Meeting days: Tue/Thu
Meeting place: See my.uvu.edu for details
Course will be taught in-person, but lessons will be recorded if you have to miss class
Instructor: Dr. Geoff Zahn
Office: SB242t
Email: zahn.geoff@gmail.com
Course Website: https://gzahn.github.io/BIOL1620/
BIOL 1620 Provides the second semester material in the two semester introductory course designed for biology majors. Covers the evolution of life, the relationships between major taxa, anatomy and physiology of these major taxa, and interactions between living organisms and their environments. Discusses major current issues in the biological field.
Campbell, Neil A. and Reece, Jane B. Biology. Benjamin Cummings. San Francisco. Any edition 8th or newer is fine with me.
See our Teams Channel “Files” tab for more info about the textbook, before you purchase a new copy.
Upon successful completion, students should be able to:
Upon successful completion, students should have the following attitude(s)/traits:
Confidence in understanding that scientific principles and processes of evolution are sufficient to describe how living organisms originated anddiversified
Appreciation of the diversity of living organisms, their structure and function
Appreciation of the dynamics of interactions and interdependencies of biotic and abiotic components of the biosphere, the impact of humans on the biosphere
We will meet in person. All meetings will be recorded and available on the Teams channel via Canvas (Course Media), but you are expected to show up for class to participate.
The best way to contact me is through MS Teams. I’m happy to chat with you on there (text or video call). We can also use the “General” Teams channel for crowdsourcing questions, and I will be sure to check it often and chime in if I can help.
I really like participation, questions, and interruptions. If something isn’t making sense to you, please ask, even if I’m talking! This is your education, and hardly the time to be shy.
Here’s what to expect:
Grading:
There are 700 points possible in this course (detailed below). The following grading scale applies with no exceptions (These are the minimum point values for the listed letter grades):
| Letter Grade | Minimum points |
|---|---|
| A | 600 |
| B+ | 590 |
| B | 540 |
| C+ | 530 |
| C | 460 |
| D+ | 450 |
| D | 380 |
| E | <380 |
| Item | Possible Points | Total Possible |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-test | 50 pts | 50 pts |
| 4 Exams | 100 pts each | 400 pts |
| 10 Reading quizzes | 10 pts each | 100 pts |
| Your-Choice Assignments | Varies | 100 pts |
| Post-test | 50 pts | 50 pts |
Chapters from the text are assigned most weeks and the material in those chapters will form the basis of the reading quizzes. The assigned chapters can be found on the weekly schedule on our website. I’ve been careful not to assign more than 2 chapters for any given week, and some weeks have no assigned readings (use this extra time to work on the your-choice assignments). Be sure to read the chapters before class each week so you are prepared for the quizzes and discussions.
The 4 exams will strive to test your critical thinking skills and general knowledge of biological principles. They will not focus on memorizing and regurgitating “bold words,” though it should be noted that you will need to understand the key terms and concepts from the readings and lectures. All exams are comprehensive in nature; They will focus mostly on the material covered since the previous exam, but some questions will require you to remain familiar with topics covered earlier in the course.
Exams take place on Canvas.
You can use notes/internet to take exams, but your work must be your own.
They are timed, so if you don’t know the material and have some good notes that you’re familiar with, you won’t be able to “google your way through them.”
These smaller tests are worth 50 points each. Everyone who turns in a pre-test in time gets the full 50 points. The post-test will be graded and will cover the same material as the pre-test. You will not be allowed to use notes for the 50-point post-test. This is my way of comparing your knowledge before and after the course. See the course schedule for when these will be given. They cannot be made up.
These short 10-point quizzes will be given on Canvas and are due before the first class of the corresponding lecture week. Questions will come from the assigned readings. The format will be multiple choice. Check the course website to see when quizzes are due and which textbook chapters they will cover. You will take these on Canvas and will have 7 minutes to complete 5 questions worth 2 points each. This time limit is 1.5X the standard time allowed. In other words, I’m giving everyone the standard “Student Accessibility Bonus” to keep things simpler. If you have documented accessibility needs that reference “1.5X time allotment” that has already been applied in the case of quizzes (but I will add allotted time to exams separately as required by the accessibility office). Quizzes are available by Friday before each week that they are assigned and must be completed on Canvas before the first class of the week. No exceptions or late work allowed.
