Evolution and Diversity of Life (Biology 2010) Syllabus for Spring, 2008
Overview: Organisms are the result of their evolutionary history. This course teaches that history and how it is investigated. We trace the evolution of reproductive, metabolic, and morphologic diversity from the origin of life through the major lineages of extant organisms. The environmental and biological processes behind major milestones in evolution are discussed along with their basis in evidence and methodology. The diversity of major groups is explored in their evolutionary context. Instructors: Lynn Bohs – 228 BIOL, 585-0380, bohs@biology.utah.edu David Carrier -- 123 BIOL, 585-7967, carrier@biology.utah.edu Office hours by appointment
Teaching Assistants:
Ryan Bixenmann: 540 ASB, 585-9853, bixenmann@biology.utah.edu Susan Bush: 502B ASB, 587-3405, sbush@biology.utah.edu Félix Guzmán-Díaz: 232 SB,585-0420, f.a.guzman@utah.edu Martin Moyano: 310 SB, 581-6893, martin.moyano@utah.edu Adam Nelson: 580 ASB, 585-9678, adam.nelson@utah.edu Office hours by appointment M, W, F, 11:50am – 12:40pm, ASB 220
Lectures: Textbook/ Readings:
Required Readings: 1. Campbell & Reese, Biology 8th edition (available at the U. bookstore and on 2 hour reserve in Marriott Library). Note: previous editions of this textbook may be adequate, but we cannot guarantee this. 2. Andrew Knoll, “Life on a Young Planet” (available at the U. bookstore and on 2 hour reserve in Marriot Library). 3. Journal articles as announced. On reserve in the Marriott Library. Go to the Reserve Desk or visit the Marriott Library home page (http://www.lib.utah.edu/) and select “course reserves.” Type the course number or instructor's last name to find a list of articles available for downloading. We strongly recommend that you attend a discussion section each week. Choose from the alternatives below to suit your schedule. These sessions, which are led by the teaching assistants (TAs), allow you to ask questions regarding the lectures or assigned readings. You may attend more than one discussion if you prefer. Discussion times and places are as follows: M T W W Th 9:40am—10:30am 10:45am—11:35am 8:35am — 9:25am 12:55pm— 1:45pm 10:45am — 11:35am Félix Guzmán-Díaz Ryan Bixenmann Adam Nelson Susan Bush Martin Moyano SW 137 LCB 225 ASB 230 ASB 230 LCB 219
Discussion Sections:
TA office hours and places are as follows: M T 10:35—11:25 AM 4:35—5:25 PM Adam Nelson Féliz Guzmán-Díaz 580 ASB 232 SB
W Th Th
2:00—2:50 PM 2:00 – 2:50 PM 12:55—1:45 PM
Susan Bush Martin Moyano Ryan Bixenmann
502B ASB 310 SB 540 ASB
There will be no Discussion sections the first week of class. During exam week there will be an additional review session(s). Attendance and lecture notes: You are expected to attend all lectures. You are responsible for taking your own notes during lecture. If unavoidable circumstances prevent you from attending a lecture, obtain lecture notes from someone else in the class. Lecture notes will not be provided by professors or teaching assistants. Handouts: Most lectures will have handouts, made available outside the lecture hall. Handouts will also be available for downloading from the library’s course reserves website (see next). Course Website and Reserve Materials: The syllabus, handouts, homework and exam keys, and other course related items will be posted on the WebCT site assigned to this course. You should be able to access this site by logging on with your uNID number and password to the University of Utah homepage. Lecture notes will not be posted, but the power points will be available. Journal articles are available on the Marriott e-Reserve linked to this site. Extra copies of the course textbooks are on 2-hour reserve in the Marriott Library. Grading: The final grade is based on a total of 500 points. There are four exams of 100 points each. There are four homework assignments of 25 points each. No grades are dropped. There are no extra credit exercises. Letter grades are assigned at the end of the class. The point breakdown will be no more strict than the following: 90-100% A/A-, 80-90% B+/B/B-, 70-80% C+/C/C-, 60-70% D+/D/D-, <60% E. In other words, if you get 85% of the total points, you are guaranteed of a grade of B or above. Exams will be based on lecture material. The best study guide for the exams are your own lecture