-6 PM
Tu/Th 1-1:30 PM & 4:30-5:30 PM
OFFICE PHONE: (805) 289-6248
E-MAIL ADDRESS: mdejesus@vcccd.edu (please leave paper notes with the Division Assistants in SCI321/old SCI-324, NOT in my mailbox in the main Administration Bldg.)
COURSE WEB PAGE: http://dewhozitz.net/
ONLINE CHAT:
N/A
CLASS HOURS: Lecture: M/W 1:00-2:15 PM (~3 hours lecture/wk) SCI-313
SECTION CRN: 76699 Lab: M/W 2:30 - 5:20 PM (~6 hours laboratory/week) SCI-316
79389 Lab: Tu/Th 1:30 - 4:20 PM (~6 hours laboratory/week) SCI-316
PREREQUISITE(S): CHEM V01A & V01AL, OR CHEM V20 & V20L,OR 1 year of HS chemistry
with a passing grade of C or better AND MATH V03 or 1 year of HS intermediate algebra with a
passing grade of C or better.
RECOMMENDED PREP: BIOL V01 OR ANPH V01 OR BIOL V29 & V29L OR MICR V01 OR 1
year of HS biology with a passing grade of C or better; CHEM V01B-V01BL; MATH V21A OR V46A;
and MATH V44
A. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to organismal diversity, structure and function. Groups to be
studied and discussed include eubacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, plants and animals. The latter two
groups will be studied in more detail, concentrating on structure and physiology. The overall emphasis
of the course will be on the evolutionary and ecological relationships between organisms. The
laboratory will develop skills of analysis and observation as they relate to the preceding topics.
B. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
In the “lecture” portion of this class, this will be the primary mode of instruction. We may have
a few guest lecturers during the class either in the lecture or lab portion. The lab portion of this class
consists mostly of a “hands-on” set of lab exercises (see Schedule) with 2 or 3 required field trips. On a
few occasions we will either have a group discussion or presentations by the students of scheduled
research reports. Please see the Schedule and Grading Plan for a list of reading and other assignments,
exams, and report dates.
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
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COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
C. STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1: Characterize major groups of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and explain their placement
within currently recognized taxa.
2: Explain the basic anatomy, physiological functions, and interactions among organisms and between
organisms and the environment.
3: Critically read, analyze and explain concepts from standard scientific-formatted literature including
experimental procedure(s), data and conclusions.
D. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate the following
measurable skills and abilities:
1. formulate simple hypotheses and test them in a laboratory setting.
2. inventory, categorize, compare, and differentiate between organisms.
3. compare and contrast anatomical and physiological systems of plants and animals.
4. construct and evaluate systematic evidence and patterns linking organisms.
5. diagram, appraise, and experiment with organismal and environmental aspects of biology.
6. distinguish, appraise and evaluate the ecological roles of organisms.
7. examine, debate, and evaluate knowledge from a variety of sources which will help prepare him/her
to succeed in university coursework.
8. formulate and revise realistic personal goals with respect to their chosen major.
E. COURSE TOPICS/UNITS (for dates see schedule)
Introduction to science, scientific method, and biology (including major biological groupings)
Introduction to basic cell structure (prokaryotic and eukaryotic)
Introduction to Evolution and Systematics
History of the field
Natural selection
Kingdoms Eubacteria and Archaea
Microbial diversity and evolutionary trends
Ecological roles of microbes (nutritional modes, symbioses, nutrient cycling)
Importance to humans (medicine, biotechnology)
Kingdom Protista
Evolutionary trends and descriptions of diversity in form and function (changes in complexity)
Life histories of important members (examples: euglenoids, slime molds, ciliates, apicomplexans, dinoflagellates, water molds, diatoms, brown algae, red algae, green algae, amoebas,
etc.)
Ecological roles (nutritional modes, symbioses, importance to ecosystems)
Importance to humans (medicine, economic impact)
Kingdom Fungi
Evolutionary trends and descriptions of diversity in form and function (changes in complexity)
Life histories of important members (zygomycetes, ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, deuteromycetes)
Ecological roles (nutritional modes, symbioses, importance to ecosystems)
Importance to humans (medicine, economic impact)
Kingdom Animalia
Evolutionary trends and descriptions of diversity in form and function (changes in complexity;
water-to-land transition of amphibians, terrestrial diversification)
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
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COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
Life histories of important members (examples: sponges, cnidarians, flatworms, round worms,
mollusks, segmented worms, echinoderms, chordates)
Ecological roles (nutritional modes, symbioses, importance to ecosystems)
Importance to humans (medicine, economic impact)
Comparative anatomy and physiology of specific body systems (examples: nervous system,
internal transport, gas exchange, reproduction, etc.)
