BIOLOGICAL
P R I N C I P L E S II
BIOLOGY 2108 SUMMER 2010
Dr. Dirnberger
(770) 423-6546
338 Science Building
jdirnber@kennesaw.edu
http://science.kennesaw.edu/~jdirnber/Bio2108
Unity of plan everywhere lies hidden under the mask: of diversity of structure—the
complex is everywhere evolved out of the simple.
— Thomas Henry Huxley, 'A Lobster; or, the Study of Zoology' (1861). In Collected Essays
(1894). Vol. 8, 205-6.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Biological systems display a surprising unity at the cellular level, and they are
uniquely different than other non-living phenomena in the universe. In this second
introductory course in biology we will investigate the consequences of the biological
systems that you studied at a molecular and cellular level in Biology 2107. The unity
of life presents us with a fascinating paradox. If all organisms share the same
basic units of operation, how has life on Earth become so complex and so diverse?
The answers lie within the interaction of living systems with the environment. The
specific disciplines concerned with this interaction are evolution, ecology, and
physiology. Much of our study on this interaction will focus on humans, who are
certainly a part of this complexity and diversity, but at the same time somehow
different. Consequently, humans have drastically altered a complex and diverse
world in ways that we are only now beginning to understand. Science is a way of
understanding and we will focus not only on biology, but also on the processes of
science and the meaning of experimental results.
Course-Level Objectives for Biology 2107 and 2108
The students will be able to:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Compare and contrast various fundamental fields of biology, their
interactions and fundamental questions and issues. (biochemistry, cell
biology, developmental biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology,
systematics)
Recognize the relationship between processes that occur at the macro and
micro scale.
Relate the unifying themes of biology (energy flow, evolution, increasing
complexity, structure and function, unity and diversity of life, uniqueness of
living systems) to the fundamental fields of biology.
Nature of Biological Science
a. recognize various modes of inquiry.
b. understand and evaluate experimental design.
c. collect and analyze data.
d. use common equipment and techniques.
e. report and interpret results in a scientific manner.
f. appreciate the processes by which scientific knowledge is generated
and becomes accepted (and how this differs from other ways of
knowing).
g. recognize peer-reviewed literature and the arguments they present,
relating these to the data.
Relate biological knowledge to everyday life and current issues in society
CLASS WEB PAGE:
http://science.kennesaw.edu/~jdirnber/Bio2108/
This will link you to the Lecture Page and the Lab Page.
LECTURES:
Lecture attendance is not required. However, the text contains more information
than lecture and, quite obviously, lecture emphasizes the material I consider most
important. Some lecture material is not in the book. Generally, an hour of lecture
is worth several hours of copying and reading others' notes and of wading through
texts. More importantly, lectures provide an opportunity to ‘think through’ the
material via questions and discussion. Everyone learns differently and attendance is
up to you. You are however responsible for announcements made in class. I
encourage you to ask questions and make comments during lectures.
COURSE OUTLINE:
The course outline can be viewed at
http://science.kennesaw.edu/~jdirnber/Bio2108/LectureTableContents.html
Major topics are listed there along with the appropriate textbook chapter
numbers. Lecture outlines can be accessed from the Lecture Page; while these
outlines are detailed, they are not complete lecture notes (i.e. this is not an
online course).
LECTURE EXAMINATION DATES:
1st Exam – 17 June
2nd Exam – 6 July
Final Exam (comprehensive) – Tuesday, 27 July at 9 AM
LECTURE ASSIGNMENT:
“Science in the News” Report
Students will write a brief report about a course-related science news item
that appears in a current newspaper or news magazine or airs as an NPR radio
report. Specific topic areas and the information about the report’s format can
be found on the course web page. Reports are due no later than by class time on
July 15th. For more details, go to
http://science.kennesaw.edu/~jdirnber/Bio2108/200SciNews.html
LABORATORY:
The laboratory to this course is not separate. You will receive a single grade for the
course. Laboratory attendance is required, and lab reports will not be accepted
unless you attended that lab. Students are responsible for all laboratory material,
and for all announcements made in class, including announcements amending this
course syllabus. Amendments to the syllabus will also appear on the web page.
Safety must be a primary concern when in lab and in the field. You must review the
Laboratory Safety Guidelines at:
http://science.kennesaw.edu/biophys/LabSafetyGuideNoPic.doc
A major objective in the lab portion of this course is to enhance understanding of
biological investigations. Science is not a body of facts, but an active process of
investigation. These labs are designed to introduce you to this process. The
process involves not just design and execution of experiments, but just as
importantly, presentation and explanation of the results. A perfect experiment is
meaningless if the investigator cannot convince the reader of his/her conclusions.
