Honors Introduction to Biology (BSC 111H) Class Links
Syllabus | Lecture Topics | Printer Friendly VersionHonors Principles of Biological Sciences II (BSC 111H)
Instructor:Jake Schaefer
Email: Jake.Schaefer@usm.edu
Phone: 601-266-4928
Course Homepage: http://ichthyology.usm.edu/courses/bsc111h/syllabus.php
Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 pm, Tuesday
8:00-10:00am. If these office hours don't fit your schedule please see me
for alternate times when we can schedule a meeting. Feel free to contact me
after class or through email to set up a meeting time.
Office: 1004 Johnson Science Tower
Lectures:: 9:00-9:50 Monday, Wednesday and Friday,
302 College Hall
Textbook Biology, 8th ed., by Neil A. Campbell
This is very complete text and the lectures in class will follow the text closely. However, do not rely entirely on either the text or lecture material. You are responsible for and will be tested on both.
The Agile Gene: How Nature Turns on Nurture by Matt Ridley. ISBN: 978-0060006792
This book is not availabe from the bookstore. You can get a new copy from Amazon for $10.07 or a used one for about $5.00.
Course Objectives
- Understanding of the current theories of the origin and evolution of life
- Knowledge of the diversity, classification and key characteristics of all major groups of life
- Introduction to the science of ecology
- BSC 111H is part of the General Education Curriculum (GEC) of the University. As a consequence, the course fulfills the following GEC Student Learning Outcomes.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to develop and focus on one topic in speaking and writing assignments and present ideas in an organized, logical, and coherent form.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to use Standard English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage.
Grading Policy
There will be three inclass exams. For the most part, these exams will also divide the semester into units based on the topics we cover. One paper will be a review of three papers from the primary literature on the taxonomic group of your choice. The second paper will be a review of the evolutionary development book by Sean Carroll. Final grades are assigned in a standard 90-80-70 scale with no curve and no extra credit. The point values are as follows:
| Exam 1 | 100 points | ||||||
| Exam 2 | 100 points | ||||||
| Exam 3 | 100 points | ||||||
| Paper 1 | 50 points | ||||||
| Paper 2 | 50 points | ||||||
| Final Exam | 200 points | ||||||
| Total | 600 points | ||||||
See the course calendar for exam dates. This calendar is subject to change, and all changes will be announced in class and on the course web page. Exams will consist of a variety of question formats. All questions will come from lecture material and assigned readings in the textbook. Finally, academic integrity is considered fundamental to the learning environment. Acts of dishonesty are not acceptable and will be dealt with appropriately.
Attendance Policy
I strongly encourage your attendance at lecture. Although your attendance record is not calculated into your overall course grade, experience has shown me that students having several absences do not perform well on exams. If you miss a lecture, find someone in class to tell you what you missed or see me during office hours. It would be wise to borrow a classmate's notes and/or read the textbook because we cover important material every day. If you have to miss class I would be happy to go over what you missed during my office hours.
Dates of Interest
For information on the last day to drop this class, see the academic calendars published by the Office of the Registrar.
The final exam will be administered at the scheduled time, see the final exam schedule published by the Office of the Registrar.
Class Disruptions
Please respect the other students in the class by not causing disruptions. This includes cell phones ringing, having conversations with others in the class or other disruptive behavior.
Missed Exams
If you miss an examination for medical reasons, please give the instructor a written statement to that effect signed by the attending physician. If you missed an examination for non-medical emergency, submit to the instructor the appropriate written documentation of the emergency. If the instructor decides it was a real emergency, you will be allowed to retake the exam. Make up exams will be scheduled on an individual basis and taken on the students own time. Documentation will be accepted only up to one week following the missed examination.
Disability Support Services
If any student has special needs they can contact the Office for Disability Accomodations for assistance.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic misconduct includes cheating (using unauthorized materials, information, or study guides), plagiarism (submitting others work as if it were your own), falsification of records, unauthorized possession of examinations, intimidation, and any other action that may improperly affect the evaluation of your performance. It also includes assisting others in any such acts or attempts to engage in such acts. Penalties may range from grade penalties (including lowering a student's semester grade, failing a student for the course, or requiring a substitute exam or paper) to official disciplinary action. For more information, see the sections on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism (pg. 49-50) in the USM Student Handbook.
Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. All changes will be announced in class and on the course web page.
Last Updated: January 3, 2011