Behavior
Kingdom Plantae
Evolutionary trends and descriptions of diversity in form and function (changes in complexity;
water-to-land transition and linkage to the green algae, terrestrial diversification)
Life histories of important members (bryophytes, lycopods, horsetails, ferns, gymnosperms,
angiosperms)
Ecological roles (nutritional modes, symbioses, importance to ecosystems)
Importance to humans (medicine, economic impact)
Comparative anatomy and physiology of systems (examples: internal transport, gas exchange,
reproduction, etc.)
Other Infectious Agents (non-living): viruses, viroids & prions
Evolutionary trends (viruses)
Descriptions of diversity in form and function
Ecological role and importance to humans (medicine, economic impact)
Ecology
Population ecology (including exponential & logistic models of population growth)
Community ecology (types of interactions, keystone species, succession)
Ecosystems and the Biosphere (flow of energy and matter, global climate)
Biogeography (biomes and aquatic ecosystems, islands)
Human interaction and impact (examples: global warming, ozone depletion, desertification, etc.)
F. CORE COMPETENCIES
1.1 Read, retain and apply published ideas.
1.2 Write clearly and accurately.
1.5 Employ vocabulary of the subject studied.
2.1 Recognize need for information; clarify the question to be answered.
2.3 Find and interpret relevant information.
2.5 Utilize data to draw conclusions or create new information.
3.4 Apply principles of scientific reasoning to solve problems.
5.7 Exhibit personal, professional and academic honesty.
6.3 Use language appropriate to the situation.
G. TEXTBOOK(S) AND REQUIRED TOOLS OR SUPPLIES
Required Text: Biology (9th ed.) by Solomon, Berg and Martin. Bring your textbook to every class
meeting. Read the assigned chapters before class! Additional resources are at the publisher’s textbookrelated website (www.cengage.com).
Lecture Outlines will be made available
Lab Texts & supplies: Lab exercises are mostly in a Canon publication from the Bookstore. You may
receive a few more in class. A 3-ring binder is needed to hold these and your data, graphs, drawings,
etc. Color pencils are very useful.
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
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COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
Optional/Recommended Materials available at the VC Bookstore:
Study Guide (for this text) (ISBN-10: 0538731672 | ISBN-13: 9780538731676)
Chemistry for Biologists by I. E. Alcamo or An Introduction to Chemistry for Biology Students by G.
Sackheim
A Photographic Atlas for Biology Laboratory by K. M. Van De Graaf & J. L. Crawley (or other)
Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms by Borror
5 Kingdoms by Margulis & Schwartz
Diversity of Life, 2nd ed. by Margulis, Schwartz & Dolan (coloring book)
(Just for fun - other Coloring Books: Biology, Botany, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Zoology, etc.)
H. GRADING PLAN and I. COURSE COMPONENT SPECIFICS
Grading: in general there are NO MAKE-UPS and late assignments will NOT be accepted.
Guaranteed Grades:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 65-79%
D = 55-64%
F = below 55%
- Exams (all together they are 36% of your grade): There are 3 written exams, multiple choice,
matching, and/or and short answer, 75 points each . You will need: 3 SCANTRON answer sheets (Form
#886E), #2 pencils (other numbers of pencil lead are not read correctly by the machine), and a good
eraser (the white plastic ones work best). Each will cover the material since the last exam.
- Laboratory points (12% of your total grade):
a) Quizzes: These will be given at the start of every Tuesday lab (except Practicals and Field
trips). Many will use Scantron Quizstrips (Form 815-E); 10 points each. They will include material
from just after the last quiz to that day’s scheduled lab.
b) Lab records: Keep any lab handouts and all of your drawings, assignment sheets, etc. in a
three-ring notebook, which can be spot-checked at any time. Note: drawings will ONLY be done in
pencil and graphs will NOT be computer-generated (NO Excel files). Optional: a magnifier for field
work.
c) Field Trips: There will be 2 required field trips off-campus. If you cannot attend one of
these, you will need to make arrangements with me for an alternative. You may need to take notes on
your field trips and incorporate them into your notebook (and information from the trips will be
incorporated into the practicals). You may want to take photos.
- Practicum/Practical Exams (20% of your total grade): These exams will require fast (timed) short
answers or identifications of materials/ organisms/etc. seen in lab or obviously related to them. The
form for your answers will be provided.
- Individual Report (10% of your total grade): This will involve outside-of-text reading and an
analysis of recent scientific literature on a topic we will discuss this semester.
