Office hours: vary by semester

TEXT AND OTHER RESOURCES:
Text: Freeman and Herron, 2/e.  Evolutionary Analysis.  Required.

Other resources:
 This course has a WWW site (http://www.lions.odu.edu/~kkilburn/evohome.htm )
 It includes links to course materials (lecture notes in both Word Perfect and Adobe Acrobat formats; on-line syllabus and study guide) and to other resources relevant to the course.  Prentice-Hall also maintains a web page for the text book at  Evolutionary Analysis .

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:
Evolution, in its broadest senses, is the fundamental unifying theory in biology; as such, its scope in both depth and breadth is arguably the greatest in all the biological sciences. In this course, you will be introduced to the major principles of evolutionary biology, beginning with a brief history of evolutionary thought and working through the fundamental concepts of evolutionary genetics, adaptation and natural selection, the origins of biological diversity, and paleobiology and macroevolution. Although the primary emphasis will be on major concepts, you will also be expected to gain some understanding of the methods used in evolutionary investigations: the kinds of observations and experiments that are used, the facts that are observed and inferred, and the kinds of reasoning by which those facts are used to develop and test hypotheses. 

EVALUATION:
Your grade in this course will be determined by your performance on a series of lecture examinations, weekly quizzes, and a partially cumulative final examination. 
 

• Lecture exams: three lecture exams worth 100 pts. each will be given.  Exams will assess your understanding of facts and concepts as well as your ability to apply facts and concepts to novel situations.  Exam dates are indicated on the course schedule and will be taken at the Learning Assessment Lab (“Testing Center” in the Gornto building; 683-3170).  You will need to provide your own scantrons and number 2 pencils for all exams.  I will drop the lowest of the three “midterm” exam scores.  No makeup exams will be given unless you have an ongoing, irreconcilable conflict with the exam dates and/or a legitimate reason for missing two exams. 

• Weekly quizzes will be given in class at the end of the period and will be worth 5 points each.  The questions (and format) will be similar to those on the lecture exams.  I will use your top 10 quiz scores in computing your final grade.  No makeup quizzes will be given. 

• The final exam will be worth 100 points and will be partially comprehensive.  It may not be used as one of your “dropped” exam scores.  The general format will be the same as for the lecture exams; you will need a scantron and number 2 pencil.  The final will be given in the classroom on the scheduled exam date. If you miss the final exam for a legitimate reason (illness, family emergency, or inability to travel due to weather), you must notify me the day of the final and arrange to make up the exam within 24 hours. 

• Point distribution: 
• Exams (3 @ 75 pts, low score dropped) = 200 pts. 
• Quizzes (top 10 scores @ 5 pts each) = 50 
• Final exam (1 @ 100 pts) = 100
• Total = 350 pts 

• Your grade will based on the following scale: 
• 90 - 100% = A 
• 80 - 89.9% = B 
• 70 - 79.9% = C 
• 60 - 69.9% = D 
• below 60% = F 

HONOR CODE :
By taking this course, you agree to adhere to Old Dominion University's honor code. Infractions, including cheating on exams and/or providing information about exam contents to other students, will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according to University policy.

EXPECTATIONS:
This is a rigorous, challenging, information-rich course. To do well, you will need to master a wealth of information ranging from specific vocabulary to key hypotheses and theories to mathematical techniques. Exams and quizzes will assess not only your factual recall, but your understanding of major concepts and your ability to apply concepts to novel situations. You should, therefore, plan on spending a minimum of 6-9 hours per week preparing for this class. That time includes skimming each section of the text before it's covered in class; studying lecture material; re-reading assigned materials in depth; and preparing questions over any material with which you need additional help. Note, however, that your grade is based on performance, not on how many hours you spend studying.

You are responsible for keeping your own record of your performance in the class and for contacting me promptly if you need help improving it. Waiting until the week before the final to ask "how can I pass the class" is NOT a formula for success.

You will be held responsible for all material covered in lecture and in the assigned readings unless I indicate otherwise.

Although none of the strategies included here will guarantee your success in the course, they have proven helpful to many of my students in a variety of classes. You might consider trying several of the following until you work out the study style that works best for you: 

• Ask lots of questions in class; remember that, every time you ask a question, you're helping others as well. 
• Tape the lectures and listen to them in the car, at home, etc. for review. 
• Ask questions in class. 
• Rewrite your lecture notes, filling in details and concepts from the text.
• Ask lots of questions in class. 
• Test yourself by making up questions and answering them aloud or in writing. 
• Use flash cards to study vocabulary whenever you've got a few minutes.
• Study in a group; take turns explaining material to each other. 
• Ask lots of questions in class. 
• Use office hours any time you have a question or want help reviewing.

IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL NEEDS:
Please inform me as soon as possible of any special needs, especially for testing, you might have. 

Week/ Date /Topics /Text
1/ 8/28 /Introduction to evolutionary biology /1
2 /9/4 /(Labor Day); Evidence for evolution /2
3 /9/11 /Darwinian natural selection /3
4/ 9/18** /**EXAM 1 9/20; /Mutation and genetic variation 4
5/ 9/25 /Selection and mutation /5
6/ 10/2 /Migration, drift, and non-random mating /6
7/ 10/9 /Linkage, sex, and quantitative genetics /7
8/ 10/16** /** EXAM 2 10/18; Studying adaptation /8
9/ 10/23 /Sexual selection /9
10/ 10/30 /Speciation /12
11/ 11/7 /Reconstructing evolutionary trees /13
12/ 11/14** /**Exam 3 11/15; catch-up; TBA 
13/ 11/21  /Thanksgiving holiday; TBA 
14/ 11/28 TBA 
15 12/4 /TBA 
16/ 12/11 /FINAL EXAM – MON 12/13 at 8:30 a.m.