Course Syllabus

Biology 1010: Biological Diversity and Interactions

A02 Winter 2017

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will provide an introduction to some of the major themes
and concepts in Biology. These will include evolution, biodiversity, the form and function of
animals and plants, and basic ecological principles. The main objectives of this course are to
introduce students to a broad view of unifying themes in the study of biology and to inspire
developing interest in our biological world. Students in the course will have a broad range of
experience and interests but the goal of the course is to build upon the understanding for all
students enrolled in the course, regardless of their previous study.

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Kevin Fraser

312 Biological Sciences Bldg.
Kevin.Fraser@umanitoba.ca
www.abclab.ca
@KevinCFraser
204-474-7044
Office hours: by appointment only

LECTURES: 172 St. Johns, Robert B. Schultz Lecture Theatre, MWF, 1:30 - 2:20 pm

ATTENDANCE: Punctual attendance to lecture is expected. If you are going to be late, please
enter quietly.

E-MAIL POLICY:
If you are sending an email, please make sure you do the following:
Check this syllabus first. If you are asking about course or exam information, chances are
the answers are already in the syllabus.
Use a formal salutation. Hey prof is not appropriate but Hello Dr. Fraser is.
Always include your full name during any correspondence.
Use full, properly structured sentences and do not use textese.
Use your University email account.

I do not respond to emails on weekends or for 24 hours prior to an exam. I will not answer
questions about lecture material via email. It is best to make an appointment to discuss any
concepts in person.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1) Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections (Canadian Edition)
By: Reese, Taylor, Simon, Dickey, and Scott
Pearson Publishing Company Inc.
Available at the U of M Bookstore

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 2) MasteringBiology Student Access code.
A code comes packaged with the purchase of a new textbook. Alternatively, you can
purchase an access code from the U of M Bookstore or with a credit card directly from the
Pearson website. Used textbooks do not come with an access code.

EVALUATION:
Your final grade will be based on two examinations and online quizzes as follows:
MasteringBiology Quizzes
6 quizzes, use best 5 for final grade.
Portion of course grade ---------------------------------------------------------- 10%
Mid-term Examination
40 multiple-choice questions 50 minutes
Portion of course grade ---------------------------------------------------------- 35%
Where: Written in class - 172 St. Johns, Robert B. Schultz Lecture Theatre. Date: Wed Mar 8th.
Time: 1:30-2:20 (during class)
Final Examination
80 multiple-choice questions 120 minutes
Portion of course grade ---------------------------------------------------------- 55%
Scheduled and seated by the Registrars Office. Date, Time & Exam Rooms TBA

Your mark at the end of the course will be out of 100%. The final grade will be assigned by
converting your final cumulative percent score (rounded to the closest percent) into a letter
grade according to the following breakdown:

90% or higher A+
80-89% A
76-79% B+
70-75% B
60-69% C+
55-59% C
50-54% D
49% or lower .. F

MASTERINGBIOLOGY ASSESSMENT:
On MasteringBiology, a total of 6 quizzes will be posted to complete over the term. These
quizzes are mandatory and summative and will account for 10% of your final grade. Quizzes
will become available on the date indicated in the schedule below for 24 hours. Within this 24-
hour window (12:00 AM 11:59 PM), you must login to MasteringBiology and complete the
quiz. Failure to do so before midnight will result in a grade of zero for that quiz. Do not begin a
quiz too close to the deadline (i.e., 11:52 PM), as you may not have enough time to complete it.
No extensions or make-up possibilities will be given for any quiz. Your best five quiz marks will
be used to calculate your grade.

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MASTERINGBIOLOGY SCHEDULE
(*24-hrs to complete quizzes online, 12:00 AM 11:59 PM)

Quiz 1 Wed Feb 1

Quiz 2 Wed Feb 15
Quiz 3 Wed Mar 1
Quiz 4 Wed Mar 22
Quiz 5 Wed Apr 5
Quiz 6 Wed Apr 19

SETTING UP MASTERINGBIOLOGY:
Register for online assignments and quizzes on MasteringBiology.com (MB). All required
information for your registration to MB and the proper use of this system is given in detail in
your Student Access Kit for MasteringBiology.