1) First step: choose an organism (each person will report on a unique species, first come, first
reserved).
2) Then research your organism and start with encyclopedia at VC’s library and Internet sources.
Learn the basics about its biology and niche in the Earth’s biosphere. Make sure to keep track of all
your source material; you will be making a bibliography with reference to all these sources. Also be
sure to assess how credible you think each of your sources are.
3) Then do some background reading in more specific books at the library; find at least 2 you can
cite as sources of information (note: more recent is better).
4) Find an article (at least 3 full pages long) from the popular press about your organism (eg:
popular newspapers, magazines, Scientific American, American Scientist, New Scientist, Current
Biology, Discover magazine, etc.). This article must be from the last 10 years.
5) Then find a more recent actual research article/paper in a mainstream scientific journal on that
same topic that shows something new that has been learned since the publication of the popular press
article. This will probably require some time at a university library as our library has very few of these
journals. This article should be approved by me by 10/18/13.
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
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COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
6) Prepare oral (~6 min.) and written reports (~ 4-5 pages, double-spaced 12 point font, all margins of .75 in
for the next-to-last lab class (20 points each). The oral report will include an overview of your
organism and a description of the main ideas of the popular press article and the subsequent research
article. The written report will be a more detailed version of the oral report.
7) Prepare a power point poster slide (10 points) and use it to illustrate important points/ideas/
processes during your presentation (the content can include figures not in your articles BUT should contain at least 1
figure from your research article; more is better).
DO NOT READ your written report to us!
- Final Exam (20% of your total grade) scheduled for Wednesday, December 18, 2013 1:00-3:00 PM
(see the current Schedule of Classes). About 75 points will be a sectional exam and ~35-45 points will
be cumulative for the semester. Like the other exams, the questions will be multiple choice and short
answer format (Scantron Form #886E required).
- Attendance: Roll will be taken sometimes. 2% of your grade is based on attendance and
participation. If you are tardy or leave early you will lose points (particularly on quiz or exam days),
and you may miss valuable information/ announcements. Expect to be present in class the entire time
listed (lecture & labs). You are responsible for your credit and enrollment status; be aware of Ventura
College’s add/drop dates and policies. Note: College policy states: “When absence from the class
exceeds in number 1/9th of the total class contact hours for the session, the instructor may recommend to
the Registrar that such student be dropped from the class and a grade recorded in accordance with
withdrawal from class policy as stated in (the) Catalog. Classes missed because of late registration are
counted toward the number of absences.”
or less)
Last Day to Withdraw: November 22, 2013
- Extra Credit: generally there is none available. Please focus on learning the material presented in
lecture and lab.
I. CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT (see also Appendix 1 of the Ventura College
Catalog: Student Conduct Code or go to http://www.venturacollege.edu/honesty/).
1) Academic Dishonesty (a.k.a. Cheating): This can take a variety of forms. In Academia in general, at
Ventura College, and especially in this class, it will NOT be tolerated. All work you submit for grading
(assignments, papers, & exams) must be your own work. In this course you are being graded as an
individual and your work must reflect that. Dishonest behavior includes:
a) looking at another’s test/exam/quiz;
b) allowing someone else see your test/exam/quiz;
c) passing information in any form during an test/exam/quiz (talking will NOT be tolerated);
d) using crib notes or other “aids” during a test/exam/quiz;
e) plagiarism = using someone else’s words as your own. This includes copying your assignment from
another student or allowing someone else to make a copy of your assignment, and paraphrasing which
means using the same words/phrases as the original author even if they are rearranged.
At the least, the first time academic dishonesty becomes an issue, you will receive a ZERO
GRADE for the assignment. If the incident is outrageous or a second offense, sterner measures will be
taken.
A Word to the Wise: since you may be considering a long relationship with Academia, realize that
behavior that may have been treated as a minor infraction in high school will have increasingly serious
consequences if an incident occurs later in your scholastic or later, professional career!
2) Disruption/Obstruction of class: None will be tolerated; any disruptive behavior will get you
excluded from class. Beepers, telephones, etc. must be audibly turned off during classroom time, and
totally out of sight during test time. Please LEAVE if you cannot conduct yourself as required.
(Note: if you are involved in an emergency situation, please advise your instructor as soon as possible.)
3) Lab Safety: As this class has a laboratory component, there is a required introduction to lab safety.
No student will be allowed to participate in lab until this instruction has taken place.
