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NCOLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BIO 571 Microbial Ecology, Spring 200311:10-12:25 T Th3 credits, prerequisites BIO 220 or 205 Instructors: Bruce Hungate, office: BS 307, Office hours: Th 12:30-1:30 or by appointment phone: 3-0925, E-mail: [email protected] Johnson, office: PS124, Office hours: W 3:00 – 5:00 or by appointmentphone: 3-6473, E-mail [email protected] Description: This course explores microbial evolution and population, community, and ecosystem ecology of microorganisms with an emphasis on microbial interactions with plants and animals, ecosystem processes, and the roles of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles.Course Objectives:· Study the ecology of microorganisms at population, community and ecosystem levels.· Gain an appreciation of microbial evolution and diversity.· Gain familiarity with modern approaches and questions in microbial ecology including critical analysis through speaking and writing.Course Structure: Material presented in lectures and assigned readings will be critically analyzed through in-class discussions and written reviews. Required Readings: Course-pack, available at Cline Library copy center Electronic Communication: All students must have an e-mail account because lecture outlines, discussion questions and other important materials will be sent through e-mail. Article reviews (120 pts): Each week students will be required to critically review scientific articles that are in the course-pack. On Thursdays, the instructors and graduate students will lead in-class discussions of the articles. At least one week before each review is due, review questions will be e-mailed to you. Your written reviews are worth 10 points each, and they will be collected at the beginning of class each Thursday. Late reviews will not be accepted because we will discuss the answers to the questions during class. To accommodate absences, you can drop your lowest two review scores.Discussion moderator (60 points): Each graduate student must moderate one of the weekly discussions. Sign up for your week during the first class period. At least one week before you moderate, you are required to e-mail the instructors a draft of the questions that you propose to discuss.Exams (310 points): There will be one mid-term and a final exam. The mid-term will cover material during the first half of the course, and the final will cover all material presented during the course, with an emphasis on material from the second half. Exams will cover all material presented in lecture and assigned readings. Exam questions (10 points): One week before each exam students must submit five questions and answers via e-mail. These questions will be collated, annotated, and e-mailed to each student as a study aid. Renditions of some of these questions may be incorporated into the exams. Syllabus BIO 571 Spring, 2003Important dates: Exam questions for midterm - due February 27Midterm exam – due March 6Exam questions for final exam - due May 1Final exam - May 8, 10 – 12 AMPoint distribution: Compose review questions & moderate discussion 60 pointsArticle Reviews 120 points (14 @ 10 points each and drop the lowest two)Exam questions 10 pointsMidterm exam 100 pointsFinal exam 210 pointsTotal points 500 pointsAssessment of course grade: A > 450, B > 400, C > 350, D > 300 F < 300OTHER NOTES AND POLICIES1. Special Needs. Students with physical handicaps or learning disabilities who need to make special arrangements should consult the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester. If you have questions about provisions for students with disabilities, contact the Counseling and Testing Center (523-2261).2. Challenges to Assigned Grades. Challenges to assigned grades are welcomed, because they demonstrate that you are seriously thinking about the material in the course. However, challenges will only be considered in writing. A written format provides you with the opportunity to present an articulate and well-considered argument (and therefore more likely that we will favor your challenge with an improved grade). A written request also provides a record of the grade transaction in case there are questions at a later time. Challenges must be submitted within one week of the return of a graded assignment. 3. Academic Integrity. Any form of misconduct – including cheating, fabrication, fraud, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism – will not betolerated. Violators will be subject to a failing grade in this course. We do encourage students to collaborate in studying and to review each other'swritten assignments, but all work turned in for a grade must be completed only by the student submitting the work. Please see the Student Code of Conduct and the section on Academic Dishonesty in the Northern Arizona University Student Handbook.4. Incompletes. Incompletes will not be given except in extreme circumstances beyond a student's control. In no case will an Incomplete be given because a student is dissatisfied with a final grade and hopes to complete additional post-course work to improve the grade.5. Withdrawals. The last day for Withdrawal (last day to drop with a W) is October 15, 1998. The last day for Drop/Delete is September 18, 1998. For other deadlines, please refer to the University Calendar in the Directory of Classes.6. Safe Working and Learning Environment. Northern Arizona University is committed to a safe working and learning environmental for students, faculty and staff. Any form of discrimination and/or sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Procedures for the resolution of complaints appear in the Student Handbook. If you have concerns about this, it is important that you contact the department chair, dean's office, the Office of Student Life (523-5181), the academic ombudsperson (523-9368), or NAU's Office of Affirmative Action (523-3312).7. Academic Community. Membership in the academic community places a special obligation on all members to preserve an atmosphere conducive to a safe and positive learning environment. Part of that obligation implies the responsibility of each member of the NAU community to maintain an environment in which the behavior of any individual is not disruptive. It is the responsibility of each student to behave in a manner which does not interrupt or disrupt the delivery of education by faculty members or receipt of education by students, within or


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NAU BIO 571 - Syllabus

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