2003 Syllabus: Evolution & Earth Systems

Fall 2003

GEOLOGY 205: EVOLUTION & EARTH SYSTEMS

R. Hays Cummins | Interdisciplinary Studies | Miami University

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Course Requirements and Expectations

EVOLUTION & EARTH SYSTEMS

Professor: Dr. Hays Cummins

Lecture: 12:30-1:45, T/R
Office: Boyd Hall Rm 222

Hours: Wed 3-5

E-Mail: HaysC@muohio.edu

**Professor: Dr. Hays Cummins**
Lecture: 12:30-1:45, T/R Office: Boyd Hall Rm 222 Hours: Wed 3-5 E-Mail: HaysC@muohio.edu

A few fossil hounds on a recent collecting trip!

In this course we will examine a variety of topics including evolution, extinction and tropical lanscape ecology. From the outset, you will notice that much of the responsibility for the success of the course is on your shoulders. This includes student-led discussions and a semester long research project. Exams will be take-home and discussion based.

How did life first evolve?

In addition to a course reader, two texts form the basis of student-led discussions: 1) The Song of the DoDo by David Quammen; and (2) Tropical Nature by Adrian Forsyth and Ken Miyata. These are provocative writings which should ignite our imaginations and fuel our discussions.

Students collecting fossils at a local Favorite Outcrop

Evolution & Earth Systems Research Projects

Visit Our Earth Systems Reading Assignments and Discussion Site!

Avoid Cheesy Science!

A major portion of the course will be devoted to group research projects. You will be responsible for generating specific hypotheses and bringing the project to completion. The research projects will be on landscape ecology/biogeography. We will celebrate your projects in a Evolution and Earth Systems Symposium at the end of the semester.

To better build a community of researchers, there will be an extensive web based feedback system that will involve the entire class. Everyone will have a stake in the success of everyone else's projects primarily by providing feedback and criticisms to one another. Details are illustrated below.

Evolution & Earth Systems Research Feedback & Database

DOWNLOAD the Paper Posting HTML Formating HELP SHEET!

We also have a GUIDE for depositing articles, images, data, etc in your research folders.

Evolution & Earth Systems Project Entry Forms.......

Evolution & Earth Systems Project Submissions...

Evolution & Earth Systems Progress Reports

View Progress Reports & new progress postings.....

Search for Specific Ecosystem Research Articles

The Great Fossil Hunt, November13, 1999 (Quicktime Movies)

The Final Report Format

Each "Final Report" should be a minimum of 15 pages long, plus references, research time-line, data sheets, appendices, etc. This is it folks!!

Title (with all authors)

1. Introduction

Purpose/Problem. What is (are) your hypothesis(es)?
How did you decide on this project? How did you decide upon your specific questions?
What do you plan to accomplish?
Relevance, if any. Why is this research interesting?

2. Relevance of your research question

Literature Review--What have others done?
How does your research relate to a larger question(s)? What contribution will your project hopefully be able to make to the broader base of human knowledge?

3. Materials and Methods

What is your experimental design? Is it statistically sound? What are the reasons behind the different parts of your experimental design? Why are or aren't you doing certain things?
Is your experimental design statistically sound? How do you know? Did you ask for advice?
1. How will you ensure unbiased results?
2. How will you ensure that the data collected by the class can be trusted? Will you show adequately demonstrate your data collection methods and the importance of consistency?
Describe important materials and how they will be used.
Describe other methods. How will you involve the class in your study? Be specific! Will the class be asked to process data? How?
Have you included a Data Sheet?
Include a specific timeline (your own and the class!) of research execution.

4. Results

Observations.
Think about how best to convey your findings. What types of statistics will be of use to you? Why?
1. How will you best display your results? Graphs, tables? Think long and hard about this!
Include statistical tests, tables (numerical data) and figures (graphs, drawings, etc.) when appropriate.

