Course Description and Objectives:
Reconstructing phylogenies is important in most fields of biology. Course
emphasis is on practical data collection, management, and analysis. Laboratory
exercises will introduce phylogenetic and DNA analysis software, and WWW
resources. Students will learn how to address questions in their own research
using phylogenetic methodologies
Grading Policy
The course will be evaluated by grades on reports from laboratory exercises.
Each laboratory assignment is worth 100 points. Your lab assignment grade will
be the sum of the points you earn during the semester divided by total points
possible. Your final project is worth 25% of your final grade.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory, however, I do not specifically deduct from
your grade based on absences.
Assignment report
The results of your laboratory exercises are to be original
works written by you for this course. You will be required to work with others
on your analyses and in the process of learning the software and interpreting
the results. In fact I expect your colleagues to be of constant assistance to
you and you to them throughout the course. However, I also expect that the lab
reports are each individuals own work. In the case of team reports I demand that
all members on the team provide equal effort in the final report to me. Insure
that this is true for each assignment. The paper must be delivered to me on time
and in both typed and digital format to be accepted. The digital copies need to
be in Word or WP format. Any departure from the due date or from the required
format will result in letter grade deductions (1 letter grade per day with
weekends and holidays inclusive) up to and including a grade of zero for the
paper. Unless otherwise directed your laboratory assignments are due to my
mailbox by 5pm the Friday of the week after being assigned. You will have a full
week to complete each assignment, compose, edit, revise, and turn in each
project report.
Reading assignment
Additional materials for the course will routinely be
assigned and a significant amount of your own searching for relevant references
required. Many of these works coincide with BIO4369 course materials, others
will be needed as a consequence of a particular problem in a data file or
analytical result. You are expected to have read and be prepared to integrate
those materials as they become relevant in your reports. These are expected to
enhance the scope of the course and to supplement the course text itself.
*Anyone requiring special assistance with disabilities, religious holidays, or
university approved events please contact me immediately in order that any
necessary accommodations may be made.
Please note that academic dishonesty is a serious offense and harsh
penalties results. Please review the
Academic Honesty policy which
applies to all Texas State University students.
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