BI 438 / 638

Semester: Fall 2009

M W F: 1:30-2:20 pm, MG 232
Credit: 3 Semester Hours

Instructor

Dr. Michael S. Taylor
Office: Rhodes 217
E-mail: mtaylor@semo.edu
Phone: 651-2357

Office Hours

Mon: 11:00 am-12:00 pm; Tues: 9:00-10:00 am; or by appointment. If my office door is open, please feel free to inquire whether I am busy with pressing matters; if not, I will be happy to meet with you. E-mail is the most effective way to contact me. I check e-mail regularly during the school week, and will generally provide a timely response. I will also use e-mail to contact the class.

Important Dates

Final Exam: Monday, 23 November 2009 The final exam will be a comprehensive, open-book take-home exam. Note that the regularly scheduled final exam period will be used for the last of the presentations and a round-table evaluation of the graduate student proposals.

Last Date to Drop: Friday, 30 October 2009.

Text

Biogeography, 3rd ed. (Lomolino et al. 2006). Required.
Additional readings from the primary literature, handed out in class.

Web Site

http://cstl-csm.semo.edu/mtaylor/mareco/
The PowerPoint presentations and study guides will be available online. The PowerPoint presentations will serve as a topical guide and reminder of key points, but they do not substitute for regular attendance. I will also provide PDF files of most assigned readings via the class website. You can also check the current status of your grades.

Course Description

The science of biogeography is the study of the geographic distribution of plants and animals. In this course, you will explore the geological, climatological, ecological, and evolutionary factors that govern the geographic distribution of biological diversity. You will learn to apply historical and contemporary theories and methods to explore spatial patterns of geographical variation at both global and regional scales. You will also learn to apply biogeographic principles to the conservation of biological diversity. You will learn to apply biogeographic concepts through classroom discussion and lecture, independent exploration of a taxonomic group of your choosing, and in-class student presentations.

Objectives

By the end of this course you should be able to

• Demonstrate understanding of basic terms and concepts of biogeography.
• Relate biogeographic distributions to historical and modern environmental change.
• Critically evaluate historical and contemporary biogeographic publications.
• Apply biogeographic principles to the conservation of biological diversity.

Expectations and Policies - Read This Carefully

Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices Off!

Use of any type of cell phone or other electronic device in class for voice communication is expressly forbidden. Use of such devices shows complete disregard and lack of respect for both the instructor and your fellow students. If you are caught using any phone or texting device during an exam, you will be immediately dismissed from the exam and receive a grade of zero. These devices must not be out on tables, chairs, floors, etc. during exams, or you will be immediately dismissed and receive a grade of zero on the exam. If your cell phone rings during lecture, you will receive a warning for the first violation. Subsequent violations will result in a 20 point deduction from your final grade, equivalent to a drop of two letter grades on a single exam. Continued violations will double the deduction over the immediately prior violation. If you have a bonafide need to have a cell phone on (vibrate only), you must notify me in advance. Any unauthorized use will be sanctioned as discussed above.

Academic Expectations

Academic study at the university level requires scholarly diligence. Your dedication and perseverance will be the primary determinant of your success in class. Your final grade depends solely on the effort that you apply to the course. I strongly recommend regular study and review of the course material. However, you are an adult with the ability to establish your own priorities and make decisions based on those priorities. Consider carefully the choices that you make and balance them against the final grade that you hope to earn.

Attendance

Attendance is not required but will be recorded and reported, per University requirements. Failure to attend class can result in loss of student financial support. The official attendance policy is stated the Undergraduate Bulletin (http://www.semo.edu/bulletin/). Regular attendance will not guarantee success. Lack of regular attendance will almost certainly guarantee failure.

Excused absences must be arranged with the instructor in advance (e.g., for University-sanctioned events), or your absence must be validated by a written doctor's excuse, police report, or other verifiable document. All absences are subject to verification. Missed exams and assignments can only be made up for excused absences (see below). No exceptions.

Due dates are due dates

You have the responsibility of completing all assignments by the expected date and time. Unless specifically stated otherwise, assignments are due at the start of class on the assigned date. Any assignment not turned in at that time is considered late. Late assignments, where allowed (see below), are docked 10% of the total possible points for every 24 hour period past the due date and, for a maximum deduction of 50%. After five days, a grade of zero will be assigned. Forgetting is not an excuse. A printer or computer problem is not an excuse. Manage your time wisely; do not wait until the last minute.

