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Pike ©Robin Paris |
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| Office:
Dow Science 314 |
| Phone:
x7063 |
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| Office
hours: TBA; also by appointment |
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| Lecture:
MWF 11:50 AM-1:05 PM, Dow 226 |
| Lab:
Tues AM and PM & Thur PM, Dow 319 and field |
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Please visit the course Moodle site
for readings, assignments, updates as the course proceeds
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“There is grandeur in this view of
life … from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful
and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” Charles
Darwin, Origin of Species, 1859
“... to the degree that we come to
understand other organisms, we will place a greater value on them,
and on ourselves.” Edward O. Wilson, Biophilia,
1984
Course Texts
- Biology (7th Edition), Campbell
and Reece, 2004
- A Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory (Revised
5th Edition), Van De Graaff and Crawley, 2005
- A Short Guide to Writing About Biology (6th
edition), Pechenik, 2007
- Assigned outside reading and web sources
Course Description
An introduction to the diversity of organisms, including
their sampling, identification, classification, evolution and
conservation. Diversity will be explored from the organismal to
the biome level and will incorporate hands-on investigations in
laboratory and field settings.
Course Goals
- Enhance awareness of and appreciation for biological diversity,
both locally and globally
- Acquire “face-name” recognition of the major
groups (phyla) of life
- Appreciate the interplay between organism and environment
(biotic and abiotic) and how this interplay influences biological
diversity on micro- and macroevolutionary scales
- Gain exposure to and proficiency in practices related to
the study of biological diversity, such as:
- sampling, identification and classification of organisms
- analysis and interpretation of biological data (e.g. phylogenies,
diversity indices)
- effective communication of ideas and scientific findings
By the end of this course, students will be able to discuss the
following in an informed manner:
The scope of biodiversity How many species
are there? How do we know? What is the importance of biological
diversity? How is biodiversity distributed on earth, regionally
and globally? What factors threaten biodiversity?
The origin and diversification of life When
did life first appear? What were the earliest life forms like?
What major innovations led to novel forms of life? What are the
major branches on the tree of life? What factors promote macro-
and microevolutionary changes in life forms? Has diversity within
groups changed over time (is it increasing, decreasing, or not
changing?)
Phylogenetics and systematics How is the diversity
of life named and classified? What are the evolutionary relationships
between different forms of life? How are these relationships determined?
How has our view of the tree-of-life changed over time? What key
characteristics do we use to identify and classify various organisms?
Community diversity, ecosystems and biomes
What roles do organisms play in maintaining community diversity
and ecosystem stability? What is known about the biological diversity
within various biomes?
Biodiversity and conservation What are the
major threats to biodiversity? How does the human population impact
biological diversity? Is the biodiversity crisis real? What are
some strategies for conserving and restoring biodiversity?
Biodiversity and human nature Do humans have
an innate affinity to associate with other life forms? If so,
does this mean we possess a conservation ethic? To what extent
are humans dependent on other organisms to sustain humanity?
©Dr. Ann Fraser, Department
of Biology, Kalamazoo College
Last Revised:
September 12, 2008 1:45 PM
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