General Zoology Syllabus

Instructor
Professor: Lee Boyd
Office: ST 202-D
Phone: 231-1010, ext. 2081
E-mail: lee.boyd@washburn.edu

This 4 credit hour course consists of three 50-minute lectures and one 3-hour laboratory per week. The course is designed as an overview of the field of zoology. The taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, ecology and evolution of the protistan and animal kingdoms are discussed. Evolutionary relationships are emphasized. The laboratory gives students first hand experience with a diversity of organisms from structural, functional, and ecological perspectives.

3. To instill in students an understanding, appreciation and respect for the other animals which share our planet.

4. To make students aware of the various disciplines encompassed by the field of zoology and to encourage them to pursue those areas that interest them through further reading and coursework.

5. To acquaint students with the upper division courses in various areas of zoology offered by Washburn University.

6. To give students the background of knowledge necessary for upper division courses and later careers.

7. To encourage the development of inductive and deductive reasoning and to promote better study and test-taking skills necessary for this and other courses.

* Students may withdraw from courses through the second week of class with no recorded grade. From the third through the eleventh week a "W" is recorded for any dropped course. Beginning with the start of the twelfth week, there are NO withdrawals, and a grade will be assigned for the course.

4 lecture/lab exams @ 150 points each = 600 points
class project participation = 100 points

Each lecture/lab exam is given on a lab day, except that the 4th lecture/lab exam will be given during finals week, but is not comprehensive.

Approximately 100 points will cover lecture material, and is a mixture of multiple choice, true/false, fill-ins, listing, and short answer. The questions will be based on lecture and lab material, which is in turn based on your textbook and lab manual and other sources.

Approximately 50 points will cover labs in the form of fill-ins regarding identification of microscopic material and gross specimens.

No extra credit, and no lecture or lab exams dropped. Missed exams may not be made-up unless the student has an extraordinary excuse for their absence. The decision as to whether the excuse is sufficient rests entirely with the professor. Under NO circumstances may more than 1 exam be made up. Makeups will typically be essay and/or oral and must be completed within 1 week of the date of the original exam. There are no makeups for the laboratory portion of the exam, as this takes much effort to prepare and must be immediately dismantled to accommodate other classes that use the room and the materials.

The grading scale will be 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, <60 F. Borderline cases will be decided based on attendance, effort, improvement, and attitude.

Students who do well in this course don't miss class. In the extremely rare event that they miss a class, they get notes from another member of the class. They skim the textbook before coming to lecture and read thoroughly for understanding afterward. They read the lab manual thoroughly prior to lab and also read and complete any handouts. During lab they listen to instructions carefully and methodically complete all portions of the lab using the full laboratory period to advantage. They study lecture and lab materials between class sessions as well as immediately prior to each exam. They are actively engaged in the class. I want you to enjoy the course, learn a lot and do well. Don't put off seeing me if you have any questions or problems.

Be on time so as to catch announcements and instructions. If you cannot attend, please let me know ahead of time (call my office phone or e-mail me). You are responsible for any information you miss. I do not lend out my lecture notes so if you must be absent, you will have to borrow someone else's notes. While there is no mandatory attendance policy, attendance is important. I use attendance patterns, effort, and attitude in deciding borderline final grades. Laboratories are dismantled immediately upon completion in order to accommodate other classes that use the room or the materials, so labs cannot be made up if missed.

It is important to bring your lecture notes and both textbook and lab manual to every lab. Bring the textbook to lecture if you can. Unfortunately thefts do occur, so put your name on your belongings, do not leave them unattended, and be observant.

The Student Services/Services for Students with Disabilities Office (SSWDO) is responsible for assisting in arranging accommodations and for identifying resources on campus for persons with disabilities. Qualified students with disabilities must register with the office to be eligible for services. SSWDO MUST have documentation on file in order to provide services. Accommodations may include in-class notetakers, test readers/scribes, adaptive computer technology, and brailled materials. New requests for accommodations should be submitted two months or more prior to the date services should begin; however, contact SSWDO as soon as a need may arise.
Location: Disability Services, Morgan Hall-Room 150
Phone: 785-231-1010, ext 1629(may leave voice mail 24 hrs/day) or TDD: 785-231-1025
Students may voluntarily identify themselves to the instructor for a referral to SSWDO.

Students at times experience difficulty with issues such as studying, personal problems, time management, or choice of major, classes, or employment. The Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) is available to help students with counseling, testing, learning assistance, career services, and academic advising. To discuss issues confidentially and free of charge, contact:
CLASS, Morgan 122
231-1010 ext. 1299
zzdpclas@washburn.edu
www.washburn.edu/services/class

All students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and ethically in their academic work. Inappropriate and unethical behavior includes (but is not limited to) giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of papers or other assignments, or knowingly misrepresenting the source of academic work.

Washburn University's Academic Impropriety Policy describes academically unethical behavior in greater detail, and explains the actions that may be taken when such behavior occurs. For a complete copy of the Academic Impropriety Policy, contact the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Morgan 270, or go on-line to:
www.washburn.edu/admin/fac-handbook/FHSEC7.htm#VIII

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