Make-Up Exams

You are expected to take all exams on the appointed date. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero for the exam, unless you have a valid and verifiable excuse. If I can not verify your excuse, you will not be allowed to take a make-up exam. The make-up exam may be a different from the exam administered in on the appointed date, including format, length and types of questions asked.

Academic Honesty

Honesty is vital to your integrity and success in civilized society. You are expected and required to be honest in all academic endeavors. Any violation of the university policy on academic honesty is subject to disciplinary action. The Undergraduate Bulletin defines academic dishonesty as ...those acts which would deceive, cheat, or defraud so as to promote one's scholastic record..., and states that [v]iolations of academic honesty represent a serious breech of discipline and may be considered grounds for disciplinary action, including dismissal from the university. The Undergraduate Bulletin contains the full statement about academic honesty (http://www.semo.edu/bulletin)

Dishonesty will not be tolerated. You are free and encouraged to participate in group study, but written assignments and exams must result from only your effort. Cheating or plagiarism will result in a grade of zero for the exam or paper, with no opportunity for makeup. You will also be subject to sanction through the University as described in the Undergraduate Bulletin. No exceptions. Information on the University Policy for Academic Honesty is at http://www6.semo.edu/judaffairs/code.html.

Civility and Harassment

Civil discourse between people with diverse backgrounds and cultures is an essential component of a university education. Your successful education in the classroom requires a mutually respectful and cooperative learning atmosphere for students and instructors. Any action that interferes with a civil environment will not be tolerated. Such actions include, but are not limited to, physical or verbal abuse, sexual misconduct, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion and/or other conduct which (a) submits any person to pain, discomfort or indignity or (b) threatens or endangers the physical or mental health or safety of any person may result in disciplinary action. See Judicial Affairs for more information: http://www6.semo.edu/judaffairs/

Students with Disabilities

Students may obtain official information about disabilities from Learning Assistance and Disability Support Services (http://www.semo.edu/cs/services/lec.htm). The university has many services to assist with your successful education. If you have a special need due to a disability, please notify me at the beginning of the course. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate special needs.

Grading Policies

I do not give grades; you earn them. Each student begins on the first day of class with a grade of zero. You add to your grade through the exams, written assignments and class participation.

Grade Evaluation

Your grades will be based on the following:

Evaluation for Undergraduate Students	Total Points	Percent
Lecture Exams (2 @ 100 pts; 1 @ 120 pts)	320	40%
Reading Critiques (4 @ 40 pts)	160	20%
Presentation and Citations	120	15%
Homework / In-Class Assignments*	variable	25%

Evaluation for Graduate Students**	Percent
Lecture Exams (3 @ varying ponts)	40%
Reading Critiques (4 @ 40 pts)	20%
Presentation and Citations	15%
Written Proposal	10%
Homework / In-Class Assignments*	15%

* The number of homework assignments is undetermined. I may add other home or in-class assignments of varying point values. The total weight of all home and in-class assignments will not exceed 25% (15% for graduate students) of the total grade.

** Graduate students will have a different number of total points but the overall weighting scheme is comparable to the undergraduate students. The primary difference is the inclusion of a written proposal to accompany the presentation.

Grade	Percent	Quality
A	≥ 90.00	Outstanding
B	80.0-89.9%	Above Average
C	70.0-79.9%	Average
D	60.0-69.9%	Below Average. This grade is not available to graduate students.
F	≤ 59.9%	Failure

Simply performing the minimum that is requested from you will be sufficient to achieve average quality for the course. To achieve greater quality requires correspondingly greater effort on your part. Less effort from you will also be judged accordingly. I reserve the right to adjust downward the lower boundary of each grade level. I will never adjust the lower boundary upward. Extra credit will not be available. No exceptions. Spend your “extra” time studying the assigned course material.

Exams

Two regular lecture exams (100 pts each) and one final exam (120 points each). Graduate student exams will have additional questions and greater total point values. Lecture exams will typically consist of fill-in-the-blank, a series of short answer questions, and longer discussion questions. The exams will test your understanding of evolutionary concepts and processes. You must demonstrate your ability to use and apply proper terminology, and to synthesize novel responses from information delivered in class, from the text, and from the assigned readings. The discussion questions are graded on your ability to concisely convey important concepts and original thought, NOT the amount of space occupied by your writing. Your ability to construct intelligent (and intelligible) responses are critical to successful answers. The final exam will be a comprehensive take-home exam to evaluate your overall understanding and comprehension of the course material.

