BIOL 113: Principles of Structure and Function

Course Overview

This course explores the similarities and differences in morphology and physiology across the tree of life. Both plants and animals will be examined, with special emphasis on structural and physiological adaptations to environmental challenges. The course will cover organismal structure and function, physiological regulation, and evolutionary context. Laboratory work is a separate course and not included here.

• Prerequisites: BIOL 112 and BIOL 113L are strongly recommended.

• Credits: 4

Course Schedule

• No scheduled meetings (Online Canvas course shell)

• Weekly Academic Week: Monday to Sunday

• Assignments due Sundays at 11:59pm (unless otherwise noted)

• Exams and major assignments due as specified in the schedule

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Steven Presley, Jr., Wildlife Biology, M.S. Biology, Ph.D. Science Education

• Email: steven.presley@edu

Instructor Availability

• Online via Zoom: Wednesdays 10:00am–11:00am & by appointment (Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm)

• Emails answered within 24 hours on weekdays

• Appointments for individual guidance available

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Describe fundamental principles of animal and plant structure, resource acquisition, and transport in vascular plants.

• Describe homeostasis and adaptations for environmental regulation.

• Describe the fundamentals of animal reproduction and development.

• Describe the fundamentals of plant reproduction and development.

Assessment & Grading

Assessment Scheme

• 3 Midterms – 50%

• 1 Final Exam – 20%

• 6 Quizzes – 15%

• 1 Term Paper – 15%

Grades are assigned based on the following scale:

Grading Policy

• Grades are based solely on your academic performance and assignment completion.

• No grade will be assigned for non-academic factors.

• Assignments are designed to assess your understanding and application of course material.

Materials

• Required Textbook: Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky & Orr (2021). Campbell Biology, 12th Edition. Pearson. ISBN: 9780135988046

• Recommended: Knisely, K. (2019). A Student Handbook for Writing in the Biological Sciences, 6th Edition. Oxford University Press.

Instructional Conversation

This course is delivered online, with weekly "Instructional Conversation" videos summarizing key concepts. These are not a substitute for reading the textbook or completing assignments.

Assignments and Exams

• Quizzes: At the beginning of each unit, covering the assigned reading and lecture content. Due Sundays at 11:59pm MT.

• Midterms: Three midterms, each covering a portion of the course. Dates specified in the schedule.

• Final Exam: Cumulative, scheduled at the end of the course.

• Term Paper: Due Academic Week 14. 1,000–1,250 words. Topic: Compare and contrast a structural or physiological adaptation in plants and animals.

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Course Expectations

• Expect to spend an average of 7.5 hours per week on this course.

• Assignments and exams are due as scheduled; late work is not accepted except in documented emergencies.

• Academic integrity is required; all work must be your own.

Academic Integrity and Policies

• All work must be original and completed individually unless otherwise specified.

• Use of unauthorized resources, including AI tools, is prohibited unless explicitly allowed.

• Violations will be reported according to university policy.

Student Support and Resources

• Student services, academic support, and accommodations are available as needed.

• Contact the instructor for guidance or to discuss any concerns.