AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE NATURAL HISTORY JOURNAL CLUB SYLLABUS OUTLINE Course Title and Number: Amphibian and Reptile Natural History- BSC 680, Journal Club Semester and Year: Fall 2011 Credit Hours: 2 Course Description: For graduate students in Biological Sciences, Amphibian and Reptile Natural History Journal Club is a discussion-oriented course that uses peer-reviewed literature and books as a base for understanding what the natural history of amphibians and reptiles involves. Meeting time/place: Monday, 5:00 – 7:00 PM, RM 374 (Science Building) Instructor: Name: Dr. Thomas K. Pauley Office: S-315 Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or by appointment Phone/E-mail: (304) 696-2376 / pauley@marshall.edu Text Information: Required Text: Gibbons, Whit. 1983. Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians. University of Alabama Press. ISBN 0-8173-0133-X Dr. Whit Gibbons is an international leader in the studies of amphibian and reptile natural history and conservation. We will be studying his work during this class. In addition to reading his book, “Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians,” each student will present one paper by Dr. Gibbons (author or coauthor) according to the weekly schedule presented below. Computer Requirements: Microsoft Word and internet; Link to the university computing services acceptable use policy: http://www.marshall.edu/ucs/CS/accptuse.asp Prerequisites: Graduate Status Desired Learner Outcomes/Objectives: 1. To learn the fundamentals of the importance of natural history 2. Students will be familiar with current literature and trends in natural history Evaluation/Measurement/Assessment of Learner Outcomes: Grades will be based on class assignments and participation (see below). Requests from the HELP Program for students associated with that program will be honored but the student must have a written statement from the HELP center and a HELP staff member to serve as a proctor for all exams. Grading Policy: Grading Scale will be as follows: 90-100% = A 80-89% = B 79-7% = C 69-60% = D 59-50% = F 1 Please check the MU academic calendar for dates to withdrawn from this class. The grading policy does not allow for extra credit under any circumstances. Class participation 50% Class presentations 50% Presentations Below is the schedule of class presentations. Please be prepared to lead the class discussion according to your assigned time. Reading Assignments: Each student is expected to read and be prepared to discuss in class all of the books selected. In addition, each student will be responsible for selecting one reading and leading the discussion about a paper authored or coauthored by Dr. Gibbons. The chosen journal paper must be presented to Dr. Pauley 2 weeks before the date of discussion. After his approval, a pdf of the paper must be sent to all students in the class. Policy statement on major projects, examinations, and other assignments (due dates, makeups): Make-up assignments will not be an option. For the university policy on excused absences, refer to the excused absence policy in the online catalog, p. 121, at www.marshall.edu/ucomm/catalog/interim.htm Attendance Policy: Inclement Weather Policy: Attendance is MANDATORY in lecture and laboratory. You are allowed one unexcused absence. If you miss 2 or more classes, 2.5% of your final grade will be deducted for every UNEXCUSED absence. Link to inclement weather policy: http://www.marshall.edu/ucomm/weather.html Cell phones/texting: Mobile phones are not permitted in class. Texting will not be tolerated. Policy for Students with Disabilities: Marshall University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with physical, learning and psychological disabilities. University policy states that it is the responsibility of students with disabilities to contact the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS) in Prichard Hall 117, phone 304 696-2271 to provide documentation of their disability. Following this, the DSS Coordinator will send a letter to each of the student’s instructors outlining the academic accommodation he/she will need to ensure equality in classroom experiences, outside assignment, testing and grading. The instructor and student will meet to discuss how the accommodation(s) requested will be provided. For more information, please visit http://www.marshall.edu/disabled or contact Disabled Student Services Office at Prichard Hall 11, phone 304-696-2271. University policy regarding Affirmative Action: http://www.marshall.edu/eeoaa/Forms/EEO-Policy.pdf 2 COURSE OUTLINE/WEEKLY SCHEDULE: Mon Mon Week Aug 22 Aug 29 Book/Chapters Introduction Chapter 1: Derek Bozzell The Global Decline of Reptiles, Déjà vu Amphibians. BioScience 50:653-666. Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Sept 5 Sept 12 Sept 19 Sept 26 Oct 3 No Class – Labor Day Chapter 2: Benjamin Koester Chapter 3: Whitney Kroschel Chapter 4: Robert Bowers Chapter 5: Timothy Brust Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Mon Oct 10 Oct 17 Oct 24 Oct 31 Nov 7 Nov 14 Nov 28 Chapter 6: Marcella Cruz Chapter 7: Jessica Curtis Chapter 8: Amy Fiedler Chapter 9: Joseph Hamden Chapter 10: Advait Jukar Chapter 11: Aaron Semasko Mon Dec 5 *Keeping all the Pieces, pages 79-88: Abby Sinclair **Ecoviews, pages 49-56, 126-141: Brian Williamson *Gibbons, Whit. 2010. Keeping All the Pieces: Perspectives on Natural History and the Environment. The University of Georgia Press. **Gibbons, Whit and Anne R. Gibbons. 1998. Ecoviews: Snakes, Snails, and Environmental Tales. The University of Alabama Press. 3