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."Biology". Sixth edition.

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 four exams and a comprehensive final.  Exams
consist of multiple-choice questions. The four exams contribute 60% of
final grade. The final exam contributes 30% of final grade and the
discussion contributes 10% of final grade. Extra credit is not given
in this class.