Syllabus

Spring, 2008

Office Hours:

I will be on campus most weekdays. You are welcome to call or come and find me in my office or lab (Harned Hall 304) at any time. Although there is always a chance that I may have something under way which can not be interrupted, I can usually stop and help. Additional means of contacting me are the phone (number above) and email (just click on the "email Me" buttons on any of my web pages).

Accommodating those with disabilities:

The Biology Department, in conjunction with the Office of Disabled Student Services, makes reasonable accommodation for qualified students with medically documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation, please contact Dan Steely of TSU's Disabled Student Services Office at 963-7400 (phone) or 963-5051 (fax), preferably in the first week of class.

Course Description:

Credit Hours: This course is a 3 credit hour graduate course.

Catalog Description. Current evolutionary theory including systematics, with an examination of macroevolutionary patterns and microevolutionary processes.

The material will be presented in three ways: Lectures based on the assigned textbook, presentation of current literature, and discusson of the material. Students will present assigned articles from the literature (graded) and participate in discussions. Class members not presenting are expected to have familiarized themselves with the assigned articles and to have questions and criticisms ready for discussion. Failure to prepare and participate will result in a failing grade for the class.

General Course Objectives:

The initial goal of the class is to survey the field of evolution from a consistent viewpoint to promote an integrated understanding of biological evolution.  In addition, the course will require that graduate students identify areas of evolution and systematics where they wish to strengthen their understanding and to gain competency through searching the literature, selecting key papers and books, and synthesizing their new knowledge into a presentation for the class. The focus will be both on the materials presented in the text and by the lecutrer and on the process of learning outside of the lecture-oriented classroom. The class will serve both to increase students command of the subject material and to increase their abiility to  continue learn biology after the end of formal education.

Evaluation:

Evaluation will be based on the quality of a student's presentations to the class and on their degree of involvement in others presentations.  Quality will be decided on the criteria of: adequacy of materials selected for presentation, organization, thoroughness and accuracy of the presentation.  Involvement will be decided on the criteria of familiarity with assigned readings, participation in discussion, and regularity of attendance

Policy on plagiarism and cheating: Much of the integrity of this course must rest on an honor code.  First, students must accurately attribute the ideas and facts forming the basis of their presentations and papers.  Second, students must organize, integrate, and explain the materials based on their understanding of those materials.  Papers and presentations must demonstrate that the student's comprehension, not simply repackage someone else's view.  Of course, plagiarism is unacceptable as it makes it impossible to assess the student's level of understanding.  Violation of this honor code will result in a 0 for the course. The Department Chair and Dean will be informed of the occurrence.

Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change the occurrence, timing and content of seminars, lectures, laboratory exercises, and examinations.

Schedule:

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Last updated on January 22, 2008