Biology 240 is the second course in a sequence designed to prepare Biology majors for upper division study. While it has a prerequisite of Biology 230 or and equivalent course, you'll find that it differs in many ways from Biology 230.

Main topics in Biology 240 include:

• Phylogenetic Inference
• Principles of Evolution
• Diversity of Life
• Principles of Ecology

• Look-see demonstrations
• Analyses and Calculations
• Group discussions
• Field trips

During lecture we will use clicker technology to interact with the class. At unspecified times we will present short quizzes based on recent topics.

• Students must respond using their personal clickers/transponders. All responses will be automatically recorded for grading. Each student must own an i>clicker and be responsible for taking it to class each lecture.
• If you forget your clicker you will not be able to receive points that day.
• Be sure that your clicker is operational at all times. If your clicker malfunctions you will not be able to receive points that day.
• If you do not participate in the clicker quizzes, you may fail the course due to non-participation.

Textbooks and course materials (available at the SFSU Bookstore):

• Campbell, Reece, and Mitchell, BIOLOGY, 8th edition, Benjamin Cummings (you may use earlier editions of Campbell, but you are responsible for determining the appropriate reading assignments).
• Biology 240 Lab Reader, SFSU Biology Faculty
• A photographic atlas for the biology laboratory, Van de Graaff & Crawley, Morton Publishing Company
• i>clicker

Grading: We will not grade on a curve. A final point total comprising 90% of the possible points will earn at least an A-, 80% at least a B-, 70% at least a C-, and 60% at least a D-. The instructors will set the cutoffs for plus and minus grades at their discretion. Your course grade will be based on 1000 possible points: 600 points from lecture and 400 points from laboratory, itemized as follows:

• Lecture Exam I* — 100 pts.
• Lecture Exam II* — 100 pts.
• Lecture Final** — 250 pts.
• Laboratory Exams — 300 pts.
• Laboratory Quizzes and Assignments — 100 pts.
  
• Clicker Quizzes*** — 100 pts.
• iLearn Quizzes*** — 50 pts.
• Course Total — 1000 pts.

*You must take exams in pen, not pencil — else you will not be able to have your exam regraded.

**You must earn a passing grade on the written final exam to receive a passing grade in this course.

***If you do not participate in the clicker and iLearn quizzes, you may not pass the course due to non-participation. There will be no makeup exams. Do not schedule other activities or appointments at exam times.

College of Science and Engineering Withdrawal Policy:

In order to drop or withdraw from a Biology course the following information and procedures, which reflect the policies of the Department, must be followed:

Dropping a course during the first two weeks:
During the first two weeks of instruction (23 August—6 September), dropping courses is permitted without academic penalty. No symbol is recorded on the student's permanent record. Students are responsible for making changes to their official academic schedule. If you decide not to attend a class you enrolled in, you must drop that class through GATOR REG during access hours. If you added a class during the first two weeks and then decide to drop, you must drop through GATOR REG during access hours. As a courtesy, you are expected to notify the instructor of your intent to drop the class.

Withdrawing from a course after the first two weeks:
Sep 07 — Nov 15:  After the first two weeks of instruction, withdrawal from a course is permitted for serious and compelling reasons, however, no documentation is required during this period. The "W" grade carries no official connotation of quality of student performance and is not used as units attempted in calculating grade point average or progress points. The expectation of being dropped for nonattendance is not a sufficient reason for withdrawal. Paper petitions will not be accepted by the Registrar’s office; however, faculty may ask the student to fill out a petition for their own records. The office will not keep copies of petitions.

Nov 16 — Dec 12  (last 3 weeks of the semester): Withdrawals are normally not permitted during this period except in cases of verified accident or serious illness where the cause of withdrawal is due to circumstances clearly beyond the student's control and where the assignment of an incomplete is not practical. Ordinarily, withdrawals in this category involves a total withdrawal from the University.

PROCEDURE:  Students must fill out a Petition for Withdrawal, along with documentation and transcripts for your review. All requests during this period must be reviewed by the Instructor, Department Chair, and Associate Dean. If the instructor approves the withdrawal, you must input a grade of “W” on the webgrades and forward the petition, students transcripts, and documentation to the department office for the Chair and Dean to review.

Additionally,  the University Withdrawal Policy is:  A student may withdraw from an individual course only 2 times no matter what their circumstances are.  The third time that the student enrolls in the same course, s/he CANNOT withdraw for any reason.