Course Format: Lecture: 1:00P-2:15P, TR, JH 124. Attendance of one
fifty-minute discussion group per week.

Prerequisites:  College prep high school biology. Students who did not
take biology in high school traditionally have struggled in this
course. Familiarity with the World Wide Web and basic algebra skills
are beneficial. Students enrolling in this course should have good
study skills and the discipline for self-directed learning.

Course Description: This course focuses on biological processes above
the cellular level including evolutionary mechanisms (natural selection
and genetic drift), ecology, and the diversity of life. We discuss who
Charles Darwin was, how he developed the theory of evolution by natural
selection, and how genetic variation is the key to populations
surviving environmental changes. We explore the evolutionary history of
plants and animals and how these organisms interact with each other and
with their environment.

Required Text: Campbell, et al. 1999. "Biology". Fifth edition*, plus
instructor written course packet from Tichenor Publishing Company

*There is a possibility that we will use the Sixth Edition of Campbell
et al. if it is available by June or July.

Weekly Assignments: One to two chapters of reading and discussion group
assignments. Discussion group assignments include worksheets with
readings and/or basic data analysis. Approximately half of the
worksheet is completed before coming to discussion group. The remaining
half is discussed in small groups and completed during discussion
group. Discussion group activities emphasize material learned in
lecture. They are not a recitation of the lecture material.

Exams/Papers: There are three exams and a comprehensive final.  Exams
1-3 consist of 50 multiple-choice questions. The final exam consists of
80 multiple-choice questions. Exam grades make up 85% of the final
grade for this course. Graded discussion group activities contribute
the remaining 15%. Extra credit is not given in this class.