Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Advanced Biology Workshop (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 4920-01

Course: BIOL 4920-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 30954

Course Description

In this course students will participate in various advanced-level workshops related to biology, biological techniques, or biological research, or intensive biological learning situations outside of the traditional class and lab. Students may receive workshop credit for activities such as seminars, short courses, in-service training, or travel study. Workshop credit must be arranged by a biological program faculty member and receive approval at the departmental level. May be repeated for credit, up to a maximum of six (6) credits. Variable times. (Fall) [Pass/Fail] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 6

Required Texts

Describing Species, Practical Taxonomic Procedure for Biologists. By Judith E. Winston, Columbia University Press.

Learning Outcomes

  • To gain factual knowledge of human populations and the natural world (this will be the focus of all units and will be assessed in all quizzes and exams) 

  • To gain critical thinking skills (this will include outside readings on important issues in biology that will be discussed in class and evaluated on quizzes and exams) 

  • To learn teamwork (Book presentations will be done in class in groups) 

  • Understand evolutionary biology and the special features of the scientific method and why science has been so successful as a method for explaining natural phenomena 

Course Requirements

Course description:

Taxonomy is the basis for most of the biological sciences. This course will cover the basic principles and practices of the science. It is designed as a workshop, meaning that students will engage with actual taxonomic practices and become familiar with taxonomic tools. A basic understanding of biology (BIOL 1610/1620) is needed prior to enrollment.

Class Requirements:

Students should read assignments before class and bring either an e-version of the article or a paper copy to class. Lectures will occasionally refer to sections in the readings. Tests and quizzes will be drawn both from lecture, labs and readings. 

Grading:

Grading will be based on: 2 unit exams, a final exam, 6 practical quizzes, several lab assignments, and a research paper (with presentation). The final exam will be partially comprehensive. 

Course grades will be based on the following (500 points total):

  • Two unit exams worth 100 points each (200 points total) 

  • Six quizzes worth 10 points each (60 points total) 

  • Class project/presentation (100 points) 

  • Lab assignments (80 points total) 

  • One final exam (100 points) 

Final grade percentages break down as follows:

 | 93 - 100 = A | 80 – 82.9 = B- | 67 – 69.9 = D+
 | 90 – 92.9 = A- | 77 – 79.9 = C+ | 63 – 69.9 = D
 | 87-89.9 = B+ | 73 – 76.9 = C | 60 – 62.9 = D-
 | 83 – 86.9 = B | 70 – 72.9 = C- | <60 = F

Course Outline

Lecture and reading schedule:

Dates and topics may change as we work through the semester.

| Lecture Topic, Text Reading | Outside Reading
| Introduction to course, animal & plant diversity, history of taxonomy | Chapters 1 and 22
| Identification, nomenclature and classification, codes and systematics | Chapter 2
| Species, subspecies and species concepts | Chapters 3 and 17
| Museums, collections | Chapter 5
| Types and vouchers | Chapter 19
Exam 1
| Descriptions, diagnoses and material examined | Chapters 6, 10, 11
| San Diego Field Trip (Fall Break) |
| Descriptions, diagnoses and material examined | Chapters 6, 10, 11
| Taxonomic literature | Chapter 4
| Taxonomic keys | Chapter 5
| Exam II - Phylogenetics and trees |
| Biodiversity, ecology and biological inventories | Chapters 13, 14
| Thanksgiving! No Class! |
| Class Presentations |
| Final Exam

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

You will lose ½ of the available points for late assignments (up to one week). If assignments are turned in after one week you will not be given credit for the assignment. If you miss a assignment, quiz or exam and do not have a medical or otherwise valid excuse you will not be able to make up the material. If you know you are going to miss an assignment, quiz or exam please make arrangements to take the exam or quiz early if possible and hand in any assignments. If something comes up please contact me and we can make arrangements based on your situation.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required so if you need to miss class for any reason please contact me.

You cannot learn biology just by sitting in a lecture hall listening to a lecturer; I expect you to take an active role in your learning. This requires that you come to class prepared, ready to participate by asking questions about what you do not understand, and by applying what you learn to novel situations. I will test on concepts and you will be expected to interpret information and data. It is to your advantage to attend lectures as well as labs.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.