5. Discussion & Conclusions --Hint: This is supposed to be fun!

Based on your background research, your own project, and analysis of the data, explain why you got the results you did.
Think beyond the project. How does your work fit in with what others have done? What additional questions do you have?
What suggestions do you have for further investigation?

6. Literature Cited

Be sure to include an impressive suite of literature citations that directly relate to your study. This literature must include citations from the peer reviewed journals. World Wide Web citations are of secondary importance!

Take a look at the final projects from the 2002 Evolution and Earth Systems Class:

Final 2, Effects of Temperature & Human Disturbance on Consumption of Food by Wild Birds (12/20/02 )

Effects of Temperature & Human Disturbance on Consumption of Food by Wild Birds (12/14/02 )

Insect Diversity Final Draft (12/13/02 )

Species Diversity, Distribution, and Abundance in the Liberty Formation (12/11/02 )

The Ohio Island: Trends in Faunal Diversity (12/10/02 )

Shaker Trace Wetland Recovery Project (12/10/02 )

A Study of Freshwater Fish Diversity in Oxford Streams (12/10/02 )

Ecological Succession and Invertebrate Diversity at Harker's Run (12/8/02 )

Here's a little boost in your search for a suitable research topic!!

Books, Articles, Journals, Library Resources

The world's largest bookstore!

The Library of Congress

The Current Issue of Scientific American

Science Magazine

Other Library Resources

Download the Cross-platform ADOBE Acrobat Reader

Miami Link

Reference Resources(Encyclopedias, maps, phone books)
- Encyclopedias
- Sciences
Sherlock (Library holdings at Miami)
Ohio Link Central Catalog (SEARCH Statewide)
- Ohio Link Home Page

Ohio Link Electronic Journals--Amazing Online Resource
Search the Ohio Link Journal Index

Earth & Planetary Sciences Environmental Sciences Physics & Astronomy Life Sciences

World Catalog
ARTICLE INDICES Search Journals for the LATEST pubs

Other Cool Library Stuff!

FIRST SEARCH Biology Science Citation Index Applied Science & Technology Environment and Ecology

AGRICCOLA Geology GEOBASE Life Sciences General Periodicals

Search Engines-Search Worldwide

Lightning One August Evening in Oxford, Ohio

The Try it, You'll Like It Web Database--Ecology, Global Change and Much More

Got Mac OS X 10.2 or Higher? Download Hays' Sherlock Channel

There are two main sources of research information on this website: (1) The first is a password protected science article database while (2) the second is a non-password protected Within-Site Search of all of the web pages on this site.

Search the PDF Science Article Database--Password Protected

The science article library contains thousands of PDF articles. It is an amazing resource. The database is password protected.

Search This Website--Open Resource

There are over 15,000 web pages on this website, so many pages that it can be difficult to even know what is here. Many of these web pages are student research articles, complete with literature sources. Use the Within-Site Search Engine to look for past student research work that may aid you in your research! It is not password protected.

Schedule of Lectures, Readings, Assignments and Exams
Module 1- The Song of the Dodo

Why are Islands Important? Who was George Wallace?
Visit Our Earth Systems Assignments and Discussion Site!

Date Topics & Other Assignments Readings/Discussion

Week 1
8/26-8/28

Lecture: Introduction to the Course
Discussion: Readings

Dodo, Ch 1--Thirty-Six Persian Rugs, pgs 9-14
Astrobiology: Exploring the Origins, Evolution and Distribution of Life Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site

Week 2
9/2-9/4

Discussion: Dodo, Ch 2

Dodo, Ch 2, The Man Who Knew Islands, pgs 15-114 Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site
The Raw Materials of Life Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site

Week 3
9/9-9/11

No Lecture: (Mon/Tues. switch week)

Discussion:Readings

From Scientifc American

Komodo Dragons, PDF 1 & PDF 2

Dodo, Ch 3, So Huge a Bignes (first half--115-190) Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site

