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120H1F-bio120代写
时间：2023-05-16
BIO120H1F – Adaptation & Biodiversity
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto
Course Syllabus – Summer 2023
The BIO120 Team
Laurel Duquette, Lecturer
Laura Heslin Piper, Course Administrator
Veronica Chong, Course Administrator
Ben Downer-Bartholomew, Lead TA
Teaching Assistants
BIO120 Office – bio120@utoronto.ca
• Please direct all course enquiries to the BIO120 Office; the office will re-direct enquiries as appropriate.
• Email: bio120@utoronto.ca
• Please include your full name and student number when emailing the BIO120 Office
Course Description
Principles and concepts of evolution and ecology related to origins of adaptation and biodiversity.
Mechanisms and processes driving biological diversification illustrated from various perspectives using
empirical and theoretical approaches. Topics include: genetic diversity; natural selection; speciation;
physiological, population and community ecology; maintenance of species diversity; global environmental
change; conservation, species extinction, and invasion biology. Prerequisite: Grade 12 Biology or equivalent.
Exclusion: BIO150Y1Y.
Course Objectives
1. A goal of this course is to provide you with a solid foundation in evolutionary and ecological principles
and concepts—as related to the origins of adaptation and biodiversity—so that you can make informed
decisions on pressing societal issues, such as population growth, global environmental change, and the
conservation of biodiversity, and be prepared for advanced study in the biological sciences.
2. Darwinian evolution is the unifying concept in biology and explains biodiversity on earth and why
species differ. You will learn that the traits of organisms are the product of a complex interplay between
natural selection, genetic variation, and constraints imposed by evolutionary history.
3. You will learn that adaptive evolution is a process that results from selection pressures imposed by the
physical and biotic environment on individuals within populations. The ecological challenges of
capturing resources for growth, successful reproduction, and avoiding enemies largely determine the
ways organisms function.
4. Required readings will extend and reinforce lecture material on how natural systems work and how
diverse organisms respond to the challenges of the natural world. From reading Evolution: a very short
introduction, you will learn how various independent lines of evidence demonstrate the fact of evolution
and give insight into its mechanisms, particularly adaptation by natural selection. Additional readings
will extend and reinforce lecture material on how natural systems work and how diverse organisms
respond to the challenges of the natural world.
5. In the laboratories you will learn to make observations, devise hypotheses, and analyze experiments in
ecology and evolutionary biology, including critically evaluating and communicating (both orally and in
writing) hypotheses and experimental designs.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
ii
Online Course Delivery
This course will be delivered online, including all lectures, labs and assessments:
• Labs will be run as live sessions at scheduled times on Zoom, and will not be recorded.
• Lectures and lecture tutorials will be run as live sessions at scheduled times on Zoom, but
recordings will be posted on Quercus after each lecture/tutorial.
• All assignments will be submitted to Quercus. The Midterm and Final Assessment will be
completed on Quercus.
Note on participating in recorded lectures and lecture tutorials:
All lectures and lecture tutorials are recorded in BIO120. If you join a lecture/lecture tutorial and you
do not turn on your camera or microphone, you will not appear in the recording. However, if you turn
on your camera and/or microphone, your video or audio participation may be included in the
recording. By turning your camera and/or microphone on during lecture or lecture tutorial, you
consent to being recorded and understand that the recordings will be shared with the rest of the
class on the BIO120 Quercus course site (via MyMedia, U of T Libraries’ audio and video platform).
Technical Requirements:
To complete the course, you will need to have access to a computer with administrator privileges and a
reliable internet connection (note that mobile devices will NOT work for all aspects of the course). High
speed broadband internet access is recommended for an optimal learning experience. You will need a web
browser and word processing software to complete the course, and you will also need to download ImageJ
and SimUText software to complete the labs (details and download links will be posted on Quercus).
Note: We are running the course from Toronto, so all times refer to the Toronto time zone (Eastern
Daylight Time UTC-4)
Course Required Materials
1. BIO120 Laboratory Manual Summer 2023
The lab manual chapters will be posted as PDFs on Quercus. You cannot use other lab manual editions (e.g.,
if you took BIO120 in Fall 2022, you cannot re-use your lab manual).
2. Evolution: a very short introduction by Brian and Deborah Charlesworth (Oxford University Press). It is
available as a free eBook through the U of T Library website (a link will be posted on the BIO120 Quercus).
3. SimUText Learning Software
We have assigned two online learning modules from SimUText – one module to complement a lecture
and one module to complement a lab. Each module is worth 2% of your final course grade. You will
need to pay for and download the SimUText learning software onto your computer. The cost is
approximately $16 CAD. Detailed information is posted on Quercus.
