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COURSE
SYLLABUS |
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Fall 2007 |
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INSTRUCTOR: Elzbet Diaz de Leon |
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OFFICE LOCATION: |
SCI 347 (shared ) |
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OFFICE HOURS: |
By appointment |
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OFFICE PHONE: |
654-6399x2429 voice mail |
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E-MAIL ADDRESS: |
elzbet@vcccd.edu (always type vcbio in subject to avoid
being rejected by junk mail filter) |
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MAILBOX: |
Math & Science office (NOT in admin Bldg) Just give it to a staff person; they can even date-stamp item for you. |
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INSTRUCTOR WEB
PAGE: |
TBA currently under reconstruction |
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CLASS HOURS: |
11:30 – 1:30 |
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CLASS CRN: |
70014 AG V03 |
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PREREQUISITE(S): |
none |
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A. COURSE DESCRIPTION This class is intended as a non-majors’ introduction to marine biology, with emphasis on the physiology, morphology, taxonomy, ecology , evolution and natural history of marine organisms. The conservation of the marine environment will also be covered. It fills the UC/CSU general-ed requirement for life sciences and accompanies an optional lab, BIOL V29L. B. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION I will lecture about 65% of the class instruction time. The rest will be spent in workshops. These are group projects which you have prepared for by reading the assignments in your text. I do not cover those topics in lecture. It is important that you come to workshops having already studied the material and ready to demonstrate your understanding. They are sometimes closed book. They are always graded. C. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Identify the major categories of organisms and briefly describe their characteristics. 2. Investigate common marine ecosystems and their living communities. 3. Communicate graphicly an understanding of a variety of ecological topics. 4. Solve biological problems and puzzles by combining facts, logic and critical thinking. 5. Compare several methods of organizing knowledge. 6. Demonstrate in writing an understanding of basic principles of evolution, the roles of chemistry in life, and of life history patterns. 7. Evaluate the relationships between form and function in organisms. 8. Compare the relative impacts of phylogeny and habitat on organisms. D. COURSE TOPICS Scientific Method and its application to Marine Biology Evolution and its application to Marine Biology Taxonomy & Phylogeny and its application to Marine Biology Physical Oceanography and its application to Marine Biology Ecology and its application to Marine Biology Prokaryotes & Protists and its application to Marine Biology Marine Plants Marine Invertebrate Diversity Marine Vertebrate Diversity Marine Habitats & Communities Human Use and Impacts on Marine Life Core
competencies: Read, retain, and
apply published ideas. Write clearly and
accurately Demonstrate active
listening skills /effective interpersonal communication Employ vocabulary of
the subject studied Recognize need for
information; clarify the question to be answered Find and interpret
relevant information Utilize data to draw
conclusion or to create new information Apply principles of
scientific reasoning to solve problems Defend a logical
hypothesis to explain observed phenomenon Recognize a problem;
devise and implement a plan of action Work as an effective
member of a team Demonstrate etiquette
in face-to-face and written communications Use language as
appropriate to the situation Learning Outcomes As a result of this class you will be able to: Recognize
the interplay of phylogeny and environmental adaptation in marine organisms. Apply
critical thinking skills and an understanding of the scientific method to
marine science stories in the public media. Identify
human impacts on the marine environment and discuss various perspectives and
proposals for addressing them. E. TEXTBOOK 1. Castro & Huber, Marine Biology F. GRADING PLAN Unit exams: 1=80pts, 2,3 &4 + 100pts each. total=380 Final exam = 100 pts (Students who keep a study journal will be able to skip the final exam or drop lowest test score.) 50 pts = workshops (No make-ups) 50 pts = homework: answer the study guides 20 pts = There is a weekend field trip. If you can't go you should arrange with me to do a substitute assignment. The earlier you make arrangements the more options you will have. Total points without final = 500. With final = 600 90% = A 80% = B 65% = C 55% = D If you wish to take this class credit/no credit you need to make arrangements through the registration office by the deadline. The last day to drop with a W for the Fall 07 semester is 11/21/07. Students who disappear without dropping may receive an F. G. COURSE COMPONENT SPECIFICS In college you are expected to invest about 3 hours/week/unit. This is a 3 unit class, so figure on about 9 hours/ week (about 40 hours per exam) This is just an estimate and will depend on how efficient your study skills are. You have several opportunities to make this class easier and to improve your grade: 1. Keep a STUDY JOURNAL. It should include an entry for each time you study and the following information for each entry: A. date, times started, finished, & elapsed, & the total study time so far this week. B. partner/s. C. topics covered and/or pages read. D. briefly- what stood out? E. unresolved questions. Bring these to class to ask me. Every week enter and circle the total number of hours you studied that week. I will not grade journals on the basis of how much you studied, but I will collect them and check for completeness. Keeping a satisfactory journal allows you to drop your worst exam score or even skip the final exam. Failure to record ALL of the above information will result in no credit for the journal. Bring your journal to each exam. 2. Students who log at least two group study sessions before the first exam may take that exam collectively with their study groups. A group session, at minimum, includes 3 students (or a tutor) and lasts 1 hour. 3. We will strive to develop
University level study skills and practices.