Week 4
9/16-9/18

Class Discussion The Song of the Dodo, Chps. 3/4 (second half and first half Ch 4)
Discussion of Expectations of Class Research Projects
Geologic Time Scale Projects

Dodo,Ch 3, So Huge a Bigness, pgs 190-259
Dodo, Ch 4, Rarity unto Death- pgs 259-300 Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site

Indian Ocean Tortise, a relative of the Galapogos tortises

Post Team-Research Ideas

Week 5
9/23-9/25

More Song of the Dodo

Dodo, Ch 4, Rarity unto Death, pages 300-383: The Song of the Dodo Assignment #3 Please read Dodo, Ch 5-Preston's Bell, pages 383-407 I expect a thoughtful question posting and response.

Post Research Ideas/Provide Feedback

Provide Feedback

Week 6
9/30-10/2

The Dodo Rap Continues
The Island Biogegraphy Mid-Term Exam Assignment
Dodo & Readings take home exam/paper

Dodo, Ch.6, The Coming Thing, pgs 407-449
Dodo, Ch. 7, The Hedgehog of the Amazon, pgs 449-499 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site
Provide Feedback

Week 7
10/7-10/9

The Dodo Rap Continues
Paleo Problem Set Paleo & Ecologic Problem Set

An Indri Indri Chorus! From Lemur Sights and Sounds

Dodo, Ch.8, The Song of the Indri, pgs 499-546
Dodo, Ch.9, World in Pieces, pgs 547-602
Dodo, Ch.10, Message from Aru, pgs 603-625 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site
**Geologic Time Scale Due
Post Progress Reports

**Schedule of Lectures, Readings, Assignments and Exams**
Module 1- *The Song of the Dodo*

**Why are Islands Important? Who was George Wallace?**
**Visit Our Earth Systems Assignments and Discussion Site!**
Date	Topics & Other Assignments	Readings/Discussion
Week 1 8/26-8/28	Lecture: Introduction to the Course Discussion: Readings	Dodo, Ch 1--Thirty-Six Persian Rugs, pgs 9-14 Astrobiology: Exploring the Origins, Evolution and Distribution of Life Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site
Week 2 9/2-9/4	Discussion: Dodo, Ch 2	Dodo, Ch 2, The Man Who Knew Islands, pgs 15-114 Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site The Raw Materials of Life Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site
Week 3 9/9-9/11	No Lecture: (Mon/Tues. switch week) Discussion:Readings From Scientifc American Komodo Dragons, PDF 1 & PDF 2	Dodo, Ch 3, So Huge a Bignes (first half--115-190) Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site
Week 4 9/16-9/18	Class Discussion The Song of the Dodo, Chps. 3/4 (second half and first half Ch 4) Discussion of Expectations of Class Research Projects Geologic Time Scale Projects	Dodo,Ch 3, So Huge a Bigness, pgs 190-259 Dodo, Ch 4, Rarity unto Death- pgs 259-300 Please post a question and response to this article on our Discussion Web Site Indian Ocean Tortise, a relative of the Galapogos tortises Post Team-Research Ideas
Week 5 9/23-9/25	More Song of the Dodo	Dodo, Ch 4, Rarity unto Death, pages 300-383: The Song of the Dodo Assignment #3 Please read Dodo, Ch 5-Preston's Bell, pages 383-407 I expect a thoughtful question posting and response. Post Research Ideas/Provide Feedback Provide Feedback
Week 6 9/30-10/2	The Dodo Rap Continues The Island Biogegraphy Mid-Term Exam Assignment Dodo & Readings take home exam/paper	Dodo, Ch.6, The Coming Thing, pgs 407-449 Dodo, Ch. 7, The Hedgehog of the Amazon, pgs 449-499 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site Provide Feedback
Week 7 10/7-10/9	The Dodo Rap Continues Paleo Problem Set Paleo & Ecologic Problem Set An *Indri Indri* Chorus! From Lemur Sights and Sounds	Dodo, Ch.8, The Song of the Indri, pgs 499-546 Dodo, Ch.9, World in Pieces, pgs 547-602 Dodo, Ch.10, Message from Aru, pgs 603-625 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site **Geologic Time Scale Due Post Progress Reports

Seth and Lauren show off their fine tabulate coral

Search for Specific Ecosystem Research Articles

Module 2- Tropical Nature

Visit Our Earth Systems Assignments and Discussion Site!

