Biology 101 Fall 2004 Lecture Syllabus

 

César Arenas-Mena, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor                                                       Email:   arenas@sciences.sdsu.edu

Department of Biology                                                  Office: LS 271

San Diego State University                                            Office Hours: By appointment, usually best after

                                                                                                            class.

 

Introduction:

 

The World of Animals (Biol 101) reviews the evolution and biodiversity of animal life. It examines their anatomy, life histories, behaviors, and adaptations. The process of evolution is the underlying key that links all life. We will learn how scientists uncover evolutionary relationships, characterize animals, and create a broader understanding of their interconnectedness. From the earliest life forms to our own evolution, the animal world is one of the most fascinating subjects you’ll ever explore. This non-majors biology course expects students to use this opportunity to discover the natural world around them, and to grasp the workings of scientific thinking.

 

Requirements:

 

I.    Attendance-  Mandatory attendance is required. Random practice quizzes will gauge attendance.

II.  Books Animal Diversity (3rd Edition). By Cleveland P. Hickman, Jr., Larry Roberts, and Allan

      Larson. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

III. Study Habits- Expect to read approximately 12 hours per week.

IV. The laboratory section is separate from the lecture and is not required.

 

Grading:

 

Grading will be based on 3 exams. Exams must be taken on the scheduled day.

 

Evaluation

                      

Midterm 1             30% 

Midterm 2             30% 

Final Exam            40%  Thursday Dec.16    10:30 12:30 in  HH 130

 

 

Bring a ParSCORE form to the exams and #2 pencil.

 

Grading Scale

 

A =  [95  100%] 

A-=  [90    95%[

B+= [85   90%[

B =  [80   85%[

B-= [75    80%[

C+= [70   75%[

C = [65   70% [

C-= [60   65%[

D = [50   60% [

F < 50%

 

Meeting Time & Place:  Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:45am Room: HH 130

 

 

 

Biology 101-2004 Lecture Schedule, updates and details will be advertised in class

 

Week  #1

 

T

Th

Aug.31

Sep.2

1. Course introduction-Overview

2. How Evolution Works

 

Chapter 1

Week #2

 

T

Th

Sep.7

Sep.9

3. Ecological interactions

4. The Tree of life

Chapter 2

Chapter 4

Week #3

 

T

Th

Sep.14

Sep.16

5. Animal origins

6. Sponges and Cnidarians

Chapter 5

Chapters 6 & 7

Week #4

 

T

Th

Sep.21

Sep.23

7. The bilaterian body plan

8. Evolution towards the simple, acoelomates.

Chapter 3

Chapter 8 & 9

Week #5

 

T

Th

Sep.28

Sep.30

9. Bilaterian origins overview

10. Midterm Exam 1 tentative date

Chapters 1-9

Week #6

 

T

Th

Oct.5

Oct.7

11. Mollusks

12. Annelids

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Week #7

 

T

Th

Oct.12

Oct.14

13. Arthropods

14. Other protostomes

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Week #8

 

T

Th

Oct.19

Oct.21

15. Echinoderms and Hemichordates

16. Chordates

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Week #9

 

T

Th

Oct.26

Oct.28

17. Vertebrates

18. Tetrapods

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Week Off

 

T

Th

Nov.2

Nov.4

19. Bilaterian evolution overview

20. Midterm Exam 2 tentative date

Chapter 9-17

 

Week #10

 

T

Th

Nov.9

Nov.11

21. Reptiles

22. Living dinosaurs: Birds

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Week #11

 

T

Th

Nov.16

Nov.18

23. Mammals

24. The evolution of sex

Chapter 20

Chapter 1, 2, 19

Week #12

 

T

Th

Nov.23

Nov.25

25. Animal behavior

Thanksgivings

Chapter 1, 2, 19

 

Week #13

 

T

Th

Nov.30

Dec.2

24. Human Evolution

25. Ecological disasters

Chapter 20

Chapter 2

Week #14

 

T

Th

Dec.7

Dec.9

26. Radiations and extinctions

27. The Cambrian explosion

Chapter 1, 18

Chapter 1-17

Week #15

 

T

Th

Dec.14

Dec.16

28. Study and Consultation Day

29. Final (10:30am–12:30pm in HH 130)

Chapter 1-20.

Chapter 1-20