Life in the Universe. Stars.
Evolution. X-files: The Host
Have humans out-evolved? Atomic Cafe
Evolution

Sep.

Competition and survival. Lemmings; L1; L2
Galapagos film; Galapagos; Island
Classification of Life (Barlowe's Guide)
Mendelian diseases: OMIM; X-Files: Squeeze; 9/11

Extreme Life; Origins
It Came from Outer Space

Elevator. Review for test

TEST 1. Lunch review, 12:00 Lower Dempsey.
Scores. Answers.

16

Oceans: Star Trek 3--Voyage Home Humpback;
Ambergris; Food chain; Symbiosis;
Ecology and "Lifeshaping." Genome; Molecules; Guide; Same-sex; Nonviolence

23

30

TEST 2

Cloning Dinosaurs. BLAST; Replication; People Frankenstein; Dino-bird; Dino bones; Dino Evidence;
Wipe
X-files: Erlenmeier Flask; Mystery DNA.
What's Lysine? Amino Acids; Ribosome
4:00-5:00 Web Project Help Session

Jurassic Park finish.

Emerging diseases: West Nile, SARS, Papilloma
Does Global Warming produce plagues?

Machine AI. Mind Children. MIPS
2001; Measure of a Man.
11:10 and 2:40 -- Defend Earth (presentations)
Course evaluation.

Monday 12:00 Lunch review, Lower Dempsey.
Monday 1:30pm TEST 3 or
Thursday 6:30pm TEST 3

Required texts include:
The Time Machine, by H. G. Wells
Galapagos, by Kurt Vonnegut
Red Mars, by Kim Stanley Robinson
Dune, by Frank Herbert
Jurassic Park, by Michael Crichton
A Door into Ocean, by Joan Slonczewski
Dawn, by Octavia Butler
Brain Plague, by Joan Slonczewski

Additional required readings includes Web links and handouts. Barlowe’s Guide is an optional guide to some classic aliens.

Tests. All material tested on the three 80-minute tests will be based on the outlines of biological principles handed out in class. Keep these outlines in your loose-leaf folder to take notes as we cover these points in class. Students need to follow the logic of each point, and be able to apply it to new examples. There is no final exam during exam week.

Defend Earth: Final Web Project. A Web Project will present your investigation of bizarre biological phenomena, on Earth or elsewhere. The project must (1) include principles of biology learned in class, and (2) address the question, how can life on Earth survive the impending threat to our biosphere? For example, has another planet somewhere faced a similar challenge? Two partners may share a project, but the amount of work expected will increase appropriately. Examples of past projects may be viewed on the BIOL 103 Web page.

ATTENDANCE. 100% attendance is expected. No more than 2 sports absences are excused (with notification ahead in writing.)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS. Your grade is based on the following:

60% Three tests (each 20%). Each test covers specific scientific questions. For example, questions may ask you to identify which principles from your handouts explain given observations. Test 3 is during exam period.

20% Defend Earth: Final Web Project. Due December 8 by 10:00AM. The project must work on IE6 and Net7 without broken links. Two partners may share a project; more than two are not permitted.

10% Quizzes on the reading at the beginning of class. No make-ups, but the lowest two grades are dropped.

10% Attendance and Participation, during class or by e-mail with Norgol. Additional participation may be earned through e-mailing K-File solutions or film reviews. Films must be arranged and viewed on your own time. Eligible films include: Time Machine, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dune, Sleeper, Jurassic Park, GATTACA, Andromeda Strain, Blade Runner, Malcolm X, The Matrix (first film only). Two-page response must address: Which scientific ideas from our course are seen in this film? What are their implications for society, according to the film? What does the film get right, and what does it get wrong?

Standards for Projects and Tests. The standard College guidelines on individual authorship and plagiarism apply to all work, as stated in the Student Handbook 03-04. All projects, including html, must include footnotes and references cited in detail comparable to that of a term paper.

Disabilities. If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may affect your ability to carry out assigned course work, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 5453. The Coordinator of Disability Services, Erin Salva, will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential.