Course Syllabus

Bio 140 Northwest Mammals

Fall 2008

Course Information

Bio 140: Mammals of the Pacific Northwest

Section A, 3 credits

SCI 129 TTh 9-10:20

Prerequisites: None

Instructor Information:

Steven Clark, Biology Instructor

Email address: sclark@clark.edu

Office: 203F

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9-11.  I’m usually on campus everyday and can meet with students.  The 9-11 is simply a time when the likelihood of my being available is high.  It would be best to call me or make an appointment.  Drop-ins at any time are welcome.

Reading materials (required):

Mammals of Washington and Oregon by Tamara Eder

My website address is: http://web.clark.edu/sclark/

In the event of snow or any other odd occurrence that may impact class, look at my web site for pertinent information.

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to important mammals of the Pacific Northwest.  This class teaches about mammals and also uses the mammals as a vehicle to learn about more general concepts in science.  We will be covering a range of topics including life histories, identification, distribution and current status of a wide variety of mammalian species that occur in our region.  Tied to those topics will be information about evolution, adaptations, ecology, conservation, animal physiology and other general scientific concepts.  We also attempt to see as many mammals as possible students are encouraged to share their sightings of mammals with the rest of the class.  In addition to seeing live animals, we will use stuffed animals, photographs and animal specimens as learning tools.

By the end of this class, I hope students can identify many of our Northwest mammals and appreciate some of their life histories at an individual species level as well as at the broader mammalian level.

To maximize your success in this class you will need to do the following:

·        Take good lecture notes—most of your information will come from lecture so taking notes is important.  However, I find that many assiduous note takers do not get as much out of their notes as they expected.  I am a good trouble-shooter of study habits and I can help you learn to study effectively.

·        Do the class readings (from the text to augment lectures and from the electronic reserves). 

·        Study effectively for tests by reviewing notes, reviewing animal specimens (pictures, skulls, specimens etc.)

·        Be able to answer questions that are more sophisticated than factual recall questions.  For example, I want students to become facile answering what-if questions, inferences and defend-the position questions among others.  Those kinds of questions require higher level thinking that can be an invaluable accomplishment in your college career

If you find you need help with any of these, see me and we’ll tackle your concerns together.

Student learning outcomes:

Clark College has identified key abilities that it wants students to acquire through their education.  Similarly, the science department has identified education requirements that are important to the sciences.  The table below shows how this class will address the goals of the college, the science department and of the Biology 140 class.

In addition to learning specific mammal subject matter, Clark College has identified six campus-wide Student Learning Outcomes or Abilities that form the foundation of our educational emphasis: 1) critical thinking/problem solving, 2) information/technology, 3) communication, 4) life-long learning, 5) effective citizenship, and 6) global/multicultural awareness.  Although we will involve aspects of all of these abilities during the quarter, I will specifically promote critical thinking, information and communication (through class discussions, small group discussions, reading assignments, and mammal observations).  The table below shows how I will endeavor to promote specific Student Learning Outcomes in this class:

Course policies:

Attendance: Since most of your material for this class comes from lecture, missing class means you miss information and much of that cannot be recovered from reading a book.  Consequently, I like to emphasize the importance of regular attendance to my students.

When students are giving presentations, I take attendance.  If you were present for all presentations you will receive full points for the participation part of your presentation grade.  If you miss half of the presentations, you will receive half of those points.

Dropping this Class: Students will be allowed to drop a class, without instructor signature, through the seventh week of the quarter. (Note: Classes that meet less than 10 weeks, including summer classes, will have a pro-rated deadline.) Students who drop after the 10th day of the quarter receive a 'W' grade on their transcript, which does not affect their GPA. No drops will be allowed after the seventh week. Students who feel they have extenuating circumstances may appeal this policy by contacting the unit dean before the end of the last scheduled day of the quarter (before finals). The refund policy remains the same.  [This is Clark College policy].

Missed Tests: There will be no makeup tests. If you miss an exam, it will be counted as the exam score you drop.  I reserve the right to develop an alternative grading strategy in the event of extreme personal circumstances.  If class is canceled for any reason, scheduled activities will be take place at the next class meeting.

Missed and Late Assignments:  If you are absent for a lecture, you are still responsible for any assignments made during the class. If class is canceled for any reason, then assignments will be collected at the next class period. All assignments are due during class time.  If I receive a late assignment by 5 PM on the due-day, students will receive a maximum of 50% of the original grade.  No assignments will be accepted after the due-day.

Class Participation: I like students to be engaged by questions coming either from me or from other students.  Conversation, questions and comments are a welcome part of this class. 

