ZOOLOGY 200L SYLLABUS
MARINE BIOLOGY LABORATORY
Spring 2006
SECTION 34468

 

Instructor:

Dr. Bob Moeng

Office:

KOKI'O 202A

Office Hours:

MW 1 – 2 pm or by appointment

Office Phone:

734-9389

Email:

moeng@hawaii.edu

Web Page:

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~moeng

 

Course Objectives: Zoology 200L is a one-credit laboratory course serving as a hands-on exposure to marine biology. The laboratory and field activities are designed to review marine life in Hawai‘i inclusive of taxonomy, body structure and function, geographical distribution and ecological relationships. The physical and chemical natures of Hawai‘i`s varied marine environments are examined.

 

Zoology 200L is a core course in the Arts and Sciences curriculum. It satisfies the natural science lab requirement for KCC (DY) and UH Mānoa; and transfers as natural science credit to UH Mānoa. The purpose of this course offering is to provide a hands-on marine biology experience for students interested in Hawai‘i`s ocean environment. The lab activities are purposefully interwoven with the content of the Zoology 200 lecture, which is a corequisite.

 

Course Competencies: Upon successful completion of Zoology 200L, the student should be able to:

·         List key characteristics of seawater and substrate; describe how they affect the distribution of marine life.

·         Demonstrate the use of dichotomous keys to identify marine plants and animals.

·         Recognize the diverse characteristics of marine plants and animals in Hawai‘i by taxonomic classification (Phylum and in many cases Class).

·         Develop proper field study techniques including collection, transect and quadrat sampling.

·         Design and conduct valid scientific inquiry, including statement of problem and hypothesis, experimental procedures, collection and analysis of data, and drawing conclusions.

 

Instruction: Lab instruction consists of structured lab observations and discovery, experiments, and other coordinated activities. In addition, field trips serve an important role of exposing students to a variety of living organisms and marine environments in Hawaii. Students report observations and findings as a group for each lab experience.

 

Classes will begin on time as closely as possible. Come to class on time; if you are late, enter quietly and sit by the door. In consideration of the instructor and other students in class, set your cellular phone to vibrate only or leave them at home. Audio taping of lectures is permissible for personal use only.

 

Grading: This course may only be taken for a grade. Student grades are dependent on attendance (40%), the group reports for each lab period (40%), and a subjective measure of class/group participation (20%). Attendance contributes significantly since a lab is primarily experiential. The group lab reports demonstrate the work and understanding of the group members as a whole. Individual contributions to the group are evaluated by the instructor. At the end of the semester the total of all points will be added together. Grades (A through F) will be based on a curve, with the following ceilings:

90-100%=A
80-89%=B
70-79%=C
60-69%=D
<60%=F

You will be assured of an "A" grade if you earn at least 90% of the total number of points. The cutoff percentages for each grade will never be set higher, though they may be set lower if the class scores warrant.

 

Department Erase, Withdrawal, and Incomplete Policy:

Erase: You must complete the request for this type of withdrawal by the end of the day, 1/27/06 in person or 1/29/06 online. The instructor's signature is not required on the Change of Registration form in order to erase the course. The class will not appear on the student's permanent academic record.

 

Withdrawal ("W" grade): You must have the appropriate paperwork turned in by 3/17/06 (the last date to withdraw). Withdrawals require the signature of the instructor or the department chair. A "W" grade will appear on the student's permanent academic record. The "W" grade is not computed in the student's grade point average. Withdrawals will be permitted after 3/17/06 only in cases of unusual or extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control. These withdrawals require the consent of the Dean of Student Services. Grade related excuses are unacceptable. Examples of unusual or extenuating circumstances are: 1) a certified medical reason, or 2) a death in the immediate family.

 

Incomplete ("I" grade): Students must present the "Request for Incomplete" form prior to the last day of instruction. Incompletes require the signature of the instructor. "I" grades will be given only to students who are achieving satisfactory passing grades ("C" or better) and are very close to completing the course. In addition, the student must have a very good reason for not being able to complete all the work on time. As above, examples of unusual or extenuating circumstances are: 1) a certified medical reason, or 2) a death in the immediate family.

 

Campus Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered. If a student is unable to attend class, he or she should contact the instructor in advance to give notification of the absence and make necessary arrangements.

 

For those students who receive financial aid and fail to attend the first week of classes without making arrangements with the instructor, the instructor will submit the student's name to the Financial Aid Office. The student will be denied financial aid for the class he/she is not attending.

 

It is solely the student's responsibility to withdraw from the class or attend the class and pay the tuition. Students who have ceased to attend class and do not officially withdraw from class will receive the grade of “F”.

 

Kapiolani Community College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.