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
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COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
J. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Campus Emergency Numbers
From any pay phone on campus
From off-campus phones
Campus Police Business Office
#9
642-7000
x6486
College Nurse
Dial 911 from on-campus
x6346
9-911
Emergency Procedures for Accidents and Acute Illness
a) In life-threatening situations, dial 9-911.
Give the nature and exact location of the accident or medical emergency! DO NOT MOVE THE
VICTIM, unless to prevent further injury!
b) For non-life-threatening situations, contact the Student Health Center (x6346) located in the Athletic
Events Center, Building "C".
A nurse is on duty during daytime hours and limited evening hours (not on Friday after 12:00 pm).
When the nurse is not available or the Student Health Center is closed, call 642-7000. (Note: First Aid is
available from Campus Police when the Student Health Center is closed.)
Please report ALL student college-related injuries, as soon as possible to the Student Health
Center. The instructor or person in charge shall make a written report of the injury. Accident report
forms are available at the Student Health Center, the Evening Dean's office, or from Campus Police.
Accident reports are essential to process Insurance Claims; both are processed through the Student
Health Center. Once an accident report is received that requires an Insurance Claim, the student will be
given information about the college's insurance coverage and the billing procedures.
An injury resulting from an illness is not covered by the college insurance, but it still needs to be
reported to the Student Health Center! Ventura College insurance coverage for college-related injuries
is limited, and it does not guarantee payment in full!
K. MISCELLANEOUS
MyVCCCD: Your online place to check your Ventura College records, register for classes, etc. Please
check this at the beginning of class to check/update your contact information for the college.
On-Campus Student Support Services: see the Schedule of Classes.
Educational Assistance Center: “If you have a documented (learning) disability that may
require accommodations in this class, please see the EAC, then me, as soon as possible so
that your learning needs can be appropriately met.” If you’d like to be tested for a learning
disability please contact the EAC as soon as possible.
Counseling & Career Centers: Use them, but realize you need to look up more information yourself.
This semester there will be the annual Transfer Fair, where many universities visit on one day.
(Note: Please realize that many of your professors can answer some questions about transfer & careers! We’ve been to some
of the schools & know about details about careers in our majors.)
The website www.assist.org - has all current class transfer information between all California
community colleges and all California public universities (CSUs and UCs). This is the same resource
the counseling staff uses to advise you but they may not have time to look up all the variations of
interest to you.
In the Science Bldg:
MESA Center (SCI-224) helps economically disadvantaged students interested in majoring in
math, engineering, or science
Pre-med Club
Biology Club
(STEM Grant Program?)
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
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COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
Useful Study Skill & Test-taking Advice Online: (there are lots of sites; here are just a few & some
cross-reference each other)
http://www.samford.edu/how-to-study/
http://www.humboldt.edu/learning/handouts/success_in_sciences.pdf
http://slc.berkeley.edu/studystrategies/acadsuccess_resources.htm
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html
http://www.howtostudy.org/
http://www.studygs.net/
http://www.uni.edu/walsh/linda7.html
http://ollie.dcccd.edu/Services/StudyHelp/StudySkills/
DISCLAIMER: This syllabus is subject to change and may do so depending on circumstances.
Every attempt will be made to advise the class of these changes in a timely manner and make the
changes equitable. Any grading changes will be made in an equitable manner based on work performed.
Being absent from class and missing announcements does NOT constitute an excuse for missing
announcements.
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
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COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
L. Kinds of Questions to expect (Bloom’s Taxonomy; Bloom et al. 1956):
You (as a college student) should be able to answer questions that test you on your course material
that are in ANY of these formats:
Knowledge
remembering
memorizing
recognizing
recalling identification
recalling information
Examples:
who, what, when, where, how ___ ?
describe __
Comprehension
interpreting
translating from one medium to another
describing in one's own words
organization and selection of facts and ideas
Example:
retell __
Application
problem solving
applying information to produce some result
use of facts, rules and principles
Examples:
how is __ an example of ...?
how is __ related to ...?
why is __ significant?
Analysis
subdividing something to show how it is put together
finding the underlying structure of a communication
identifying motives
separation of a whole into component parts
Examples:
what are the parts or features of __ ?
classify __ according to __
outline/diagram __
how does __ compare/contrast with __ ?
what evidence can you list for __ ?
Synthesis
creating a unique, original product that may be in verbal form or may be a physical object
combination of ideas to form a new whole
Examples:
what would you predict/infer from __ ?
what ideas can you add to __ ?
how would you create/design a new __ ?
what might happen if you combined __ ?
what solutions would you suggest for __ ?
