General Zoology

Course Details

Course Number: BIOL 1144  Section Number: 201

Spring 2011

Location: Bolin Hall

Classroom Number: 213

Days & Times:

MWF 8:00-8:50 A.M.

Course Attachments

Zoology Roll - Spring 11  ZOROLLmwf2011S.xls

Textbooks

Animal Diversity, 5th ed.
Lecture Text
  ISBN: 9780072969450

Exploring Zoology: A Laboratory Guide, 1st ed.
Laboratory Text
  ISBN: 9780895827982
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Roy C Vogtsberger   
view Profile »

Course Objectives

 

  • Learn about the vast diversity in the Kingdom Animalia (all major phyla) and related protists and compare anatomy, morphology, physiology, and ecological relationships among those groups studied.
  • Learn about the phylogenetic relationships among animals and protists and their classification.
  • Learn about the medical and economic importance of certain animals and protists.
  • Development of basic laboratory skills necessary for success in further studies in the biological sciences.  
  • Development of an appreciation and understanding of what science is and how it is conducted.
  • Development of an appreciation and understanding of what biological evolution is.

Course Expectations

 

Class Requirements:  This class contains both a lecture and separate lab component to it. You must be registered in both the lecture and the separate lab and attend both.

Lecture Exams:  There will be four, equally-weighted major exams (including the final exam) that will each be worth 18.75% of your overall grade for the class.  The final exam will NOT be comprehensive but will cover all of the material since the previous exam.  Lecture exams will all be a multiple choice testing format.  

Course Grading:  The following is a breakdown of your final course grade:

 

Test #1                      =18.75%                                                                             

Test #2                      =18.75%                                                                             

Test #3                      =18.75%                                                                             

Final Exam                =18.75%                                                                             

Lecture Grade total =75%                   +              Lab Grade  =25%       =  Total Course Grade 100%

 

The grading scale used to determine your letter grade for the course is as follows:

                                                A             =              90-100%

B             =              80-89%

C             =              70-79%

D             =              60-69%

F              =              below 60%


Final Exam5/11/2011  8:00-10:00

Submission Format Policy

None



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

 

Make-up exams will be administered ONLY FOR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES OR UNIVERSITY-AUTHORIZED ABSENCES. You MUST present a valid university excuse to me and/or make arrangements with me BEFORE an exam is missed in order to be able to make up a missed lecture exam.  If a make-up exam is granted, it should be taken immediately (i.e. before exams are passed back to the class).  DO NOT MISS AN EXAM!!!!  Academic honesty must be practiced at all times.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

 

Class Attendance:  You are expected to attend all classes.  A lot of material is presented in each class period, which makes it easy to fall behind if a class is missed.  If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to get class notes from classmates or handouts from your instructor.  Students with excessive absences usually result in failure of the course and may be dropped by the instructor.  Students should refer to the current MSU Handbook and Activities Calendar for university policy on academic dishonesty, class attendance, student rights and activities.  For example, see page 39 for information on class attendance policy and page 4 for the student honor creed.


Other Policies

 

**ALL PAGERS OR PHONES SHOULD BE OFF IN THE CLASSROOM**


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.