Instructor
 Dr. Jeff Kopachena - Rm 260, Phone 903 468-8730

Office Hours: MW 10:30 - 12:00, TR 11:00 - 12:00

Textbook
        Futuyma, D.J.  1998.  Evolutionary Biology, 3rd Edition

  Lecture Test #1 – Oct 2                  20%
  Lecture Test #2 – Nov 6                 20%
  Lecture Test #3 – TBA                   20%
  Paper Reviews and Quizzes             20%     Essay – Dec 5                                 20%

Notes about Essay Assignment:
      Twenty percent of your course grade will be based on a review paper that you will hand in on the last day of classes.  You will be expected to write a detailed account on a topic that is relevant to evolutionary biology (do not write about the creationism/evolution controversy).  Some suggested topics are appended to the back of this syllabus, but do not feel that you are limited to these topics.  Furthermore, some of the topics provided are too broad as they are described and would have to be narrowed down if you chose them.  You can get ideas for topics by scanning through the textbook or by looking at relevant books and journals in the library or check for books in the journals listed here.
     In part your grade will be based on how relevant and how current your selected topic is.  Therefore, you want to make sure that you select a recent topic.  At least four of your cited sources of information must be less than 5 years old.  For a really good topic you will find that most of your sources of information will have been published in the last 5 years.  Make sure your topic can be adequately written within the page limit of the assignment (essay should be 15 - 25 pages).  If you have even the slightest doubt about the suitability of a topic, do not hesitate to consult me.
      Your final paper should be between 15 and 25 typewritten pages (double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, 1" margins).  You must cite all sources of information including sources used for figures and tables.  There should be at least 1 reference per typewritten page (i.e. if you write a 20 page essay you should have about 20 different sources of information), but this will vary according to topic.  Cite all references using scientific journal format.  Consult a journal or consult me to see how this is done.  Make the fullest possible use of the library facilities.  Do not use material taken from popular books and magazines that do not contain peer reviewed articles, or that are not edited by a professional in the field.  Use ample figures and tables (figures and tables do not count in determining the page length of the paper).  Past experience has shown that students who include figures and tables are most likely to get the highest grades.  Furthermore, your essay grade will be based largely on how thoroughly you have covered your topic.  Therefore, be very concise and avoid verbosity and redundancy.  Pay attention to your spelling and grammar.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk to me.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
      Students often lose marks for failing to properly cite their sources of information.  You must cite all sources of information including sources used for figures and tables.  Copying of material, whether, whether parts of sentences, whole sentences, paragraphs, or entire articles, will result in a score of zero for your essay.  Furthermore, I want to know that you understand the material you are writing about.  Therefore, I want your entire paper to be written in your own words (using professional grammar and style of course).  I will dock marks for material that is directly quoted even if it is cited and quotation marks are used.  If you have questions, please talk to me.

Plagiarism is a criminal activity.  You must cite all sources of information.  Copying of material, whether parts of sentences, whole sentences, paragraphs, or entire articles, will result in a score of zero for your assignment and can result in further disciplinary action. 

Students with Disabilities:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities.  Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation fo their disabilities.  If you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact:

 All student enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment.  See Student's Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct. 

Students who are disruptive to class activities will be dropped from the class and may face further disciplinary action.

Attendance: 

Any student with 5 or more unexcused absences will be automatically dropped from the class.  Students will be notified through their MyLeo account..

Suggested Essay Topics

Note:  This is not an exhaustive list.  Please feel free to select any appropriate topic that interests you.  It does not have to be on this list.  Please consult with me if you have any problems or questions.  For sources of information check the journals in the current periodicals section of the library and relevant journals listed here.

Modes of speciation
Genetic theories of speciation
Sexual Selection
Evolution of mate choice criteria
Evolution of optimal diets and foraging 
     behaviours
Evolutionary Stable Strategies (game
     theory)
Evolution of sexual reproduction
Variation in rates of evolution
Parralel evolution
Molecular clocks and molecular evolution
Origin of mammals
Origin of birds
Patterns of extinction
Biogeographic variation - origin of species 
     distributions
Evolution of genome size
Coevolution among competing species
Evolution of predator/prey systems
Evolution of host/parasite systems
Evolution of mutualistic systems