and discussion notes. Review session(s) will be given out of class time for each exam. Exams will be graded as quickly as possible and returned in class. Keys will be posted on the website. Exams that are not picked up will be available in Building 44. There will be no makeup exams unless permission has been obtained before the exam from the instructor. The homework assignments are take home exercises that consist of study problems. You may discuss the exercises with other students but your written answers must be your own work. Late exercises will be subject to point deduction, and their safe handling cannot be guaranteed. Questions regarding grading other than arithmetic errors should be submitted in writing to a Teaching Assistant within one week of the day on which assignments are returned. Course Drop Policy: The drop and withdrawal policy is the same as the University of Utah policy described in the Class Schedule. Wednesday, January 16 is the last day to drop with no tuition and no notation on the transcript. Friday, February 29 is the last day students can withdraw, but tuition will be assessed. Consult the registrar or academic calendar for more information. Evolution and Diversity Lab, Biology 2015: A separate lab course, Biology 2015, runs concurrently with Biology 2010. It meets Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-5 PM. The topics follow the order of Biology 2010, but give you a chance to experience examples of the organisms that we cover in class. This course complements Biology 2010 and is highly recommended but not required. Contact instructor Ed King for more information.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): In accordance with University policy with respect to ADA matters and students with other identifiable disabilities, we will provide additional examination time as needed and appropriate. Students needing this service should identify themselves to the course instructor at least one week in advance of the first examination. In addition you must provide a written statement of how we can assist you in completing course requirements. Students requiring additional time with teaching assistants are encouraged to attend as many discussion sections as needed and also to arrange to meet with the teaching assistants or the faculty during their office hours.
Lecture Schedule
DATE TOPIC Jan 7 Jan 9 Jan 11 Jan 14 Jan 16 Jan 18 Jan 21 Jan 23 Jan 25 Jan 28 Jan 30 Feb 1 Feb 4 Feb 6 Feb 8 Course intro. Scientific names and classification Phylogenies The tree of life Origin of life I Origin of life II Prokaryotic lineages. Homework 1 Assigned Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No class Prokaryotic metabolism. Evolution of eukaryotes. Homework 1 due Protozoans: heterotrophic protists Protist diversity EXAM 1 Origin of the algae Algal diversity Reproductive biology of algae Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs PROFESSOR Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs Bohs
Feb 11 Evolution of land plants Feb 13 Bryophytes: non-vascular plants Feb 15 Seedless vascular plants. Homework 2 assigned Feb 18 Presidents’ Day – No class Feb 20 Evolution of seed plants Feb 22 Gymnosperms. Homework 2 due Feb 25 Origin of angiosperms
Bohs Bohs Bohs
Feb 27 Angiosperms Feb 29 EXAM 2 Mar 3 Mar 5 Mar 7 Fungi I. Chitrids, zygomycetes, ascomycetes Fungi II. Basidiomycetes, deuteromycetes; symbioses Animal origins, body plans & phylogenetic hypotheses
Bohs Bohs Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier
Mar 10 Rise of metazoans and the “Cambrian Explosion” Homework 3 assigned Mar 12 Placozoa; Sponges Mar 14 Radiate phyla Homework 3 due Mar 17-22 Spring break – No class Mar 24 Origins of Bilateria. Flatworms: Planarians, flukes & tapeworms Mar 26 Origins of body cavities; Rotifers & nematodes Mar 28 Protostomia I. Mollusca Mar 31 Protostomia I. Mollusca Apr 2 Apr 4 Apr 7 Apr 9 EXAM 3 Protostomia II. Annelida Protostomia III. Arthropoda Protostomia III. Arthropoda .
Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier Carrier
Apr 11 Protostomia III. Arthropoda Apr 14 Echinoderms Homework 4 assigned. Apr 16 Protochordates; Origin of vertebrates. Apr 18 Vertebrates I. Fishes. Homework 4 due. Apr 21 Vertebrates II. Tetrapods Apr 23 End of Diversity May 1 (Thursday) EXAM 4. 10:30am--12:30 pm. ASB 220