Course Description:  This course will present freshwater and marine algae.  It will explore the origin of algae and examine how these organisms evolved into dry land plants. Finally, it will consider what characteristics are used today to separate the different algal groups or divisions.  It is expected that this information will provide a background in the biology of the algae which will be useful for general knowledge and in related fields. This is an upper division biology course designed for the science student with at least one prior college level biology course.  It is the nature and purpose of this course to increase knowledge and awareness of how algae live, how they are studied, and how their metabolic capabilities allow them to be used for many bioproducts sold today.
 
 

Exam 1	Tuesday Oct 2	Multiple choice; fill-in; short answer	Sample questions in Library Reserve Room
Exam 2	Tuesday Nov 6	Multiple choice; fill-in; short answer	Sample Questions in Library Reserve Room
Final Exam	Thursday Dec 20 1300-1500	Multiple choice; fill-in; short	Sample Questions in Library Reserve Room

The majority of students will receive grades in the B range. Please remember that long-standing University policy considers a grade of A to  indicate  "outstanding achievement; available only for the highest accomplishment." A grade of B indicates "praiseworthy performance; definitely above average." See the University standards in the table just below this paragraph. I  use numerical scores. Letter grades will be assigned to numerical scores for each exam based on the class average. distribution (A=>90, B=>80, C=>70, D=>60). There will be two 1-hour midterms, and a  final exam.
 

University Grading Standards

Grade	Description
A	Outstanding achievement, available only for the highest accomplishment.
B	Praiseworthy performance, definitely above average.
C	Average, awarded for satisfactory performance; the most common undergraduate grade.
D	Minimally passing; less than the typical undergraduate achievement.
F	Failing.
U	Incomplete: failing to take an exam without contacting instructor.

 
 

Grading and Evaluation:  The two midterm exams (exams 1 & 2) are objective and also have short-answer (essay) questions. The exams consist of fill-in questions, multiple choice questions, diagrams,  matching, True/False questions and short answer (essay) questions. Prior exams for each course section will be on file in the electrtonic library reserve on the world wide web (see address below)

http://ecr.sdsu.edu/courseindex.asp

The final exam is also objective and identical in form to the two midterm exams.  Each exam (exam 1, exam 2, & the final exam) covers approximately 1/3 of the course and is not cumulative. Thus, the final exam covers only the last third of the course. As stated above, just like the other two exams, it is not cumulative. There will be a review session at the end of the lecture on the day before each exam. The link at the top of this page will take you to the Exam Review Topics. It includes specific directions on how to access the review exams.

The exams are totaled as shown below.  Copies of earlier exams appear in the Library Reserve Room filed under the instructor's name. Don't ask for the answers, they won't be given to you. You may ask general questions, but not specific ones focused on questions or answers listed on the sample exams. The testing process includes the sample exams and  is specifically designed to contribute to your learning the subject matter.

     2 Lecture Exams                                200 Points
     1 Final Exam                                       100 Points
      Laboratory   Grade                             100 Points
                                                       Total  400 Points

Exams require a pencil or pen.

Grading Standards for Writing Assignments: Written essays will be graded on the following points:  Ideas, significance, organization, coherence of presentation, clarity of thought, appropriateness of presentation, as well as impact and accuracy of overall presentation.
 
 

Cheating is not commonly a problem in Bio 514. But, if you are caught cheating during an exam, you will receive a zero on the exam and possibly an F in the course. Cheating is always reported to campus authorities and could result to suspension or removal from the University. It is not a simple matter.
 
 

If illness or other serious problem beyond your control prevents you from taking an exam, you are expected to provide some kind of documentation.  If you know in advance you will be out of town or otherwise unavailable, or if you present good evidence that your absence was the result of an unavoidable problem or event, you may take a make-up exam without penalty. Prior arrangements must be made for a make-up exam when you know you will be unavailable. Only exceptional circumstances, events beyond your control, or a medical condition accompanied by a doctor's excuse will be accepted for a make-up exam.
 

Student Opinions:
No recent comments for Bio 514 are available, but comments from Bio 326 Plants, Medicines and Drugs (Spring 2001) are included instead to give you an idea of the student responses to  the instructor's methods and presentation:
 

"Thank you for giving this class, it was excellent."
"This class helped me learn a lot of interesting things."
"You have been really inspirational as an instructor."
"I loved this class."
"I normally don't like science classes, but this one I enjoyed."
"OUTSTANDING COURSE!" "I think this class should be mandatory for all college students."
"This was a brilliant course."

Instructor's Opinion:
By taking this class you can add your comments and raise the rating of this class. Ask your friends who have taken the class or other classes from the instructor including Biology 215, Biology 326, Biology 467, Biology 496, Monoclonal Antibodies, or Biology 556. They are the best source of information.

If as you read this you are wondering whether you should take this class, come and discuss it with me. See the top of the page for my office location email or phone number.