Principles of Biological Sciences II
BSC 111-H003
Spring 2011
Instructor: Aimée K. Thomas, Ph.D.
Office: MHB 005B; 601.266.6374
Text: Biology, 8th ed., by Neil A. Campbell and Reece
E-mail: aimee.thomas@usm.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
(Schedule by sending an E-mail)
Welcome to BSC 111, Principles of Biological Sciences II. I hope you enjoy this course, which is designed to explore an
introduction to the biological sciences, emphasizing the systematics, diversity, form and function of biological organisms,
their evolution and ecology. This course is required for all Biological Sciences majors and should be taken after
successful completion of BSC 110, Principles of Biological Sciences I. This course is part of the General Education
Curriculum (GEC) of the University. As a consequence, the course fulfills the following GEC Student Learning
Outcomes.
Course objectives
 demonstrate the ability to develop and focus on one topic in writing assignments and present ideas in an organized,
logical, and coherent form,
 demonstrate the ability to develop and focus on one topic in speaking assignments and present ideas in an organized,
logical, and coherent form,
 demonstrate the ability to use Standard English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage,
 understand the evolutionary history of major groups of organisms, and
 understand the ecology of major groups of organisms.
Class expectations
You are expected to attend lecture and to be prepared by reading the text and reviewing the notes taken prior to that class
day. You may be called upon during class to answer a question pertaining to the reading and/or notes. Data indicate that
active thinkers earn better grades. Data also indicate that students who attend class and study earn better grades than those
who do not attend class or study.
You may use a laptop to take notes, although, you will be asked to leave if you are using it for social networking or
anything else inappropriate that may be distracting (to you or others). I also ask that you sit in the rear of the room so that
your screen does not distract other students. You may NOT use your cell phone in class. It should be silenced (not placed
on vibrate) as you enter the room.
Exams
There will be four non-comprehensive examinations given throughout the semester, with each exam worth 100 points.
You will need a scantron for each exam. Material for each exam will be taken from both the lecture and the text. Please
make every effort to be on time (preferably early) for exams. In the event that you arrive late, I will only allow you to
take the exam provided no other student has already finished the exam, turned it in, and left. On exam days, you are not
allowed to wear hats, hoodies, or headphones. Furthermore, you are not allowed to have a phone on the desk. If you need
to know the time, wear a watch.
Quizzes
There will be five announced quizzes given throughout the semester, with each quiz worth 25 points. The lowest quiz
grade will be dropped and the remainder will be equivalent to an exam grade. On quiz days, you are not allowed to wear
hats, hoodies, or headphones. Furthermore, you are not allowed to have a phone on the desk.
Final grade
The four exams and four quizzes will be averaged. Because I offer bonus points on many assignments, I do NOT give
extra credit at the end of the semester. Your overall grade will be based on the following scale:
A: 90 – 100% B: 80 – 89%
C: 70 – 79%
D: 60 – 69%
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F: 0 – 59%
Make-up policy
No make-ups will be allowed on quizzes. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped prior to averaging; therefore, if you miss
a quiz, the zero will be dropped from your average. However, if a second quiz is missed, it will be recorded as a zero.
Make-up of exams will require a dire emergency and should be approved in advance by me and verified by the Assistant
to the Vice President of Student Affairs (in Union room 219), and will be taken during a time set by me. Exams not made
up will be recorded as a zero. All make-up exams are composed [entirely] of essay questions.
Withdraws
Withdraws should be done using SOAR before 28 February 2011. A grade of WP will be given after that date ONLY to a
student who is passing at that time.
Plagiarism/Cheating
You are being educated to be a credible scientist. If you plagiarize others or cheat, you lose the credibility that is so
precious to our field. You are also guaranteed an F in this course, and possible expulsion from the university.
Academic Honesty Statement (From the USM Bulletin and Student Handbook)
When cheating is discovered, the faculty member may give the student an F on the work involved or in the course. If
further disciplinary action is deemed appropriate, the student should be reported to the dean of students. In addition to
being a violation of academic honesty, cheating violates the Code of Student Conduct and may be grounds for probation,
suspension, and/or expulsion. Students on disciplinary suspension may not enroll in any courses offered by the University
of Southern Mississippi.
Plagiarism is scholarly theft, and it is defined as the unacknowledged use of secondary sources. More specifically, any
written or oral presentation in which the writer or speaker does not distinguish clearly between original and borrowed
material constitutes plagiarism. Because students, as scholars, must make frequent use of the concepts and facts developed
by other scholars, plagiarism is not the mere use of another's facts and ideas. However, it is plagiarism when students
present the work of other scholars as if it were their own work. Plagiarism is committed in a number of ways:
1.
2.
3.
