Principles of Evolution

1. Principles of Evolution Biology 3330 – Fall 2014 James F. Thompson, Ph.D.

2. James F. Thompson, Ph.D. • Office: Sundquist SC B210 • Office Hours: MWF 2:30 – 3:15 PMand By Appointment • Phone: 931-221-6286 • E-mail: thompsonj@apsu.edu • Web Page: http://www.apsu.edu/thompsonj/

3. Principlesof Evolution:OBJECTIVES • Designed for biology majors, sophomore to senior status. • Demonstrate an understanding of the history and principles of organic evolution as the unifying theory of all biological science.

4. Principlesof Evolution:OBJECTIVES • Demonstrate an understanding of major evolutionary processes including heredity, diversity of life, natural selection, adaptation, speciation, extinction, social evolution, and human evolution.

5. Required Text Brian K. Hall Evolution: Principles and Processes 1st edition, 2011.

6. Ordering Evolution: Principles and Processes through Jones & Bartlett Learning Discounted Price Call Jones & Bartlett Customer Service at (800) 832-0034, ext. 8197 Give the Customer Service Representative the ISBN: 9781449651879 You cannot order through the website. The ISBN is only offered to schools currently using the text.

7. Natural History Magazine • Highly Recommended • http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/ • Special Introductory Rate of $25 in 2013 • Special On-Line Features on Darwin & Evolution • Link to American Museum of Natural History Darwin Exhibition

8. Attendance • Required - Be sure to sign the roll sheet each class period. • Punctuality will be appreciated. • Any material missed will be the responsibility of the student. • It is the student’s responsibility to report absences and the reasons for any absences, before the fact when possible, when they occur. • No one may be present in the classroom or lab who is not enrolled in the course. 

9. Communication Devices • All beepers, cell phones, and other outside communication devices must be turned to silent or off during class. • They are disruptive to the lecture and to the learning process for your fellow students.

10. Students with Disabilities • Any student who has a disability that may affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with the instructor or the Coordinator of Disability Issues (details in syllabus)

11. Communication with Dr. T. • Please ask questions whenever you have any problems with the material of the course • If you need extra help or have a question outside of class, please send me an E-mail or make a phone call or an appointment with me.

12. Grading • Grade = numerical average of 3 scheduled exams (15% each), 1 final exam (15%), a laboratory (reports) grade (15%) a minor and a major student PPT presentation (8% and 17% respectively) • The Final Exam is comprehensive • Lecture Exams include at least 10% additional “bonus points”

13. Academic and Classroom Misconduct • Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times.  Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. • Students must read the Code of Student Conduct in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting. • Any use of electronic devices during examinations will be considered as cheating and such use will warrant an F in the course.

14. Make-up exams • Make-up exams are permitted for only those students with excused absences • It is the student's obligation to arrange for make-up exams within 48 hours • Make-up exams will not receive the benefit of bonus points • Failure "to be prepared" is not a valid excuse

15. Laboratory Exercises • Labs will meet on certain Fridays • Most of our labs are computer simulations • Each lab experience will include a written report to be handed in and graded • Any missed labs must be made up on your own time.

16. My Expectations and Your Responsibilities • Prepare Before Each Class Period • Read the Assigned Chapter before it is discussed in class. • If you cannot read the text before class, then you should at least inspect the figures. • If you cannot read the text before class, then you should at least inspect the on-line PowerPoint presentations.

17. My Expectations and Your Responsibilities • Prepare for the Examinations • Read the Assigned Chapters well before the day of the exam. • Ask questions of me in or outside of class if you need assistance in understanding the material. • Do not ask me “What will be on the exam?” • The exams will consist of definitions, short answer and discussion questions.

18. My Expectations and Your Responsibilities • Be courteous to your classmates • No talking among yourselves which disturbs other students • You may interrupt me to ask a question at any time – raise your hand • You are welcome to seek additional help from me outside of class • You should take advantage of the additional support materials available to you

19. Web Resources • Dr. Thompson’s Web Site • http://www.apsu.edu/thompsonj/ • Text Student Companion Website • www.biology.jbpub.com/hall/evolutionprinciples/

20. Using the Web Resources • If you have difficulty accessing the various web resources, please let me know. • You are not to use the computers and printers in the classroom/lab to print out copies of the PowerPoint presentations. • You may print them at APSU student computer labs – be sure to print in such a way as to conserve paper.

21. Welcome toPrinciples of Evolution • Any Questions? • Let’s Start With Some Questions About You and Why You Are Studying Evolution.

22. Principles of Evolution • What is your career goal? • What does the term Evolution mean to you? • Why are you interested in Evolution?

23. Principles of Evolution • Is Evolution a fact or a theory? • What does the term Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection mean to you? • What is a scientific theory?

24. Principles of Evolution • Before we start exploring the principles of evolution in our text, we will take some time to examine the Nature of Science. • After that prologue, we will start exploring the history and the evidence for Darwin’s Theory following the topics in the text.