Date Topics & Other Assignments Readings/Discussion

Week 8
10/14-10/16

Tropical Nature
Paleo Problem Set Paleo & Ecologic Problem Set

Tropical Nature, In the Realm of the Tropics, pgs 7-16
Tropical Nature, Fertility, pgs 17-30
Tropical Nature, Canyons of Light, pgs 31-40 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site
Post Progress Reports

Week 9
10/28-10/30

Tropical Nature
Discussion: Readings

Tropical Nature, Hangers-On, pgs 41-52
Tropical Nature, Matapalo, pgs 53-64
Tropical Nature, Listen to the Flowers, pgs 65-76 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site
Post Progress Reports

Week 10
10/28-10/30

Tropical Nature
Discussion:Readings

Tropical Nature, Eat Me, pgs 77-88
Tropical Nature, Bugs and Drugs, pgs 89-102
Tropical Nature, Creeping Socialists, pgs 103-114 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site
Post Progress Reports

Week 11
11/4-11/6

Tropical Nature
Discussion: Readings

Tropical Nature, Army Ants, pgs 115-124
Tropical Nature, Artful Guises, pgs 125-138
Tropical Nature, Southbound, pgs 139-152 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site
Post Progress Reports

Week 12
11/11-11/13

Tropical Nature
Discussion: Readings

Tropical Nature, Jerry's Maggot, pgs 153-168
Tropical Nature, Singing in the Rain, pgs 169-184
Tropical Nature, Night Walk, pgs 185-196 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site
Post Progress Reports

Week 13
11/18-11/20

Tropical Nature

Discussion: Readings

Tropical Nature, Jerry's Maggot, pgs 153-168
Tropical Nature, Singing in the Rain, pgs 169-184
Tropical Nature, Night Walk, pgs 185-196 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site

Week 14
11/25

Tropical Nature

Discussion: Readings

Thansgiving Holidays

Tropical Nature, The Eternal Tropics, pgs 197-206
Tropical Nature, Paradise Lost, pgs 207-218
Tropical Nature, Tropical Travel-A Beginner's Guide, pgs 219-234 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site
Post Progress Reports

Week 15

12/2-12/4
Research Project Work-up
I'm here to help!

Week 16

12/9-12/11
Research Project Presentations

Post Final Research Report

Week 17

Final Exam

Good luck next semester

There have been five mass extinction events over the last 600 million years. Is it Bad Genes or Bad Luck?

Today's continental realities were very different long ago!

Geologic Time Scale

EON ERA PERIOD EPOCH DATES AGE of Interesting Biological Events:

Phanerozoic Cenozoic Quaternary Holocene 0-2 Mammals Humans

Pleistocene
-

Tertiary Neogene Pliocene 2-5
-

Miocene 5-24
-

Paleogene Oligocene 24-37
-

Eocene 37-58
-

Paleocene 58-66 Extinction of dinosaurs

Mesozoic Cretaceous 66-144 Reptiles Flowering plants

Jurassic 144-208 1st birds/mammals

Triassic 208-245 First Dinosaurs

Paleozoic Permian 245-286 Amphibians End of trilobites

Carboniferous Pennsylvanian 286-320 First reptiles

Mississippian 320-360 Large primitive trees

Devonian 360-408 Fishes First amphibians

Silurian 408-438 First land plant fossils

Ordovician 438-505 Invertebrates First Fish

Cambrian 505-570 1st shells, trilobites dominant

Proterozoic Also known as Precambrian 570-2,500 1st Multicelled organisms

Archean 2,500-3,800 1st one-celled organisms

Hadean 3,800-4,600 Approx age of oldest rocks 3,800

Note: Dates are in millions of years
Taken from: MODERN PHYSICAL GEOLOGY, Graham R. Thompson Ph.D., Jonathan Turk Ph.D., Saunders College Publishing and the University of Alaska, Department of Geology.