4. Additional readings (such as journal articles) will be posted on the course site on Quercus.
Course Site on Quercus
The BIO120 course site will be available on Quercus (q.utoronto.ca) for the summer. For information on
using Quercus, please see the “Help” button on Quercus. All course materials will be posted on Quercus,
and all course activities will take place online through the Quercus course page. Only students who are
enrolled in BIO120 on ACORN have access to this site (within 24-48 hours after enrolling). It is mandatory
that you check the announcements at least twice a week, and we strongly recommend checking Quercus
daily throughout the course. We recommend turning on announcements in your Notifications setting so
that you receive announcements as emails.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
iii
Lectures
• Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:10 am-12:00 pm on Zoom (link to be posted on Quercus)
• The lecture schedule is available on page viii and on Quercus.
• Lecture slides will be available on Quercus by 5:00 pm the day before the lectures. If you choose to print
slides, we request that, in an effort to conserve paper and ink, you consider printing: six slides per page,
on both sides of a page, using previously used paper, and using only black ink.
• Lectures will be recorded and available on Quercus after the lecture date, barring any technical issues.
Lecture Tutorials
This is your chance to ask the lecturer questions about lecture content. These are held Tuesdays and
Thursdays 12:00-12:30 pm after lecture on Zoom. You can attend either the Tuesday or Thursday session or
both; attendance is optional. Format is “question and answer.” You can ask questions via the chat function,
or by using your computer’s microphone.
Reading Quizzes
• Quizzes will be available on Quercus to help you assess your understanding of the required readings,
and to motivate you to do the readings before each lecture.
• Detailed information on the reading quizzes will be available on Quercus under “Reading Quizzes”.
Laboratories (also read the BIO120 Laboratory Manual for detailed information, available on Quercus)
• Labs begin the first week of classes (the week of May 8th).
• Students enrolled in the P0101 practical section have labs on Tuesdays starting at 1:10 pm
• Students enrolled in the P0201 practical section have labs on Thursdays starting at 1:10 pm
• Labs will consist of a mix of online lessons, discussions and exercises. Each week, you are expected to
attend a live virtual lab session with your TA (a detailed schedule is available on Quercus). Attendance
is mandatory. For details on the lab format, please see the BIO120 Laboratory Manual Summer 2023.
• Check Quercus after 4:00pm on Monday May 8th to confirm your lab section and assigned TA.
• Preparation for Lab 1: Read the Introduction, Chapter 1, Chapter 6, and Appendix B of the BIO120
Laboratory Manual Summer 2023. Download the Lab 1 Worksheet. Answer the questions on page 1-14
of the lab manual before lab (these questions are also included in the Lab 1 Worksheet)
• If you are not enrolled in a practical section on ACORN by Friday May 5th, please contact the BIO120
Office at bio120@utoronto.ca. You must be enrolled in a practical section to complete the course.
• Procedures for requesting a make-up for a missed lab (for example, due to illness) are discussed in the
“Important Policies and Procedures” section on pages v and vi of this syllabus.
• Note: Labs are held every week; see the schedule in the Introduction to the BIO120 Lab Manual
Academic Support (where to ask questions about course content)
• Any questions on lecture content can be (1) asked during the weekly Lecture Tutorials (see above), or (2)
posted on the BIO120 Discussions page on Quercus.
• Any questions on laboratory content can be (1) directed to your TA during regular lab time, (2) directed
to the head TA at designated office hours, or (3) posted on the BIO120 Discussions page on Quercus.
• The Discussions page on Quercus has been created for students to post their questions regarding course
material. It is expected that students will respond to their classmates’ questions. Course staff will
respond to posts where appropriate (and within 48 hours, weekdays only).
Copyright
Lectures and course materials prepared by the instructors are considered by the University to be an
instructor’s intellectual property covered by the Copyright Act, RSC 1985, c C-42. Course materials such as
PowerPoint slides and lecture recordings are made available to you for your own study purposes. These
materials cannot be shared outside of the class or “published” in any way. Posting recordings or slides to
other websites without the express permission of the instructor will constitute copyright infringement.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
iv
Support Services If any student has concerns about the course or is having a hard time in general, we encourage you to contact us (bio120@utoronto.ca). Below are additional services available to U of T students:
• The Academic Success Centre provides workshops and one-on-one learning strategy sessions for
students who are looking to improve their study habits.
• If you feel there is a medical/accessibility concern impacting your ability to study or
complete academic work to the best of your ability, you may find it helpful to contact
Accessibility Services. They are responsible for arranging ongoing accommodations for students
where appropriate.
• Health & Wellness through Student Life offers mental health care.
• If you are having a hard time overall and you are not sure what kind of support would help, you
may find it helpful to contact your College Registrar's office. The Registrars are a central resource
at U of T, and they have excellent advisors who can give degree-planning advice and connect you
to other resources on campus.
