Dr. Megan M. Pease Office: 1045 JCSM Phone: 815-921-3423 Email: m.pease@rockvalleycollege.

edu

Fall Office Hours Tues.: 10:30-11-30 Wed.: 12:30-3:30 Thurs.: 5-6pm

Biology 140: Introduction to Evolutionary Biology Section #: D010 Room 1106 JCSM Day & Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:00-1:15 Credits: 3 Lab:0 Prerequisite: none PCS 1.1 Course Description Introduction to Evolution is designed to introduce the student to the major principles of evolutionary biology. The course will include a history of evolutionary thought and will work through the fundamental concepts of geological evolution and its impact on life, the origins and history of life, mechanisms of evolution, and evolutionary genetics. Although the emphasis will be on major concepts, the course will also provide some understanding of the methods used in evolutionary investigations. Course Objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. To develop a broad, basic vocabulary of the subject. To develop an understanding of how knowledge of evolutionary biology can help address current issues. To develop a working knowledge of the nature of science and scientific inquiry. To develop an awareness of the effect of past and current social and cultural issues on the development of evolutionary thought. 5. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of evolution and the genetic principles that underlie those mechanisms. 6. To develop an understanding of the evolutionary history of both the earth and the organisms on it, both past and present. 7. To develop an understanding of phylogenetics and the current versus historical function of organismal structures or biochemical processes STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES This course addresses the following student learning outcome(s). The student will be able to: X Communicate effectively. Integrate technology into all fields of knowledge and expression. X Demonstrate competency in critical thinking. Respect and work effectively with persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities. X Demonstrate the behaviors of ethical and socially responsible citizens. Demonstrate personal wellness. Important Dates: Last Day to Withdraw November 9th Final Exam for Section D010 Tuesday, December 11th from 12:30-2:30pm 1

Required Course Materials 1. Text Book Brian K. Halls Evolution: Principles and Processes,2011. ISBN: 978-1-4496-5187-9 ($104.30 new; $78.25 used) OR Brian K. Halls Evolution: Principles and Processes eBook on CourseSmart.com. ISBN: 978-0-7637-6039-7 List price: $56.95 http://www.coursesmart.com/9781449606404 2. Carroll, S. et al. (2008). Into the Jungle: great adventures in the search for evolutuion. ISBN: 9780321556714. ($26.20 new; $19.65 used) 3. Software- RVC EAGLE: http://rvceagle.angellearning.com RVC EAGLE can only be used with Internet Explorer 7 or lower and Mozilla Firefox Lecture Policies Rock Valley College students are expected to demonstrate core values of Respect, Excellence, Diversity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Trust. College students are expected to demonstrate qualities of morality, integrity, honesty, civility, honor, and respect. Students will come to class prepared, on time and having read the days material. Attendance is expected but not mandatory. You are responsible for all material presented, all course messages in EAGLE, and any announced schedule changes. Absence is not an excuse for not being aware of what occurred in class. You must also get missed notes from a classmate. My notes will not be made available. If you are late you WILL miss important information that will not be repeated. PowerPoints are posted in EAGLE, but do not have class notes attached or incorporated. Please show respect to both your fellow students and myself: be on time and put your cell phones and pagers on vibrate or turn them off. Texting during class is extremely rude and will not be tolerated. If you are caught texting the phone will be confiscated and returned at the end of lecture. Students will turn off all media players and will remove headphones once class begins. Students are not allowed to leave the classroom without permission once an exam begins. Use of any electronic device during an exam will result in removal from the exam with no option to make it up. Responsible use of computers in class is expected and the computer may be confiscated until the end of class if the student is using it inappropriately or distracting other students. You can expect me to 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. treat you with respect as a person and listen carefully to you questions and thoughts show up for class prepared and ready to do meaningful work hold high expectations for your abilities and help you reach those expectations grade you fairly with those expectations in mind provide you with review/grading comments which are meant to be constructive and to help you grow in your abilities.

At the same time, I expect you to 1. arrive prepared and on time, ready to work and keep up to date on class assignments, projects and readings 2. treat me and your peers with respect and listen carefully 3. keep an open mind about the feedback you receive from both me and your peers, remembering the intent of such feedback is to help you grow in your abilities 4. provide me with advance notice of any conflicts with class work where possible: this includes any special needs. NOTE: Doing the bare minimum required is considered average or C level work in this class. To receive a higher grade, your work must be thoughtfully organized and well executed. Please ask me for examples of how to go above and beyond the minimum expectations. 2

Assignments 1. Exams: There will be 2 exams: a midterm and a final exam. 2. Quizzes: There will 8 online quizzes throughout the semester covering information in the texts and covered in class. The quizzes can be found using the EAGLE course site under the Lessons tab in the Quizzes folder. The quizzes will open Thursdays at 1:00 and will close Tuesdays at 11am (with the exception of Quiz #7). 3. Into The Jungle (ITJ) Reading Responses: Throughout the semester will be submitting your responses to the questions found at the end of each chapter of the Into the Jungle book. The responses must be turned in during lecture on the due date and can be either hand written or typed. The responses must be professional and written at a college level. 4. In-Class Activities: We will be doing a variety of in class activities including case studies, group work and individual work. In order to receive credit for the activities you must be present in class. Some of the assignments will require homework in order to be prepared for the in class portion of the activity. ****Late work will not be accepted. All assignments must be turned in on time. Grading Points Total % of Assessment Amount Per Pts. Grade Exams 2 150 300 0.42 ITJ 9 20 180 0.25 Quizzes 8 10 80 0.11 In Class 30 5 150 0.21 Total points: 710 Grading Scale: A= 90% and up B= 80-89% C= 70-79% D= 60-69% F= Below 60% Above and Beyond Expectations Above Expectations Average, Meeting Expectations Not Meeting Expectations Not Meeting Expectations Course schedule can be found at the end of the syllabus

