Biology 102 General Biology II Syllabus
Fall 2012. MWF 12.00-12.50 Room 208 Yokum Hall.
Instructor: Dr. Neil Buckley: Office 444 Beaumont Hall, extension 5165. Office hours
MWF 10.30-11.45, MWF 13.00-13.45 or by appointment. E-mail:
neil.buckley@plattsburgh.edu. If you wish to get in touch with me, please use e-mail. It
is much more efficient than playing telephone tag. I will respond to e-mail messages as
quickly as I can.
Course Objectives: This course is one of two introductory biology courses for freshmen
and is intended to lay the groundwork for your future study in biology. The focus of the
class is primarily at or above the level of the organism and deals with biological diversity,
form and function, ecology, and evolution.
Course Learning Objectives
BIO102 and the associated lab classes address four (# 1, 3, 5, and 6) of the six Department
of Biological Sciences learning objectives.
1. Students should know and understand fundamental principles of biology at
the molecular and cellular level including the interrelation between cellular
organization, function, reproduction and regulation of the cellular system.
They should know and understand fundamental processes of living
organisms, major concepts in genetics and evolution, ecological systems
and the interrelationships with the environment.
3. Students should learn to critically evaluate research results using analytical
tools such as statistics and logic.
5. Students should have a firm scientific foundation in order to make ethical
decisions about technology as it affects biological sciences.
6. Students should be able to pursue scholarly work (laboratory, field and
literature synthesis) independently and as members of a group.
Main Text: Campbell and Reece’s Biology 9th ed. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings.
Grading: The course will be graded based on the standard scale of A = 90-100%; B =
80-89.9%: C = 70-79.9%; D = 60-69.9%; E < 59.9%. Minus/plus grades will be
assigned at <3.0 and 6.9. University policy is that there are no A+ or D- grades.
Grades are based on a maximum of 450 points for lecture as outlined below plus
your score in laboratory, which is 25% of the total grade. You must receive a
passing grade in the laboratory (60% or better) to receive credit for Bio 102.
To calculate your course percentage you should multiply your lecture percentage
by 0.75 and your lab percentage by 0.25 and add the values.
Laboratory: First labs will be held the week beginning Monday, August 27th. Labs are
graded on attendance, written assignments, and quizzes. You will receive a lab syllabus
at your first lab meeting. Because of school breaks for Columbus Day and Thanksgiving
there will be no labs the weeks beginning Monday, October 8th and Monday,
November 19th.
Lecture Exams: Three: September 26th, October 31st, November 28th. Each exam is
worth 100 points. Exams will combine multiple-choice questions with shortanswer and essay questions. Exams are cumulative and your understanding of
any material covered up to that point in the semester may be examined. The
exams will, however, stress more recently covered material. Total 300 points.
Final: The final will be worth 150 points and will comprehensive.
Rewrites: On Exams 1, 2 and 3 only [i.e., not the final] I will allow you to rewrite some
questions you missed and get back up to75% of the points you missed. You may
rewrite up to a total of 60 points worth of questions over the course of the
semester and get back 75% of the value of the points you missed i.e., a maximum
total of 45 points over the three midterm exams. You may choose to do all your
rewrites on one exam or spread them over multiple exams, but you cannot get
back more than 45 points over the semester. For example, if you score 50 on
exam 1 you can rewrite the 50 points and get back 37.5 points (50 *0.75 = 37.5)
for a score of 87.5 on that exam. However, if you score a 60 on exam 2 you can
get back only 7.5 points because you will have reached the 45 point limit and you
are not eligible to get any points back on exam 3.
Instructions for rewrites:
Rewrites must be typed. At the top of the page you must type your name, the
number of points you are rewriting and the number of points you expect to get
back. Rewritten answers must be correct and be substantially more detailed
answers than those required in the exam itself, which show clearly that you have
learned and understand the material. Cursory, sloppy or incomplete answers
will receive no credit.
Summary of important dates
August 27th
September 26th
October 8th
October 31st
November 2nd
November 21st-23rd
November 28th
December 7th
December 9th -15th
First day of classes
Exam 1
No class (Columbus Day).
Exam 2
Last day for unrestricted course withdrawal.
No classes (Thanksgiving)
Exam 3
Last class
Final Exam Week
Class Web page.
I DO NOT have a Moodle page that I use. Instead there is a Bio 102 class web page
located on my faculty home page.
My home page is: http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/neil.buckley/
Once you reach my home page click on Bio 102 General Biology II.
A large amount of material related to the class is posted on the class web page. This
material includes class syllabus, lecture schedule, etc. I also make available on the web
page lecture notes, and these are posted as soon as possible after class has met. Lecture
notes are intended to be a supplementary aid so that you can check the material we
covered in class or, if you have to miss a class, find out what material was covered.
However, I must warn you that routinely missing class and attempting to study
exclusively from the posted material is a very bad idea. If you want to understand what is
going on in class you should attend class.
Class Policies
Classroom approach and teaching philosophy: It is my aim in teaching this class to be
approachable and receptive to questions. If you have a question, please ask. I am happy
to answer questions at any time in class. Remember that the only stupid question is the
one you don’t ask. Also, if at any time in class you are having difficulty hearing me or
reading something or are having any other difficulties with how I’m teaching, please tell
me. I’m not going to be offended. It doesn’t do either of us any good if you wait until
the end of the semester to tell me in evaluations that you couldn’t read my handwriting!