• If you feel you need an extension on specific BIO120 assignments, please see the BIO120 Extension
Policy under “Important Course Policies and Procedures” below.
Evaluation
Lecture material, including required readings 67%
Lab material, including required readings 33%
Lab Work Requirement: You must complete and submit a minimum of five laboratory assessments
(i.e. assignments and quizzes) in order to pass the course. If you do not complete and submit at least
five of the laboratory assessments by the required deadlines throughout the term, you will receive a
maximum final grade of 49% for the course.
Evaluation Details:
Midterm Test on Wednesday May 31st from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Mixed format test completed over Quercus, including multiple-choice questions and short-answer
questions. Covering Lectures 1 to 12, including required readings, and Labs 1 – 3 including required
readings. Further details will be posted on Quercus.
33%
Final Assessment during June 21st – 26th Final Assessment period, exact date TBA
Mixed format test completed over Quercus during the Final Assessment period, including multiple-
choice questions and short-answer questions. Covering Lectures 13 to 22, including required
readings, and Labs 4-5 including the SimUText Sickle Cell Alleles module and required readings.
Further details will be posted on Quercus.
33%
Laboratory quizzes and assignments (see Lab Work Requirement above)
- Quizzes (5%), SimUText Sickle Cell Alleles Module (2%), Lab 5 assignment (1%) and Writing a
Scientific Proposal assignments (19%)
- See page vi of the syllabus for detailed information.
27%
Reading Quizzes
- Quizzes on required readings for the lecture content (e.g., Evolution: a very short introduction and
other required readings)
4%
SimUText Population Growth Module via SimUText 2%
TA Evaluation and Course Survey on Quercus 1%
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
v
Important Course Policies and Procedures (please read these carefully!)
1. Your quiz, assignment, and test grades for BIO120 will be visible to you on Quercus. It is your
responsibility to check your grades and report any inconsistencies to the BIO120 Office as soon as
possible.
2. It is also your responsibility to check your U of T email account on a frequent basis, as any urgent
communications will be sent that way. Failure to see an email will not be accepted as an excuse.
3. Please send all course-related email to bio120@utoronto.ca; your email will be forwarded to the
appropriate team member. Include your full name and student number in the body of the message. You
should use your U of T email address or your emails are likely to be diverted to Junk Mail.
4. You must complete and submit a minimum of five laboratory assessments (i.e. assignments and
quizzes) in order to pass the course. If you do not complete and submit at least five of the laboratory
assessments by the required deadlines throughout the term, you will receive a maximum final
grade of 49% for the course.
5. All tests will be completed online via Quercus, and all assignments will be submitted to Quercus. If you
experience technical issues that affect your ability to complete a test or submit an assignment on
time, contact bio120@utoronto.ca before the test or assignment deadline. Technical issues reported
after the deadline has passed may not be accommodated.
6. If you miss the Midterm or the Final Assessment due to illness or other extenuating circumstances,
email the BIO120 Office within 24 hours of the missed test in order to receive accommodation. Medical
documentation is not required for absences due to illness.
7. Test conflict with a scheduled class: If you have a scheduled class at the time of the Midterm, your class
takes precedence (i.e., you should attend your class and write the Make-Up Midterm for BIO120).
Contact the BIO120 Office no later than one week prior to the test date to arrange to write the make-up
test. If you do not notify the BIO120 Office before this deadline, we may not be able to arrange an
alternate sitting of the test for you. Please provide a copy of your timetable as proof of the conflict.
8. If you miss your scheduled lab period, contact bio120@utoronto.ca within 24 hours of the missed lab to
find out if space is available to attend another lab during the week each lab is offered. You can request a
make-up for one missed lab without providing documentation or disclosing a reason. If you miss
multiple labs due to serious illness or extenuating circumstances, please contact the BIO120 Office to
discuss further accommodations. Note that the deadlines for lab quizzes and lab assignments do NOT
change, regardless of whether you miss a lab or attend a make-up lab. If you miss your scheduled lab
period, you are still responsible for submitting any assignments that are due for the lab you missed.
9. Extension Policy: If you require an extension for an assignment due to illness or exceptional
circumstances, contact bio120@utoronto.ca before the assignment deadline. Requests will be considered
on a case-by-case basis.
10. Online labs begin at 1:10 pm SHARP on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Your TA will take attendance at the
beginning of each lab. If you arrive late to lab, please alert your TA so they can record your attendance.
11. The lab quizzes are completed on Quercus. They are available for seven days preceding the start of Labs
2, 3, 4, and 5. Lab quizzes are due BEFORE the start date and time of the associated lab. No extensions
or exemptions are allowed. Detailed information on the quizzes is available on Quercus.
