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Animal Biology - BIOL2206

Spring 2012 Lecture Syllabus

Instructor: Joan McKearnan                              Office: S108

Phone numbers:  Office: 433-1232                    Science secretary: Sarah, 433-1549

E-mail: joan.mckearnan@anokaramsey.edu

Website: webs.anokaramsey.edu/mckearnan

Office hours: MTWTh 11am-12noon, T 2pm-3pm, or by appointment

Lecture meeting time: MW 12-1:15pm            Lab: M 1:30-4:10pm

Required Textbook:  Hickman, C. P., Jr., S.L. Keen, A. Larson & D. J. Eisenhour.  2011.  Integrates Principles of Zoology, 15^th  ed.   WCB McGraw-Hill Co. , Boston, MA

Laboratory Manual: Hickman, C. P., Jr., L.B. Kats, S.L. Keen and B. Ober. 2011.  Laboratory Studies in Integrated Principles of Zoology, 15th ed..   WCB McGraw-Hill Co. , Boston, MA

Other material:  dissecting kits (optional), lab coats (optional)

Prerequisite: Principles of Biology I (BIOL1106) or equivalent – Grade “C” or better

General Course Goal/Major Concepts:

Survey of the major animal phyla and how they solve the central physiological problems necessary for life.

Class activities:

Lecture topics will focus on different physiological topics while lab will mostly focus on taxonomy and anatomy, but with some crossover.  Students are expected to come to class prepared having read the material assigned for the day.  Thirteen  combined individual and group quizzes will be given at the beginning of each unit to make sure students are doing readings and keeping up with material.  A study guide will be provided to assist studying for these quizzes.  You will be able to drop one of these quizzes. We will also engage in 4 various small group activities. Each week 1-2 people will summarize a chapter of the book, Your Inner Fish for the class.  Lastly, students will partake in a service learning activity and write a reflection paper regarding the activity.  Lab will include dissections of selected species, dissection of organs, examination of anatomical models and microscopic slides, and physiological experiments.  Questions and student participation are expected during lecture and laboratory.

Lecture Grading:

3 lecture exams @ 50 pts.                                                150 pts.

12 Quizzes @ 15 pts.                                                           180 pts.

            Final comprehensive exam                                 120 pts.

            4 class activities @ 15 pt.                                         60 pts.

            Inner Fish Chapter summary                                 10 pts.

            Service learning                                                        40 pts.

            Total                                                                            560 pts

Your final grade will be the sum of your lecture and lab grades (total = 810 points) and the letter grade will be determined by the following percentage criteria:

90-100% = A   > 729 pts.                            60-69%  =  D   486-566.5 pts.

80-89%  =  B    648-728.5  pts.                    < 60%    =  F     < 486 pts.

70-79%  =  C   567-647.5 pts.                    

Borderline grades, e.g. percentages between 89-90%, will be elevated to the next higher grade only if the student has demonstrated effort in the class and had at least one exam with a grade value in the higher grade.  Demonstration of effort includes attendance in lecture and lab, handing in assignments on time, and perceived participation in group activities.  A decision to take the course P/F needs to be made in the first 3 weeks.

Attendance and Absences:        “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”  Woody Allen

Attendance is expected in lecture and may be taken at the beginning of each class period.  You are responsible for all material presented in lecture and lab, including announcements, if you are tardy.  Make-up exams will be given only if a valid excuse is provided.  Valid excuses include religious holiday, sickness, a court appearance, a death in the family, or direct participation in a school-sponsored activity.  I reserve the right to ask for documentation for the excuse.  You must contact me prior to your absence, if you want to make up the missed exam, quiz or assignment.  If you can not reach me, leave a message with my voice mail or secretary, or send an e-mail.  Make-up exams will be taken no later than one week after the original exam date.  Late lecture and lab assignments will result in 10% decrease in the total points for every school day that the assignment is late and will not be accepted more than five school days after the assignment was due.  An unexcused absence from a lecture exam, lab practical, or quiz will result in a zero grade. 

Academic honesty

An exam or assignment which was conducted under dishonest behaviors, e.g., cheating or plagiarism, will result in no credit for that exam or assignment. Misconduct during exams (e.g. using unauthorized sources, talking during exams, looking at other people’s exams) will also result no credit for the exam and an automatic 10% deduction from your final total points.  If you knowingly allow someone to copy an exam or non-group assignment you will receive no credit for the exam or assignment.  Exchange of information is allowed for group work, but all written material for credit should be in your own words or properly acknowledged.  Any subsequent act of academic dishonesty will automatically result in an “F” in the course.  All incidents of academic dishonesty are reported to the Deans of Students Services.

Accommodations: Any disability accommodations should be discussed with the Director of Access Services (433-1350).  Religious accommodations should be discussed with the professor at the beginning of the semester.

Classroom Civility – Students are expected to behave in a respectful manner in lecture, including but not limited to coming to class on time, not leaving early, turning off cell phones, not talking when professor or other people are addressing the entire class, not coming to class under the influence of alcohol or drugs, dressing respectfully, etc.

Suggestions for Success:

·         Read textbook before class and become familiar with material and terminology before instructor goes over material

·         Go over your notes between lectures & identify portions you don’t understand

·         Study with a friend or your core group and discuss questions you have about lecture material

·         Visit instructor during office hours or make appointment to ask questions

·         Ask questions during lecture

·         Use the academic tutors made available in Academic Support Center

·         Be an active participant in group activities

·         Use the textbook’s Companion Website (check links on website & D2L)

·         Learn what kind of learner you are by taking the VARK test (www.vark-learn.com) and use the Study Without Tears strategies (link on my website – home page, bottom left)

Animal Biology Lecture Schedule

Spring 2012

Schedule is tentative and any deviations will be announced in class.