Course: BIO 105 Environmental Biology (082271)

Dr. Matt Pearcy

S Y L L A B U S Instructor:

Your Course Learning Plan Time August 25th through December 13th (Fall 2008)
Frame:

A. Instructor Contact and Communications

Phone: 928-649-5486
E-mail address: Matt.Pearcy@yc.edu
Skype address: mattpearcy

Office Location: VC.J 103

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 amto 2:00 pm, or by
appointment. Monday’s office hours from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm will
be held in the Learning Center.
Classroom location: Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 am to 10:45 am in VC.L 105

B. General Course Information

Credit hours: 4.0
Course description: BIO 105. Environmental Biology. Introduction to ecological systems,
natural resources, and applications to environmental issues. Includes
population, community, and ecosystem analysis. Emphasis on field,
laboratory, and writing activities. This course is cross-listed with ENV
105.
Prerequisite/Co-requisite: None
Course purpose: The purpose of this class is to study how the earth works, how we as
humans interact with the earth, and how we can deal with the
environmental problems we face.
Textbooks, software, Living in the Environment (fifteenth edition) by G. Tyler Miller, Jr.
supplies, equipment and
tools:
C. Course Content and Outcomes
Course content: 1. Interactions of individual organisms with the physical environment
2. Interactions of individuals and populations with the biological
environment
3. Energy flow through communities and ecosystems
 4. Factors affecting global distribution of climate
5. Characteristics of the major biomes
6. Interaction between humans and the environment
7. Field data collection techniques
8. Recording data and observations
9. Interpretation of data
10. Elementary statistics
11. Biogeochemical cycles
12. Population variation, adaptations, and natural selection
13. Island biogeography and conservation applications
Learning outcomes: 1. Describe the adaptations of organisms to the physical environment.
2. Describe intra and inter specific competition, and other types of
interactions between individuals and populations.
3. Describe and graph exponential and logistic population growth.
4. Describe the flow of energy through ecosystems emphasizing trophic
levels and food webs.
5. Describe the processes generating climatic zones on the Earth.
6. Correlate biomes with climate patterns
7. List the physical and biotic characteristics of the major biomes
8. Describe interactions between hunter-gatherer, pastoral, agrarian, and
industrial societies and the environment.
9. Collect quantifiable data using various field methods.
10. Analyze data using graphical and statistical methods.
11. Describe the major biogeochemical cycles including water, carbon,
and nitrogen.
12. Describe the basic mechanisms and conditions affecting populations
with respect to evolution and natural selection.
13. Describe the influence of area, distance, and other factors in
predicting species diversity.
Assessments: Assessments for the class will include four in class, closed book,
exams covering the lecture material. The first three tests will be worth
100 points and the last test will be a 200 point comprehensive exam.
There will be 10 quizzes covering the lecture and lab material. There
will be 14 lab activities throughout the semester. There will be 8
projects that each student will be required to complete during the
course of the semester. Lastly, each student will write a short paper
describing their learning style.

Grading (credit) criteria: Exams:

 3 in class exams at 100 pts apiece ………………………….300 pts.
1 comprehensive final ……………………………............... 200 pts.
Quizzes:
10 quizzes at 20 pts. apiece .………………………………...200 pts.
Labs:
14 Lab Activities at 25 points apiece……………….……….350 pts.
Projects
8 at 25 points apiece………...……………………………….200 pts.
Learning Styles Assessment
Learning Styles Assessment Paper…………………………..15 pts.
Total 1,265 pts.
Letter Grades: A = 1,138 – 1,265 pts. B = 1,012– 1,137 pts. C = 885– 1,011 pts. D =
759 – 884pts. F ≤ 758 pts.
Labs: Labs will be graded based on the quality and completeness of the lab
write up and participation in group problem solving sessions.
Quizzes: The quizzes will cover the material covered in both the lecture and lab
portion of the class.
Exams: There will be three exams worth 100 points throughout the semester.
The fourth exam will be a comprehensive final exam.
Projects: Throughout the semester each student will be assigned 8 projects to be
completed.
Each student will take a learning styles assessment test and then write a
half page paper detailing their learning style and their plan to be
Learning Styles: successful in the class.