Check out this beautiful Ordovician Cephalopod

Module 2- **Tropical Nature**

**Visit Our Earth Systems Assignments and Discussion Site!**
Date	Topics & Other Assignments	Readings/Discussion
Week 8 10/14-10/16	Tropical Nature Paleo Problem Set Paleo & Ecologic Problem Set	Tropical Nature, In the Realm of the Tropics, pgs 7-16 Tropical Nature, Fertility, pgs 17-30 Tropical Nature, Canyons of Light, pgs 31-40 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site Post Progress Reports
Week 9 10/28-10/30	Tropical Nature Discussion: Readings	Tropical Nature, Hangers-On, pgs 41-52 Tropical Nature, Matapalo, pgs 53-64 Tropical Nature, Listen to the Flowers, pgs 65-76 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site Post Progress Reports
Week 10 10/28-10/30	Tropical Nature Discussion:Readings	Tropical Nature, Eat Me, pgs 77-88 Tropical Nature, Bugs and Drugs, pgs 89-102 Tropical Nature, Creeping Socialists, pgs 103-114 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site Post Progress Reports
Week 11 11/4-11/6	Tropical Nature Discussion: Readings	Tropical Nature, Army Ants, pgs 115-124 Tropical Nature, Artful Guises, pgs 125-138 Tropical Nature, Southbound, pgs 139-152 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site Post Progress Reports
Week 12 11/11-11/13	Tropical Nature Discussion: Readings	Tropical Nature, Jerry's Maggot, pgs 153-168 Tropical Nature, Singing in the Rain, pgs 169-184 Tropical Nature, Night Walk, pgs 185-196 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site Post Progress Reports
Week 13 11/18-11/20	Tropical Nature Discussion: Readings	Tropical Nature, Jerry's Maggot, pgs 153-168 Tropical Nature, Singing in the Rain, pgs 169-184 Tropical Nature, Night Walk, pgs 185-196 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site
Week 14 11/25	Tropical Nature Discussion: Readings Thansgiving Holidays	Tropical Nature, The Eternal Tropics, pgs 197-206 Tropical Nature, Paradise Lost, pgs 207-218 Tropical Nature, Tropical Travel-A Beginner's Guide, pgs 219-234 Please post a question and response to one of these articles on our Discussion Web Site Post Progress Reports
Week 15 12/2-12/4	Research Project Work-up	I'm here to help!
Week 16 12/9-12/11	Research Project Presentations	Post Final Research Report
Week 17	Final Exam	Good luck next semester

Geologic Time Scale
EON	ERA	PERIOD	EPOCH	DATES	AGE of	Interesting Biological Events:
Phanerozoic	Cenozoic	Quaternary	Holocene	0-2	Mammals	Humans
Pleistocene	-
Tertiary	Neogene	Pliocene	2-5	-
Miocene	5-24	-
Paleogene	Oligocene	24-37	-
Eocene	37-58	-
Paleocene	58-66	Extinction of dinosaurs
Mesozoic	Cretaceous	66-144	Reptiles	Flowering plants
Jurassic	144-208	1st birds/mammals
Triassic	208-245	First Dinosaurs
Paleozoic	Permian	245-286	Amphibians	End of trilobites
Carboniferous	Pennsylvanian	286-320	First reptiles
Mississippian	320-360	Large primitive trees
Devonian	360-408	Fishes	First amphibians
Silurian	408-438	First land plant fossils
Ordovician	438-505	Invertebrates	First Fish
Cambrian	505-570	1st shells, trilobites dominant
Proterozoic	Also known as Precambrian	570-2,500	1st Multicelled organisms
Archean	2,500-3,800	1st one-celled organisms
Hadean	3,800-4,600	Approx age of oldest rocks 3,800