1. Make sure your computer meets the system requirements (see your MB Student Access Kit
and http://www.masteringhelp.com/system_requirements.htm). Although MB can be used
with Internet Explorer or Safari, using the most current Firefox seems to generate fewer
problems.
2. Go to http://www.masteringbiology.com/ site.
3. If you are a first-time user, click on New Students and follow the instructions. If you have
used MB before, simply login to the system using your previous Login Name and Password.
4. To enroll in the course, enter your 7-digit University of Manitoba student number (usually
starting with a 7) as your Student ID and enter the correct Course ID below:

BIOL1010W2017A02FRASER

You must enter your 7-digit U of M student number correctly for your scores to count. Please
double check.

5. If you experience technical difficulties with the MasteringBiology online assignment system
contact MasteringBiology at this URL:
http://www.masteringbiology.com/site/support/faqstudents.html

LECTURE OUTLINE & TEXTBOOK REFERENCES:

During the course, you will encounter topics that the textbook covers in greater detail than the
lectures, whereas in other areas, the Instructor may expand upon the textbook. Examinations
and quizzes will be based on information presented in lectures whether verbal or written.
Lecture Powerpoints will be made available on UM Learn, usually in advance of the lecture.
Although the classes will not strictly adhere to the order of the text, the text is considered to be
essential reading, and is supplementary to the lecture material. Students who expand upon
each topic by reading will understand the subject better and will generally do better on

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examinations. The table below outlines the topics and textbook sections we will cover in class,
although not necessarily in the order in which they will be presented. **Important note: What
we cover is subject to change throughout the term so be sure to go by what is covered in class
for the most up-to-date list of corresponding textbook pages that you are responsible for.
Modules in parentheses are some of the topics covered in Biology 1000, and are very useful
review (you are expected to understand this information).

TOPIC MODULE
Introduction
Themes in biology 1.1-1.7
The Scientific Method 1.81.9, 1.11
Evolution
Natural selection 13.1-13.6, 14.614.8
Speciation 15.115.6, 15.8-15.9, 15.1015.11
Phylogeny 15.12-15.14,15.15-15.17
Diversity of Living Things
Prokaryotes (4.3-4.4)
Plants 19.1-19.2 + 7.2, 19.3, 19.7-19.8, 19.9-19.14
Animals 20.1-20.4, 20.5-20.15, 21.121.9, 21.10-21.11,
21.12-21.17
Plant Form & Function
Plant structure 22.222.6
Plant reproduction 22.1
Plant growth and development 22.9
Plant tissue needs (6.12, 7.12), 23.1-23.5, 23.6-23.12
Plant control systems & behaviour 24.124.9, 24.10-24.14
Animal Form & Function
Animal reproduction (8.13)
Animal growth and development 30.330.8
Animal tissue needs 27.1-27.6, 27.7-27.12
Ecology
Animal behaviour 36.1 36.3, 36.4 36.11
Biosphere 35.1-35.5, 35.6-35.8, 35.9-35.19
Populations 37.1-37.9
Ecosystems 41.1-41.7, 41.8-41.14

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

I missed a MasteringBiology quiz, what can I do?

In short, nothing. Your grade will be based on your best 5 out of 6 quizzes. There will be no
make-up quizzes on MasteringBiology so be sure to log in and complete the quizzes during the
specified time window.

Should I read the textbook for the exams?

Absolutely! The exams will be based largely on the lecture material. However, reading
the text offers an additional explanation for (and sometimes expansion of) the concepts you are
expected to know. It also includes other examples to illustrate concepts. As such, reading the
indicated sections will undoubtedly help you succeed in Biology 1010.

If I miss the midterm, what happens?

If you have valid documentation, at the discretion of the instructor a re-write may be arranged
or the value of the midterm will be prorated to the final exam. If you do not have appropriate
documentation, a mark of zero will be given for the midterm.

If I miss the final, what can I do?

The only thing you can do in this situation is to contact your home faculty. They are the
only body that can grant a deferred exam. Be ready to present your valid documentation
to them.