CCBC Fall 2014
School of Mathematics and Science
Biology Department, Essex Campus
BIOL 111: Biology II: Organisms and Ecology
Section(s) EL1
CRN: 92326
Course Description and Prerequisites1:
BIOL 111- 4 credits- Biology II: Evolution and Ecology focuses on the evolution of organisms and the ways in
which they interact to create the dynamics of communities and ecosystems. The course emphasizes
fundamentals of evolution including the roles of molecular and developmental biology, and ecology; how
organisms interact and influence their environment at the level of communities and ecosystems.
4 credits; 3 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours per week
Prerequisites: BIOL 110
I. Basic Course Information
(Lecture)
A. Instructor: Michael Donnelly
B. Office: MASH 605 or 614
Contact Information: mdonnelly2@ccbcmd.edu
C. Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 11:00-2:00
(Lab)
A. Instructor: Lois Artes (Tuesday Lab)
B. Office: MASH 403
Contact Information: 443-840-2668 email: lartes@ccbcmd.edu
C. Office Hours: Tuesday 2:05-3:05 (other times by appointment)
E. Class Times, Days, and Locations: Lecture - T/R 9:35-11:00 Lab – T 11:10-2:05
Room: F504
F. Statement of Student Out-of-Class Work Expectations. These expectations are the minimal
requirements based on national standards and may not be decreased: in a standard 16 week
semester, students are expected to spend 2 hours per week, per credit hour on work outside of class.
This is a four credit course taught in a 14-week semester, and so you are expected to complete at least
eight hours of work per week outside of the class including reading, class preparation, homework,
studying, etc If this is an online section, an additional three hours are required per week. Students:
please note that these are minimal requirements for any course, and that many students require more
time than this for science courses.
G. Materials:
Required: For laboratory courses, appropriate clothing (including shoes which cover the tops of the
feet and have good traction) is required. See “Course Procedures” for more information:
Required Texts:
 Biology w/Aplia Solomon 10th Edition/Volume II
Optional Supplies:
 Chemical Splash Goggles–The department supplies limited numbers of goggles. Goggles
must be worn during all experiments in lab.
II. Course Goals Overall
A. Course Objectives1:
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. apply scientific methodology in the laboratory by using controls, metric system measuring, and
scientifically acceptable data recording with tables and graphs where appropriate;
2. explain the evidence for evolution by natural selection, Charles Darwin’s contribution to the theory of
evolution, and the Modern Synthesis;
3. summarize the interactions that control genetic variation at the population level;
4. determine if a species is evolving or is in genetic equilibrium using the Hardy-Weinberg equation;
5. explain and predict how isolating mechanisms can give rise to new species;
6. know the developmental stages and structures of an embryo and relate it to the organism’s evolutionary
history;
7. identify the genetic component in evolutionary patterns of development and how current biotechnology
is helping to redefine this area;
8. describe the energy flow through an ecosystem and how the major biochemical cycles in the
ecosystems can be impacted when humans disturb the equilibrium of these cycles;
9. explain the interactions of abiotic and biotic factors that control populations;
10. describe the relationship between disturbance and succession;
11. explain the biome as an extension of an ecosystem;
12. compare and contrast several major aquatic and terrestrial biomes; and
13. evaluate scientific literature and present credible information in an organized manner.
B. Major Topics1:
I. Darwinian Evolution and the Modern Synthesis
II. Microevolution: the genetics of populations
III. Macroevolution: the evolution of species
IV. Developmental Biology: the development of organisms at the cellular level
V. Evolutionary Developmental Biology: the role of molecular and developmental biology to evolutionary
theory.
VI. Community Ecology: intraspecific and interspecific relationships
VII. Ecosystems: productivity and biogeochemical cycling in ecosystems and the interactions between
biotic and abiotic components
C. Rationale:
To give students an understanding of the mechanisms that operate to perpetuate life at all levels of the
biosphere and to appreciate that delicate interdependence of organisms with each other and the physical
environment. Critical thinking and reasoning skills will be encouraged in both the lecture and the
laboratory.
