Wildlife of North America – 10084 BIOL 105-001
Spring 2008
Meets MWF 11:00-11:50 in Evenden Tower room 205

Quick Links:

Instructor Information:

• Dr. Marsha S. Stock
• 519 Evenden Tower
• 607.746.4370
• stockms@delhi.edu
• Office Hours: (to be determined)

Course Description:

Wildlife of North America is a survey of the major orders of non-domesticated (wild) mammals of North America. For each group we will cover the characteristics of the group as well as specialized characteristics of representative species of the group. Behavioral and structural adaptations to cope with the environment will be discussed as well as the ways that the animal impacts (and changes) its environment. Life history strategies will be discussed in light of the habitat and ecological biome in which the animal lives. Conservation and species interactions with humans will also be covered.

Objectives:

1. to understand the general characteristics of mammals;
2. to identify various species of mammals of North America and to be able to discuss their specific adaptations to the environment;
3. To show an understanding of the role of these animals in their habitat, their interaction with humans, the impact of human activity on them.

Assessment Criteria:

Assessment will consist of quizzes and exams, class and web participation, as well as a term paper. Quizzes and exams will include recognition of mammals as well as various kinds of short answer (i.e. multiple choice) and essay questions.

Text:

• Whitaker, John O., Jr. 1996/97. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. New York.
• Additional readings and audiovisual materials may be put on reserve in the library, available on the online portion of the course via Vancko Hall (Moodle).

Computer Requirement:

• You should have basic knowledge of computer operations and the ability to type and hand in digital copies of assignments created in Microsoft Word.
• I expect that you will log onto the online portion of the course and your college e-mail account at least twice a day.
• Updates, some assignments, class outlines, review material, some online quizzes will only be available in the online portion of this course. I am using “Moodle” which is a new (to me) course management system. It is accessed through “Vancko Hall”. To get to Vancko Hall go to the Delhi College Home page and to Online Education. You will find a link to Vancko Hall. (Or go directly via http://vanckohall.delhi.edu .  Once there, you must log in. Log in using your student number and your PIN. A list of your courses will be on the left. Click on Wildlife of North America to enter this course.
• Alternately you may go to my home page: http://faculty.delhi.edu/stockms and follow the link to Vancko Hall under Wildlife of North America.

Syllabus:

Introduction to Mammals and Some Ecology

Orders of Mammals Covered (representative examples in parentheses):
1. Insectivora (moles and shrews)
2. Didelphimorphia (opossum)
3. Xenarthra (armadillo)
4. Chiroptera (bats)
5. Artiodactyla (deer, elk, sheep, etc.)
6. Perissodactyla (horses)
7. Lagomorpha (rabbits, hares, etc.)
8. Rodentia (beaver, mruskrat, woodchuck, mice, squirrels, etc)
9. Sirenia (manatee)
10. Cetacea (whales, dolphins, porpoises)
11. Carnivora (fox, wolves, bears, otters, etc.)

Grading:

• Quizzes: There will be at least 5 quizzes given on Fridays during the semester. Each quiz is worth 25 points and the lowest quiz will be dropped.
• Exams: Three exams, each worth 100 points.
• I will drop the total of the quizzes OR one of the hourly exams whichever is lowest. Quiz/Exam total = 300 points.
• Class Participation – 50 points.
  • This will include “spot” quizzes as well as review questions and in-class discussions.
• Web Participation – 50 points.
  • This will mostly be made up of participation in online discussions.
  • It may include on-line quizzes and short assignments.
• Research Paper – 50 points.
• Final (Comprehensive) Exam – 200 points [100 points from written questions and 100 points of identifications.]

Letter grades will generally follow the following formula:
>90% = A; 80-89% =B; 70-79%=C; 60-69% = D; <60% = F

Tentative Quiz and Exam Schedule

Attendance:

You are expected to be on time and prepared for each lecture. Walking late into lecture is not only rude, it is disruptive. Please make every effort to be on time. (See disruptive behavior below.)

