Biology 140 Diversity
Spring 2005

Dr. Bill Tietjen
Phone: 8113
E-Mail: btietjen@bellarmine.edu

Texts: None. Use your General Biology Text from last semester and keep up with the internet-based assignments. You MUST have a working Bellarmine Internet account and must be comfortable using the net. All readings will be made available over the net as Word documents, Internet Web Pages, and CD-ROM resources. In addition, all laboratory exercises will be distributed over the network and must be printed out prior to the laboratory. Students without a lab printout will not be allowed to attend the laboratory. It is strongly recommended that you not leave the readings or printouts until the last minute since excuses such as "the server was down" will not be accepted and some resources may be available for only a short period of time. Information for this class is found at http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/default.htm

Office Hours: P187 Tue, Thur 11:00-13:00. Other hours by Appointment.

Laboratories: Laboratories starting during week of Jan 12th.

Exams. There will be three exams, the first on (or about) Feb 14th; the second April 18th, and the third during the finals period. They will be weighted more heavily toward the second and third exams. Exams will be essay in format, are comprehensive, and will include both lecture and laboratory information. Note: You will be tested on your recognition of laboratory information including phyla, classes, and various structures. Reading the laboratory exercises is strongly recommended. Quizzes may be given during lecture or laboratory and will count as a laboratory exercise. There will also be a Laboratory Practical during the midterm week. The practical is worth 40% of your laboratory grade.

Grading- Lecture is worth 70% of your final grade, and is based entirely on the lecture exams. The remaining 30% of your grade will be based on the laboratory. Laboratory reports are due the week following the exercise (unless otherwise announced). Reports that are one week late are docked 50%. Reports will not be accepted after this time. The final percentages for an A: 95%+, A- 90-94, B+ 87-89, B 84-86, B- 80-83, C+ 77-79, C 74-76, C- 70-73, D+ 65-69, D 60-64

Attendance Policy- I do not deduct points for absences, but since the majority of the test material is from my notes, it is unlikely you will do well without attending my lecture. If you miss a lecture, get the notes from one of your classmates (mine will be useless to you). Exams, quizzes, and labs can only be made up if you have an excused absence. You must make up missed material by the next class meeting. Make-up exams are usually more difficult than the original; missed labs may require a paper. I will not accept a laboratory report from you if you did not attend (or make up) the laboratory in question. Excessive absences will be reported to the Dean of the College.

Academic Dishonesty Policies- I strongly endorse and will follow the academic honesty policy as published in Bellarmine’s Catalog 2005-2007 (pp. 55-56) and in the 2005-2006 Student Handbook (pp. 16-19).  Students must be fully aware of what constitutes academic dishonesty; claims of ignorance cannot be used to justify or rationalize dishonest acts.  Academic dishonesty can take a number of forms, including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, aiding and abetting, multiple submissions, obtaining unfair advantage, and unauthorized access to academic or administrative systems or information.  Definitions of each of these forms of academic dishonesty are provided in the academic honesty section of the 2005-2006 Student Handbook.  All detected instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Provost, and sanctions will be imposed as dictated by the policy.  Penalties range from failing an assignment or test to dismissal from the University, depending, in part, on the student’s previous record of academic dishonesty.  

Disability Services: Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Disability Services Coordinator (Room 225 Horrigan Hall or 452-8150). Please do not request accommodations directly from the professor.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will ....

  1. Understand the evolutionary relationships among the various animal phyla.
  2. Demonstrate effective dissection and microscopy skills.
  3. Understand a "systems approach" to animal adaptation (nervous system, circulatory, etc.)
  4. See how a knowledge of statistics is required for many area of biology.
  5. Develop study and test skills that are appropriate for the sciences.

The Fine Print: Some assembly required. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. For recreational use only. All models over 18 years of age. May be too intense for some viewers. As seen on TV. Avoid contact with skin. Keep away from fire or flame. No Canadian coins. Driver does not carry cash. Apply only to affected area. No user-serviceable parts inside. Simulated picture. Edited for television. Penalty for private use. Batteries not included. You must be present to win. Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Handle with care. Only use in well ventilated areas. Heals skin on contact. May cause irritation! For serious injuries, seek medical attention. Keep away fro children. Do not turn upside down. No purchase necessary! Safe to use in households with pets. Always wipe from front to back. Close cover before striking. May cause drowsiness. Do not use near fire or flame. High in sodium. Do not insert into any bodily orifice. May warp space-time. Not for home use.

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