BIOLOGY 402: FIELD BIOLOGY
SYLLABUS - FALL 2010
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND CREDIT
This planet is covered with a wide diversity of organisms. Most commonly we think of them as plants, animals and human. We now categorize life into a system with six kingdoms within a three domain system of classification (and even this is under revision). These kingdoms include the plants, animals, fungi, protistans, true bacteria and archaebacteria. Within this course we will limit ourselves to the plants and animals. Further, we will emphasize three major groups of organisms, the vertebrates, the insects and the vascular plants.
In this class we will look at the biodiversity of South Carolina. For lab, we will emphasize collections methods for insects and vascular plants.
As with most laboratory science courses, we will have three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week, for a total of 4 hours credit. This course typically has two prerequisties, BIO 122 (Zoology) and BIO 201 (Botany). But if you have not had both of these courses, you may enroll with permission.
The Course website is located at http://www.newberry-college.net/chorn/BIO402. The site includes this syllabus, lecture notes, review sheets and other materials of value to the course.
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Charles N. Horn
Office: 223 Math & Science Building
Phone: 321-5257 e-mail: charles.horn@newberry.edu
Hours: MWF: 9-10; 11-12; TT: 8:15-9:15; by appointment
You are encouraged to stop in during my office hours to talk about any problems or to present suggestions relative to this course, about science, or the college in general. If you want to talk to me and find the scheduled hours to be inconvenient, feel free to schedule an appointment.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course you should be able to:
A. Taxonomy of major organism groups
B. Plants
major vascular plant families
unusual or economically important plant families of South Carolina
C. Insects
the major insect orders
unusual or economically important insect orders of South Carolina
common insect families of South Carolina
D. Vertebrates
freshwater fish
reptiles
amphibians
birds
mammals
E. Ecology
Ecosystems and Biomes of South Carolina
Biogeography
TEXTS
A number of texts have very important information relative to the vast topics covered in this course. All these texts are either on reserve at the library, in my office or in the lab (Rm 208). You are not required to purchase any of the following books; however, they may be purchased and obtained within a week through a bookseller or Internet.
* = reserved at library # = in lab, rm 208 @ = in my office
Zoology Texts (invertebrates):
#Arnett, Ross H. 1993. American Insects, a Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. Sandhill Crane Press, Gainsville.
@Beaton, Giff. 2007. Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast. University of Georgia Press.
@Borr, Donald J., Dwight M. Delong and Charles A. Triplehorn. 1976. An introduction to the study of insects, 4th edition. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York. [Excellent coverage of all arthropods, misleading title.]
*@Pennak, Robert W. 1989. Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States, Protozoa to Mollusca, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.
@Wagner, David L. 2005. Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press.
Zoology Texts (vertebrates):
*Brown, Larry N. 1997. A Guide to the Mammals of the Southeastern United States. The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville.
@Buhlmann, Kurt, Tracey Tuberville, and Whit Gibbons. 2008. Turtles of the Southeast. University of Georgia Press
*Choate, Jerry R., J. Knox Jones, Jr., and Clyde Jones. 1994. Handbook of Mammals of the South-central States. Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge.
@ Dorcas, Mike and Whit Gibbons. 2008. Frogs and Toads of the Southeast. University of Georgia Press, Athens.
*@Ernst, Carl. 1992. Venomous Reptiles of North America. Smithsonian Press, Washington, D.C.
@Farmer, Charles H., III. 2004. Sharks of South Carolina. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division.
@Gibbins, Whit, Judy Greene, and Tony Mills. 2009. Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast. University of Georgia Press, Athens
@Gibbons, Whit and Patricia J. West. 1998. Snakes of Georgia and South Carolina. University of Georgia Press, Athens.
@Gibbons, Whit and Mike Dorcas. 2005. Snakes of the Southeast. University of Georgia Press, Athens
@Jensen, John B., Carlos D. Camp, Whit Gibbons, and Matt J. Elliott. 2008. Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. University of Georgia Press.
*Linzey, Donald W. 1995. Mammals of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The McDonald & Woodward Publishing Co., Blacksburg.
*Linzey, Donald W. 1998. The Mammals of Virginia. The McDonald & Woodward Publishing Co., Blacksburg.
@Marcy, Barton C., Jr., Dean E. Fletcher, F. Douglas Martin, Michael H. Paller, and Marcel J. M. Reichert. 2005. Fishes of the Middle Savannah River Basin, with emphasis on the Savannah River Site. The University of Georgia press, Athens.
