INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Todd Scarlett                             Office hours:     Monday         1:30-3:00
Office: 214 Bradley                                                 Wednesday     9:00-11:00 & 1:30-3:00   
Phone: 803-313-7031                
Email: tlscarle@mailbox.sc.edu       

TEXT
 Biology. By Campbell & Reece, 2008, 8th edition, Pearson.
 Investigating biology lab manual. By Morgan and Carter, 2008, 6th edition, Pearson.

CLASS MEETING INFORMATION
Lecture                                           
Time:    8:00-9:15 am                      
Day:    Tuesday & Thursday             
Place:    Bradley 120                        

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The first objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive introduction to biological concepts and principles with an emphasis on evolution, phylogeny, structure, function and ecology of animals and plants. The goal is for the student to develop a foundation of knowledge on which to build within his or her area of interest as well as a breadth of knowledge in other areas of biology.

The second objective of the course is to develop the critical thinking and investigative skills of the student. Though this objective will be pursued mostly in the laboratory, lecture assignments will also encourage students to synthesize and apply what they learn in inquiry-based activities or short research papers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completing BIOL 102 students should be able to:
1. Evolution

• Describe how scientific views on the origin of life have changed throughout history.
• Explain the roles of natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow in shaping the genetic composition of populations and species.
• Describe the processes by which new species arise.

2. Phylogeny

• List methods used for determining the relationships between taxonomic groups
• Place common organisms into their major taxonomic groups, based on characteristics of those groups

3. Structure and function

• Identify structures associated with major organ systems in plants and animals
• Explain how plants and animals perform basic functions of  life

4. Ecology

• Identify patterns of population growth, survivorship and reproduction associated with different types of  life hisories in plants and animals
• Describe relationships between species within an ecological community
• Describe the major determinants of community structure and explain how stucture is influenced by disturbance
• Compare and contrast how energy and nutrients move within an ecosystem

ATTENDANCE
Excused and unexcused absences of more than 10% of the scheduled lecture or lab meetings is excessive and will result in the assignment of a grade penalty of one letter grade deficit at the end of the semester. Thus, if a student misses more than 3 lectures or 1 lab, their semester grade will drop one letter. Each additional absence results in a letter grade drop as well. Being more than 10 minutes late to class or leaving class early will count as an absence and being late to class 3 times will count as one absence.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Students are expected to be respectful and considerate to their classmates and professor. Students exhibiting rude or inconsiderate behavior will be told to leave the classroom. If the behavior is repeated the student will be dropped from the course. Appropriate behavior is particularly important in the laboratory due to the potential hazards inherant in laboratory activities (ie, exposure to chemicals, use of glass containers and hot materials) Inappropriate behaviors include, but are not limited to, use of cell phones or pagers, eating, sleeping, excessive arguing or complaining, insulting or offensive remarks, physical aggression, repeated tardiness, unsafe behaviors. Cell phones, pagers, etc, should be turned off before class. Students sending or receiving calls or messages in the classroom or lab will be told to leave. Students sending or receiving messages during an exam will receive a 0 for that exam.

PLAGERISM & CHEATING
Plagerism and cheating will not be tolerated. USCL's policies on plagerism and cheating can be found in the Student Handbook. In this course, the minimum penalty for plagerism or cheating is a grade of 0 on the assignment or exam. The student may also receive an F in the course and/or be referred to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for further action. Action may include permanent suspension from the university.

STUDENT EVALUATION
Tests and Final Exam
There will be three lecture tests during the semester. The final exam, given during the final exam period, is cumulative.

 

Tests (3)	50%
Papers (3)	25%
Final exam	25%

GRADING

Grades will be assigned based upon the following scale of percentages of total possible points.
 

Grading Scale

92-100 %	A
82-91%	B
70-81%	C
60-69%	D
Below 60%	F

IMPORTANT DATES
 

January 9	Classes Begin
January 16	MLK Day (no classes)
February 27	Last day to drop without a WF
March 4-11	Spring Break (no classes)
April 23	Last day of classes
April 26	BIOL 102 Lecture Final 8:00-10:30

TEXT: Biology. By Campbell & Reece, 2008, 8th edition, Pearson.