Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Transcription

1 Texas A&M University-Texarkana Biology Darwin and the Origin of Species Course Syllabus Professor: Dr. David Allard Office: 219A SCIT Schedule: Phone: (903) Fax: (903) Instant Message if I am online and at my desk. David.Allard@tamut.edu Personal Webpage: Catalog Description : Biology Darwin and the Origin of Species: This course will focus on Darwin's hypotheses and compare his ideas with modern developments in the study of biological evolution. Darwin, C On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection, or, the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. John Murray, Albemarle Street. London. Any copy of the First Edition is acceptable. Available online for free at: Texts: or or purchase from Amazon Optional Text: Futuyma, D. J., Evolution. Sinauer Associates Inc. Publishers Course Objective: Links Pages: Electronic The objective of this course is for students to become well versed in Darwin's theory of evolution and then to compare and contrast his ideas with those of modern evolutionary thinkers. Links for Evolutionary Biology del.icio.us bookmarks for BSC515 All communication in the course will use Blackboard or your A&M-Texarkana student

2 Communicati address. on: Course Outline and Schedule Module 1 Read Chapters 1 & 2 in the Origin: VARIATION UNDER DOMESTICATION and VARIATION UNDER NATURE Also check these websites: o o o o Module 2 Read Chapter 3 in the Origin: STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE. Check these websites: o The Alfred Russel Wallace Page - o Darwin Day (Video) - o Charles Darwin and the Racing Asparagus (Audio) - Read Wallace's paper - Term Paper Topic Due June 20 Module 3 Read Chapters 4 & 5 in the Origin: NATURAL SELECTION and LAWS OF VARIATION Watch this video You will have to install an add on for this. Just follow the directions To understand the time period during which the Origin was written check out the Victorian Web. Check this short video on artificial selection. Module 4 Read Chapter 6 in the Origin: DIFFICULTIES ON THEORY Read Darwin on Darwin (his autobiography) The Joint Essay of Darwin and Wallace: Module 5 Read Chapters 7 and 8 in the Origin: INSTINCT and HYBRIDISM You may also want to read the Voyage of the Beagle by Darwin

3 EXAM I Module 6 Read Chapter 9 in the Origin: ON THE IMPERFECTION OF THE GEOLOGICAL RECORD. Read - Evolution: 24 myths and misconceptions What is a theory in science? What is the importance of theory in science? Module 7 Read Chapters 10 & 11 in the Origin: ON THE GEOLOGICAL SUCCESSION OF ORGANIC BEINGS and GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION Here is something to think about. Watch these videos from TED o Dan Dennett o Susan Blackmore Module 8 Read Chapter 12 in the Origin: GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION--continued. Check out the Vigil After Dover site. This has video and transcripts of the video in case you have problems. The Dover decision is very important. Module 9 Read Chapter 13 in the Origin: MUTUAL AFFINITIES OF ORGANIC BEINGS: MORPHOLOGY: EMBRYOLOGY: RUDIMENTARY ORGANS. Check out an interview with Francis Collins Module 10 Read Chapter 14 in the Origin: RECAPITULATION AND CONCLUSION. Go to and enter "evolution site: into the search field. This will take you to a results page with a whole series of links to audio podcasts that concern evolution from A Moment of Science at Indiana University. The results will have several pages, don't just stop at the first page. Click the links to go to a podcast webpage. Each podcast webpage includes the text and a link to the audio at the bottom of the page. You may need to download Real Player to play them. Listen and learn. This series has things which I think would be good for your students. Listen to at least 10 podcasts (they are only 1 minute long). Post Reactions to Readings by Tuesday Midnight Post Responses to others Reactions by Wednesday Midnight EXAM II

4 TERM PAPER DUE Evaluation: Research Paper The course grade will be based on two exams (100 points each), a 5000 word research paper valued at 100 points and your grade on your postings on the weekly discussion also valued at 100 points. The discussion grade will be calculated as an average grade from the weekly discussion posting. The research paper will be submitted electronically to the website. The grades on these items will be averaged. The research paper (and the exams) must be written in CBE style and uploaded as a Microsoft Word file to the turnitin website. There is information for getting signed up on the turnitin site below. The term paper will be due August 11. The term paper will focus on comparing some aspect Darwin's ideas with modern thought. You can use a variety of literature for sources but you must include at least 20 citations from scientific journals. You can use the online resources from our library to find these. You can usually get the information in a pdf or html format. You can start your search at You can also visit the library in person to do research. is a link to the Texas A&M University System Libraries E-Journals. Also check the online library orientation Some examples of CBE style can be found at: Use #2. The name-year system. In the text of the article if you have more than two authors then use et al. Some other examples are also found at An example of a research article written in CBE style can be seen at Grading Scale Make-up exams: Academic Integrity: You will turn in your exams and term paper to the turnitin webstie ( You will go to the site and create your own login (if you have not done so already). The Class ID is and the password is Darwin. > 90% = A 80% - <90% = B 70% - <80% = C 60% - <70% = D <60% = F Any make-up exams will be given only with a valid University excuse (documentation) for missing a regularly scheduled exam; they will be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the absence. It is the responsibility of the student to inquire as to the procedure for making up an exam. The student is advised to report to me ASAP for instructions on taking the make-up exam. No exemptions/exceptions. A grade of zero (0) will be recorded if the make-up is not taken in a timely manner. Academic honesty is expected of students enrolled in this course. Cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, plagiarism, and undocumented use of materials from any source constitute academic dishonesty and may be grounds for a grade of F in the course and/or disciplinary actions. For additional

