Current Issues in Biology (LS1004)

Instructor: 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: Designed to provide the student with an appreciation for biological issues of importance to humankind. Major components include: scientific method, cell structure and function, genetic disorders, gross morphology of select phyla, human anatomy/physiology, natural selection, ecology, and conservation . Recommended for non-majors.

Required Texts:

Mader, S.S. 2000.  Inquiry into life. 9th edition. McGraw-Hill, Inc. Boston, MA ISBN: 0-697-36070-9

General Guidelines:

* 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; absences, tardies, or early departures. IF YOU MISS MORE THAN TWO CLASSES, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO PASS THE CLASS.
*LATE WORK RECEIVES ½ CREDIT.

Point Breakdown:

Exams (four @ 100 points each)

400
Library Research Project 200
Participation/Attendance 100
Discussions/Exercises 300
Total 850

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.

90 - 100

A
80 - 89 B
70 - 79 C
60 - 69 D
59 & below F

 

Lecture/Discussion Objectives:

Reading:
Introduction (review course syllabus, answer questions); Characteristics of Life & Scientific Method 1-16; Lee, 2000 pp.1-9, 12-25, 102-121; Sagon, 1996; Augustine, 1998
The Chemical Basis of Life 19-44
Cellular Structure and Function; Protein Synthesis 45-66; 67-82
Cellular Energy: Photosynthesis, & Respiration 103-116; 117-132;136-143
Exam I  
Mitosis (cell reproduction) 83-91
Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction; Embryonic Development 92-102; 443-449
Mendelian Genetics & DNA 469-486; 505-528
Exam II  
Charles Darwin; Natural Selection 547-572; Rettie, 1950; Berra
Classification of Living Organisms  
Kingdoms: Monera & Protista 573-590
Kingdom Fungi & Plantae 591-596; 599-615
Kingdom Animalia 617-642; 643-668
Exam III  
Ecology: Ecosystems 687-700; 701-716
Ecology: The Biosphere 717-742
Conservation: Human Impact on the Environment Leopold
Exam IV  

Selected Bibliography:

Gopen, G. D. and J. A. Swan. 1990. The science of scientific writing. American Scientist. 78:550-558.

Harnack, A. and E. Kleppinger. 1997. Online: a reference guide to using Internet sources. St. Martin's Press, NY.

Lertzman, K. 1995. Notes on writing papers and theses. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. pp. 86-90.

Course Tools:

Research Project  Plagiarism
Library Research Tools  
Bibliographies  

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