12. The University of Toronto is committed to accessibility. If you require accommodations for a disability,
or have any accessibility concerns about the course, the classroom or course materials, contact
Accessibility Services as soon as possible: accessibility.services@utoronto.ca or
studentlife.utoronto.ca/as.
13. Read page vi in the BIO120 Laboratory Manual Introduction, and page 6-9 in Chapter 6, for important
policies for lab assignments, including the “Writing a Scientific Proposal” assignments.
14. BIO120 has a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism. If you are caught plagiarizing the work of others in
any of your assignments, you will receive a grade of zero for the assignment and the office of Student
Academic Integrity will be notified.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
vi
15. Students may not copy or paraphrase from any generative artificial intelligence applications,
including ChatGPT and other AI writing and coding assistants, for the purpose of completing any
assignments or tests in BIO120. The use of generative artificial intelligence tools and apps for the
completion of, or to support the completion of, any test or assignment in BIO120 is strictly prohibited
and may be considered an academic offense.
16. Plagiarism Detection Tool: Students will submit their “Writing a Scientific Proposal” report (Chapter
6 in the BIO120 Laboratory Manual) to a plagiarism detection tool. Normally, students will be required
to submit their course essays to the University’s plagiarism detection tool for a review of textual
similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so, students will allow their essays to be
included as source documents in the tool’s reference database, where they will be used solely for the
purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that apply to the University’s use of this tool are described
on the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation web site (https://uoft.me/pdt-faq ).You can choose
to not submit your report to the plagiarism detection tool; please contact the BIO120 Office by Friday
May 19th to make alternate arrangements.
17. The University of Toronto is committed to equity, human rights, and respect for diversity. All members
of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect
where all members of our community can express themselves, engage with each other, and respect one
another’s differences. U of T does not condone discrimination or harassment against any persons or
communities.
18. If you wish to request that an assignment or test be re-graded, you must submit your request no later
than 2 weeks after receiving its grade. Requests should be submitted to the BIO120 Office.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
vii
BIO120 Laboratory Evaluation
Assessment Percentage of final grade
(1) Lab Quizzes 5%
Lab 2 Quiz (covering Chapter 2, Appendix A up to page 15, and
Lab 2 Pre-Lab Project) 2%
Lab 3 Quiz (covering Chapters 3 and 6) 1%
Lab 4 Quiz (covering Chapters 4 and Appendix A pages 15-25) 1%
Lab 5 Quiz (covering Chapter 5) 1%
(2) Lab Exercises 3%
Lab 4: Sickle Cell Alleles SimUText Exercise 2%
Lab 5 Assignment 1%
(3) Scientific Proposal (see Chapter 6 for more details) 19%
(a) Sources Assignment (due for Lab 2) 1%
(b) Proposal Outline (due for Lab 3) 1%
(c) Proposal (due for Lab 4) 8% (if Revised Proposal is submitted) 16% (if Revised Proposal is not submitted)
(d) Revised Proposal (optional; due one week after Lab 5) 8%
(e) Response (due one week after Lab 5) 1%
(4) Midterm (Material from Labs 1 – 3, including Appendix A pages
A-1 to A-15, will be evaluated on the Midterm) 3%
(5) Final Assessment (Material from Labs 4-5, ALL of Appendix A,
and the Sickle Cell SimUText lab module, will be
evaluated on the Final Assessment)
3%
Total (=33% of final grade) 33%
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
viii
BIO120 Lecture Schedule
Date # Title
May 9
1 Course introduction; Introduction to evolution
2 What Darwin saw: the evidence for evolution
May 11
3 The evolutionary significance of genetic variation
4 Maintenance and measurement of genetic variation
May 16
5 Natural selection and adaptation
6 Sex, reproductive systems and evolution
May 18
7 Sexual selection
8 Population structure, gene flow, and genetic drift
May 23
9 Species and speciation
10 Phylogenetics and macroevolution
May 25
11 Evolution of complexity
12 Applied evolution
May 30 Help Session for the Midterm
Midterm on Wednesday May 31st from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Covers Lectures 1-12 and Labs 1-3, including all associated required readings
June 1
13 Introduction to ecology and physical diversity
14 Climate and other niche axes
June 6
15 Animal ecophysiology
16 Plant ecophysiology
June 8
17 Population growth
18 Age-structured populations
June 13
19 Competition
20 Predation parasitism and disease
June 15
21 Metapopulations
22 Trophic interactions
June 19
(Monday) Help Session for the Final Assessment (outside regular class time)
Final Assessment written during the final assessment period (June 21st-26th); covers Lectures 13 to
22 and Labs 4 and 5, including all associated required readings
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto
Course Syllabus – Summer 2023
The BIO120 Team
Laurel Duquette, Lecturer
Laura Heslin Piper, Course Administrator
Veronica Chong, Course Administrator
Ben Downer-Bartholomew, Lead TA
Teaching Assistants
BIO120 Office – bio120@utoronto.ca
• Please direct all course enquiries to the BIO120 Office; the office will re-direct enquiries as appropriate.