Prior to each exam (5 days), I will send out a series of discussion questions for you to answer; a subset of these questions will appear on the exam. You may craft your answers by drawing from any available resources, and you may collaborate with your classmates, but you may not bring prepared answers to the exam.

How to succeed: I draw a significant portion of my lectures from the text. You would therefore be wise to review the requisite chapters prior to each lecture, then study both the text and your lecture notes to maximize your understanding. For each lecture, I provide a PDF file of the PowerPoint presentations, usually available prior to the start of class, and a study guide that emphasizes the important concepts of that lecture. Download these and review them. I may also have review sessions prior to each exam. Your best chance for success in this course is to read all assigned chapters and reading material in advance of lecture, regularly review your lecture notes, review the terms and answer questions on the study guide, and attend any review session. Ask questions in class! If you do not fully grasp a topic or concept, ask me to review it.

Written Critiques

40 points each. We will discuss in class four clusters of publications from the recent biogeography literature. I will provide the publications to you in PDF format via the class website about one week prior to the date of the class discussion. You must write a critical evaluation of the merits of the research. You must also write onr or two questions that can help to drive the class discussion. We will discuss the papers and the questions in class on the scheduled day. To ensure you write your evaluations before the due date, I will not accept late assignments nor those that are not typed.

Important Note: If I feel that participation in class discussions is lacking, I will end the discussion and adminster a quiz worth 40 points. The quiz will replace the question assignment for this critique. Trust me, you do not want that to happen.

Homework

Homework assignments will consist primarily of 1-3 questions related to the assigned readings from the text. These questions are designed to get you to read and begin to understand the material before my lecture on the subject. Assignments are due at the start of class. Late assignments lose 10% of the total possible points per 24 hour period after the due date and time. No assignment will be accepted after five days late. All homework assignments must be typed.

Presentation

Each student will prepare and present a 10-12 minute PowerPoint presentation to the class. The requirements for this presentation are on a separate handout. You must be present for all presentations to receive full credit for this assignment. I will deduct 2.5% of the total possible points per presentation that you miss, which could result in a deduction of up to 7.5% of your points per day that you miss. If you are not in the classroom at the start of a presentation, you will be treated as having missed that presentation. I suggest you be present and on time.

Graduate students will also prepare a written proposal to accompany the presentation. The requirements for this report are on a separate handout. All students will evaluate all of the proposals for merit. A round-table discussion of the proposals will occur on the final day of class (the final exam period).

How Do I Grade?

In a word, tough. However, the real answer is more nuanced. As noted above, an A grade is outstanding, while a C grade is average. Thus, to achieve an A, you need to craft outstanding answers on your exams, write outstanding critiques, and complete outstanding homework. In short, you must demonstrate complete mastery of the material presented in this course. You will earn an above average grade with above average effort; you will earn an average grade with average effort. Bear in mind that the average reflects the work performed by most people in a large group. Some students will do better than average, some will do worse. How will you perform?

Hint: Always answer every question on exams. If you do not answer a question, I have no choice but to give you zero points. If you attempt an answer, you have a chance of writing an answer that is at least partially correct, which means you have a chance of earning some points for the question. Even four points out of a 10-15 point question is better than zero points.

What constitutes an outstanding/above average/average/etc grade? As stated above, this course requires that you communicate clearly and effectively (including spelling and grammatical skills), demonstrate an ability to integrate different forms of information (i.e., evidence), and demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills. A person who consistently demonstrates mastery of all of these skills in this course will earn an outstanding grade. If you demonstrate command of two of these skill but are weak in a third (e.g., reasoning and integration is outstanding but spelling is somewhat problematic), you will be more likely to earn an above average grade. If your reasoning is less than clear, and you do not communicate effectively, you are more likely to earn an average grade (or worse).

This class requires that you work hard to earn an A grade. Earning an A is very possible, but you will have to put forth the effort. The grade you earn will reflect the effort you put into this course. Judge accordingly. Cause and effect. I am merely the keeper of your grade.

Do I grade on a curve? When a student asks this question, the implied question is Will you adjust my current score to a more favorable score? After all, the 90%-80%-70%-60% grade scale is already based on a normally-distributed curve, so grades are inherently curved. Still, with the spirit of the question in mind, I may or may not adjust the score of a given exam. Each class, and each exam, is different. Do not rely on curves to improve your score; instead, be prepared. If I do curve, then be pleasantly surprised.