Course Description: This course is an introduction to the biological sciences for majors. In the first half of the course we will cover Classical, Molecular and Population Genetics. The second half (with Dr. Osenberg) will cover evolution and ecology.

Exams: There will be 4 midterm exams of equal value. The exams will not be cumulative in a strict sense, but will rely to some degree on material mastered earlier in the term. There will be no make up exams given except for extreme illness or family emergencies, which must be documented by a physician.

Grades : Marks will be assigned on the basis of a curve such that, after dropping extreme outliers (i.e., top two scores or more), scoring >90% of the average of the remaining five highest scores in the class = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; and <60% = E. After each exam, we will post the mean of those top 5 students so you can keep track of how you're doing.

Your Responsibilities: You are expected to attend lectures and do the readings. Exams will be based on both. You should get to know a few people in the class, so that you can cover for one another, and study together. The best way to learn something is to have to explain it to somebody else.

Caution!:The syllabus is not written in stone. Documents on the net may be added. Topics may be changed or moved. Exam days may change. It is your responsibility to be aware of these changes. You should click the "reload" button on your internet browser at least once a week when accessing information from the class web site to avoid reading old pages in the browser's cache.

Academic Honesty: As responsible Gator adults, you are expected to do your own work on exams and make sure that your classmates do likewise (i.e., allowing someone to look over your shoulder is the same as looking over someone else's shoulder. Violations of the above are contrary to the pledge of academic honesty you signed when entering the University of Florida and will result in immediate referral to the honor court. You will receive no credit for the work in question. Expulsion from the University of Florida is possible. The only way you can permanently damage your future is to engage in academic dishonesty. Many people have gotten C's or even failed classes early in their careers, yet through hard work and persistence have achieved their life goals. Cheaters will be caught (hopefully before they harm somebody besides themselves).