• Email: bio120@utoronto.ca
• Please include your full name and student number when emailing the BIO120 Office
Course Description
Principles and concepts of evolution and ecology related to origins of adaptation and biodiversity.
Mechanisms and processes driving biological diversification illustrated from various perspectives using
empirical and theoretical approaches. Topics include: genetic diversity; natural selection; speciation;
physiological, population and community ecology; maintenance of species diversity; global environmental
change; conservation, species extinction, and invasion biology. Prerequisite: Grade 12 Biology or equivalent.
Exclusion: BIO150Y1Y.
Course Objectives
1. A goal of this course is to provide you with a solid foundation in evolutionary and ecological principles
and concepts—as related to the origins of adaptation and biodiversity—so that you can make informed
decisions on pressing societal issues, such as population growth, global environmental change, and the
conservation of biodiversity, and be prepared for advanced study in the biological sciences.
2. Darwinian evolution is the unifying concept in biology and explains biodiversity on earth and why
species differ. You will learn that the traits of organisms are the product of a complex interplay between
natural selection, genetic variation, and constraints imposed by evolutionary history.
3. You will learn that adaptive evolution is a process that results from selection pressures imposed by the
physical and biotic environment on individuals within populations. The ecological challenges of
capturing resources for growth, successful reproduction, and avoiding enemies largely determine the
ways organisms function.
4. Required readings will extend and reinforce lecture material on how natural systems work and how
diverse organisms respond to the challenges of the natural world. From reading Evolution: a very short
introduction, you will learn how various independent lines of evidence demonstrate the fact of evolution
and give insight into its mechanisms, particularly adaptation by natural selection. Additional readings
will extend and reinforce lecture material on how natural systems work and how diverse organisms
respond to the challenges of the natural world.
5. In the laboratories you will learn to make observations, devise hypotheses, and analyze experiments in
ecology and evolutionary biology, including critically evaluating and communicating (both orally and in
writing) hypotheses and experimental designs.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
ii
Online Course Delivery
This course will be delivered online, including all lectures, labs and assessments:
• Labs will be run as live sessions at scheduled times on Zoom, and will not be recorded.
• Lectures and lecture tutorials will be run as live sessions at scheduled times on Zoom, but
recordings will be posted on Quercus after each lecture/tutorial.
• All assignments will be submitted to Quercus. The Midterm and Final Assessment will be
completed on Quercus.
Note on participating in recorded lectures and lecture tutorials:
All lectures and lecture tutorials are recorded in BIO120. If you join a lecture/lecture tutorial and you
do not turn on your camera or microphone, you will not appear in the recording. However, if you turn
on your camera and/or microphone, your video or audio participation may be included in the
recording. By turning your camera and/or microphone on during lecture or lecture tutorial, you
consent to being recorded and understand that the recordings will be shared with the rest of the
class on the BIO120 Quercus course site (via MyMedia, U of T Libraries’ audio and video platform).
Technical Requirements:
To complete the course, you will need to have access to a computer with administrator privileges and a
reliable internet connection (note that mobile devices will NOT work for all aspects of the course). High
speed broadband internet access is recommended for an optimal learning experience. You will need a web
browser and word processing software to complete the course, and you will also need to download ImageJ
and SimUText software to complete the labs (details and download links will be posted on Quercus).
Note: We are running the course from Toronto, so all times refer to the Toronto time zone (Eastern
Daylight Time UTC-4)
Course Required Materials
1. BIO120 Laboratory Manual Summer 2023
The lab manual chapters will be posted as PDFs on Quercus. You cannot use other lab manual editions (e.g.,
if you took BIO120 in Fall 2022, you cannot re-use your lab manual).
2. Evolution: a very short introduction by Brian and Deborah Charlesworth (Oxford University Press). It is
available as a free eBook through the U of T Library website (a link will be posted on the BIO120 Quercus).
3. SimUText Learning Software
We have assigned two online learning modules from SimUText – one module to complement a lecture
and one module to complement a lab. Each module is worth 2% of your final course grade. You will
need to pay for and download the SimUText learning software onto your computer. The cost is
approximately $16 CAD. Detailed information is posted on Quercus.
