Biology 3301 - Evolutionary Theory

schedule

Galapagos Finches

"The most curious fact is the perfect gradation in the size of the beaks in the different species of Geospiza, from one as  group large as that of a hawfinch to that of a chaffinch, and (if Mr. Gould is right in including his sub-group, Certhidea, in the main), even to that of a warbler. The largest beak in the genus Geospiza is shown in Fig. 1, and the smallest in Fig. 3; but instead of there being only one intermediate species, with a beak of the size shown in Fig. 2, there are no less than six species with insensibly graduated beaks. The beak of the sub-group Certhidea, is shown in Fig. 4. The beak of Cactornis is some-what like that of a starling; and that of the fourth sub-group, Camarhynchus, is slightly parrot-shaped.Seeing this gradation and diversity of structure in one small, intimately related group of birds, one might really fancy that from an original paucity of birds in this archipelago, one species had been taken and modified for different ends."  Charles Darwin, 1860, Journal of Researches ("Voyage of the Beagle," 3rd edition), pp. 379-380.

Biology 3301 - Evolutionary Theory
Syllabus, Spring 2008

Dr. Jon A. Baskin

Office: Kleberg Engineering 116 -- Telephone: 361 593-3580 -- e-mail: kfjab02 at tamuk.edu
Baskin's home page:  http:/users.tamuk.edu/kfjab02/

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Office Hours:  9-10:30  MWF; 9:30-11:30 TTh; or by appointment. University duties, such as committee meetings, may prevent me from being in my office.  If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to me before or after class or phone me at the office for an appointment.

BIOLOGY 3301   Evolutionary Theory 3(3-0)

Course Description: A study of Darwinism, mechanisms of evolutionary change, and a history of life in the context of contemporary biology.

Objectives:  This course approaches evolutionary biology as a process, illustrating the interplay between theory, observation, testing and interpretation. The student will be expected to examine and evaluate biological phenomena in light of the evolutionary processes that shaped them. When you have finished this course, if you have come to class regularly and taken complete and understandable notes and have studied for at least an hour a night, including reading the textbook and utilizing all the learning resources at the text book website, you should be able to answer the review questions posted on my web site and be able to earn a passing grade on the exams. See the schedule and website for the material you will be expected to know.

Required Text

• Evolutionary Analysis. by Scott Freeman and Jon C. Herron. 4th edition, Prentice Hall 2004
  • You can use the 3rd edition but it is your responsibility to determine equivalent assignments
• Textbook website from Prentice Hall: http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_freeman_evol_4

 Web Sites of Interest

Grading

Your grade will be determined in the following manner:

• Exam 1 ............................ 100 points
• Exam 2 ............................ 100 points
• Exam 3 ............................ 100 points
• Exam 4 ............................ 100 points
• Comprehensive Final....... .  *
   
• Total ................................  400 points

Please keep all of your tests and assignments, in case there is a question concerning your grade in the course. Grades will be awarded according to the regulations on page 58 of the 2006-2008 catalog. The last day to drop the course with an automatic grade of Q is April 3. After April 3, you must talk to me before dropping the course. The last day to drop the course with a Q is May 5. It is up to you to take care of all the necessary paperwork

Lecture Exams: The FOUR lecture exams and the FINAL exam will cover notes given in class and pertinent information from the textbook. Some notes will come from sources other than the text. The examinations will consist mainly of short answer questions, definitions, and characterizations taken from the review questions. The four exams will be over material covered during the exam period. The fourth exam will be given during finals week.

• What is an "A" from Professor Steven Dutch, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
  

MAKE UP POLICY: There will be NO make-ups for missed lecture exams. If you miss one of the first three exams, the make-up will be the comprehensive final. The final can replace no more than one exam. You will receive a zero for any additional missed exams. In the case of crises and emergencies (that you can document and that are considered a valid excuse by your instructor), talk to me (or phone me) before the exam and more flexible arrangements can be scheduled.

* The COMPREHENSIVE final will mainly cover material from the first three tests. If you have taken all four exams, the comprehensive final is optional and it will replace your lowest grade on the first three tests.

Talking or other disruptive behavior during lecture will not be tolerated.

Academic dishonesty includes giving, receiving, or using unauthorized aid on any academic work. This includes a person who has taken a test discussing what was on a test with a person who has not taken the test. Any student guilty of cheating or plagiarism will receive a grade of F.

Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Services for Students with Disabilities Office early in the semester so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Tentative Schedule

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