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MASTER SYLLABUS |
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BIO 2030 |
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| Class Hours: 4.0 | Credit Hours: 4.0 | ||||||||
| Laboratory Hours: 0.0 | Date Revised: Fall 00 | ||||||||
| Catalog Course Description: | |||||||||
| Relationships between organisms and their environment, including human environmental problems. Four hours of lecture with announced field trips. | |||||||||
| Entry Level Standards: | |||||||||
| One year of high school biology or natural science is preferred. | |||||||||
| Prerequisites: | |||||||||
| None | |||||||||
| Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course: | |||||||||
| Elements of Ecology,
Fourth Edition Updated. Robert Leo Smith and Thomas M. Smith.
The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc. 1998.
Instruction is augmented through the use of handouts and audio visuals. Demonstration and reference materials are provided by the instructor. |
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| I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis: | |||||||||
| Week | Topic | ||||||||
| 1 | Properties of populations and life history patterns | ||||||||
| 2 | Population growth,
intraspecific population regulation and
interspecific population competition |
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| 3 | Predation and parasitism and mutualism | ||||||||
| 4 | Human interactions and population genetics and speciation | ||||||||
| 5 | Community structure and dynamics | ||||||||
| 6 | Processes shaping communities and production in ecosystems | ||||||||
| 7 | Trophic structure and biogeochemical cycles | ||||||||
| 8 | Global environmental change | ||||||||
| 9 | Tundra and taiga | ||||||||
| 10 | Temperate forests | ||||||||
| 11 | Grasslands and savannas and shrublands and deserts | ||||||||
| 12 | Tropical forests | ||||||||
| 13 | Streams and rivers and lakes and ponds | ||||||||
| 14 | Freshwater wetlands | ||||||||
| 15 | Estuaries, salt marshes
and mangrove forests and intertidal zones
and coral reefs |
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| 16 | Oceans; Final Exam Period | ||||||||
| II. Course Objectives*: | |||||||||
| A. | Identify properties of populations and identify species interactions. I.5 | ||||||||
| B. | Identify properties
of communities and understand ecosystems and
and human impact. IV.1, IV.3 |
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| C. | Recognize biome differences
and the resulting plant and animal
communities present. I.5, VII.2 |
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| D. | Recognize both freshwater
and salt water ecosystem differences and the
resulting plant and animal communities present. I.5, VII.2 |
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| *Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program. | |||||||||
| III. Instructional Processes*: | |||||||||
| Students will: | |||||||||
| 1. | Locate and evaluate ecological habitats and issues in the ERC and on the World Wide Web. Information Literacy Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome | ||||||||
| 2. | Collect data, make
comparisons and draw conclusions on environmental
issues. Information Literacy Outcome, Numerical Literacy Outcome |
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| 3. | Read and critique
trade publications, maps and environmental data.
Communication Outcome |
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| 4. | Develop a vocabulary
that allows them to communicate more effectively
with scientific peers and the public. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy |
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| 5. | Participate
in lecture and field activities which develop teamwork,
problem solving and information analysis. Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Active Learning Strategy |
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| 6. | Select two off-site learning experiences that promote independent thinking and sustained effort and time such as an independent site investigation and development of a wild plant collection. Personal Development Outcome | ||||||||
| 7. | Examine etiquette issues related human habitation, such as the location of homes and industries, appropriateness of developments and use of the biosphere without degradation of natural resources. Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome | ||||||||
| *Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process. | |||||||||
| IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: | |||||||||
| Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: | |||||||||
| 1. | Describe populations and known forms of species interactions. A | ||||||||
| 2. | Identify plant and animal communities and the impact humans have on them. B | ||||||||
| 3. | Identify plant and animal cycles and the impact humans have on them. B | ||||||||
| 4. | Identify the six major biomes. C | ||||||||
| 5. | Differentiate among the major terrestrial habitats and their inhabitants. C | ||||||||
| 6. | Identify major freshwater habitats. D | ||||||||
| 7. | Identify major saltwater habitats. D | ||||||||
| 8. | Understand
their role as a top-level consumer and steward of the biosphere.
A, B,
C, D |
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| *Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above. | |||||||||
| V. Evaluation: | |||||||||
| A. Testing Procedures: 50% of grade | |||||||||
| Each unit will be evaluated with a 100-pt short answer exam. There is a 100-pt short answer comprehensive exam. There are no make-up exams. | |||||||||
| B. Laboratory Expectations: | |||||||||
| N/A | |||||||||
| C. Field Work: 50% of grade | |||||||||
| Field
work will consist of two 100-pt announced field exercises (trips) as selected
by the student and one 100-pt field exercise selected by the student and
approved by the instructor. Failure to show on the chosen date of
any exercise will result in no credit for that event and possible forfeiture
of opportunity to participate in additional exercise.
Additionally, field work will involve a 100-pt off-campus investigation selected by the student with approval by the instructor and a 100-pt off-campus data analysis as directed by the instructor. |
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| D. Other Evaluation Methods: | |||||||||
| N/A | |||||||||
| E. Grading Scale: | |||||||||
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900 – 1000 Points 90 – 100 %
A
800 - 899 Points 80 - 89% B 700 - 799 Points 70 - 79% C 0 - 699 Points 0 - 69% F |
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| VI. Policies: | |||||||||
| A. Attendance Policy: | |||||||||
| Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. As a minimum students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. Individual departments/programs/disciplines, with the approval of the vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, may have requirements that are more stringent. After being excessively late or missing three times or a combination thereof, each subsequent tardiness or absence will reduce the final letter grade by one letter. Failure to sign the class roll by the end of any session or exercise constitutes an absence. | |||||||||
| B. Academic Dishonesty: | |||||||||
| Any form of test or individual assignment collaboration with another individual will result in an “F” in the course. | |||||||||
| C. Other Policies: | |||||||||
| As a condition
of course enrollment, every participant must sign and abide by the
institutional Hold Harmless Agreement. Additionally, only those enrolled in the course may participate in the activities. Students are expected to dress in an appropriate, socially acceptable manner and respect their peers and instructor. On field exercises wearing a seat belt in the college vehicle is required. No tobacco products are allowed from start to finish of any group field experience. Additionally, individuals with special medical considerations or on prescription medications must advise their instructor prior to participation and carry with them appropriate dosages of medications for the duration of the exercise. The instructor reserves the right to refuse to allow any student to participate in a field exercise where there is a perceived risk to that individual or the group due, among other considerations, their individual state of health and fitness and preparedness for the venture. |
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