Rock Valley College Policy on Plagarism Academic Honesty Statement: The faculty and administration expect that RVC students are enrolled in courses as serious and honorable scholars. Furthermore, students are expected to do their own, original work, except when collaboration on projects is directed by faculty as part of the course or specific assignment. Students are expected to observe the commonly accepted standards of academic honesty at all times. Students who commit forms of academic dishonesty are subject to the penalties and sanctions agreed upon by the faculty and administration of Rock Valley College. For the complete Academic Honesty Statement, refer to your Student Handbook. It is important that you understand exactly what constitutes plagiarism and how to properly cite your sources.
Please review http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_what_is_plagiarism.html if you are unsure about what constitutes plagiarism. Please review http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_what_is_citation.html if you are unsure about what a citation is, when and why to cite information. NOTE: Your text and assigned internet readings count as sources that need to be cited. Please review http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_how_do_i_cite_sources.html if you are unsure about how to cite a source. A general technique is to use the author or authors last names and the year of publication. Example: Humans maintain specific pH ranges for maintaining homeostasis (Mader & Windelspecht, 2011).

Copying from another student IS plagiarism. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS put things into your own words. Notification of Services for Students with Disabilities Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation for this course based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss their specific needs. Please also contact the Disability Support Services office at (815) 921-2356 in the student center, 2nd floor to discuss your particular needs and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. Contact should be made as soon as possible to ensure that the necessary accommodations can be implemented in a timely fashion. Tutoring Lab As a RVC student you have tutoring help available to you. It is free. Tutors can be found in the Tutoring lab on the lower level of the Student Center. In addition you can contact the Success Center at the same location for help with study and test taking skills, dealing with test anxiety, and help with note taking and textbook reading skills. Writing Lab As a RVC student you have writing help available to you. It is free. The writing center is located in room 2402 of the library (ERC). Tips for how to succeed: o o o The key to success is to stay organized. Keep the class schedule/calendar in front of you. Be sure that all deadlines are met. Keep up! Do not let yourself get behind. If you do, you will find that things quickly snowball resulting in your becoming further and further behind. Ask questions! If you are having problems with any of the material contact me by email or phone. Better yet, come to an office hour. All assignments and information in the syllabus are subject to change.

Course Schedule
Reading Chapter (Hall) 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 19 20 21 Into the Jungle Due Quiz Open Dates

Date 21-Aug 23-Aug 28-Aug 30-Aug 4-Sep 6-Sep 11-Sep 13-Sep 18-Sep 20-Sep 25-Sep 27-Sep 2-Oct 4-Oct 9-Oct 11-Oct 16-Oct 18-Oct 23-Oct 25-Oct 30-Oct 1-Nov 6-Nov 8-Nov 13-Nov 15-Nov 20-Nov 22-Nov 27-Nov 29-Nov 4-Dec 6-Dec 11-Dec

Topic: Unit Intro. to course & Ch. 1 Science & EvoBio as a Discipline Origins Origins No Class Origins Origins Darwin, Selection & Genetics Darwin, Selection & Genetics Darwin, Selection & Genetics Universal Tree of Life Universal Tree of Life Universal Tree of Life Universal Tree of Life Universal Tree of Life Universal Tree of Life Midterm Exam Principles & Processes Principles & Processes Principles & Processes Principles & Processes Principles & Processes Principles & Processes Nature & Origin of Species Nature & Origin of Species Nature & Origin of Species Nature & Origin of Species No Class Human Origins & Evolution Human Origins & Evolution Human Origins & Evolution Human Origins & Evolution Final Exam 12:30-2:30

Ch. 6 Quiz 1 Quiz 2 Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Quiz 3 Ch. 3 Ch. 5 Quiz 4

Ch. 8 Quiz 5

Ch. 9 Quiz 6 Ch. 7 Quiz 7 Ch. 4 Quiz 8

Student Summary Sheet and Syllabus Acknowledgment

Name: How many semesters have you been at RVC? ____________________________________________________ When and where was your last science class? __________________________________________________________________________________________ Is biology your major? If not, what is your current major? ___________________________________________ What are your future goals? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ What are your out of class responsibilities (ex. Work, children, etc.)? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ What topic covered in class interests you the most? Why? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ What topic are you the most concerned about? Why? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
I acknowledge that I have received and completely read the attached syllabus. In addition I agree with the following statements:

I fully understand and have read the policies set forth for this course. I acknowledge the instructors contact information and have written down her office hours. I acknowledge that failure to abide to policies stated in this syllabus may have academic consequences in this course for which I am exclusively responsible. I acknowledge that the content described by this syllabus can be changed at the discretion of the instructor. I acknowledge that if I use my personal computer I accept the risk and responsibility for any technological difficulties interfering with my academic responsibilities.
Date:

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