Evaluation
making value decisions about issues
resolving controversies or differences of opinion
development of opinions, judgements or decisions
Examples:
do you agree that __ ? (then explain why!)
what do you think about __ ? (then explain why!)
what is the most important __ ? (then explain why!)
place the following in order of priority __ (then explain why!)
how would you decide about __ ? (then explain why!)
what criteria would you use to assess __ ? (then explain why!)
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
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COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
M. WEEKLY OR DAILY PLANNED SCHEDULE - Fall 2013 (tentative)
Wk
1
Lecture
Introduction to Biology (View of Life)
Organization of the cells
SBM9 Ch
1
4
Lab Date
19/20-Aug
21/22 Aug
Laboratory
Lab Intro (Biometry)
Intro to Microscope
2
Understanding Diversity: Systematics
Prokaryotes: Bacteria & Archaea
23
25
26/27-Aug
28/29-Aug
Dichotomous Keys & Taxonomy
Environmental Microbiology
25
H/3-Sep
4/5-Sep
3
8/30: Last Day to ADD or DROP w refund
HOLIDAY (Labor Day)
Prokaryotes (cont.)
HOLIDAY (Labor Day)/TBA
Environmental Microbiology-Day 2
9/6: Last Day to DROP w/o "W"
9/9: Census
4
Protists
Exam 1
5
Protists (cont.) Seedless Plants
Seed Plants
26
9/10-Sep
11/12-Sep
Other Prokaryotes & Viruses
Protists
26, 27
28
16/17-Sep
18/19-Sep
Protists
Protists
Nonseed plant phyla/ start C ferns
Seed Plants tour
9/20: Last day to apply for pass/no pass
6
Plant Structure & Growth
Leaves
33
34
23/24-Sep
25/26-Sep
7
Stems
Roots
35
36
9/30-10/1
2/3-Oct
8
Flowering Plant Reproduction
Plant Responses
37
38
7/8-Oct
9/10-Oct
9
Exam 2
Fungi
29
14/15-Oct
16/17-Oct
Plant Reproduction (pollination)
Plant development (fruits & seeds)
10
Animal Diversity
Animals: Sponges to Protostomes
30
31
21/22-Oct
23/24-Oct
Fungi & lichens
Inverts: Porifera -> Rotifera
11
Animals: Sponges to Protostomes (cont.)
Deuterostomes
31
32
28/29-Oct
30/31-Oct
Inverts: Annelida -> Arthropoda
Echinoderms -> Chordata
Deuterostomes (cont.)
Animal Structure & Function
32
39
4/5-Nov
6/7-Nov
47
H/12-Nov
13/14-Nov
Animal cells & tissues
Vertebrate dissection
41, 42
50
18/19-Nov
20/21-Nov
Sensory Systems (Ch 43)
Animal Reproduction
SB Zoo FT (Behavior studies)
TBA/HOLIDAY (Thanksgiving)
12
Plant veg structures & cells
Transpiration
Practicum 1
Bot Garden FT (Native environments)
Invertebrate dissection
Internal Transport (Ch 44)
11/7: Graduation & Certificate Petition due
13
Processing Food & Nutrition
Deadline
Exam 3
14
Neural Signaling and Regulation
Animal Reproduction
11/22: Last Day to DROP w "W"
15
Animal Behavior
Introduction to Ecology: Populations
52
53
25/26-Nov
27/H-Nov
16
Communities
Ecosystems & the Biosphere
54
55
2/3-Dec
4/5-Dec
17
Ecology & Geography of Life
Biol Diversity & Conservation
56
57
9/10-Dec
11-Dec
18
Final Exam Wed. 12/18: 1:00-3:00 PM
Owl Pellets
Student Reports
Practicum 2
TBA
(Blank Page)
Fall 2013
COURSE NUMBER: BIOL V03
CRN: 76699
79389
(please circle which of the above CRNs apply to you)
COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ORGANISMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
L. AFFIDAVIT
My signature below indicates that I have read and understand this syllabus and have been
given a copy of my own to keep.
Print Name:
Student Signature
I need this back by next class period!
Date
Student Information Sheet
Class: BIOL V03
Semester:
Fall 2013
CRN: 76699
79389
(please circle which of the above CRNs apply to you)
Name:
Nickname?
(last)
(first)
Student ID No.
Telephone No.
email address:
Major?
How long have you been in college?
(note: “pre-something” is NOT a major)
Eventual employment goals?
Planning to transfer?
Where?
What college biology classes have you had or are in now?
What college chemistry classes have you had or are in now?
What college math, engineering or physics classes have you had or are in now?
What is/are the reason(s) you are taking this class?
Is there anything you want to tell me as you start the class?