BIO 109: NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SOUTHWEST ONLINE FALL 2008 (CRN 12175)

Do you want to learn how to identify the local common plants and animals and how they live in and have adapted to the desert? Do you want to learn the local geology and why we are a desert here? If so, then you should enjoy this class!

Instructor Information
Dr. Brad Fiero Dept. of Biology, West Campus (2202 W Anklam Rd.) Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona 85709-0270 Office: Tortolita E-214, (520) 206-6897 (Dept. is 206-6031) Office Hours: M 10-11 am, TTh 12-1:30 pm. Also by appointment. Home Page Website: http://wc.pima.edu/~bfiero/ Fax: (520) 206-6902; E-mail*: bfiero@pima.edu Please always include your name and "Bio109" in the subject line of all email sent to me. I will always try to respond to your email within two business days (usually much sooner). If you do not hear from me within two business days, please send me another message (or call) to find out what happened.
Course Information	Course Resources
Online Orientation What to Expect Syllabus | Schedule Exam & ID Test Info Your Grade PowerPoints	Website: Desert Ecology of Tucson AZ for 109 Fail-Safe Study Technique Lab Manual | Project Self-Quizzes (links to study materials) Species List (species for Identification Tests) PowerPoint Viewer download site Private vehicle certification form (use student # not social security #)

STEPS TO SUCCESS:

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Syllabus Materials

Course Description/Objectives/Texts Grading System and Grading Rubrics Policies/Philosophy Laboratory Assignments Project Also see the following on other pages: Plagiarism and How to Cite Sources/Find Information Fail-Safe Study Techniques

Course Description: Study of the common plants and animals of the southwest. Includes their distribution, adaptation, behavior and ecology. Also includes physical geography and geological principles of the region. Performance Objectives: Students will: Apply basic geological principles to interpret the physical setting of the Southwest. Apply meteorological and biological principles to describe the formation of the major biotic communities in the Southwest. Describe major desert adaptations and the process of natural selection. Identify common plants and animals of the Southwest. Integrate basic biological principles and specific natural history information into an understanding of the common plants and animals of the Southwest. Demonstrate skills necessary for life-long learning of natural history, including conducting scientific research. Texts: Natural History of the Southwest (BIO 109) PowerPoint presentations (online) A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert by Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (optional) Website: http://wc.pima.edu/~bfiero/bio109web/

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GRADING SYSTEM

Grade Determination: Based on percentage of total accumulated points from both lecture and lab.
Keep track of your own grades using the grade tracking sheet and see my records of your grades.

Graded Assignments
Exams	400 pts (best 4 of 5 @ 100 pts)	44.4%
Identification Tests	200 pts (best 4 of 5 @ 50 pts)	22.2%
Labs	150 pts	16.7%
Project	150 pts	16.7%
TOTAL	900 points	100%
* I will drop the lowest exam and identification test score at the end of the semester to determine final grades (see Exam Info).

POLICIES

Attendance Policy: You are expected to take the exams and identification tests in the West Campus Assessment and Testing Center during the time periods scheduled. I hope that you will attend the two lab days (see scheduled dates/times), especially lab day 1, but attendance is not required. If you do not attend the lab days, then you can do the labs on your own (see lab manual).

Make-up Policy: Exams and Identification Tests cannot be made up (the Final Exam grade replaces the lowest exam grade and the lowest identification test -- see explanation). Late Project assignments may be turned in up to two weeks late (except for revised report; see project info), but are deducted up to 25% of the possible points. All labs must be in my hands no later than Dec. 1. Please do not wait until the last minute! Things happen! Because I not only allow but encourage you to turn in your project and lab assignments early, I will not accept any excuses for late work.

Scholastic Ethic: You are expected to abide by the College's Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.pima.edu/~coadmissions/studresp.htm). Breaches in scholastic ethic (e.g. cheating and plagiarism) will be dealt with severely.

Official Withdrawal (W): If you decide you cannot continue in class, make sure you officially withdraw by November 13.

Incomplete (I): Given only when a student has missed 20% or less of the course material for a reason acceptable to the instructor. Eligibility for an incomplete requires earned grades that average "C" or above at the time of request.

Posting of Grades: Grades will be posted anonymously using a personal code supplied by the student. The purpose of posting grades is to allow students to track their grade throughout the semester (and to double-check my bookkeeping). Please send me a personal code consisting of 6 letters and/or numbers if you wish to have your grades posted in this anonymous way. If you do not wish your grades to be posted in this manner, please inform the instructor.

Americans with Disabilities Act: Pima County Community College District strives to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students with disabilities requiring special accommodations must notify the instructor of this need or directly contact the Disabled Student Resources Office on your campus at the beginning of the semester. One or more field trips are tentatively planned during the course. A reasonable accommodation will be provided unless it creates an undue hardship or is not possible. Total participation may be denied for education or safety reasons, and an alternative activity will be provided.

PHILOSOPHY OF CLASS