The scientific paper is an argument. A scientist’s use of data is analogous to a
lawyer presenting evidence in a legal case (a major difference is that you decide
whether to prosecute or defend the hypothesis). Therefore writing is a critical
skill in science. You will be writing up labs in a form that is standard for college lab
reports and professional science articles.
In many labs, you will be collecting “real-world” data. Biological systems are highly
variable. While this variation often makes interpretation of data difficult,
variation in itself is meaningful in many biological processes. Don’t get frustrated;
variation is natural!
LABORATORY SCHEDULE
Week of: Laboratory
27 May
No Lab
1 June
Introduction to writing in science and using statistics
3 June
No Lab
8 June
Cat Population Lab I
10 June
Cat Population Lab II
15 June
Phylogeny I - Cat Lab Report due at Lab time
17 June
Phylogeny II
22 June
Physiology Lab
24 June
No Lab
29 June
Pig Dissection I- Physiology Lab Report due at Lab time
1 July
Pig Dissection II
6 July
Open lab for Fetal Pig Study
8 July
Pig Practical Exam
13 July
Ecology Lab I *
15 July
Ecology Lab II *
20 July
No Lab - Ecology Lab Report due at Lecture time
22 July
No Lab
* We will meet in the lab and then walk to the woods to collect data. Wear appropriate
field clothing for this lab.
REQUIRED BOOKS:
Text: Biology, 7th or 8th ed., N. Campbell, et al.
Writing Guide: A Short Guide to Writing About Biology
Lab Text: Laboratory Exercises: Variation in Natural Systems, E. Bostick,
et al., Spring, 2006. Download each lab from our lab website
GRADES:
Science in the News Report
In-class group assignments
Exams (2) and final (100 each)
Lab Report 1: Cat population genetics
Lab Report 2: Physiology study
Lab Report 3: Ecology study
Lab Activity: Writing and stats
Lab Activity: Phylogeny
Dissection skills
Practical Exam
Total:
A= 90%
B= 80%
40
10
300
30
30
50
10
20
10
50
550 points
C= 70%
D= 60%
OFFICE HOURS
TH 2-3:30 PM
If you cannot make it during these times, I will be glad to make an
appointment with you. If you are having any problems with the material,
please come by and see me. Don't put it off until it is too late.
POLICIES:




Late papers will result in a 5% reduction per class
period. The penalty is initiated at the beginning of
each class period (i.e. if the paper is not turned in
at the start of class on the day it is due, 5% is
taken off).
Keep all of your returned, graded work (exams and
lab reports). You must have these materials if you
decide to contest your final course grade.
Do not turn in assignments electronically (i.e. I
want hard copies).
To find out about school closings due to inclement weather check the
KSU website here:
https://portal2.kennesaw.edu/pls/portal92/APP_SNOW.DYN_SHOW_STATUS.show
ACADEMIC WITHDRAWAL
The last day to withdraw without academic penalty is June 25th 2010. To withdraw, the
student should complete an official withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar.
Students who officially withdraw from courses on or before the last day to withdraw
without academic penalty will receive a “W”. Students who officially withdraw after the last
day to withdraw without academic penalty (and before the last three weeks of the
semester) will receive a “WF”, which will be counted as an “F” in calculation of their grade
point average. The only exceptions to these withdrawal regulations will be for instances
involving unusual circumstances, which are fully documented. Students may appeal to the
academic standing committee for consideration of unusual circumstances.
LAB SAFETY
Safety must be a primary concern when in lab and in the field. You must review the
Laboratory Safety Guidelines at:
http://science.kennesaw.edu/biophys/LabSafetyGuideNoPic.doc
“C” OR BETTER PREREQUISTE POLICY
Students need to have a "C" or better in any prerequisite class. In order to stay enrolled in
Biol 2108, students need to have a "C" or better grade in Biol 2107 (which is the prereq for
Biol 2108). In order to enroll in Biol 3300, they need a "C" or better in Biol 2108 and Chem
1212/L. Students who do not meet this requirement will be administratively withdrawn from
the course.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student code of
Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs. Section II of the
Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including
provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials,
misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic malicious/intentional
misuses of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards.
Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established
procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an “Informal”
resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing
procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester
suspension requirement.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Any student with a documented disability or medical condition needing academic
accommodations of class-related activities or schedules must contact the instructor
immediately. Written verification from the KSU disAbled Student Support Services is
required. No requirements exist that accommodations be made prior to completion of this
approved University documentation. All discussions will remain confidential.