Absences: There are no make-ups allowed for labs or quizzes. Exams can be made
up with instructor permission only. If the student misses an exam the
excuse must be accompanied by documentation. (ie, Doctor’s excuse)
No extra credit work is allowed and no late work is accepted.
Student Resources (as applicable)
Library services: Library services are available at the Prescott Campus and the Verde
Valley Campus libraries. Both libraries are members of a countywide
library network, which provides access to a wide-range of information
and resources at libraries throughout Yavapai County. Possession of a
College library card entitles students to access materials housed at
member libraries. Instructors may place required course materials on
reserve in the library or make assignments that require the use of library
resources.
Learning Centers: A Learning Centeris available on the Prescott and Verde Valley
Campuses. These centers provide a variety of learning support for
students including tutoring, adaptive computer and equipment for
 students with disabilities, and a networked general computer lab.
Tutoring: Call for details: Prescott 776-2085 or Verde Valley 634-6562
Online resources and Online writing tutoring for any academic subject is available at
services: www2.yc.edu/content/learningcenters
Instructor Procedures and Institution Policies
Attendance: Students are expected to attend and participate in all class meetings,
laboratories, and field trips. A student who expects to be absent due to
another school-sponsored activity or compelling personal reason must
make prior arrangements with the instructor. All course work must be
made up as directed by the instructor. A student who does not adhere to
instructor and College attendance requirements may be dropped from
the course as defined in the Yavapai College General Catalog.
Course withdrawal: After the drop/add period closes, students may withdraw until the
deadline for student-initiated withdrawals. Withdrawals result in a "W"
on the permanent transcript.
For semester-length classes 14 weeks in length or longer, the withdrawal
deadline is November 1 in the Fall semester, April 1 in the Spring
semester.
For classes of 4 days to 14 weeks in length, withdrawals are permitted
until the class is 50 percent completed.
For classes of 1-3 days in length, withdrawals are permitted until the
class is 50 percent completed.
A "Y" is noted on the permanent transcript for an administrative
withdrawal. More information can be obtained from the Admissions &
Registration Office.
Academic integrity: Honesty in academic work is a central element of the learning
environment. The presentation of another individual’s work as one’s
own or the act of seeking unfair academic advantage through cheating,
plagiarism or other dishonest means are violations of the College’s
“Student Code of Conduct.” Definitions of plagiarism, cheating, and
violation of copyright and penalties for violation are available in the
Yavapai College General Catalog.
Student code of conduct: Respect for the rights of others and for the College and its property are
fundamental expectations for every student. The “Student Code of
Conduct” outlines behavioral expectations, and explains the process for
responding to allegations of student misconduct.
Disability support services: Yavapai College is committed to providing educational support services
to students with documented disabilities. Academic support services or
accommodations for mobility impaired students must be arranged
through the ADA Coordinator (Prescott Campus: 928.776.2079 or Verde
Valley Campus: (928.634.6563).
Cell phone and pager: Yavapai Collegeis committed to providing a quality learning
 environment. All cell phones and pagers must be placed in a non-
audible mode while in classrooms, computer labs, the library, the
learning center, and testing areas. Cell phones and pagers must be used
outside these facilities.
Preventing Harassment: Students are expected to respond and write in a professional and
appropriate manner when activities are assigned to create scenarios,
discuss opinions, present on a selected subject, or post to a web board.
Inappropriate language or objectionable material will not be tolerated
and could result in a failing grade for the class. Students and faculty
each have responsibility for maintain an appropriate learning
environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards
may be subject to discipline. Faculty havethe professional responsibility
to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide
classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in
which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy
and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and
topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual
orientation, gender variance and nationalities.

BIO 105 Fall 2008 Tentative Class Schedule

The general course content and learning outcomes addressedfor each class is listed below. The topics covered
will include, but are not limited to, the content listed below. I reserved the right to change the contents listed
below. If the content is changed I will issue a new syllabus and syllabus agreement form to insure that all
students are aware of the changes.
Week Date Topic
1 August 25th Chapter 1

2 September 1st
Quiz #1 is September 4th
Project #1 due September 4th
3 September 8th
Quiz #2 is September 11th
th
4 September 15
Exam #1 is September 18th
Project #2 due September 18th
5 September 22th
Quiz #3 is Setember 25th
6 September 29th
Quiz #4 is October 2nd
Project #3 due October 2nd
7 October 6th
th
Quiz #5 is October 9
8 October 13th
Exam #2 is October 16th
Project #4 due October 16th
th
9 October 20
th
Quiz #6 is October 23
10 October 27th
Lab Activity #1
Course Content: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 9, 10, 12
Chapter 2
Lab Activity #2
Course Content: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 1, 9, 10
Chapter 3
Lab Activity #3
Course Content: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 1, 9, 10, 11
Chapter 4
Lab Activity #4
Course Content: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12
Learning Outcomes: 9, 10, 12
Chapter 5
Lab Activity #5
Course Content: 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 2, 9, 10
Chapter 6
Lab Activity #6
Course Content: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 2, 9, 10
Chapters 7 and 8
Lab Activity #7
Course Content: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 2, 3, 8, 9, 10
Chapter 9
Lab Activity #8
Course Content: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10
Chapter 10
Lab Activity #9
Course Content: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12
Chapter 11
 Quiz #7 is October 30th Lab Activity #10
th
Project #5 due October 30 Course Content: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 13
11 November 3rd Chapter 13
Quiz #8 is November 6th Lab Activity #11
Course Content: 2, 6, 11, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 2, 9, 10
12 November 10th Chapters 15 and 16
th
Exam #3 is November 13 Lab Activity #12
th
Project #6 due November 13 Course Content: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 9, 10
13 November 17th Chapter 18
Quiz #9 is November 20th Lab Activity #13
Course Content: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 9, 10
14 November 24th Chapter 20
th
No Class November 27 Course Content: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10
Project #7 due November 25th Learning Outcomes: 4, 5, 9, 10
15 December 1st Chapters 21 and 22
Quiz #10 is December 4th Lab Activity #14
Course Content: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10
Learning Outcomes: 7, 9, 10
16 December 8th Class Review and Final Exam
th
Final Exam is December 11
Project #8 due December 11th