4. Additional readings (such as journal articles) will be posted on the course site on Quercus.
Course Site on Quercus
The BIO120 course site will be available on Quercus (q.utoronto.ca) for the summer. For information on
using Quercus, please see the “Help” button on Quercus. All course materials will be posted on Quercus,
and all course activities will take place online through the Quercus course page. Only students who are
enrolled in BIO120 on ACORN have access to this site (within 24-48 hours after enrolling). It is mandatory
that you check the announcements at least twice a week, and we strongly recommend checking Quercus
daily throughout the course. We recommend turning on announcements in your Notifications setting so
that you receive announcements as emails.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
iii
Lectures
• Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:10 am-12:00 pm on Zoom (link to be posted on Quercus)
• The lecture schedule is available on page viii and on Quercus.
• Lecture slides will be available on Quercus by 5:00 pm the day before the lectures. If you choose to print
slides, we request that, in an effort to conserve paper and ink, you consider printing: six slides per page,
on both sides of a page, using previously used paper, and using only black ink.
• Lectures will be recorded and available on Quercus after the lecture date, barring any technical issues.
Lecture Tutorials
This is your chance to ask the lecturer questions about lecture content. These are held Tuesdays and
Thursdays 12:00-12:30 pm after lecture on Zoom. You can attend either the Tuesday or Thursday session or
both; attendance is optional. Format is “question and answer.” You can ask questions via the chat function,
or by using your computer’s microphone.
Reading Quizzes
• Quizzes will be available on Quercus to help you assess your understanding of the required readings,
and to motivate you to do the readings before each lecture.
• Detailed information on the reading quizzes will be available on Quercus under “Reading Quizzes”.
Laboratories (also read the BIO120 Laboratory Manual for detailed information, available on Quercus)
• Labs begin the first week of classes (the week of May 8th).
• Students enrolled in the P0101 practical section have labs on Tuesdays starting at 1:10 pm
• Students enrolled in the P0201 practical section have labs on Thursdays starting at 1:10 pm
• Labs will consist of a mix of online lessons, discussions and exercises. Each week, you are expected to
attend a live virtual lab session with your TA (a detailed schedule is available on Quercus). Attendance
is mandatory. For details on the lab format, please see the BIO120 Laboratory Manual Summer 2023.
• Check Quercus after 4:00pm on Monday May 8th to confirm your lab section and assigned TA.
• Preparation for Lab 1: Read the Introduction, Chapter 1, Chapter 6, and Appendix B of the BIO120
Laboratory Manual Summer 2023. Download the Lab 1 Worksheet. Answer the questions on page 1-14
of the lab manual before lab (these questions are also included in the Lab 1 Worksheet)
• If you are not enrolled in a practical section on ACORN by Friday May 5th, please contact the BIO120
Office at bio120@utoronto.ca. You must be enrolled in a practical section to complete the course.
• Procedures for requesting a make-up for a missed lab (for example, due to illness) are discussed in the
“Important Policies and Procedures” section on pages v and vi of this syllabus.
• Note: Labs are held every week; see the schedule in the Introduction to the BIO120 Lab Manual
Academic Support (where to ask questions about course content)
• Any questions on lecture content can be (1) asked during the weekly Lecture Tutorials (see above), or (2)
posted on the BIO120 Discussions page on Quercus.
• Any questions on laboratory content can be (1) directed to your TA during regular lab time, (2) directed
to the head TA at designated office hours, or (3) posted on the BIO120 Discussions page on Quercus.
• The Discussions page on Quercus has been created for students to post their questions regarding course
material. It is expected that students will respond to their classmates’ questions. Course staff will
respond to posts where appropriate (and within 48 hours, weekdays only).
Copyright
Lectures and course materials prepared by the instructors are considered by the University to be an
instructor’s intellectual property covered by the Copyright Act, RSC 1985, c C-42. Course materials such as
PowerPoint slides and lecture recordings are made available to you for your own study purposes. These
materials cannot be shared outside of the class or “published” in any way. Posting recordings or slides to
other websites without the express permission of the instructor will constitute copyright infringement.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
iv
Support Services If any student has concerns about the course or is having a hard time in general, we encourage you to contact us (bio120@utoronto.ca). Below are additional services available to U of T students:
• The Academic Success Centre provides workshops and one-on-one learning strategy sessions for
students who are looking to improve their study habits.
• If you feel there is a medical/accessibility concern impacting your ability to study or
complete academic work to the best of your ability, you may find it helpful to contact
Accessibility Services. They are responsible for arranging ongoing accommodations for students
where appropriate.
• Health & Wellness through Student Life offers mental health care.
• If you are having a hard time overall and you are not sure what kind of support would help, you
may find it helpful to contact your College Registrar's office. The Registrars are a central resource
at U of T, and they have excellent advisors who can give degree-planning advice and connect you
to other resources on campus.