Make use of the Cornell note taking system as well as exam hints and
other study skill training offered by the 4. Visit me in my office. I am concerned if you are having problems and I have never bitten a student. Bring your journal, notes, homework, and progress log with you. Contact me immediately if you have missed a test. 5. Stick together and help each other! We are here to work hard, have fun and learn. H. CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT . Cell phones and MP3 players are not to be used during
class or visible during exams. Please
be aware that plagiarism on assignments and cheating on exams are offenses
which can result in suspension from college and be noted on your permanent
records. Tolerating cheating by your
peers hurts your grade by raising curves and instructor expectations. ‘Nuff said! I. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 1. Emergency: Dial #9 from any campus pay phone. 2. on campus phones: 9-911 3. School
nurse: x6346 on duty during the day. When the Student Health center is closed
called 642-7000. First Aid is available from Campus Police then. All student
injuries should be reported to Student Health and a written report filed for
insurance purposes. Forms are available
from the 4. Campus security: off campus (cell phones) 642-7000 5. Campus police non-emergency number x6486 K. PLANNED SCHEDULE MARINE BIOLOGY BIO 29 LECTURE SCHEDULE Diaz de Leon f7 There is a required two day field trip. You will receive a handout about it later
this semester. Date topic text
assignment 8/20 Science & Systematics Buy text! Skim part 1 8/22 Evolution 8/27 Ecology
:WORKSHOP 1 8/29 Sessile lifestyles 9/5 Human Impacts: (set up for) WORKSHOP 10 9/10 Exam # 1 Bring your journals and homework to turn in 9/12 Fish 9/17 Fish : WORKSHOP 2 9/19 Reptiles & Birds 9/24 Marine
Mammals 9/26 More MM 10/1 Marine
Vertebrates: WORKSHOP 3 10/3 Polar communities 10/8 Pelagic Communities 10/10 Exam #2 Bring your journals and homework to turn in. 10/15 Cnidarians 10/17 Coral
Reefs: WORKSHOP 4 10/22 Prokaryotes 10/24 10/29 10/31 Symbiosis 11/5 Wetlands:
WORKSHOP 6 11/7 Exam #3 Bring your journals and homework to turn in. 11/14 Molluscs
& Arthropods & 11/19 Echinoderms 11/21 Invertebrate review: WORKSHOP 7 11/26 Soft bottom communities 11/28 Rocky intertidal
communities: WORKSHOP 8 12/3 Seaweed 12/5 Primary
producers: WORKSHOP 9 12/10 Exam #4 Bring your journals and homework to turn in. 12/12 Environmental Impact (Workshop 10 due) 12/ 14 Final Exam. If you’ve kept your journal (and received check marks at each exam on it) this test can replace your lowest exam score or be dropped if it is your lowest exam score. ********************************************************************************** Identify
L. AFFIDAVIT
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