Principles and Methods of Systematic Biology (EEB 5347)
Fall 2011
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'at'uconn.edu
Graduate Teaching Assistant: Chris Owen
Office hours: BioPharm 325 Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 or by appointment
Phone: 486-6650
email: christopher.l.owen'at'uconn.edu
Contents
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
Day | Topics | Reading/Assignment | Lab |
---|---|---|---|
Aug 29 | Class canceled due to Hurricane Irene |
Lecture instead of lab this week | |
Aug 31 | Organizational meeting, an introduction to biological systematics | Hubbell.pdf (for Friday) http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/science/11naming.html (for Friday) Mayr&Ashlock1991_pgs1-18.pdf (optional) | |
Sept 2 | The many roles of biological systematics & collections tour | Templeton 1989.pdf De Queiroz 2007.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species#Definitions_of_species Futuyma_spconcepts_445-451.pdf | |
Sept 5 | Labor Day No class | Babbidge Library resources; taxonomic literature Meet in Babbidge library Level 2 electronic classroom, across the lobby from the stairs and elevators | |
Sept 7 | |||
Sept 9 | Meet in library | Meet in library |
Lab and take home exercises | 20% | 200 pts |
Midterm | 20% | 200 pts |
Term paper | 22% | 220 pts |
Nomenclature exercise | 1% | 10 pts |
Participation | 2% | 20 pts |
Final | 35% | 350 pts |
Total | 100% | 1000 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://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5234 htm
Funding sources for taxonomy and biodiversity
Here is a comprehensive guide to potential funding sources for taxonomy and biodiversity studies. It was created in 2010, so most sources are up to date.
Funding for biodiversity and taxonomy 2010.pdf
Important dates
7 October, 2011: conference; topic selection
21 October, 2011: outline with 5+ references
18 November, 2011: first draft due
2 December, 2011: paper due