That’s right, you’re being quizzed on reading before we meet to cover that material as a class. This is because our lessons in class assume you’ve read the background information already so you can participate and ask questions.
Half of these (50 points) are due at midterm. If you earn more than 50 points by midterm, those extra points will roll over into the second half of the course. If you earn fewer than 50 points by midterm, you will lose a proportional amount of potential extra credit points (see below). So, if you earn 40 points of Your-Choice by midterm, your extra credit opportunity drops from 50 to 40 points possible.
See the “Assignments” tab in Canvas for full descriptions of how to earn these points.
Note that due to variable point values, the point calculation in Canvas does not count these toward your final grade until the end of the semester.
Short (~1000 words) reviews of the books listed here are worth varying amounts of points, based on the length/difficulty of the book. Point values are listed as “notes” under each book at that link.
To earn credit, you will have to:
Convince me you actually read the book, and
Have something intelligent to say about it.
I reserve the right to meet with you in person or over Teams for a short discussion of the book before assigning a grade!
Outside readings like these are the best way to enrich your education, build real knowledge, and uncover fascinating questions. These books are easily found in the library, used book stores, or Amazon. Where available, I have included the Orem Campus Library call numbers.
Note that audiobooks are fine AS LONG AS THEY ARE UNABRIDGED. Not all the books on our list have unabridged audio versions available.
Plagiarism earns an automatic ZERO and gets you reported to the student conduct office.
Any “Your-Choice” assignments that you turn in whose cumulative possible point value exceeds 100 points will be counted as extra credit, up to 50 points. Extra credit is not a last-minute thing. Any assignments turned in past the final deadline will not be graded.
Read the textbook chapters before class. Look up concepts on-line from reputable sources to supplement the book and lectures. Quizzes over the book material before each week account for a full letter grade worth of points. Do the reading, and come to class. It will seriously help you to understand what is going on in lectures and discussions…and you’ll get those points.
Use the course website to stay on track. There are lots of links to supplementary resources that will help you master the concepts.
Do the Your-Choice assignments early and throughout the semester whenever you find the time. No need to cram them all into the first month, but make sure that at the end of the semester you have them and any extra credit turned in.
Come to class and ask questions. Over the past three semesters, students who came to class (rather than tuning out and watching the videos later) got an average of a letter grade higher. No student who asked more than 10 questions during class over the course of the semester got lower than an A. I don’t know the direction of causality, but there’s definitely a correlation there.
A picture can be worth a thousand words. . . sometimes key concepts are better represented visually than written down. A few solid drawings can be worth more than a whole page of definitions for your note taking.
Don’t plagiarize. You will get caught, you will be reported, and I won’t feel bad for you.
Academic dishonesty:
You are responsible for knowing the university policies and definitions regarding academic dishonesty. Any academic dishonesty, intentional or not, will earn you a zero on that assignment or test and will be reported.
https://www.uvu.edu/studentconduct/students.html
Americans with Disabilities Act: Students with disabilities that may negatively impact their ability to successfully complete this course should let the instructor know as soon as possible, with documentation from the ASD.
“Students who need accommodations because of a disability should contact the UVU Accessibility Services Department (ASD), located on the Orem Campus, in LC 312. To schedule an appointment, or speak with a counselor, call the ASD office at 801-863-8747, or for Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals, use the video phone number, 886-760-1819.”
Biology Department Policy Students in this class are expected to understand and use proper English grammar, sentence structure, and spelling. Use of dictionaries during quizzes and exams is NOT allowed. Students are also expected to have basic calculating skills that include fractions, decimals, exponents (e.g., squares & square roots, powers of ten) and the ability to solve simple algebraic expressions. In addition, they must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide small numbers without a calculator. Understanding of logarithms (logs) will be helpful. Course rigor level should be such that the average grade is about a C.