*@Martof, Bernard S., William M. Palmer, Joseph R. Bailey, and Julian R. Harrison III. 1980. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
*McNair, Douglas B. and William Post. 1993. Supplement to Status and distribution of South Carolina Birds. Charleston Museum Ornithological Contribution no. 8.
*Post, William and Sidney A. Gauthreaux, Jr. 1989. Status and Distribution of South Carolina Birds. Contributions from the Charleston Museum XVIII.
*Potter, Eloise F., James F. Parnell, and Robert P. Teulings. 1980. Birds of the Carolinas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
*Rohde, Fred C., Rudolf G. Arndt, David G. Lindquist, and James F. Parnell. 1994. Freshwater Fishes of the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
Botany (plant) & Phycology (fungi) Texts:
@Bryson, Charles T. and Michael S. DeFelice. 2009. Weeds of the South. University of Georgia Press, Athens.
*@Duncan, Wilbur H. and Marion B. Duncan. 1988. Trees of the Southeastern United States. University of Georgia Press, Athens.
*Fink, Bruce. 1961. The lichen flora of the United States. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.
*Hesler, L. R. 1960. Mushrooms of the Great Smokies. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville.
#@Radford, Albert E., Harry E. Ahles, and C. Ritchie Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
@Reese, William. 1984. Mosses of the Gulf South, from the Rio Grande to the Apalachicola. Louisiana State University Press.
*Smith, Alexander. 1963. The mushroom hunters field guide, revised and enlarged. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.
#@Zomlefer, Wendy. 1994. Guide to Flowering Plant Families. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
Since this is an upper level course, a number of teaching methods will be used. Included will be lecture (especially at the beginning of the course), student presentations, slide and/or PowerPoint presentations, class discussion of outside readings, demonstrations, and field trips. Each of you will make at least one oral presentation to the class. Field trips will be an integral part of lab.
SPECIAL NOTE ON LAB
Most Wednesdays during September and October we will be out on field trips. For you own safety, I expect you to wear long pants and shoes that completely cover your feet (i.e. no sandals). This is of concern as on several trips we will be walking through fields with briars and ticks will be present. One some trips we may also be around or in water, so wear pants and shoes that you will not worry about getting dirty. I will provide “bug” repellant.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Hour Exams (3 @ 100 pts) – These written exams will cover material from both lecture and laboratory. Questions will mostly be of short answer, compare and contrast, and "make-a-key" format.
Preliminary Insect and Vascular Plant Collection samples (50 pts) – By the end of the fourth week you will be expected to turn in a preliminary collection of insects and vascular plants to show that you understand the methods for collection, preservation and documentation of collections.
Vascular Plant Collection (200 pts) – A well prepared collection (stored within newspapers) of 40 vascular plants is due by December 1st (last lab day). Each specimen must: 1) contain appropriate reproductive material, 2) include a label, and 3) be properly identified to family and species. See a separate handout for details.
Insect Collection (200 pts) – A well prepared collection (mounted on pins or other appropriate media and in boxes) of 40 insects is due by December 1st (last lab day). Each specimen must: 1) be properly mounted for display, 2) include a label, and 3) be properly identified to Order and Family. See a separate handout for details.
Literature search and paper (100 pts) – Using the library and/or Internet, find information on the biology, taxonomy and economic importance of a group of vertebrates as would be seen in South Carolina. See below for details.
Oral Presentation (25 pts) – During the semester you will be asked to make a 25-35 minute presentation on a group of organisms to the class. See below for details.
Summary Papers (5@25 pts) – You will need to type a two page summary of four (4) of the plant and animal class presentations. Obviously, you cannot summarize your own presentation; but even without that you will have plenty of choices. Paper will be due within one week of the class presentation date.
Total Points: 1000
Grading Scale: 93-100% = A; 88-92% = B+; 83-87% = B; 78-82% = C+; 73-77% = C;
68-72% = D+; 63-67% = D; <63% = F
You are expected to attend each and every class meeting. If you know you will miss class, please contact me ahead of time via phone, e-mail, or in person.
There is a slight chance that various unplanned activities may cause interruption of the educational process (tornadoes, hurricanes, ice/snow, or a flu pandemic). The college and I will strive to make sure all students have the ability to complete their semester academic obligations so as to receive grades as expected. In the case that you realize that you will be away from classes for a while or the college will be closed please remember to:
If you become sick enough to miss a substantial number of class meeting, you must contact me (or have your parents do such) so we can determine your best academic outcome. In most cases you can work independently on course work.