5 information, see the university catalog. Additional information on plagiarism can be found at Course Participation is always welcome. Please do not make comments that are off the subject, are Decorum: disrespectful to others or impede the progress of the class. If a student s behavior is such that it disturbs the learning process of others or shows outright disrespect for the instructor or other class members, the instructor will request the student to cease the disruptive behavior. Students may be expelled from the course for inappropriate behavior. Disability Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations through the A&M Texarkana Accommodati Disability Services Office by calling ons: Student Solutions to common problems and FAQ's for your online course are found at this link: Technical Assistance: If you cannot find your resolution there you can send in a support request detailing your specific problem here: Technical Requirements : Blackboard Helpdesk contacts: Office hours are M-F, 8:00a to 5:00p Kevin Williams (main contact) kevin.williams@tamut.edu Frank Miller (back-up) frank.miller@tamut.edu Nikki Thomson (back-up) nikki.thomson@tamut.edu Minimum System Requirements The following computer system requirements are recommended for an online course: OS: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OSX 10.2 and above RAM: 256 MB, Processor: 2.0 GHz, Free Space on HDD: 500 MB Internet Connection: (Broadband/DSL preferred), Dial Up 56k minimum Browser: Internet Explorer 6 or 7, Mozilla Firefox 2.0, Safari 1.0 Java: Version 6 Update 11 or later Sound card and speakers Software Requirements Pop-Up Blockers All pop-up blockers installed on your computer must be set to allow pop-ups from Blackboard/WebCT Java Runtime Environment You must have the Java Runtime Environment installed. This is a free plugin for your browser that can be obtained by going to Additional Plugins

6 You may need additional software based on the content that your instructor posts in their course. Commonly needed applications are: Microsoft Office 2007 / 2003 / XP Suite / Works (Not free software) Notes: Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free Download) Windows Media Player (Free Download) Real Time Media Player (Free Download) Quick Time Media Player (Free Download) Macromedia/Adobe Flash (Free Download) Macromedia/Adobe Shockwave (Free Download) I reserve the right to make changes in the course schedule at any time during the semester. Please check the course homepage and syllabus on the internet for updates. The faculty of Arts & Sciences and Education is committed to the continuous improvement in the quality of instruction. Student input is important and will be obtained at the end of the course. You should check your personal information on Web for Students (merlin.tamut.edu/) in order to assure that your personal data is up-to-date. Resources Ayala, F. J., W. M. Fitch, and M. T. Clegg, Editors Variation and Evolution in Plants and Microorganisms: Toward a New Synthesis 50 Years after Stebbins. The National Academies Press. BSCS The Nature of Science & the Study of Biological Evolution. NSTA Press. Committee on Planetary Biology and Chemical Evolution, Space Studies Board. National Research Council1990. The Search for Life's Origins: Progress and Future Directions in Planetary Biology and Chemical Evolution. The National Academies Press. Darwin, C The Voyage of the Beagle. Dawkins, R The Blind Watchmaker. Norton. Dawkins, R The Selfish Gene. Oxford University Press. Fitch, and F. J. Ayala, Editors Tempo and Mode in Evolution: Genetics and Paleontology 50 Years After Simpson. The National Academies Press. Gould, S. J Ever Since Darwin: Reflections in Natural History. W. W. Norton & Company Inc. Jones, S Darwin s Ghost. The Origin of Species Updated. Random House

7 Miller, K Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution. HarperCollins. Olson, S Evolution in Hawaii: A Supplement to Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science. The National Academies Press. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science The National Academies Press. The National Academy of Science Science and Creationism: A View from the National Academy of Sciences. The National Academies Press. Evolution on the Front Line. An Abbreviated Guide for Teaching Evolution, from Project 2061 at AAAS. hers.pdf AAAS Resources. ENSI site.