Student Responsibility It is up to you to see that the requirements for this course are completed. This syllabus is your guide to those requirements. Make certain that you understand what is expected of you. It is up to you to attend class and arrange for time to complete the readings, assignments, and exams. This course is designed for biology majors. If you are not reading at a college level, you WILL have difficulty with this course. There is only one type of “excused” absence, and that is an absence for an official University activity, such as participation in athletics, not just watching but doing, field trip for another course, etc. Make-up exams will NOT be given except for a situation beyond your control for which you provide verifiable (I will verify), written documentation. Family vacations, Illness, family crises, vehicle problems, legal problems, weddings, not studying, or forgetting to take an exam are NOT valid excuses or excused absences, even if you tell me beforehand; emergencies are. If such difficulties require a significant number of absences during the semester, you are advised to drop the course and take it at another time. You do not need to call me if you will not be in class, I don’t take roll. Class attendance and obtaining the information for the tests is your responsibility.
Academic Honesty and Integrity Utah Valley University expects all students to maintain integrity and high standards of individual honesty in academic work, to obey the law, and to show respect for others. Students of this class are expected to support an environment of academic integrity, have the right to such an environment, and should avoid all aspects of academic dishonesty. Examples of academic dishonesty include plagiarizing, faking of data, sharing information during an exam, discussing an exam with another student who has not taken the exam, consulting reference material during an exam, submitting a written assignment which was authored by someone other than you, and/or cheating in any form. In keeping with UVU policy, evidence of academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade in the course and disciplinary review by the college. Any student caught cheating will receive, at minimum, zero points on that particular assignment for the first offense. A second offense can result in failing the course and will entail being reported to Student Advising. Academic dishonesty includes, in part, using materials obtained from another student, published literature, and the Internet without proper acknowledgment of the source. Additional information on this topic is published in the student handbook and is available on the UVU website. Situation of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution office as, at a minimum, an informational item and potentially as an item for investigation, resolution, or other.
Student Code of Conduct All UVU students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner acceptable at an institution of higher learning. All students are expected to obey the law, to perform contracted obligations, to maintain absolute integrity and high standards of individual honesty in academic work, and to observe a high standard of conduct for the academic environment. The Student Rights and Responsibilities Code, or Code of Conduct, outlines for students what they can expect from the University and what the University expects of them. It can be found at http://www.uvu.edu/studentconduct/students/
Student Timelines
You are responsible for being aware of and abiding by the dates and deadlines on the student timelines for this term found at UVU Schedule (http://www.uvu.edu/schedule/) Understand When You May Drop This Course It is the student’s responsibility to understand when they need to consider dropping from a course. Dates and deadlines for dropping a course can be found in the student timetables located at http://www.uvu.edu/schedule/. After the period specified, a serious and compelling reason is required to drop from the course and would need approval from not just the faculty but also the department chair as well as the Dean’s Office.
Incomplete Policy
An Incomplete (I) Grade is only given due to an extenuating circumstance. The final decision to issue an Incomplete grade is up to the instructor. Review the following criteria taken from Policy 523 at for information on when an incomplete grade can be given: The student was unable to complete the course due to extenuating circumstances: • Incapacitating Illness • Death in the immediate family • Change in the student’s work schedule by the employer • Other deemed acceptable by the instructor • The student must have completed a minimum of 70% of the required work An Incomplete Grade form indicating work completed and work to be completed must be signed by the department chairperson, and turned into the Registrar’s Office at the end of the semester. Incomplete Grade forms can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office. Unofficial Withdrawals UW will be given only when a student stops attending and completing work before the regularly scheduled date to officially withdraw as found in the Student Timetable but did not actually officially withdraw. Rationale: The assumption here is that the student did not realize the necessity to physically withdraw or made an error in this process, but all intentions of the student were to withdraw from the class prior to the withdrawal deadline See also Academic Policies and Standards in the UVU Catalog which notes, “If a student stops attending (but does not officially withdraw) before the last day to withdraw, he/she should receive a UW.”