• If you feel you need an extension on specific BIO120 assignments, please see the BIO120 Extension
Policy under “Important Course Policies and Procedures” below.
Evaluation
Lecture material, including required readings 67%
Lab material, including required readings 33%
Lab Work Requirement: You must complete and submit a minimum of five laboratory assessments
(i.e. assignments and quizzes) in order to pass the course. If you do not complete and submit at least
five of the laboratory assessments by the required deadlines throughout the term, you will receive a
maximum final grade of 49% for the course.
Evaluation Details:
Midterm Test on Wednesday May 31st from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Mixed format test completed over Quercus, including multiple-choice questions and short-answer
questions. Covering Lectures 1 to 12, including required readings, and Labs 1 – 3 including required
readings. Further details will be posted on Quercus.
33%
Final Assessment during June 21st – 26th Final Assessment period, exact date TBA
Mixed format test completed over Quercus during the Final Assessment period, including multiple-
choice questions and short-answer questions. Covering Lectures 13 to 22, including required
readings, and Labs 4-5 including the SimUText Sickle Cell Alleles module and required readings.
Further details will be posted on Quercus.
33%
Laboratory quizzes and assignments (see Lab Work Requirement above)
- Quizzes (5%), SimUText Sickle Cell Alleles Module (2%), Lab 5 assignment (1%) and Writing a
Scientific Proposal assignments (19%)
- See page vi of the syllabus for detailed information.
27%
Reading Quizzes
- Quizzes on required readings for the lecture content (e.g., Evolution: a very short introduction and
other required readings)
4%
SimUText Population Growth Module via SimUText 2%
TA Evaluation and Course Survey on Quercus 1%
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
v
Important Course Policies and Procedures (please read these carefully!)
1. Your quiz, assignment, and test grades for BIO120 will be visible to you on Quercus. It is your
responsibility to check your grades and report any inconsistencies to the BIO120 Office as soon as
possible.
2. It is also your responsibility to check your U of T email account on a frequent basis, as any urgent
communications will be sent that way. Failure to see an email will not be accepted as an excuse.
3. Please send all course-related email to bio120@utoronto.ca; your email will be forwarded to the
appropriate team member. Include your full name and student number in the body of the message. You
should use your U of T email address or your emails are likely to be diverted to Junk Mail.
4. You must complete and submit a minimum of five laboratory assessments (i.e. assignments and
quizzes) in order to pass the course. If you do not complete and submit at least five of the laboratory
assessments by the required deadlines throughout the term, you will receive a maximum final
grade of 49% for the course.
5. All tests will be completed online via Quercus, and all assignments will be submitted to Quercus. If you
experience technical issues that affect your ability to complete a test or submit an assignment on
time, contact bio120@utoronto.ca before the test or assignment deadline. Technical issues reported
after the deadline has passed may not be accommodated.
6. If you miss the Midterm or the Final Assessment due to illness or other extenuating circumstances,
email the BIO120 Office within 24 hours of the missed test in order to receive accommodation. Medical
documentation is not required for absences due to illness.
7. Test conflict with a scheduled class: If you have a scheduled class at the time of the Midterm, your class
takes precedence (i.e., you should attend your class and write the Make-Up Midterm for BIO120).
Contact the BIO120 Office no later than one week prior to the test date to arrange to write the make-up
test. If you do not notify the BIO120 Office before this deadline, we may not be able to arrange an
alternate sitting of the test for you. Please provide a copy of your timetable as proof of the conflict.
8. If you miss your scheduled lab period, contact bio120@utoronto.ca within 24 hours of the missed lab to
find out if space is available to attend another lab during the week each lab is offered. You can request a
make-up for one missed lab without providing documentation or disclosing a reason. If you miss
multiple labs due to serious illness or extenuating circumstances, please contact the BIO120 Office to
discuss further accommodations. Note that the deadlines for lab quizzes and lab assignments do NOT
change, regardless of whether you miss a lab or attend a make-up lab. If you miss your scheduled lab
period, you are still responsible for submitting any assignments that are due for the lab you missed.
9. Extension Policy: If you require an extension for an assignment due to illness or exceptional
circumstances, contact bio120@utoronto.ca before the assignment deadline. Requests will be considered
on a case-by-case basis.
10. Online labs begin at 1:10 pm SHARP on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Your TA will take attendance at the
beginning of each lab. If you arrive late to lab, please alert your TA so they can record your attendance.
11. The lab quizzes are completed on Quercus. They are available for seven days preceding the start of Labs
2, 3, 4, and 5. Lab quizzes are due BEFORE the start date and time of the associated lab. No extensions
or exemptions are allowed. Detailed information on the quizzes is available on Quercus.