If you are a student with a documented learning or physical disability who requires special accommodations, it is your responsibility to make such arrangements by contacting the Director of Student Academic Services, Mrs. Kay Chandler, who also heads our Office of Disabilities Support Services. She is located in Wright Hall and can be reached at 803-321-5187.
Following a confidential interview with you, she will contact your instructors to inform them of your special needs. Please note that your instructors are not permitted to discuss your disabilities with you until you have registered with the Office of Disabilities Support Services. For further information, please visit http://www.newberry-college.net/dss.
COMMUNICATION ACROSS THE CURRICULUM PROGRAM (CACP)
Those who wish to receive CACP credit (Level 2 or 3) may do so in this class. All CACP papers must be typed, double-spaced and with a font size of about 12.
Remember that your grade on the paper and the outcome of the CACP evaluation are not the same since different features are evaluated.
LITERATURE REVIEW AND ORAL PRESENTATION
During the second half of the semester we will cover additional groups of organisms that are NOT vascular plants or insects. Each of you will be expected to review the literature (books and journal articles) on your selected group and make a presentation of 25-35 minutes with time for questions and discussion afterwards. Listed below are the groups we will be covering. You are to pick one of these. I will cover the remaining groups.
Invertebrates:
Vertebrates:
Fungi & Plants:
As you work on your presentation and summary some topics that should be covered are listed below. Certainly each group of organisms will require differences in emphasis (ex., behavior of fungi? vs. marine vertebrates).
You are expected to turn in a summary of your findings at the class PRIOR to your presentation day. This is for two reasons: 1) it allows me to check to see that you have collected the important information (I will give you comments or suggestions to improve your presentation if needed), and 2) allows me to make sure you are not getting your presentation together the night before.
The paper needs to be about 4-6 pages long (typed, double spaced) and include references to important literature relative to the topic. Of course, at least one of the references should be the book(s) on reserve at the library. You may also wish to make reference to common field guides (a number are on the reference room of the library). In some cases you may need to use regional references since the organisms migrate (ex. birds, marine fish). See below for the standard procedure for citing references.
CITING REFERENCES
Within your paper -- It is very important to document the source of all your information which was not a direct result of your own research. In scientific papers footnotes are rarely used and citations are noted within the text by making reference to the author and year of publication.
Within the body of the paper references are listed in parenthesis in one of two ways. One way is to make direct reference to the author(s): Knight and Wallace (1989) state that plants are well adapted to fire. The second way is to place the author at the end of the sentence within parenthesis: Plants are well adapted to fire (Knight and Wallace 1989). When more than two authors write an article or book, the first author is written, followed by "et al." (french for "and others"); ex.: (Singer et al. 1989).
If you need to quote an author directly, word for word, keep it short and cite the page number along with the author and date: Singer et al. (1989, pg. 719-720) state that "Raven activity was observed at 54% of the carcasses, coyote activity at 29%, grizzly bear activity at 27%, black bear activity at 7%, and eagle activity at 7%." The reference would then be cited as usual on the literature cited section without reference to the specific page.
Literature cited section -- The references should be listed in alphabetical order. All authors, regardless of how may, need to be listed (last name first), followed by:
Here are some examples. The book or journal name is in italics (or you can use underlining):
Blaustein, Andrew R. and David B. Wake. 1995. The puzzle of declining amphibian populations. Scientific American 268 (4): 52-57.
Shreeve, James. 1996. Are algae - not coral - reef's master builders? Science 271 (2 Feb): 597-598.
(see the TEXT portion of the syllabus for book citation methods.)
The Internet presents a new and different method for obtaining information. Unlike published articles, these references can potentially change daily. Further, in a number of cases the reliability of information has been questioned. As a result they should be used only in two cases:
A paper should never be based entirely on Internet information, unless you are certain the information is reliable and correct.
The basic format of citation is similar to that of any article or book. Never the less, here is the format, followed by some examples.
Anonymous. 1997 (update: January 21). Wildlife Fact Sheets: Nine-banded Armadillo. Texas Parks and Wildlife. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/wild/animals/dillo.htm
Mousseau, T. A. 1997 (visit: July 10). South Carolina Plant Atlas. Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina. http://cricket.biol.sc.edu.edu/herb/
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BIO 402 - Field Biology | Newberry College