III. Evaluation
A. Requirements1:
Lecture Portion of Course: See breakdown below under B. Instructors grading policy
Lab Portion of Course: See breakdown below under B. Instructors grading policy
B. Instructor's grading policy:
The student’s final grade for BIO 111 will be based on a total accumulation of points with a maximum score
of 840 points. Late assignments will drop one letter grade per class.
20 points
100 points
120 points
375 points
175 points
Attendance
Term Paper
Lecture Quizzes (10 points each)
3 Exams – 125 points each
Exam 4 - (cumulative final)
110 points
50 points
_50 points
1000 points
Lab Quizzes (Top 11 labs)
Labs (Top 10 – 5 pts each)
1 individual formal lab report
Total
A = 900-1000
B = 800-899
C = 700-799
D = 600-699
F = 0-599
Grades will be posted in Blackboard as soon as I have them graded. This will allow you to keep track of
grades.
C. Instructor's attendance policy:
Attendance at each class and lab is essential. Please be on time. Students with a legitimate problem
about attendance should discuss the situation with their instructor. It is expected that each student will be
present at the specified starting time and prepared with any assignment(s) given. Likewise, it is expected
that each student will arrange his/her schedule to permit remaining in class the full allotted time.
In the case of an absence, it will be YOUR responsibility to get the missed information. I will not supply
students with handouts missed they will be available on blackboard! Simply leaving a message, asking
the instructor to reach you will not be acceptable. It is your responsibility to reach the instructor, not the
instructor’s responsibility to reach you.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the class period, students who arrive after the class start
period begins are considered late. If a student does not check in with the instructor at the end of class they
will be considered absent (it is the student’s responsibility to sign in!!)
Every 3 times you are late will count as one absence.
Lecture: Students are expected to be present for exams. Makeup lecture exams will be given only to
students who have a valid excuse, as determined by the instructor. Make up exams will not be the same
format i.e. essay or fill in the blank.
Lab: There are no makeup’s for missed quizzes. Makeup lab exams will be given only to students who
have a valid excuse, as determined by the instructor. Labs are an integral part of the course, and if a
student misses a lab it is impossible to be make up. If a student misses more than 2 labs they will
automatically fail the course.
If a student misses a lab, points will be deducted from that lab when
graded. Labs are to be completed during the lab class period. Lab will be collected weekly during the
semester and should be ready to be turned in weekly.
D. Instructor’s audit policy:
Important notes: (1) you can no longer wait until mid-semester to decide that auditing a course is
appropriate: the final date to change to an audit now coincides with the final date for withdrawing with a
50% refund, and (2) failure to participate in the class as follows will result in a grade of “W” instead of “AU.”
Students who audit are required to attend both the lecture and lab portion of the class but are not required
to complete homework assignments nor take exams.
IV. Course Procedures
A. Course-related policies and procedures
No food or drink is allowed in any Science lab at any time. Feet should be covered with closedtoed shoes to provide protection from broken glass and other laboratory hazards. Eye, hand, skin
and clothing protection may be required when chemical or biological hazards are present. Failure
to abide by this policy will result in removal of students from the class.
B. College wide syllabus policies: For college wide syllabus policies such as the Code of Conduct
related to Academic Integrity and Classroom Behavior or the Audit/ Withdrawal policy, please go
to the ‘MySyllabiPolicies’ Tab on the MyCCBC page. Please pay particular attention to the
following sections of MySyllabiPolicies:




Attendance Policy
Code of Conduct for Academic Integrity
Grades – AU The last day to switch to audit for Fall, 2014 is September 16, 2014
Grades -W The last day to withdraw for Fall, 2014 is November 5, 2014
C. Contact information for course-related concerns: See endnote for contact information2.
D. Additional Procedures: No food or drink is allowed in any science lab at any time. Feet should be
covered with closed-toed shoes to provide protection from broken glass, spilled chemicals, and other
laboratory hazards. Eye, hand, skin and clothing protection may be required when chemical or
biological hazards are present. Failure to abide by laboratory safety policies will result in removal of
students from the class.
