Kevin G. McCracken BIL/RSMAS/HGG 188 Cox Science Center (1st Floor, North Side) University of Miami Coral Gables, FL 33146 email: kevin.g.mccracken@gmail.com
Location & time of lecture:
Tue & Thu 9:40-10:55 AM, Cox 217
Office hours:
Tue 4:00-5:00 PM outside my Cox 188 office, or by appointment.
Frequently asked questions:
What are the learning objectives?
This course will provide you with a broad survey of evolutionary biology. Students will achieve an overview of evolutionary theory and thinking replete with empirical examples from all aspects of evolutionary biology. This course should be fun. You should enjoy the material because life is amazing. Evolution explains why life is the way it is.
How is the course structured?
The topical lectures listed above comprise the sequence by which material will be presented. Ideally, we will cover the majority of the topics and skip only one or two as time permits. As the course itinerary progresses, each lecture will be uploaded to this course website, where you can download the Powerpoint slides and study them before class to guide your questions and discussion. You will be provided updated course material on this website at least twice weekly. This course's itinerary is a living document, continually updated, more similar to the way you might journey somewhere new than a conventional syllabus. There is no paper syllabus, only this digital form which will appear equally well on your phone as your laptop.
Are there prerequisites for this course?
The sole prerequisites are BIL 150 & 160 (General Biology I & II). Prerequisites may only be waived with instructor and departmental approval.
When are the exam dates?
There will be 3 exams total including the final, each weighted 33.333% of your grade. The remaining part of your grade will come from random attendance surveys I take during the semester (see below).
The exam due dates are as follows:
Exam 1 TBA Exam 2 TBA Exam 3 10 May
Exams will provided to you electronically at least 1 week prior to the due date.
If instructed to provide a computer file please label it: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_Exam1.docx
Please do not send pdf files as they are difficult to mark.
IMPORTANT---What is the attendance requirement?
Attendance to all lectures is required.
I will take attendance randomly five times during the semester. Each student is given one free absence. The 2nd absence will result in 10% being deducted from your final grade. The 3rd absence will results in a 20% deduction, the 4th in a 30% deduction, and the 5th in a 40% deduction. Perfect attendance will result in 10% being added to your grade.
-0 days +10% -1 days +0% -2 days -10% -3 days -20% -4 days -30% -5 days -40%
If you have a bona fide medical excuse for your absence, please provide me the written copy provided to you by the university.
DO NOT EMAIL OR TEXT ME TO ASK IF I TOOK ATTENDANCE!
When is the last day to add/drop a class?
26 Jan = last day to add 04 Feb = last day to drop without a "W" 22 Mar = last day to drop with a "W"
How are office hours handled this year?
Office hours are strictly outside this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. You may visit with your instructor in person on Tuesdays at 4:00-5:00 PM in the spaces outside his office, or make an appointment to meet at another time or meet online by WhatsApp or Facetime.
Why might some of the lectures be online and others face to face?
Only the first four lectures are online. All remaining lectures are in person only unless otherwise instructed by the university
Which books do I need to buy?
Evolution: Making Sense of Life (2020) Douglas J. Emlen & Carl Zimmer. 3rd Edition. MacMillan Publishers. ISBN-13: 978-1319079864
You MUST complete all 3 exams and fully participate by attending class to receive a passing grade.
Exams 1-3 comprise 100% of your grade; followed by a penalty of 10% for each missed class for N = 2 or more missed classes. Attendance surveys will be random.
DO NOT TEXT OR EMAIL ME TO ASK IF I TOOK ATTENDANCE!
Participation by asking intelligent questions during the lecture is important. It is the only way I will get to know you during class, and this can affect your grade positively.
Students with a final rank in the highest 50 percentile will earn a minimum final grade of A in this class. Students with a final rank in the following 50 percentile will earn a minimum final grade of B. Students not completing tests or missing class excessively may earn a grade of C or lower. Skipping exams and skipping class can result in failure of the course.
Grades are averaged and percentiles calculated at the end after all tests and assignments have been completed.
No letters are assigned during the semester.
Absences due to COVID-19, other medical reasons, required religious observances, U.S. military duty, and student athletics and other excuses such as med school interviews are allowed, but please inform me in advance by writing. If you have a medical reason for your absence please provide me the documentation provided to you by the university (you do not need to provide me your medical records).
Written documentation on paper is highly preferred, as the volume of emails often causes them to be overlooked.
Text is not a formal way to communicate and should only be used for course logistics, not course content or important matters.
If you do not take all of the required exams or attend the required classes, you may receive a C or lower including the possibility of a failing grade (F) at the discretion of the professor, or receive an incomplete (I) depending on special circumstances beyond your control. Each of these cases will be looked at specifically as to whether you can complete the assigned work and have tried to do so diligently and timely. Your participation counts towards your grade.
I will give positive (+) grades at my discretion to a contiguous set of top-performing students in upper quantiles (e.g., 10%) of the A and B category. I do not give minus (-) grades for “A” or “B”. Grades of C or lower are at the discretion of the professor based on the circumstances.
Exams in this course are designed to be challenging, and it is not uncommon for raw scores to be low (e.g., means of 55-65%), but remember your final letter grade is based on your percentile not your raw score or some arbitrary cutoff. You will know exactly what your numeric grade is for each test, but letters will not be provided until the end of the semester after all assignments have been scored.
Your grades will be posted on CANELINK or Blackboard or my office window following each exam.
No writing credit is available for this course.
What is the make-up exam policy?
Make-up exams are not generally given. If circumstances are such that you are unable to take the exam, please contact me by e-mail (kevin.g.mccracken@gmail.com) in advance of the exam. Otherwise, no make-up exam could be given and your grade will be zero for that exam.
Can I receive an incomplete at the end of the semester?
Incomplete (I) grades are discouraged and will only be authorized under exceptional circumstances. Your performance and participation in the course will factor into this decision. I will require you to complete all exams and the mandatory paper before a grade can be issued.
What will happen if I cheat or plagiarize?
Students are subject to the UM Student Honor Code. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. All cases in which students participate or appear to participate in these types of activities will be referred to the UM Honor Council, Dean of Students. Finding of a violation by the UM Honor Council will result in failure of the course not just the assignment.
How am I protected from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation?
Regretfully, implicit bias (def. attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions without intending to do so) is pervasive and all too often affects a great deal of even the good things we strive to do as humans. In this course I will strive to provide a positive learning environment that is free from such bias and inclusive for all persons from all backgrounds. Understanding the value and beauty of all biodiversity is a kindred goal.
Federal and state laws require that the University of Miami not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, physical or mental disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood, or genetic information. Retaliation by the university against those opposing discriminatory practices is prohibited. This affects employment policies and actions, as well as the delivery of educational services at all levels and facilities of the university. If you find any serious concerns about your experience at the University of Miami (in class or otherwise) please bring them to the attention of your instructor so that he/she can assist you and guide you to helpful resources.
Needs of students with disabilities will be accommodated in a confidential and respectful manner following university and federal policies pertaining to ADA accessibility with efforts to make all possible reasonable accommodations. Please talk to the instructor as soon as possible if you require any special assistance. The Office of Disability Services in the Academic Resource Center, N201, Whitten University Center provides disability services; 305-284-2374 (Voice), 305-284-3401 (TDD).
How may I get a recommendation letter?
I generally do not write recommendation letters for students I did not get to know exceptionally well during the class, as reporting only your grade in such letters is not generally in your interest. Ways to get a letter include: 1. Take 2 or 3 of my classes including an advanced class 2. Be a workshop leader for BIL-160 for the whole semester 3. Do undergraduate research in my lab
