Course Info

Important Links

  • Our Google Classroom site for class Assignments is HERE (Reading Guides, Classwork, Homework)
  • The Google Classroom site for your Supplemental Instruction is  HERE (SI Meetings are in RNS 206 S, T, Th 6-7pm) Josie Johnson is your SI leader-wow she is awesome-you all are lucky!
  • Our Google Folder for Data from lab (actually we have not used this much) is HERE 
  • Our Samara Data sheet is HERE
  • Our Bacteria Selection Data sheet is HERE
  • Our Drosophila Data sheet is HERE
  • Morphological Tree for Greenhouse Data sheet is HERE (be sure to make your own copy!!!)
  • Our Environmental Bacteria Data sheet is HERE
  • List of Plants and Fungi to use for MEGA in lab are HERE
  • The Library Guide for the course (From Audrey Gunn) is HERE
  • R Help from “R-Stars” RNS 255 (Sun: 9 – 10am AND 6:30 – 8pm, Mon: 4 – 5pm, Wed: 4 – 5pm)

Course Description

This course is the gateway for the biology major, guiding you as you develop the context, skills, and modern framework on which to continue your study of biology. You will explore the history, evolution, and diversity of life in the context of genetics and comparative genomics. The laboratory emphasizes question-asking, problem-solving, and exploring biodiversity, and you will have multiple opportunities to practice and communicate your science learning.

This course will have a focus on the intersection of genetics, evolution and humans. Throughout the course, there will be opportunities for you to apply your learning of biological content to thinking about who we are as humans, and about the science and misconceptions behind the relationship between these three fields. We will be introducing content that supports your critical thinking regarding the connections between race and biology as well as the social categorization of peoples in general. As part of this focus we will be reading the book “How to Argue with a Racist.”

Land Acknowledgement

We stand on the homelands of the Wahpekute Band of the Dakota Nation. We honor with gratitude the people who have stewarded the land throughout the generations and their ongoing contributions to this region. We acknowledge the ongoing injustices that we have committed against the Dakota Nation, and we wish to interrupt this legacy, beginning with acts of healing and honest storytelling about this place. Do also note that simply repeating this statement in our syllabi and on e-mails is NOT enough. Our actions are more important than our words.

Inclusivity

In keeping with St. Olaf College’s mission statement, this class strives to be an inclusive learning community, respecting those of differing backgrounds and beliefs. As a community, we aim to be respectful to all citizens in this class, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Bits and Pieces

  • Class Time and Place: RNS 400-MWF 8-8:55
  • Lab Times and Place: RNS 255,  Tues 8:00-11:00 OR 11:45-2:45 (TAs Lucienne Bina-Tues AM, Jules Fromm Tues PM)
  • Diane Angell (feel free to call me Diane):angell@stolaf.edu
  • Gender Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Office Location: Regents 434 (top floor of Regents near the Atrium-stop by to say wave hi!)
  • Office Hours (Tues 2:45-3:45, Wed 11:00-12:00, and Friday 12:00-1:00)
  • Feel free to email me if these times do not work for you!!!!

Text and Readings

  • Evolution Making Sense of Life 3rd edition, Carl Zimmer and Douglas Emlen
  • How to Argue with A Racist, Adam Rutherford
  • Links to other readings and videos will be available on this website.

Exams

You will have three exams plus a final. The final will be cumulative. Exams will have a mix of questions, some simple definitions, some short answer and some longer answer. They will test both your retention of factual information and your ability to use concepts and synthesize material presented in the course. Exam dates are noted in the schedule of readings for the course.

Labs

Lab will consist of a series of Modules that will span a number of weeks. Each module may have a number of activities and assignments associated with them (details are on the “Labs” page). Labs are required. Contact me ahead of time if for any reason you expect to miss a lab.

Other

You should expect to have a number of smaller assignments such as Reading Guides, homework problems or work completed in class in small groups.

Late assignments

All assignments should be turned in by 5pm on the due date.  Assignments turned in after this time may be docked 10% for each day they are late. (Ok while I think it is good to have deadlines, this sounds kind of scary, let me know if you have any sort of crisis and I am typically somewhat flexible.)

Grading

  • EXAMS -290 Points (3 midterms plus a final-First exam 60 pts, Second exam 70 pts, Third exam 80 pts, Final exam 80 pts).
  • LAB-100 Points (Practice write-up 20 pts, Complete write-up 30 pts, Group poster 30 pts, End of Semester “Lab Quiz” 20 pts)
  • OTHER-30 Points (Completing Reading Guides, other Homework, Group Work in class etc..)
  • TOTAL=420 POINTS
https://catalog.stolaf.edu/academic-regulations-procedures/grades/

Accommodations

am committed to supporting the learning of all students in my class. If you have already registered with Disability and Access (DAC) and have your letter of accommodations, please meet with me as soon as possible to discuss, plan, and implement your accommodations in the course. If you have or think you have a disability (learning, sensory, physical, chronic health, mental health or attentional), please contact Disability and Access staff at 507-786-3288 or by visiting wp.stolaf.edu/academic-support/dac.​

Academic Help

If you feel as if you are falling behind and have specific concerns please contact me as soon as possible. Don’t just wait and cross your fingers.

Student Success Center

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, to access tutoring through the Student Success Center, students must:

  • Attend departmental help or at least one SI session per week (if available)
  • Consistently attend classes

One-on-one peer tutoring is available at no additional cost for this course, contingent on tutor availability. Tutoring is not designed to help students with specific homework assignments, but rather to enhance their overall learning and understanding of course material.

Academic Integrity

Plagiarism, the unacknowledged appropriation of another person’s words or ideas, is a serious academic offense.  It is imperative that you hand in work that is your own, and that cites or gives credit to others whenever you draw from their work. Please see:

Preferred Gender Pronoun

This course affirms people of all gender expressions and gender identities. If you prefer to be called a different name than what is on the class roster, please let me know. Feel free to correct me on your preferred gender pronoun. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mental/Emotional Health and Stress Management

I greatly value your experience in this class, and it is my duty to facilitate a safe, caring, and productive learning environment. I recognize that we all may experience a range of emotional, physical, and/or psychological issues, both in and out of the classroom, that may distract us from our learning. It is common to experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning!  These health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce our ability to participate in daily activities, but with help, these concerns typically get better. If you are experiencing such issues, please do not hesitate to come see me—I am here to listen. We can also discuss what further resources might be available to you.

There are a diversity of St. Olaf services that are available to assist with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing.  You can learn more about the broad range of confidential health services available on campus via http://wp.stolaf.edu/counseling-center/.