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Back to: Biology 112: Evolution and Ecology Home Page
Back to: Kenyon College Biology Department
Evolution and Ecology
Biology 112; First Semester 2008
Instructor: Dr. Robert Mauck and Dr. Siobhan Fennessy
Office/phone/email/office hours:
RM: Higley 305; 5076; mauckr@kenyon.edu; T 1:30-3:00, W 2:45-4:15:00, R 2:30-4:30, or by appointment
SF: Higley 205, 5455, fennessym@kenyon.edu, M 1:30-3:30, T 1:00-3:00, F 9:00-10:00, or by appointment
Text: Biological Science 3rd Edition, by Scott Freeman
Course objectives:
OVERVIEW AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Friday assignments - Each Friday you will have a quiz OR an assignment due. If you do not have an assignment due on any given Friday, you WILL have a quiz. Quizzes will be given at the start of class on Friday, and will last for ten minutes. Extra time will not be given to students arriving late to class, and if you are more than ten minutes late a grade of 0 will be recorded. The lowest two assignment scores may be dropped.
Tests - Three tests will be given during the regular semester. These will be more integrative than quizzes. Exams will be designed to be completed in 50 minutes. Final exam - The final exam is optional IF you attend the last three classes. The final is comprehensive and designed to be completed in two hours.
Curves and grading scale:
90%-100% A
80%-89% B
70%-79% C
60%-69% D<60% F
We reserve the option to apply a standard curve to a quiz or exam.
Grading in Biology 112 will be based on the following weighting:
35% Weekly assignments and quizzes - lowest two scores to be dropped
45% Three Hour Exams
20% Optional Final Exam (Optional IF you attend the last three classes)
If the optional final is not taken, weekly assignments = 40%, hour exams = 60%.
Course overview: This course is an introduction to the general field of evolution, ecology, and environmental biology. A primary focus is to understand the nature of biological diversity: its origins, components, consequences, and changes. We will explore the major questions and methods for finding answers, in addition to surveying the principles that are currently accepted. Major sections include an overview of the diversity of life; organisms' ecological roles, and how they change through evolution; the biosphere and major habitats; the interactions of individuals, populations and communities; and finally, how humans influence and depend on the biosphere at large. Principles emphasized in other core courses include structure and function in cells and multicellular organisms (BIOL 113) and heredity and expression of genetic information plus reproduction and development of the organism (BIOL 114). Students who seek a more complete view of basic biology should continue in these Core courses.
Attendance has been a major factor in determining success in this course. Missing more than three classes (unexcused absences) is strongly discouraged. Your responsibilities include attending class, reading the text and completing weekly assignments. Tests and quizzes will cover material presented in class and in the text.
Academic honesty. Science requires absolute integrity. Penalties for plagiarism or other types of cheating will be dealt with severely. College policy requires reporting of all violations of the academic integrity policy, and we will follow that policy. An appeals process is available. Unless we explicitly indicate that you may collaborate, all work should be done independently.
If you have a disability, and therefore may have need for some type of accommodation(s) in order to participate fully in this class, please feel free to discuss your concerns in private with me AND be sure to contact Erin Salva at PBX 5453 or via e-mail at SALVAE.