Late Work
Late work will not be accepted without a doctors or lawyers note unless previously discussed with and approved by your instructor. Computer problems, work schedule, lack of internet access, traffic, travel, or similar do not constitute rationale for late homework. Your instructor has the right to modify their handling of late work. Inclusivity Statement We understand that our members represent a rich variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Technology Management department is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects diversity. While working together to build this community we ask all members to: • share their unique experiences, values and beliefs • be open to the views of others • honor the uniqueness of their colleagues • appreciate the opportunity that we have to learn from each other in this community • value each other’s opinions and communicate in a respectful manner
Academic Freedom
For the purposes of this class, academic freedom is generally defined as follow: For faculty and students alike, you have the freedom to disagree with the views and statements of others, but academic freedom should entail tolerance and respect for others, professionalism, and, to the degree possible, fact-based information. Intellectual vigor is best sustained when the free exchange of ideas is carried on within an environment supportive of human dignity and self-esteem. For full guidelines see http://www.uvu.edu/tm/pages/department/acad-freedom.html
Discrimination / Harassment / Sexual Misconduct
It’s On Us to prevent discrimination/harassment against members of protected classes. If you see something, step up and say something. If you encounter discrimination, harassment, or gender-based discrimination (including discrimination or harassment based on pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, sexual orientation or gender identity) or sexual violence (dating violence, domestic violence, stalking including unwanted electronic contact), please contact the Office for Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Title IX. Additional information regarding options and services can be found at: http://www.uvu.edu/equalopportunity/ and http://www.uvu.edu/studentconduct/docs/title9optionsbrochure.pdf Consistent with State and Federal Law such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Utah Valley University is committed to maintaining a respectful and safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. UVU policies 162 and 165 define and prohibit all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation in its programs services and activities. Utah Valley University policy 165 prohibits any form of: • (a) Discrimination based on one or more protected classes, (Race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other bases protected by applicable federal, state, or local law) • (b) Harassment based on one or more protected classes, including sexual harassment (policy 162), or • (c) Retaliation(a negative action or discouraging someone from reporting discrimination/harassment or participating in a University internal investigation). If you need accommodations, please see the appropriate contact below: • ADA: Students who need accommodations because of a disability may contact the UVU Accessibility Services Department (ASD), located on the Orem Campus in LC 312. To schedule an appointment or to speak with a counselor, call the ASD office at 801-863-8747. Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals, email nicole.hemmingsen@uvu.edu or text 385-208-2677. • Pregnancy: Accessibility Services or Office for Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action (EOAA) - http://www.uvu.edu/equalopportunity/, ext. 5704, BA 203. • Religious: You may begin by asking your professor. If you have questions or concerns, contact the EOAA. • Veterans (Military Leave, Course Withdraw, or Other Assistance): Veteran Services - http://www.uvu.edu/veterans/, ext. 8212, WB100. • As the result of unwanted sexual harassment, contact, stalking, dating or domestic violence: • EOAA or Student Ombuds - ext. 7237, SC 107 • Student Health Services, if Anonymity is desired- ext. 8876, SC 221 • UVUPD, if you wish to press criminal charges - ext. 5555, GT 331 Information about gender neutral facilities or gender personal pronouns: You may ask professor/supervisor to use your personal name and pronouns. If you are unclear about pronouns or identifiers, you may request clarification. If you have questions or concerns contact LGBT Student Services - https://www.uvu.edu/multicultural/lgbt/ LA 126, ext. 8885 or the EOAA.
Disability Services
Students who need accommodations because of a disability may contact the UVU Accessibility Services Department (ASD), located on the Orem Campus in LC 312. To schedule an appointment or to speak with a counselor, call the ASD office at 801-863-8747. Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals, email nicole.hemmingsen@uvu.edu or text 385-208-2677.
Veteran’s Services UVU is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere for student veterans and their families. If you are a student veteran or a family member of a student veteran, you are eligible for support services from the Veterans Success Center and may be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. For help receiving your benefits, please contact the Veterans Success Center in the Woodbury Business Building, room 100, via email at veterans@uvu.edu or by calling 801-863-8212. Learn more: http://www.uvu.edu/veterans/’