Student Conduct: Clark College has a student code of conduct that all students ought to be aware of.  [On the Clark website, navigate to: Clark College-About Clark-Policies and Procedures-Student code of conduct].

Classroom Behavior: Students engaging in disruptive behaviors during class will be asked to leave the classroom.  Repeated occurrences will lead to dismissal from the course. You may not leave and reenter the classroom during a test or exam so take care of any bathroom needs before tests begin.  

Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is required at all times.  Anyone caught cheating will receive a zero for that particular test/exam/assignment and may be dismissed from the course with a failing grade.  Plagiarism, which is representing another’s work as your own, is considered as cheating and will be dealt with as described.  If you intend to quote someone’s idea or sentence, use quotations or a footnote or a parenthesis to tell me what you are doing.  If you don’t declare where the idea or sentence came from, it looks like copying or plagiarism and you will be held accountable for that.  In addition to helping you to footnote properly, I would be happy to help you become skilled at reading someone’s work then closing the book and developing your own opinion honestly and confidently.

Disability Support Services: Clark College and the Disability Support Services assist those with disabilities in pursuing their educational goals.  Their phone number is 992-2314.

Requirements:

Lecture Exams: There will be three quizzes during the quarter plus a Final Exam. Each quiz is worth 50 points.  Students may drop their lowest quiz score from any of the first three exams but may not drop the Final Exam.  The final exam will be comprehensive.  Tests will cover material from lecture and material from the reading that I did not discuss in lecture.

Field Log and Species List: You will be required to keep a Field Log of all wild Northwest mammal species that you encounter during the quarter.  This assignment will be explained in detail on a handout that you will receive in class. The Field Log is worth 50 points and the associated Species List is worth 10 points.

Presentation: Students will give a three minute presentation about some feature (behavior, natural history, physiology, superlative attribute or eccentricity) of a Northwest mammal of your choosing.  This assignment will be explained in detail on a handout that you will receive in class. It will be worth 20 points.

Latin Vocabulary Test: During the quarter, I will give you Latin word roots (for example, e.g. is an abbreviation of the Latin words exempli gratia which mean for example).  I will give a Latin vocabulary test on the same day I give the final exam.  This assignment will be explained in detail in class. It will be worth 15 points.

Additional Assignments:  I will provide several more sources of information to students (articles to read, movies to watch, animals to see etc).  Students must complete any three of the additional assignments for a maximum of 25 points each.  The total points possible will be 75.  These must be completed as per the time schedule noted in the assignment section.  These assignments will be explained in detail in class.

Field Trips: Students will have opportunities to go on several independent field trips.  These field trips may count as part of your Additional Assignment.  Families are welcome; in fact children may really enjoy these. 

Your final grade will be calculated based on the following scale:

            92%-100% = A                                               78%- 79% = C+

            90%- 91% = A-                                               72%- 77% = C

            88%- 89% = B+                                              70%- 71%   = C-

            82%- 87% = B                                                60%- 69% = D

            80%- 81% = B-                                               Below 60% = F

Below is a tentative lecture schedule.  I expect it to change but it serves to reveal the general scope and sequence of this class.

In Cases of Emergencies . . .

 In emergencies (weather, power outage, crisis, etc.), students should do the following: 

1. Inclement weather or emergency information
   1. Go to www.clark.edu or call 360-992-2000 as your first means of getting information.  The College does send notices to radio and television stations, but the College’s web site and switchboard are the official platforms for the most accurate information.
2. Immediate emergency communication alert
   1. To receive immediate notice on emergencies, you can register your cell phone number to receive text pages and your email address to receive email messages.  To do this go to www.flashalert.net .  Select “Subscribe” on the left, and follow the instructions.  Mass communication will also be sent to all college employee phones and computers.
3. Fire Alarm
   1. Evacuate the building through closest exit; evacuation maps are located in the hallways.  Take personal belongings only if it is safe to do so.  Remain at least 50        feet from the building.  Notify other of evacuation.  Do not re-enter building until instructed to do so.
4. Parking Lot Identifiers
   1. New parking lot identifiers using colors and number have been assigned to all Clark parking lots.  To help emergency or security personnel locate you, please refer to these identifying features.
5. Security Escort
   1. Security Officers are available for escorts please call 360-992-2133.  Use this service anytime you would otherwise feel uncomfortable.
6. For information check the web first.  Our website is created by Clark College and therefore less likely to have errors than a news outlet.
   1. Do not have loved ones drive to campus without checking the web.