SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY				Return to Syllabus Page
HOME	WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS	J. SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY	TAXA OF LIFE
I am wary of simple theories. They may have appeal, but one difference between nature and her interpreters is that nature is not simple. -Leonard Krishtalka
INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL POLICIES

BI:202 SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY. A survey and introduction to the kingdoms of life: the prokaryotes, eukaryotic protists, fungi, animals and plants. The diversity of these organisms allows students to explore concepts of phylogeny, taxonomy and evolution through cladistic analyses.

Throughout the semester, the diversity of structure and characters within the kingdoms of life will be studied. This course is designed to introduce these structures and characters as an integrated lecture-laboratory experience. Through the use of compound and dissecting microscopes, in addition to the scanning electron microscope, students will have the opportunity to observe structures and characters that bring diversity to all kingdoms of life. These observations will then assist the student in the paper writing process.

Systematic Biology draws upon and builds upon information from BI:101, BI:102, and BI:201 to illustrate aspects of evolution, the unifying principle of Biology. With the experiences provided by the four introductory courses, students have sufficient background to enroll in the upper level courses in the Biology program.

For general information about the course schedule outlined by week and unit see COURSE SCHEDULE.  Go to WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS for detailed information about activities and requirements week by week.

 For details regarding course assignments, go to COURSE ASSIGNMENTS.

I. OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will explore the philosophy of current evolutionary principles and use those principles in explanations of theories of phylogeny and taxonomy.
2. Students will use, produce, and interpret cladistic analyses of members of the kingdoms of life.
3. Students will investigate the diversity (cytological, morphological, and anatomical) of the kingdoms of life by investigating living, preserved, and fossil organisms.
4. Students will examine and be able to recognize the dominant taxa of living organisms.
5. Students will use dichotomous keys to determine unknown woody plants and algae.
6. Students will apply styles of scientific writing to contribute to the Journal of Systematic Biology, which will be used by future classes.
7. Students will reflect on the foundations of biology, biodiversity, and their place in the biological sciences through essays and a portfolio.

II. TEXTS:

A. TEXTS THAT WE REQUIRE FOR EACH STUDENT:

1. The primary text for this course is this web site.  Please use it and come prepared having read the assigned pages.  

2. Holt, Jack. 2006. Paths of Science. 2nd edition.  Whittier Publishing, Inc. New York.

3. Darwin, Charles. 1979 (originally published in 1859 by J. Murray. London). The Origin of Species. Gramercy Books. New York.

This is one of the most important texts in the history of modern biology and forms the foundation for our understanding of the diversity and underlying similarity of all living things.  This concept has become the unifying principle of biology.  The Gramercy Press edition is a reproduction of Darwin's first edition with many illustrations that did not appear in any of Darwin's writings.  Also, this book has the historical sketch that Darwin added only to later editions.

 B. TEXTS THAT WE REQUIRE FOR EACH GROUP:

1. Hall, Barry. 2004. Phylogenetic Trees Made Easy. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Sunderland, NY.

This is a a good how-to manual for phylogenetic analysis.  

2. Larson, Gary. 1999. There's a Hair in my Dirt. HarperPerennial. NY.

This is one of the best explanations for why we should be interested in biodiversity and a rational rather than romantic view of nature.

III. SMALL GROUPS AND PEER EVALUATIONS:

At the beginning of our first meeting, the class will organize itself into groups or teams of four students. Each team will name itself and present itself to the rest of the class. The teams will be the units which will work together during all aspects if this course. Indeed, the construction of each of the projects will be based on a collective group effort.

You will evaluate the performance of your team four times throughout the semester. Each evaluation will be due at the time of the first rewrite for each of the 3 team projects. The evaluation will consider the student's participation and contribution the group as a whole throughout the particular unit. The results of the 3 evaluations will determine 10% of your final grade.

Choose your team carefully; you will not be allowed to change teams throughout the semester.

Click here to go to the Peer Evaluation Page.

IV. GENERAL POLICIES:

A. FORMAL PAPERS, POLICY ON FORM:

We expect you to use a word processor in producing all formal work (the four papers and other assignments). Indeed, we require that you will use Word. Moreover, we will not read or acknowledge any formal paper that is not saved on the network. This applies to all drafts of all papers.

In addition, we demand proper spelling, syntax and grammar in all written work. Follow the appropriate writing style for all formal work (e.g. no contractions, slang or jargon of your invention). Also, quotes are never allowed in formal scientific writing. Consult style manuals such as The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors and Publishers (6th edition) for proper writing style and formats in scientific papers. Proof read your work carefully before you submit it to us.

B. THE NETWORK AND WEB:

In addition to the texts, much of the course will be conducted and organized via the LAN and web. The other parts of this syllabus [the Course Schedule, and the Paper Schedule and Policies, etc. (ASSIGNMENTS)] can be accessed on the WWW at http://comenius.susqu.edu/bi/202.  There, you will find particular instructions, assignments, information and data for the week as it is embedded in its respective unit. All papers and drafts of papers will be submitted via the LAN. We will give you instructions for that in class.

C. CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY:

We comply fully with the class attendance policy as presented in the Student Handbook (Section II, p 5). If students miss the equivalent of 2 weeks (6 meetings), they will be dropped with a grade of F.

Since dialogues and games are played at the beginning of the specified class periods (check the course schedule), students must be prepared to take any quiz at the time when class is scheduled to begin. WE WILL NOT GO BACK AND REPEAT ANY OF THE QUESTIONS.

Except for extraordinary circumstances such as extended illness, there are no excused absences. An excuse (no matter how legitimate) is accepted only after it is validated by the Office of the Dean of Students. Make up quizzes or discussions are not given for any reason.

D. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:

We follow the policy as outlined in the Student Handbook (Section II, pp 5-7). Especially note the definition of plagiarism.

E. POLICY ON LATE OR INCOMPLETE WORK:

Late or incomplete assignments will not be accepted and will receive a grade of zero. In addition, members of the team are responsible for backing up their work. "The disk crashed" will not be accepted as an excuse for late work.

F. POLICY ON RETURNING GRADED MATERIALS:

Except under unusual circumstances, all graded materials will be returned to you within one week of submission. If you are not present when the materials are returned, you must ask me for your copy. I will not seek you out. You may get the corrected copy of your final paper during the next Fall semester.

G. OFFICE:

JACK R. HOLT FISHER SCIENCE 223 ("the Herbarium") PHONE 4205 EMAIL: holt@susqu.edu OFFICE HOURS

CARLOS A. IUDICA FISHER SCIENCE 204 PHONE 4208 EMAIL: casaiud@susqu.edu OFFICE HOURS

  V. YOUR FINAL GRADE WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:

JRH&CAI:  Last modified: 01/07/08