Biology 104: General Biology II


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Course Syllabus

Course Description

Continuation of General Biology I. Survey of plant and animal biology and ecology.

Required Texts

Attendance Policy

You are required to attend all lecture periods. You will be allowed three absences from the lecture section of the course. No excused absences are allowed for any but the most extenuating circumstances (e.g., your own serious extended illness, serious illness or death of a family member).

Attendance is mandatory at laboratories and examinations. Makeups will be possible only for the extenuating circumstances (serious illness, etc.) indicated above. If you know that a conflict will be coming up, let me know in advance and it may be possible for you to take an exam or attend a laboratory of another scheduled section. Otherwise I expect you to attend the meetings of your lab section each week and take examinations with your lecture section.

Evaluation and Grading

There will be four regular examinations plus a comprehensive final exam. Each of the regular exams will include material covered since the previous one. The comprehensive exam will cover all chapters for the semester. All exams will consist of "objective" type questions (multiple-choice, matching, etc.) plus an essay question. Most of the questions (at least 90%) will be based on chapter objectives available on the web site. Remaining questions will be based on additional material presented in class. All exams together contribute 75% toward your final grade.

Laboratories will be evaluated through a variety of methods, including quizzes, presentations, and writing assignments. The evaluation method for each lab will be announced in class no later than the Monday preceding the lab. Writing assignments should be word-processed or typed and carefully proof-read. Together the laboratory component of the course will contribute 25% toward your final grade.

Grading Scale
A 90-100%
B+85-89%
B 80-84%
C+75-79%
C 65-74%
D 55-64%
F below 55%

Classroom Schedule

DATE TOPIC CHAPTER
14 Jan Plant Structure 35
16 Plant Growth 35
21 Transport in Plants 36
23 Plant Nutrition 37
26 Plant Reproduction 38
28 Plant Development 38
30 Control Systems in Plants 39
2 Feb Plant Hormones 39
4 Animal Introduction 40
6 EXAM #1, Chapters 35-39
9 Temperature Regulation; Nutrition 40,41
11 Digestion 41
13 Circulation 42
16 Gas Exchange 42
18 Body Defenses 43
20 Immune System 43
23 Osmoregulation 44
25 Animal Systems 44
27 EXAM #2, Chapters 40-44
9 Mar Chemical Signals 45
11 Endocrine System 45
13 Animal Reproduction 46
16 Mammalian Reproduction 46
18 Neural Transmission 48
20 Vertebrate Nervous System 48
23 Sensory Systems 49
25 Skeletons and Muscle Structure 49
27 Muscle Function 49
30 EXAM #3 Chapters 45-46, 48-49
1 Apr Ecology Introduction: Abiotic Factors 50
3 Population Growth 52
6 Population Regulation 52
8 Community Interactions 53
10 No Class (Good Friday)
13 No Class (Easter Monday)
15 Community Succession 53
17 Ecosystems: Energy Flow 54
20 Ecosystems: Nutrient Cycling 54
22 Biodiversity 55
24 Conservation Biology 55
27 EXAM #4, Chapters 50, 52-55
29 Course Wrap-up
1 May No Class
Final Exam, Chapters 35-55, during finals week
Section A (MWF 9:00) --
Section B (MWF 10:00) --

Laboratory Schedule

DATE TOPIC EXERCISE
26/27/28 Jan Plant Anatomy 28:A,B
2/3/4 Feb Angiosperm Development 29:A,B,C,E
9/10/11 Animal Form 37:A,C,D1
16/17/18 Digestion: Basic Protocols Handout
23/24/25 Digestion: Experiments
9/10/11 Mar Physiology of Circulation 38:B,E,F
16/17/18 Gas Exchange 39:a
23/24/25 Nervous System:Basic Protocols 41:B,C,D,F,G
30/31/1 Apr Nervous System: Experiments
6/7/8 Animal Diversity: Chordates 27:D,E,F
13/14/15 No Lab (Easter Week)
20/21/22 Foraging Strategy Handout