12. The University of Toronto is committed to accessibility. If you require accommodations for a disability,
or have any accessibility concerns about the course, the classroom or course materials, contact
Accessibility Services as soon as possible: accessibility.services@utoronto.ca or
studentlife.utoronto.ca/as.
13. Read page vi in the BIO120 Laboratory Manual Introduction, and page 6-9 in Chapter 6, for important
policies for lab assignments, including the “Writing a Scientific Proposal” assignments.
14. BIO120 has a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism. If you are caught plagiarizing the work of others in
any of your assignments, you will receive a grade of zero for the assignment and the office of Student
Academic Integrity will be notified.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
vi
15. Students may not copy or paraphrase from any generative artificial intelligence applications,
including ChatGPT and other AI writing and coding assistants, for the purpose of completing any
assignments or tests in BIO120. The use of generative artificial intelligence tools and apps for the
completion of, or to support the completion of, any test or assignment in BIO120 is strictly prohibited
and may be considered an academic offense.
16. Plagiarism Detection Tool: Students will submit their “Writing a Scientific Proposal” report (Chapter
6 in the BIO120 Laboratory Manual) to a plagiarism detection tool. Normally, students will be required
to submit their course essays to the University’s plagiarism detection tool for a review of textual
similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so, students will allow their essays to be
included as source documents in the tool’s reference database, where they will be used solely for the
purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that apply to the University’s use of this tool are described
on the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation web site (https://uoft.me/pdt-faq ).You can choose
to not submit your report to the plagiarism detection tool; please contact the BIO120 Office by Friday
May 19th to make alternate arrangements.
17. The University of Toronto is committed to equity, human rights, and respect for diversity. All members
of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect
where all members of our community can express themselves, engage with each other, and respect one
another’s differences. U of T does not condone discrimination or harassment against any persons or
communities.
18. If you wish to request that an assignment or test be re-graded, you must submit your request no later
than 2 weeks after receiving its grade. Requests should be submitted to the BIO120 Office.
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
vii
BIO120 Laboratory Evaluation
Assessment Percentage of final grade
(1) Lab Quizzes 5%
Lab 2 Quiz (covering Chapter 2, Appendix A up to page 15, and
Lab 2 Pre-Lab Project) 2%
Lab 3 Quiz (covering Chapters 3 and 6) 1%
Lab 4 Quiz (covering Chapters 4 and Appendix A pages 15-25) 1%
Lab 5 Quiz (covering Chapter 5) 1%
(2) Lab Exercises 3%
Lab 4: Sickle Cell Alleles SimUText Exercise 2%
Lab 5 Assignment 1%
(3) Scientific Proposal (see Chapter 6 for more details) 19%
(a) Sources Assignment (due for Lab 2) 1%
(b) Proposal Outline (due for Lab 3) 1%
(c) Proposal (due for Lab 4) 8% (if Revised Proposal is submitted) 16% (if Revised Proposal is not submitted)
(d) Revised Proposal (optional; due one week after Lab 5) 8%
(e) Response (due one week after Lab 5) 1%
(4) Midterm (Material from Labs 1 – 3, including Appendix A pages
A-1 to A-15, will be evaluated on the Midterm) 3%
(5) Final Assessment (Material from Labs 4-5, ALL of Appendix A,
and the Sickle Cell SimUText lab module, will be
evaluated on the Final Assessment)
3%
Total (=33% of final grade) 33%
BIO120H1F Syllabus – Summer 2023
viii
BIO120 Lecture Schedule
Date # Title
May 9
1 Course introduction; Introduction to evolution
2 What Darwin saw: the evidence for evolution
May 11
3 The evolutionary significance of genetic variation
4 Maintenance and measurement of genetic variation
May 16
5 Natural selection and adaptation
6 Sex, reproductive systems and evolution
May 18
7 Sexual selection
8 Population structure, gene flow, and genetic drift
May 23
9 Species and speciation
10 Phylogenetics and macroevolution
May 25
11 Evolution of complexity
12 Applied evolution
May 30 Help Session for the Midterm
Midterm on Wednesday May 31st from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Covers Lectures 1-12 and Labs 1-3, including all associated required readings
June 1
13 Introduction to ecology and physical diversity
14 Climate and other niche axes
June 6
15 Animal ecophysiology
16 Plant ecophysiology
June 8
17 Population growth
18 Age-structured populations
June 13
19 Competition
20 Predation parasitism and disease
June 15
21 Metapopulations
22 Trophic interactions
June 19
(Monday) Help Session for the Final Assessment (outside regular class time)
Final Assessment written during the final assessment period (June 21st-26th); covers Lectures 13 to
22 and Labs 4 and 5, including all associated required readings
