Principles and Methods of Systematic Biology (EEB 5347)
Fall 2009
Lecture MW 9:00-10:30, Lab F 9:00-10:30
Instructor: Dr. David L. Wagner, TLS Rm 471
Phone: 486-2139
office hours as available
email: david.wagner@uconn.edu
Graduate Teaching Assistant: Chris Owen
Office hours: TLS 461 Monday 10:30-11:30 (BioPharm 323 most other times) or by appointment
Phone: 486-6650
email: christopher.l.owen@uconn.edu
Textbook and readings
There is no assigned text. Generally you can expect one or two readings to be assigned for each lecture. Many readings will be available as pdfs, downloadable from the course website. Others, available in hard copy only, will be on reserve in the departmental office (TLS 312) in the filing cabinet next to the window. You are free to check out copy #2 for 3 hours; copy #1 should stay in the office, i.e., so one is always there for others to photocopy.
Schedule
Week | Topics | Reading/Assignment | Lab |
---|---|---|---|
Aug 31-Sept 4 | Organizational meeting, an introduction to biological systematics The many roles of biological systematics & collections tour ![]() Species definitions & species intermediacy |
![]() http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/science/11naming.html |
Lecture instead of lab this week |
Sept 7 No class Sept 9-11 |
Species definitions & species intermediacy![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Babbidge Library resources; taxonomic literature Meet in Babbidge library Level 2 electronic classroom, across the lobby from the stairs and elevators |
Sept 14 Lab (McCarthy Rm) Sept 16-18 |
Individual variation(population variation) Subspecies and geographic variation |
Taxonomic resoursces: key websites, taxonomy exercise assigned |
Grading
Lab and take home exercises | 20% | 100 pts |
Midterm | 20% | 100 pts |
Term paper | 25% | 115 pts |
Nomenclature exercise | 2% | 10 pts |
Final | 35% | 175 pts |
Total | 100% | 500 pts |
Term paper
Each student will be required to prepare a paper that will be due on December 4th. Styles that have been adopted in the past include (1) a literature review
that could be incorporated into a thesis chapter or (2) an NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant proposal. Another angle would be to (3) review a subject relevant to systematic theory or methodology. If you are considering the DDIG option this year's Dissertation Improvement Grants will be due on 20 November. Visit http://researchfunding.duke.edu/detail.asp?OppID=587 htm
Important dates
9 October, 2009: conference; topic selection
23 October, 2009: outline with 5+ references
20 November, 2009: first draft due
4 December, 2009: paper due