Biogeography (undergraduate)

Where & When: Mon & Wed 10:30 – 11:50, HEC 110

Instructor: Dave Jenkins email: david.jenkins AT ucf.edu  zoom: 221 297 8950

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 12 – 1:30, Rm. 111B in Biology

Web: https://webcourses.ucf.edu/courses/1464206   OR   https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology/d4lab/biogeography-undergraduate

Text: Lomolino et al. 2017. Biogeography. 5th edition, Sinauer. ISBN 978-1605354729 Try it at allbookstores.com

TurnItIn.com: BSC 4821 Biogeography; Class ID = 44916733; pw = biogeography

Course Description: Biogeography is the study of geographic variation in biota. It builds on ecology and evolution: students are expected to be conversant in both fields for this course – thus the prerequisites. Objectives for students include: (a) master major concepts of biogeography, and (b) understand the intertwined geological, evolutionary, and ecological processes that determine biogeographic patterns.

Performance Evaluation

Midterm & Final Exams*     45.0 % each

Participation                          10.0 %

* 10% extra credit on the final exam grade is available to students who can show me they voted in the November election. Send me a selfie of you with a mail-in ballot, or standing in line to vote or wearing an “I voted” sticker – whatever.

Grade scale: A = 90-100, B = 80-89.9, C – 70-79.9, D = 60-69.9, F < 59.9

Because this course aims for you to synthesize rather than memorize, your grade is largely based on two take-home (open-book) essay exams (see schedule below). You will submit the exams via TurnItIn.com. The final is comprehensive.

Questions will require you to think, analyze information, apply what you have learned from the text + lectures & discussions, and write as a cogent scientist (see the text for a model of cogent scientific writing and citation style).

Allow time to edit your writing before submitting!

DO NOT use AI (ChatGPT, Gemini and other LLMs, etc.) to help you with this process because it:

1. 1. 1. is unlikely to dive deep enough to help you.
      2. can hallucinate (https://is.gd/YLrhsp) and work in an echo chamber (https://is.gd/3XQJhN).
      3. borders on plagiarism and/or copyright problems (https://is.gd/ySdWam).
      4. show only what a computer “thinks,” then edited by you or more software. I want to know what YOU think.

Suggestions:

• Budget your time to read the entire text this semester – it is comprehensive and scientific writing (not a light reading).
• Take notes while reading in advance. If while reading you learn you should know some background, stop and do some background reading to catch up. This course assumes you are well-versed in Ecology and Evolution and can go back to those resources if needed.
• In class: talk, ask questions, answer questions. Sometimes that helps you form ideas, but also gives me a chance to see if I confused you and others.
• Have the text available for class – you will use it in discussions as a reference.
• Take notes during class.
• The text is comprehensive and will be fully sufficient as a resource for exams. You can also cite journal articles and other peer-reviewed resources for exams if you wish, but it is not expected.
• Use the text as an example for your own scientific writing and citation styles.

Other Business:

• Attendance is important for your learning, but is not counted in your grade. Participation is.
• You are expected to abide by the UCF rules for student conduct https://scai.sdes.ucf.edu/student-rules-of-conduct/
• Plagiarism = a grade of zero for the course. It is easy avoid this penalty – just write your own words, and where needed at a placeholder (I use XXX) to add a citation. Then check the text to ensure that what you wrote is legit, and then cite it with a relevant page number.
• All UCF core syllabus statements are invoked: https://fctl.ucf.edu/teaching-resources/course-design/syllabus-statements.
• All reasonable accommodations will be made for disabilities documented through the Office of Student Disability Services (SRC 132; 407-823-2371). Please talk to Dr. Jenkins.
• The instructor reserves the option to adjust the rules, schedule, and grading system as outlined in this syllabus as needed to maintain the best possible educational integrity of the course. Any such changes will be announced and revised syllabi will be distributed.

COURSE SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGES)

Footnotes:

1. M = on the midterm AND final
2. F = on the final