4.
reproducing another author's writing as if it were one's own
paraphrasing another author's work without citing the original
borrowing from another author's ideas, even though those ideas are reworded, without giving credit
copying another author's organization without giving credit.
Plagiarism is a serious offense. An act of plagiarism may lead to a failing grade on the paper and in the course, as well as
sanctions that may be imposed by the student judicial system.
Facebook
You are advised to login to www.facebook.com and add this class to your groups. This is how I will communicate with
you throughout the semester. I will also use this group to stimulate intellectual biological discussion among students
enrolled in this lecture. You may use it to contact each other and form study groups (highly recommended).
Search BSC 111 Lecture Spring 2011. Click add group.
Help along the way
Disability accommodations
If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations,
he/she should contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and
procedures. Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health
disorders. Students can contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies. Address:
The University of Southern Mississippi Office for Disability Accommodations 118 College Drive # 8586
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Voice Telephone: (601) 266-5024 or (228) 214-3232
Fax: (601) 266-6035 Individuals with hearing impairments can
contact ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service at 1-800-582-2233 (TTY) or email Suzy Hebert at
Suzanne.Hebert@usm.edu.
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Counseling Center
If you would like to speak with a personal counselor, contact Student Counseling Services, KWH 214, 601.266.4829.
Career Services
The Career Services Center, MCL 125, 601.266.4153 provides resources, services and opportunities for students, alumni
and employers in academic, job related and career endeavors.
Writing Center
The Writing Center is a free tutorial service available to any USM student who wants assistance with a writing project.
They offer one-on-one writing instruction that is designed to help you become a more effective writer. The tutorial service
is offered on a walk-in basis or by appointment (on the hour for 45 minutes). However, the appointments often book up
several days in advance, so making an appointment is always a good idea. LIB 112, 601.266.4821,
http://www.usm.edu/writingcenter/
Speaking Center
The Speaking Center was designed to improve oral communication skills across the campus. As part of the University's
Quality Enhancement Plan, the centers are available for all students, faculty and staff. LIB 117, 601.266.4965,
http://www.usm.edu/speakingcenter/
Library Assistance
E-struction is an email instruction program which will introduce participants to a range of electronic library resources.
The series of lessons will be emailed to the participants upon registration. The series of lessons include: 1) Introduction to
ANNA, the Library Catalog 2) General Tutorial for Finding Articles from a Database 3) How to Retrieve Articles 4)
Plagiarism 5) Formatting and Citing in MLA Style 6) Formatting and Citing in APA Style 7) Research Literature Basics,
http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/estruction/
Other Important BSC information for BSC 111 students
1. www.usm.edu/biology
Lab website www.usm.edu/biology/biologylabs
Newsletter
Faculty web pages
2. FREE BSC Tutorial Center Located in MHB 004
Monday 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
3. BSC Department Office is JST 720
Advisement Bulletin Board
Forms
4. Get involved
Beta Beta Beta – the National Biological Sciences Honor Society
Faculty contact is Dr. Leal JST 414
Roots and Shoots
Faculty contact is Dr. Herron JST 314
Sierra Club
Faculty contact is Dr. Jawor JST 403
Other Honor Societies
Ask Ms. Hokanson TEC 103
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The use of cell phones and iPods is not allowed during class. A penalty will be imposed if you decide to use one during
class.
An outline of notes for each chapter may be obtained from http://ocean.otr.usm.edu/~w305373/BSC111.html
Date*
18 January
20 January
25 January
27 January
01 February
03 February
08 February
10 February
15 February
17 February
22 February
24 February **
01 March
03 March
08 March
10 March
15 March
17 March
22 March
24 March
29 March
31 March
05 April
07 April
12 April
14 April
19 April
21 April
26 April
28 April
03 May
05 May
12 May
Topic
Introduction to the Course
The History of Life on Earth
Phylogeny and the Tree of Life
Bacteria and Archaea
Bacteria and Archaea cont.
Protists
Quiz 1; Protists cont.
Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land
Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land cont.
Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants
Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants cont.
Exam I
Fungi
Fungi cont.
An Introduction to Animal Diversity
Invertebrates
Invertebrates cont.
Quiz 2; Invertebrates cont.
Spring break: No class
Spring break: No class
Vertebrates
Quiz 3; Vertebrates cont.
Vertebrates cont. & Review
Exam II
The Immune System
Osmoregulation and Excretion
Osmoregulation and Excretion cont.
Hormones and the Endocrine System
Hormones and the Endocrine System cont.
Quiz 4; Nervous Systems
Exam III
An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere
An Introduction to Ecology cont.
Population Ecology
Quiz 5; Community Ecology
Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology
Exam IV or Catch up and Review
Exam IV --- 10:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
* Quiz and exam dates are subject to change
** February 28 is the last day to drop without academic penalty
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Chapter(s)
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31
31
32
33
33
33
34
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34
43
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