Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Evolution (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 3110-01

Course: BIOL 3110-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Biology
CRN: 30530

Course Description

Study of pattern and processes shaping the unity and diversity of life. Emphasis on natural selection theory, paleontological evidence, and a neo-Darwinian view of the genetic basis for variation and adaption, speciation, and phylogenetic patterns, including human evolution. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3030 and BIOL 3035 and BIOL 3060 and BIOL 3065 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

There are no required textbooks for this class. You will be required to read scientific journal articles related to specific class topics to complete for weekly activities. These articles will be available on Canvas under Modules. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Learn fundamental principles and theories essential to evolutionary biology.
  2. Apply course material to solve problems and analyze situations related to concepts presented in this course.
  3. Analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.

Course Requirements

Weekly activities: Weekly activities are designed to further engage you with the course material for that week. The options for these activities will be available on Canvas at the start of the corresponding week. It is up to you to select one activity from these options that you feel will best further your knowledge of a topic. Submit your completed activity in the weekly activity "Modules" or "Assignments" for each corresponding week. 

Reflective journal entries will be completed within a physical, paper journal that I will provide for you during the first week of the semester. I will only collect journals in class on Mondays (with the exception of university holidays) and Wednesdays and return them to you during the next class. This journal is designed to be a semester-long reflection and not to be completed all at once. As such, you may only submit one entry for each weekly submission for a total of 10 entries this semester.

Exams will be on paper and taken in our classroom on the days posted on the schedule. The final exam will given during our scheduled two-hour time block during Finals Week and will also be on paper and in our classroom. Policy for taking exams: Unless you have ADA accommodations and register ahead of time to take the exam in the Disability Resource Center, all exams will be taken in our classroom on the scheduled day. Electronics and bluetooth devices (including but not limited to laptops, smartphones/cell phones, smart watches, Meta/AI glasses, headsets, earbuds, etc.) may not be in your possession during exams. If you are found to have any unauthorized device in your possession during an exam, it will result in an automatic zero on the exam and will constitute an academic integrity violation. 

Weekly activities/readings: 20%
Reflective journal (a semester-long project): 20%
Exams: 20%, 20%, (semi-cumulative final) 20%  

A: >93; A-: 90-92.9; B+: 87-89.9;  B: 83-86.9;  B-: 80-82; C+: 77-79;  C: 73-76;  C-: 70-72; D: 65-69;  F: < 65

Course Outline

Week 1:
Introduction and Ways of Knowing
Week 2:
Natural Selection
Week 3:
Mutation
Genetic drift
Week 4:
Gene flow
Nonrandom mating
Week 5:
Adaptations, Nonadaptations, & Maladaptations
Week 6:
Levels of Selection
EXAM 1
Week 7:
Altruism & Group Selection
Week 8:
Sexual Selection
Week 9:
Coevolution
Week 10:
Species Concepts
Speciation
Week 11:
Phylogenetics
EXAM 2
Week 12:
Paleontological Evidence: Dinosaurs
Hominid Evolution
Week 13:
Hominid Evolution
Cultural Evolution
Week 14:
Human Cultural Evolution
Final Review
Finals week: FINAL EXAM 

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

Late policy for weekly activities: Weekly activities are due by the due date indicated on each activity. If you require an extension past the due date, you may request a two-day extension from me via Canvas messages or e-mail. I will not accept weekly assignments past the due date unless you had contacted me before the end of the due date and had asked for an extension.

Submission/late policy for reflective journals:
I will only collect journals during class on Mondays and Wednesdays of each week. I will not accept submissions outside of class. You may only submit one journal entry per week, so do not wait until the end of the semester to start, as I will only grade one entry per week. There are no extensions for these submissions as I will be collecting these all semester long on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Exceptions to course late policies will be granted if you request accommodations as authorized by the Disability Resource Center (see University ADA statement) or for the following types of activities: athletic competitions, academic competitions, fine arts performances, course-related field trips, and professional/academic conferences (as per SUU Policy). Other extenuating and unavoidable circumstances, such as hospitalization or other reasons are evaluated by me on a case-by-case basis and will require documentation. 

Attendance Policy

This is a face-to-face class, and your attendance is expected. If you have an excused absence, you must inform me of the date of excused absence(s) prior to the anticipated absence(s). If the activities are known prior to the beginning of the semester, you must provide me with a written schedule during the first week of class showing the days you expect to miss. All other notices should be given at the earliest opportunity.

If you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to arrange to make up work you missed during your absence. You are also responsible for material that was covered during your absence(s). Please take advantage of my office hours and the resources at the SUU Tutoring Center. 

Course Fees

There are no fees associated with this course.

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.