Welcome to Dan Benjamin's web page

BIO 101T
M-W 3- 3:50
Brooks 176

This page is a resource site for students who are enrolled in Bio 101T at CMU

Office information:	Class Materials:
Office Hours: M 400-500, W 1000-1130 & 400-500  Office Phone number: 774-2491 Office Number: Brooks 187 Office location: Brooks Hall Room 187 Benja1dw@cmich.edu	Text Required: Cecie Starr. Biology: Today and Tomorrow. Thomson (Brooks/Cole) Publishing Co. Lab Manual: Benjamin, D. et al. 2004. Laboratory Biology (10th ed.)   Other Materials List To access the Biology today and tomorrow website click here

The lab times and instructors for Dan Benjamin

Click Here for the 
Weekly Laboratory Schedule

For Information on classes Offered at the Beaver Island
Biological station click the below link.
Beaver Island

ClassSyllabus: 

UNIVERSITY PROGRAM:   

This course satisfies requirements for Group IIA (Descriptive Natural Science) of the university program.  CMU provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities and services.  Students with disabilities, requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements, should contact me as soon as possible.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR (For Lecture and Lab):

Each CMU student is encouraged to help create an environment during class that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone.  Students who speak at inappropriate times, sleep in class, display inattention, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or pagers in class, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others could be asked to leave the class and subjected to disciplinary action un the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures.

EVALUATION:                    Specific details provided during the first lecture and lab.

300 Pts.            Lecture grade, counting for approximately 60% of the course grade will consist of 4 exams of approximately 60 questions each.  The final exam will be in part comprehensive.  The exams will test lecture material primarily, text material secondarily, and finally laboratory highlights.  In addition, 10-12 unannounced lecture questions and/or written assignments will be given throughout the semester as attendance/enrichment checks.  These will be worth approximately 5-10 points each.

200 Pts.             Laboratory evaluation, counting 40% of the course grade, will be based on written work, quizzes, attendance, and attitude. 

------------          ­ Reminder: To earn a passing grade in this class, you must earn a passing grade in the laboratory.

500 Pts.  

MANAGING TIME:

                                * Establish a written plan (outline) of study for each of your classes (when, where, time allocated)

                                 * Short, intense study sessions are often best for most people.

* Review and/or recopy your notes as soon as possible after class.

* Take advantage of time between classes to read, review, take notes, etc..

* Don't wait until the last minute to begin projects, papers, or written assignments.

* Schedule time for yourself as a reward for completing tasks. (Helps reduce academic stress)

 STUDY SKILLS:   

                                 * Use a method to abbreviate lecture notes.

* It is best to review the textbook assignments before class.

* Pay attention to the end of the Chapter Summaries, Questions and Key Terms.

* Study lecture notes using textbooks for clarification.

* When taking notes, save space on the page to show how things are related. (see study handout)

* Attend ALL review, discussion, or SI sessions

GENERAL CLASS SURVIVAL             

* Plan your schedule with thoughts about class location and time to study between classes.

* Get a doctor's excuse when you are too ill to take a test.

* When dropping a class, be sure to fill out all necessary forms.

* Know your instructor’s office location and office hours.

* Use opportunities after class reviews, and office hours to ask questions.

* Make notes or hints on how to study the material for optimal results.

* Learn the instructor's goals for the course and his/her grading methods.

Follow the Chapter number links for each chapter's objectives.

FINAL EXAM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16th, FROM 2-3:50 PM

The make up policy:  It is your responsibility to see me about missed assignments, exams, etc as soon as possible.  As a rule, missed work will not be allowed to be turned in

Class attendance policy:  I expect that you will make a strong effort to attend class.  This also includes reviews and/or discussion sessions covering content.  As exams are largely generated from material covered during the lecture/lab, it is very important to make every attempt to attend.  Experience has shown that chronic absenteeism is the most significant factor in poor class performance.

Is the final cumulative?  The final exam is, in part, cumulative.  Many of the concepts in general biology are so important to your life (regardless of your major or career) that I want to make sure that you leave the class with an understanding of them.  Near the end of the semester, I will provide a review worksheet for those comprehensive areas to look over for the final.

A Little About Myself:

       Welcome to my web site. My name is Dan Benjamin and I will be your instructor for the course this semester.  I will try to help you navigate through the general biology lecture content important to students intending to become elementary teachers.  I am also in charge of coordinating and managing our introductory program.  If you do have any questions or concerns about the program that you are enrolled in, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Special projects I'm involved in are:

My Graduate work is in aquatic ecology with an emphasis in ichthyology (fish).  I am also very interested in using remote sensing in identifying and managing wetlands.  For the past several summers, I have been working on the wetlands found on Beaver Island with students from my field biology class (BIO 100).  This is a class you may be interested in taking at our field station. I am also very interested in "tracking" exotic species (plants, zooplankton, fish, etc.) in the Great Lakes.

In the Field Biology class,  students will learn about:

• The historical and geological history of Beaver Island
• The role of parent material on soil profiles and plant and animal distribution
• Patterns of vegetation and successional changes associated with old fields, forests, dunes, and beaches
• The distribution and foraging behaviors of some common reptiles
• Population dynamics of selected fish species
• The use of pheromones and artificial webs to monitor the abundance and diversity of insects
• Small mammal behavior, home range, and marking techniques
• The aquatic diversity of microorganisms and productivity of aquatic systems
• Remote sensing and mapping techniques associated with study sites

For Information on classes Offered at the Beaver Island
Biological station click the below link.
Beaver Island

For more information or to register, contact:

Dr. James C. Gillingham, Director

E-mail: James.C.Gillingham@cmich.edu

Additional Information

You may not be aware of the size or uniqueness of the program that you are participating in.  During the Fall semester alone we will have 1,700+ students, 6 lecturers, and 24 Graduate Teaching Assistants assisting with the program.  In addition, an undergraduate work-study staff of 8 students will prep the labs, prepare the media and solutions, repair equipment, and supervise the resource "support" room.  It is one of the few introductory programs of this size in the state where all students in the class go to the field for some of the laboratory work.

Central Michigan University provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities  and services. Individuals with disabilities, requiring  accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements, should contact me as early as possible.

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