Bio 212- Zoology:  Syllabus and Course Information

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Biology 212 - Zoology: 5 units

Instructor:  Sue Kloss

Office:  D-100, Next to the biology lab

Office Hours: Monday 5:30 – 6:30; Tues. and Thur. 9 - 10  am and 9:30 – 10 pm;  Wed. 6 – 7 pm, and by app’t.

Email: kloss@ltcc.edu

Phone:  541-4660 x244

Website: http://www.ltcconline.net/kloss/bio_212.htm 

Course Information:  Welcome to Bio 212, Zoology!  This course is an introductory survey of vertebrate and invertebrate zoology.  Topics include animal ecology, physiology, reproduction, behavior, evolution, classification, and characteristics of the major animal phyla. 

Course Info:  A lab is required for this course.  In lieu of 12 hours of classroom lab sessions, two Saturday field trips are required for this course.  You must attend at least one of the field trips to receive credit for this course. 

Final Exam:  March 25, 2008; 6 – 8 pm.

Lecture Text:  Zoology  by Miller and Harley.  7th edition.

Lab Text:  Zoology Laboratory Manual by Miller.  5^th edition.

Course Requirements for Zoology Lecture:        

Exams:  There will be three exams in this course.  The first midterm is worth 100 pts (10%) of your grade for this course, the second midterm is worth 150 (15%), and the final, which is cumulative, is worth 200 points (20%).  You are responsible for all material covered in lectures, discussions and readings. 

Project:  You are required to turn in a project for this course, worth 150 points (15%).  You  will receive a separate instruction sheet about this project. 

Course Requirements for Zoology Lab:

Lab Reports: At the conclusion of each lab, you will check your lab notebook/lab report with your instructor.  Lab reports/notebooks are worth 100 points (10%). 

        Quizzes:  At the conclusion of each lab, you will have a 5 minute quiz.  Quizzes will count 50 points, or 5% of your grade

Lab Exams:  There will be 1 lab exam given for this course worth 150 points (15%). The lab exam will be a practical exam, meaning you will be tested on procedures, drawings and organisms in addition to material covered.  Time spent in  lab is very important for both learning and drawing. Take maximum advantage of lab time!         

Attendance/Participation for both lectures and labs:  Being on time, participating, for the whole time, (and awake!) for both lectures and labs gets you a free 100 pts (10%).  Attendance will be taken at labs and field trips.  You can not receive participation points if you are not there!  You may make up 1 missed lab.  If you miss a lab without making it up, you will lose 10% of your participation grade and report points;  if you miss 2 labs, you will lose 20% more,  etc.  If you miss more than 3 labs, you may be dropped from the course.

Grading Scale:                                 

A = 90 -100                                        

B = 80 - 89                                         

C = 70 - 79                                         

D = 60 - 69                                         

F = below 60                                      

Attendance Policy:  Make every effort to attend ever lecture and every lab. If you are absent for more than 5 lectures or 3 labs, you will be dropped from the course.  It is very important to me that students come to class, on time, for the entire time scheduled. Please make every effort to arrive on time for class.  Having people walking around finding seats can be very disruptive to other students.  If you do miss class, you are responsible to find out what was covered. No labs will be rescheduled;  missing labs results in loss of points. You may reschedule an exam only by discussing it with me in advance;  any rescheduled exams result in a loss of 10% of your grade for that exam.  If you reschedule the lab practical, you will be required to take an oral exam. 

Study Buddies: Choose 2 or 3 people for your study buddies.  These are the people who will pick up handouts for you if you are absent, and who will share notes with you for the class you missed. With your study buddies, you can ask about material you don’t understand, divvy up study chores, prepare for exams, etc.  Learning cooperatively is wonderful, but it only works if every one does an equal share of the work.  Take good care of your buddies!  Do not take advantage of them! You may always discuss course information and assignments together (except on exams), but all answers must be your own.  Do not use the same wording as anyone else on any assignment.  When you use someone else’s idea, be sure to provide a citation.  This class will abide by the student honor code. 

Student Outcomes
Students will:

1.   Diagram patterns of diversity in major animal taxonomic groups using cladistics and phylogenetics.

2.   Relate taxonomy to evolutionary processes and animal structural, developmental and functional characteristics. 

3.   Relate acquisition, flow, organization and uses of information, energy and nutrients in animal systems to their structure, physiology, behavior and environments.

*If you require accommodations for a disability, please let me know.

For questions or comments, please contact Sue Kloss - kloss@ltcc.edu