ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, BIO 3120
SYLLABUS, FALL, 2001
Lectures
Assigned Reading1
Evolution Section of the Course
Sept. 7, 10 Evolutionary Thinking: The case 2
Chapter. 1 (3-18) *[pp3-22] + handout
of HIV
Sept. 12
Historical Context (Darwin and
1
s3.0-s3.2 , (pp47-56), s3.4 (pp62-65); *[ s2.2,
Wallace)
pp33-36; s2.3, s2.7, pp51-55]
Sept. 14
Evolutionary Time, Fossil Record 1
s2.2 (pp31-36); s2.3 (pp36-41); s2.4 (p41);
Box 2.2 (p40); *[pp30-33; s2.5; Box 2.2]
Sept. 17
Origins of Life and Precambrian
1
S14.3 (pp487-500)
Evolution
Sept.19
Cambrian Explosion
1
pp507-521; s17.1 *[pp443-459; pp469-486]
Sept. 21, 24 Phylogenetics and Classification
2
pp21-30; pp 271-276; pp437-445; Box 13.1;
*[s3.3, pp83-94; pp363-378; Box 10.1; Box
10.2; pp529-545]
Sept. 26,
Natural Selection
2
s3.3 (pp57-62); handout (genetics) *[s2.4
Sept. 28
(pp44-48); pp267-305;]
Oct. 1
First Midterm Exam
Oct. 3
Sexual Selection “Making Sex
1
pp289-308; *[pp569-587]
Pay” (video)
Oct. 5-12
Population Genetics
4
Hardy-Weinberg: pp109-118; Selection
Models: pp119-137; Mutation vs. Selection:
pp142-149; Migration vs. Selection: pp157163; Genetic Drift: pp164-168; *[HardyWeinberg: pp121-128; Selection Models:
pp129-138; Mutation vs. Selection: 143-145;
Migration vs. Selection: 147-151; Genetic
Drift: 151-157]
Oct. 15
Genetic Variation in Populations 1
pp75-83; s4.2 (pp85-90); *[pp103-118]
Oct. 17
Species Concepts, Speciation
1
pp403-418; (skip Box 12.1); *[pp313-330;
skip Box 9.1]
Oct. 19
Philosophy of Science
1
Handout
Oct. 22
Theology vs. Science, The
1
pp21-22; pp65-70; *[pp55-63]
Creation-Evolution Controversy
Ecology Section of Course
Oct. 24
Energy flow
1
Chap. 6
Date
1
Topic
Page numbers and section numbers (s) refer to Freeman and Herron, Evolutionary Analysis, 2nd Edition *[Page numbers in brackets
are roughly the corresponding page numbers in the 1 st Edition. The accuracy and completeness of the 1st Edition page numbers is not
guaranteed.] The textbook for the ecology portion of the course is Ricklets, Robert E., The Economy of Nature, 5th Edition, W. H.
Freeman and Company, 2001.
Oct. 26
Oct. 29
Oct. 31
Nov. 2
Nov. 5
Nov. 7
Nov. 9
Nov. 12
Nov. 14
Nov. 16-19
Nov. 21
Nov. 22
Nov. 26
Nov. 28
Nov. 30Dec. 3
Dec. 5
Dec. 7
Dec. 10
Dec. 12-14
Dec. 18
Nutrient cycling
Climate
Global Warming
Community Ecology &
Succession
Diversity
Population Growth, Exponential
Population Growth, Logistic
Population Regulation
Demography
Human Population Growth
Species Interaction
Predation
1
Chap. 7-8
Second Mid-Term Exam
1
Chap. 2-4
1
Chaps. 8, 26
1
Chaps.21, 22, 23
1
Chap. 23
1
13,14
1
13,14
1
14
2
6
1
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Third Mid-Term Exam
1
Chap. 17
2
Chaps. 17,18
Competition & Mutualism
1
Chaps. 19, 20
Problems with agriculture
1
Land Management
1
26
Pollution
2
26
(8:00-10:30 AM) Fourth Midterm+Final Exam and Make-Up Exam
Grading Policy:
Lecture determines 70% of the final grade; laboratory determines 30%.
There will be 4 midterm exams; each is worth 100 points. The 4th midterm and the cumulative final exam will
be combined into one exam (1.5 hours, Dec. 18, 2001). Two-thirds of this combined exam will cover new
material and the remaining one-third will be cumulative, covering all other material presented during the entire
semester. The length of this exam will be such that it can be completed in 1.5 hours. Grades will be determined
on the basis of the following scale: 90%+ = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; 59% or less = E. Each
exam will be scaled relative to the second highest score on the exam. For example, if the highest score is 95 but
the second highest is 80%, the lower-limit for an A would be 0.9 X 80 = 72%; for a B, 0.8 X 80 = 64%, etc.
Exams: There will be one make-up exam that you are required to take if you miss one midterm. This exam will
be comprehensive, covering the material of the entire semester. The make-up exam will be given the same day
as the final exam, during the last hour of the final examination period. Students who miss two exams must
withdraw from the course or receive a letter grade of E.
Note: Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students caught once cheating on an exam will receive
zero points for that exam and will not be allowed to take the make-up exam. Students caught twice cheating on
an exam will receive a final letter grade of E for the course. Similarly, students caught once plagiarizing
laboratory assignments will receive zero points for that assignment and students caught twice plagiarizing
laboratory assignments will receive a final letter grade of E for the course. Although students will work together
in groups, collecting the same sets of data, each student is responsible for turning in completed laboratory
assignments that are his or her own original work.
Fish Lake Field Trip
All students are required to go to the Fish Lake Biological Station in Lapeer, MI on Saturday, October 13, from
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students who miss this field trip will lose points such that it causes their final laboratory
grade to go down by one letter grade. Our hope is that you find this to be an interesting and fun trip. The goal is
to make students more aware of the amazing, biological world that surrounds them. The assignments will be
completed and turned in that day and students will be allowed to work together in groups. GTAs will also be
available for guidance and help. Students who wholeheartedly participate in this field trip, with a positive
attitude and a willingness to learn, will receive all the points possible for the assignments that are completed and
turned in that day. Students with extenuating circumstances that prevent them from going on this field trip must
see their GTA for an alternate assignment.