General Zoology (LS2014)

Instructor: Mr. Doyle L. Crosswhite; B.S. Biological Science/Chemistry, Northwestern Oklahoma State University; M.S. Zoology, Oklahoma State University

Office: JA404    Office Hours: by appointment only.

Phone: 405/878-5194    Fax: 405/878-5198    E-mail: dlcrosswhite@sgc.edu

Homepage: http://intranet.sgc.edu/people/faculty/dlcrosswhite  

Course Description and Purpose:

Welcome to general zoology class! The Zoology curriculum is designed to provide you with an appreciation for the unity and diversity of animal life. Major components include: taxonomy and classification of animals, morphology, physiology, natural history, zoogeography, phylogenetic relationships, and ecology. Three one hour lectures and one three hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: High School Biology or Life Sciences 1114.

Required Reading Materials:

Hickman, C. P., Jr., L. S. Roberts, and A. Larson. 2000. Animal diversity 2nd edition. Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Debuque, Iowa. ISBN 0-07-012200-8

Lytle, C. F. 1996. General Zoology Laboratory Guide 13th edition. Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Debuque, Iowa.

Borror, D. J. 1971. Dictionary of word roots and combining forms. Mayfield Publishing. Pala Alto, CA. ISBN 0-87484-053-8

General Guidelines:

* Lecture will be held in JA407.
* Laboratory will be held in JA401.
* Students are expected to attend all lectures & laboratories and to be on time! If you must be absent, arrive late or leave early, please inform me in advance. I will take roll each class period. If you are not present for class, an absence will be recorded. I make no value judgments as to the nature of the absence, but simply record that you were not present. Obviously, unforeseen circumstances arise. If you cannot be in class, you must make up all assignments before the next class meeting. You may communicate with the instructor by phone or e-mail for additional information about the class that you missed.
* Class Participation: Each student begins with 100 points. Points are lost by failure to participate; 10 points/absence and 5 points/tardy or early departure. IF YOU MISS MORE THAN FOUR CLASSES, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO PASS THE CLASS.
* LATE WORK RECEIVES ˝ CREDIT.
* Please do not begin putting away your materials, talking to your neighbor, and/or disrupting class until you are excused at the end of the session.
* each student MUST HAVE A FUNCTIONAL SGU E-MAIL ADDRESS!  I suggest that you check your messages daily.

Disability Statement:

Any student with a disability that will affect his/her progress in this class and registered with student services should inform the professor during or after the first class meeting.

Laboratory Etiquette:

*The most important part of a laboratory exercise is the first fifteen or twenty minutes during which time I present a brief introduction & instructions. Please be on time!
*The most certain way of ensuring success in lab is to always READ THE LABORATORY EXERCISE BEFORE CLASS!
*The second most reliable way to succeed in this class is to STAY FOR THE ENTIRE LABORATORY SESSION every week. If you finish early, I suggest you go back and review material from previous labs in preparation for the next quiz.
*Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco while in the laboratory.
*Handle preserved specimens, microscopes, and other equipment carefully.
*Clean your laboratory station and return all equipment to its proper place after each lab exercise.

Approximate Point Breakdown:

* note: There will be no make up lab quizzes.

Grading Scale:

The following traditional grading scale will be used. There will be no curve. Extra credit questions and projects will be available periodically throughout the semester.

Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism:

Academic dishonesty including plagiarism will result in a zero for that assignment and discipline as warranted in accordance with university guidelines. The Distinction Between Plagiarizing and Paraphrasing: Plagiarizing- To take and use as your own, someone else’s ideas, or writing. Quotation marks are required if you use text verbatim or if you use an author's key phrases or sentence structure. Paraphrasing- To restate the meaning (passage or text) in your own words. Paraphrasing requires a citation. There is a subtle distinction between plagiarism and paraphrasing. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to take notes in your own words. SEE COURSE TOOLS BELOW.

note: Your grade for participation (100 points) is in part determined by your attendance and cooperation during the review sessions, laboratories, discussions, presentations, field trips, and other class activities.

Course Tools:

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