Required Texts:

1) Tropical Nature by Adrian Forsyth and Ken Miyata

2) The Song of the DoDo by David Quammen

Evaluation: Participation is expected at all levels within the course. Attendance is mandatory during each student discussion period and scheduled lab: each unexcused absence will result in a 3% reduction (30 pts/absence) of your final grade. Grades will be based upon the point distribution shown below:

Academic Honesty

Please read part V, Sections 501-507 of The Miami Student Handbook on Academic Dishonesty since the policy articulated pertains to all work done in this course.

Assignments & Points

Instructor-Generated Labs (1 reports@100 pts each) 100 pts

Class Participation (300 pts)

Exam 2 (150 pts)

Exam I (150 pts)

Final research project (400 pts)

Total Pts. 1000 pts

Site NAVIGATION--Table of Contents

Listen to a "Voice Navigation" Intro! (Quicktime or MP3)

WEATHER & EARTH SCIENCE RESOURCES

OTHER ACADEMIC COURSES, STUDENT RESEARCH, OTHER STUFF

| Educational Philosophy | Discovery Labs: Moon, Geologic Time, Sun, Taxonomy, Frisbee | Project Dragonfly | Vita |Field Course Postings | Student Research Postings | Nature/Science Autobiography | Environmental Programs at Miami University

TEACHING TOOLS & OTHER STUFF

Daily Necessities: Macintosh Resources |Search Engines | Library Resources|Server Stats| Family Album | View My Schedule | View Guestbook | Western College "Multimedia Potpourri"

Any mail, comments or suggestions? You can Add to my Guestbook ,View the Guestbook or e-mail me privately at HaysC@muohio.edu .

Thanks for stopping by!

Course Requirements and Expectations

EVOLUTION & EARTH SYSTEMS

Evolution & Earth Systems Research Projects

Avoid Cheesy Science!

Evolution & Earth Systems Research Feedback & Database

Evolution & Earth Systems Project Entry Forms.......

Evolution & Earth Systems Project Submissions...

Evolution & Earth Systems Progress Reports

Entry Form for all research categories....

Entry form for intial Progress Reports...

Research Ideas

Research Proposals

Final Research Report

View Progress Reports & new progress postings.....

The Great Fossil Hunt, November13, 1999 (Quicktime Movies)

The Final Report Format

Books, Articles, Journals, Library Resources

The Library of Congress

The Current Issue of Scientific American

Science Magazine

Other Library Resources

Download the Cross-platform ADOBE Acrobat Reader

Miami Link

Other Cool Library Stuff!

Search Engines-Search Worldwide

Search Engines-Search Worldwide

The Try it, You'll Like It Web Database--Ecology, Global Change and Much More

Module 1- The Song of the Dodo

Module 2- Tropical Nature

There have been five mass extinction events over the last 600 million years. Is it Bad Genes or Bad Luck?

Geologic Time Scale

WEATHER & EARTH SCIENCE RESOURCES

TROPICAL ECOSYSTEM FIELD COURSES

OTHER ACADEMIC COURSES, STUDENT RESEARCH, OTHER STUFF

| Educational Philosophy | Discovery Labs: Moon, Geologic Time, Sun, Taxonomy, Frisbee | Project Dragonfly | Vita |Field Course Postings | Student Research Postings | Nature/Science Autobiography | Environmental Programs at Miami University

TEACHING TOOLS & OTHER STUFF

Daily Necessities: Macintosh Resources |Search Engines | Library Resources|Server Stats| Family Album | View My Schedule | View Guestbook | Western College "Multimedia Potpourri"