If you don’t want to raise a matter with me personally, you can let me know
anonymously. For example, you can send me an e-mail message from a non-college
account.
Attendance. Attendance at lecture is strongly recommended. However, it is your
privilege as an adult to choose not to attend class. You should bear in mind that in my
experience there is a strong positive relationship between how often someone attends
class and their final grade
Absences from exams/delay in handing in work. I will make alternative arrangements
to provide exams or accept late work if you have a legitimate excuse. Legitimate excuses
include: a documented family emergency, an illness or accident to you, or participation in
a University sponsored scheduled activity (e.g., membership of a University team). I
must be informed in advance in the event of a non-emergency excuse. In the event of an
emergency, please let me know as soon as possible thereafter. Please note: if you are
excused from taking a regularly scheduled exam, you will not receive the same exam that
was taken by the remainder of the class. In most cases, the make-up exam will consist
only of essay questions. A conflict between an exam and your travel plans (for example
at Christmas or Thanksgiving) does not constitute an acceptable excuse. If you miss an
exam and have no legitimate excuse, you will receive a zero for that exam.
Withdrawals and Incompletes: Responsibility for withdrawing from a class and
handling all of the associated paperwork lies with you. Once the last day for unrestricted
course withdrawals has passed you will need both my permission and that of the Dean of
the College of Arts and Sciences to withdraw from the class. Permission for late
withdrawal from class will be granted only when there are strong extenuating
circumstances. The fact that you are failing the class or doing poorly in it is not
sufficient basis for a withdrawal. Similarly, incompletes will be granted only when there
are significant extenuating circumstances. Please remember that poor academic
performance is no basis for requesting a grade of incomplete. Therefore, if you need to
withdraw from the class you should familiarize with the relevant dates and get your
paperwork in on time.
Cheating: Don’t. If you are caught cheating, the consequences will be severe. These
include an automatic failing grade for the class and possible suspension from the
University.
Use of cellphones and other electronic devices in class: Please turn off all cell phones
and similar devices before class begins. Do not text during class or engage in any other
form of electronic communication during class. It is unprofessional, rude and distracting
to me and to other students. Anyone who violates this rule will lose 5 points (1%) from
their final grade for each violation. In the case of a first violation, you may earn back the
5 points lost by writing a five page essay on the negative effects of texting on society.
Please note that it is permissible to use a laptop computer to take notes during class.
College Policies
SUNY Plattsburgh Honor Code Statement
“It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the letter and the spirit of the Academic
Honesty Policy as stated in the college catalog.”
College policy on accommodations
It is the policy of the College that any student requiring accommodations of any kind to
fully access this course must be registered for accommodations with the Student Support
Services office located in the Angell College Center. If you need any accommodations
for this course, please contact Student Support Services at 518/564/2810.
Departmental Policies
Two policies of the Department of Biological Sciences are directly relevant to this
course.
Writing Standards for Department of Biological Sciences
It is the position of the Department of Biological Sciences at Plattsburgh State that all
students must learn to write in a clear and intelligent manner. We recognize that this goal
cannot be achieved by depending only on the efforts of others to foster good writing. We
further believe that the general quality of student writing will not improve unless we as a
department are willing to state explicitly the standards we expect students to meet and to
enforce those standards. Therefore, in courses taught by the Department of Biological
Sciences, in addition to grading the content of written assignments, all faculty will also
grade assignments for writing.
E: Unacceptable. The student will receive a grade of zero for the assignment. The
student is advised to withdraw and take a remedial writing course before attempting
the course again.
D: The writing is not at the minimal level generally expected for college students, but
improvement appears possible.
C: Poorly organized or with an excessive number of errors in grammar, spelling, or
syntax, even after making allowances for circumstances such as time available.
B: Acceptable in organization, grammar, spelling, and syntax after making allowances
for circumstances such as time available.
A: Clearly and correctly written.
Assessment of Student Learning: Analytical skill development
and understanding of fundamental biological principles
The faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences are committed to providing
students with a first-rate educational experience as articulated in the Departmental
Mission Statement:
“The Department of Biological Sciences strives to provide students with the
fundamental understanding of the principles and methods of the life sciences within the
context of a sound liberal arts education. Emphasis is on the development of the
student’s ability to analyze problems, apply scientific method, communicate biological
information, and interpret current advances in research.”
Student progress toward attaining the goals set forth in the Departmental Mission
Statement will be assessed in part by an exam or quiz question that has been selected for
this purpose by the faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences.
Academic Honesty Policy
It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the letter and the spirit of the
Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the college catalog.
Lecture Topics/Chapter Assignments
The general topics and associated chapters from the textbook, Campbell and Reece’s
Biology 9th ed., that we will cover in class are listed below. Topics will be covered in the
order listed below, but the list is not intended to be a detailed reading schedule as the rate
at which subjects are covered will vary. You should match your reading to the material
being covered in class. Your textbook will provide material in addition to what we cover
in class. You should supplement your class notes by reading the relevant chapters of
your textbook.
The schedule is tentative and subject to change.
MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTION
Chapters 22 through 25
EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Chapter 26, brief coverage of chapters 27-34.
ANIMAL FORM AND FUNCTION
Parts of chapters 40, 42, 45, 48, 49
PLANT FORM AND FUNCTION
Parts of chapters 10, 35 and 39
ECOLOGY
Chapters 50 through 54