VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

BIOLOGY 1020—FALL 2001

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INSTRUCTOR: Dr. J. A. NIENOW (sections C, G, I, K)

OFFICE:  2089 New Science Building; 249-4844

Office hours: MWF 1:00-2:00, or by appointment

EMAIL: jnienow@valdosta.edu

TEXTS: L. Touchton et al.  2001. Biology 1020L Lab Manual: Biodiversity: The Evolution and Diversity of Life. 4th Edition. EMCParadigm Custom Publishing, St. Paul, Minnesota

COURSE GOALS: This laboratory course should accompany Biology 1010--Evolution and Ecology. It is designed to give the students a different perspective on the type of material covered in the lecture as well as a more concrete feeling for the diversity of life. It is hoped that the students will gain some insight into experimental design and the role of hypothesis testing in biology.

ATTENDANCE: Students are responsible for attending lab and for the material presented in all labs. Because of the time constraints imposed by the schedule it will be nearly impossible to make up any missed labs or quizzes, so attend all scheduled labs.  If you must miss, the lab can only be made up during the same week, and only by attending another lab session. Before attempting to participate in another session, the student must FIRST obtain written permission from me and from the other lab instructor.  Failure to follow correct procedures may result in the student being turned away from the lab without a grade.  IF YOU MISS THREE LABS WITHOUT MAKING THEM UP ACCORDING TO THE RULES, EVEN WITH GOOD REASONS, YOU CANNOT EARN HIGHER THAN A D FOR THE COURSE.  IF YOU MISS FOUR LABS WITHOUT MAKING THEM UP ACCORDING TO THE RULES, EVEN WITH GOOD REASONS YOU CANNOT PASS THE COURSE.  Your only option in this case is to withdraw from the course and start over.

GRADING: There will be three types of graded material this semester.

1. Each student is required to complete in-class reports of activities as directed by the instructor. These have to be turned in before leaving the lab at the end of the day. (Estimated total--150 points)
2. Some of the exercises require additional analysis, which must be completed at home. Such analyses must be turned in to the instructor within one week of the laboratory. (Estimated total--150 points)
3. There will be two major lab quizzes testing your knowledge of the diversity of life, each worth 50 points. (Estimated total--100 points)

DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY: In order to officially drop a course without penalty, a student must obtain and fill out a drop/add form from the Registrar's Office, acquire appropriate signatures, and return the completed form to the Registrar's Office before the designated date (published in the academic calendar). If you don't officially withdraw, and instead just stop coming to class, you will receive an F for the course. It will then take three A's in science classes cancel out that F and bring your GPA back up to 3.0 so you can maintain your scholarship.

SPECIAL NOTE 1: Grades will be neither posted nor given out over the telephone.

SPECIAL NOTE 2: Students requiring special accommodations because of disability should discuss their needs with me as soon as possible. Those needing accommodations who are not registered with the Special Services Program should contact the Special Services Office, room 2164 Nevins Hall (phone: 245-2498).