Syllabus

Dr. Steven J. Wolf
Office: N - 269
Phone: 667-3489
Email: swolf@arnica.csustan.edu
Office Hours: MTR 11:15 am - 12:15 pm.
Lectures: MTWR 9:00 - 11:15 a.m. in S-146

January 19 - Martin Luther King jr. birthday- no class

Text: Evolution 101, by Moore and Moore. I also highly recommend Denying Evolution: Creationism, Scientism, and the Nature of Science, a very readable and entertaining paperback by Massimo Pigliucci.

Course Web Page: http://arnica.csustan.edu/biol3020. Consult it often for important, up to the minute information.

Teaching philosophy: "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime" - Confucius. Your instructor is here to teach you to fish, i.e. think. As upper division students you are expected to participate in your learning. A question may sometimes be answered with a question, or your fellow classmates may be called upon to help answer it. This is to lead you to the answer, not embarrass you. You are only asked to make an honest effort to answer the question. However, if you are not keeping up with the material then you may indeed be embarrassed.

Class Participation: This is an upper division class and  it is expected that students be on time, sit toward the front of the room, and fully participate in classroom discussions. Those who do not may be dropped from the course or have points deducted from their final grade. The instructor reserves the right to give unannounced quizzes if it becomes apparent that students are not keeping up with the material and/or there are an unacceptable number of absences or tardy students. If you happen to be absent or late that day you will receive a grade of 0 for that quiz. 

Exams: There will be three (3) 75 minute exams, each beginning at 9 am. With the exception of the last exam there will be a lecture following the exam. Exams may consist of multiple choice, matching, short answers, and short or long essays. Exam questions come directly from the notes, videos, and references from the announcements page.

Always bring a #2 pencil, Scantron form 883-E and one 11"x8.5" Blue Book examination booklet to the exams. The Blue Book must be entirely blank, no name or markings whatsoever on it.  All writing must be legible. If I can't read it I won't grade it!

You must not leave the room during an exam without the instructors permission. You must turn off cell phones and remove baseball caps during exams. If your cell phone rings during an exam five (5) points will be deducted from your score. Failing to follow the instructions written on your exam will result in two (2) points being deducted for each violation. No food or drinks are permitted during exams. Cell phones must be put away during exams. Taking out a cell phone during an exam is considered cheating, your exam will be confiscated, and you will receive an automatic F in the class.

Note: the Scantron machine sometimes makes mistakes, particularly when you change an answer and do not completely erase the other choice. In order to verify these mistakes you must also circle the correct answer on the question sheet. Challenges to the machine's accuracy will not be accepted if you did not do so. You have until the next class period, after the exam is returned (not when you pick it up), to challenge its accuracy. 

It is your responsibility to notify the instructor prior to missing an exam and to supply him with a valid, written excuse. There will be no extra credit nor makeup exams. All requests to take exams at other than scheduled times must be in writing to the instructor at least one week prior to the scheduled exam. 

Grades: A = 100-90%, B = 89.9-80%, C = 79.9-70%, D = 69.9-60%, F <60%, CR > 69.9%, NC < 70%.

Grading Option: Until 12:00 pm (noon), January 27 your instructor will sign yellow add/drop forms to change grading options. It is your responsibility to turn this form into Admissions and Records by 5 pm that day, January 27. Your instructor will strictly follow the grading option indicated on the final grade sheet supplied by Admissions and Records. Consult with your advisor before making your decision. Grades will not be changed once they have been submitted.

Student Conduct: In such a large and crowded class it is essential that students respect the rights of others. Therefore, those who disrupt the class by talking or any other means will be asked to leave. Repeat offenders will be turned over to the appropriate student disciplinary committee. Turn off your cell phones during class.

Cheating: There is a zero tolerance policy. Any cheating whatsoever will result in an automatic F in the class and the matter will be turned over to the appropriate student disciplinary committee. Submitting a quiz for an absent student is also cheating. Exam Blue Books must be blank at the beginning of the exam. Taking out a cell phone during an exam is considered cheating, your exam will be confiscated, and you will receive a grade of F for the class. 

Evolution is the unifying theme of biology and it will be the central theme of this course. If you have an open mind, which is what college is all about, and you understand the first lecture, you should not be threatened by it, regardless of your religious beliefs. Please remember that your beliefs are but one of dozens. If you wish to argue for them or you feel the instructor has disrespected them then please see him personally.

Important Date: January 12 is the last day to drop the course.

Study skills: This course is designed to introduce you to the basic principles and processes of evolution. Please note that your text is quite short and concise. Therefore, it will be supplemented by additional materials from many other sources. These may include instructor provided lecture notes and activities, assigned readings, and topics posted on the class announcements page.

To gain the most from lectures, it is best to read relevant text material and lecture notes beforehand and make a few notes or prepare questions for especially difficult material. Do not be overly concerned if you do not immediately grasp the material, if it were that easy we would not need lectures. During class pay attention and take complete and orderly notes. Do not assume you will remember things because they are easy or obvious; later when you are preparing for an exam they may not seem so easy or obvious. Pay particular attention to diagrams, lists and terms as well as anything the instructor clearly emphasizes by tone of voice.

During lecture do not hesitate to ask questions, make constructive comments or contribute if you have expertise on a particular subject. The only "dumb question" is an un-asked one! Very soon after class you should re-read the text material along with your notes. You may find you missed something in lecture or the text, and very frequently you may find misspellings in your notes. Make frequent use of your text and notes for further explanations on a subject you still don't understand. At the beginning of the next lecture period (or at his office) ask the instructor to clear up any problems you may still have. This will help both the instructor and the other students. The instructor needs your feedback in order to know if the class is encountering any problems.

The above schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.