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Ecology & Evolution, Biology 301-001 Spring 2010 Schedule: Tuesday & Thursday, 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm; Room CLS 005 Instructor: Bob Friedman; EWS 601; 777-0655; [email protected] Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday: after class Required Texts: The Economy of Nature, 6th Edition, by R. Ricklefs The Beak of the Finch by J. Weiner Course objectives: Biology 301 is a lecture course on ecology and evolutionary biology. The topics are mainly organized into three areas: population ecology, population interactions, and population genetics. By study of the first two areas, an objective is a general understanding of population dynamics, including population regulation, competition, and predation. Another goal is to provide an overview of communities and ecosystems. The final goal is to introduce basic population genetics theory, but this part also includes the mechanisms of biological speciation and interpretation of evolutionary trees. Along with learning concepts, an emphasis will be on developing skills at reading and constructing graphs. Graphs visually summarize data and provide a way to describe biological processes. Course expectations: Read assigned readings before class, attend class, and take notes. Proficient at routine arithmetic and basic algebra. Using BlackBoard for tasks such as checking announcements, uploading completed assignments, downloading final exam, and viewing grades. Bring a pencil to exams. Arrive on time; no one will be admitted to the exam after the first person has left the room. Exams will include material from class lectures, reading assignments, and homework. Students are responsible for calculating their total points and letter grade for this course. Students are responsible for uploading assignments to BlackBoard and verifying these assignments were uploaded. An assignment will not be accepted after one week past its due date. Grading: The course grade will be calculated based upon the following: 30 points Homework / Attendance / Use of BlackBoard 90 points Exam #1 90 points Exam #2 90 points Exam #3 60 points Final Exam (take-home) The total points sum to 360. The final letter grade will likely be calculated as follows: A 324; B+ 310-323; B 288-309; C+ 273-287; C 252-272; D+ 237-251; D 216-236; F 215 Without Final Exam, the total points sum to 300. The final letter grade would then be: A 270; B+ 258-269; B 240-257; C+ 228-239; C 210-227; D+ 198-209; D 180-197; F 179 Once the final grade distribution is calculated, there will be no adjustments for borderline grades. Also, there are no extra credit assignments in this course. Classroom policies Students engaged in disruptive behavior may be asked to leave. This includes, but is not limited to, ringing cell phones, texting, and talking to classmates during lecture. Practicing the highest standards of academic integrity. Any deviation from this expectation may result in failing the assignment and referral to the Office of Academic Integrity. Questions about an exam score must be submitted in writing within one week of being graded. Please be aware that make-up exams will not usually be allowed. If arriving late, please enter the room quietly. If possible, ask questions during or after class rather than e-mail messaging. Do not wait until a day before the exam to ask questions about a study guide. Tutoring Student Success Center Tutoring Program provides free academic assistance to USC students. More information is available at: www.sa.sc.edu/ssc/tutoring.htm; or call 777-0684. Date Jan 12 Jan 14 Jan 19 Jan 21 Jan 26 Jan 28 Feb 2 Feb 4 Feb 9 Feb 11 Feb 16 Feb 18 Feb 23 Feb 25 Mar 2 Mar 4 Mar 9 Mar 11 Mar 16 Mar 18 Mar 23 Mar 25 Mar 30 Apr 1 Apr 6 Apr 8 Apr 13 Apr 15 Apr 20 Apr 22 Apr 30 (Fri) Topics Introduction to ecology & evolution Biosphere Population structure I Population structure II Population growth Age-structured populations Population regulation I Population regulation II / Review Exam I Introduction to evolution * Evolution II Speciation (Feb 22 is last day to drop course) Beak of the Finch discussion Beak of the Finch discussion Beak of the Finch discussion Beak of the Finch discussion Spring Break, No Class Spring Break, No Class Population genetics I Population genetics II Phylogenetics I Phylogenetics II / Review Exam II Species Interactions I * Species Interactions II Predator-Prey Interactions Communities Ecosystems Biodiversity / Review Exam III Final Exam (uploaded to BlackBoard) Readings Chapter 1 Ch. 2, 3, 4 Ch. 10 Ch. 10 Ch. 11 Ch. 11 Ch. 11 Ch. 11 Ch. 6 Ch. 6, 21 Ch. 17 (pp. 359-360) Beak, Ch. 1-4 Beak, Ch. 1-4 Beak, Ch. 5-10 Beak, Ch. 5-10 Ch. 13 Ch. 13 Ch. 17 (pp. 363-366) Ch. 16 Ch. 16 Ch. 15 Ch. 18 Ch. 22 Ch. 20