E. Course calendar/schedule:
CCBC Closed: November 26-28
Final Exam: 12/11
See the printed schedule appended to this document.
This syllabus may be changed with notification to the class.
Note that the content in these sections is dictated by the Common Course Outline for this course, as
approved at the college-wide level: [http://www.ccbcmd.edu/cco/home.html]
2
Students should first attempt to take concerns to the faculty member.
If students are unable to resolve course-related concerns with the instructor, they should contact Ms. Christine
DeStefano, Essex Department Chair at cdestefano@ccbcmd.edu or 443-840-2673.
Lecture Schedule
Week
8/27
9/2
9/9
9/16
9/23
Day/
date
Chapter
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
23
9/30
10/7
10/14
10/21
10/28
11/4
11/11
11/18
11/25
12/2
12/9
12/11-
23
24-26
24-26
27-29
27-29
30-32
30-32
33
33
50-51
50-51
52
52
53
54
55-56
57
Topic
Lect 0 Intro/Review/Lect 1 Darwinian Evolution
Lecture 1 Darwinian Evolution
Lecture 2 Evolutionary Change in Populations
Lecture 2 Evolutionary Change in Populations
Lecture 3 Speciation and Macroevolution
Lecture 3 Speciation and Macroevolution
Lecture 4 The Origin and Evolutionary History of Life
Lecture 4 The Origin and Evolutionary History of Life
Lecture 5 The Evolution of Primates
Lecture 6 Understanding Diversity: Systematics
Test 1: Lectures 1-5
Lecture 6 Understanding Diversity: Systematics
Lecture 7 Viruses, Bacteria, and Protists
Lecture 7 Viruses, Bacteria, and Protists
Lecture 8 Plants and Fungi
Lecture 8 Plants and Fungi
Lecture 9 Animals
Lecture 9 Animals
Lecture 10 Plant Development
Test 2 Lectures 6-9
Lecture 10 Plant Development
Lecture 11 Reproduction and Animal Development
Lecture 11 Reproduction and Animal Development
Lecture 12 Animal Behavior
Lecture 12 Animal Behavior
Lecture 13 Intro to Ecology: Population Ecology
Lecture 14 Community Ecology
Test 2 Lecture 10-14
Lecture 15 Ecosystems and the Geography of Life
Lecture 16 Biological Diversity and Conservation
Biology
Cumulative Final
Exam/
quizzes
Q
Q
Q
Q
E
Q
Q
Q
E
Q
Q
Q
Q
E
Q
Date
Lab #
Tues 9/2
1
Tues 9/9
2
Tues 9/16
3
Tues 9/23
4
Tues 9/30
5
Tues 10/7
6
Tues
10/14
7
Tues
10/21
8
Hominids
(Lab report drafts accepted)
Tues
10/28
9
Classification
Tues 11/4
10
Diversity of Life
& Plant radish seedlings/Hypothesize/Predict results
*Lab Report Due
Tues
11/11
11
Embryology
& treat radish seedlings
12
Animal Behavior
& treat radish seedlings
13
Pollution-Rapid Radish (Share Data)
Tues
11/18
Tues
11/25
Wed
11/26Sun 11/30
Tues12/2
Tues12/9
Title
Lab Safety/Measurements/Lab Equipment
View Safety Presentation, Take Quiz & Sign
Acknowledgement/Agreement Sheet
Sampling
Duckweed Ecology
(Note: Lab Report due 11/4 on this lab)
Succession
& Observe/Count Duckweed
Field Study Investigation/Oak Tree Sampling
& Observe/Count Duckweed
Scientific Method - Owl Ecosystem Investigation
Hypothesis vs. Prediction/Count Duckweed/Share Data
(Reminder: Duckweed Lab Report due 11/4)
Hardy Weinberg - Population Genetics
(Lab report drafts accepted)
No Labs Scheduled; No classes scheduled 11/26 -11/30 (closed
11/27 & 11/28)
14
Case Study