• Attendance rules will follow those of the college. You are expected to attend class consistently.
• You may be allowed to make up material that you miss if you have a legitimate excuse that can be documented.
  • All health-related absences must be documented by the College Health Center in Forman Hall.
  • College-related absences such as participation in athletic events or academically-based field trips may be excused in writing but ONLY with two weeks notice. The written documentation must come from a coach or faculty member who is overseeing the event.
  • The instructor reserves the right to make the final judgment of what constitutes a legitimate excuse.
• If you are going to be absent for a religious holiday you must notify me in writing two weeks in advance of the holiday in order to be excused from class.
• Regardless of the excuse it is your responsibility to notify your instructor in a timely manner to make up the material you missed.
  • "A timely manner" would be within one week of the absence.
• With the use of Vancko Hall (Moodle) and e-mail you have no excuse for turning in work late. You are expected to find out what you missed and hand in all assignments on time. Assignments are due regardless of your lack of attendance.
• Lecture exams: Missed lecture exams must be made up within the week of the absence. Make up exams will only be given with a documented excuse, i.e. doctor, family emergency, etc.

BE PREPARED: You may be called on at any time in lecture. You are expected to be prepared by reading assignments, completing homework assignments, and continuously reviewing lecture and laboratory material. Keeping up with course work will make taking exams much easier. There will be spot quizzes to determine if you are doing your work and paying attention. These will be given without notice.

Disruptive Behavior:

• Disruptive behavior of any kind that distracts from the learning atmosphere of the class room will not be tolerated.
  • Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, late arrival, early departure from class, talking in class, walking around or leaving while class is in session.
    • Go to the rest room BEFORE class; bring tissues or cough drops if you have a cold.
  • Cell phone or the use of other electronic devices such as PDA's and mp3 players will not be tolerated in lecture. Be sure that all such devices are turned off and put away before you come to class. Their use is considered disruptive and may result in an F in the course.
  • Students who are disruptive will be warned one time but a written notice such as an Early Warning form.
  • Any subsequent infraction may result in removal from the class and an F in the course. Such behavior may be referred to the Disciplinary Council for appropriate action, which can include suspension from the College.

Academic Honesty:

• Academic Integrity is another way of describing honesty. Students must understand that cheating in any form is unacceptable, whether copying another student's work, copying information from the internet or another source, bringing answers into a test, or giving answers to another student. Students who cheat will be subject to the Academic Integrity Policy. The policy Provost's Office Website, http://www.delhi.edu/academics/provost/ under "General Information for Students."
• This policy requires that any violation of the academic integrity policy of the College be reported to the Office of Academic Advising. If more than one incident is reported to this office the violations will be turned over to the College Judicial Coordinator and the student will be placed on deferred suspension. Any further incidents may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.

Collaborative Learning: There are several instances where you will be handing in work that you have done in laboratory or lecture. In those cases you are free to consult with your classmates; I encourage you to do so. However, the work that you hand in must be your own and written in our own words. Work that, in the opinion of the instructor, is too similar to another student's work, may result in a grade of a zero on that assignment as well as a written and oral warning.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism includes not only copying another student's work, but using the work of others, such as the author of your text, without giving proper credit. Reports and papers that are handed in must be properly referenced. Failure to do so will result in a verbal and written warning as well as a zero on that report. See detailed instructions on scientific notation which will be handed out when you are given an assignment.

Cheating: Copying from other students in an exam or using any kind of study aid during an exam or quiz will be punished by a zero for that quiz or exam.

Inclement Weather

Should I find it necessary to cancel class because of inclement weather or some other factor, I will do the following:

1. Change my campus voice mail message.
2. Post a notice in the Vanco Hall portion of the course.
3. Send you an e-mail via your Web Mail

Usually I will give you an online assignment so be sure to check Vancko Hall!

Students with Disabilities:

• In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the American Disabilities Act of 1990, New York State Human Rights Laws, and University policy, reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified students with documented disabilities.
• If you are entitled to reasonable accommodations you will have to meet with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities, Linda Weinberg, 221 Bush Hall
• Accommodations that fundamentally alter the essential elements of a course or modifications that may pose a safety risk to themselves or others are not deemed reasonable.
• It is the responsibility of the student to inform the professor and coordinate arrangements for reasonable accommodations with Linda Weinberg and her staff.