Course Syllabus

Fall 2026 | BIO-1211-VO01 - Introduction to Biology: Ecology & Evolution

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Ryan Zajac
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Ryan Joy

General Education Requirements

Natural Science

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

In this introductory biology course, students explore the "process of science" with hands-on field and laboratory experiments. Concepts in the evolutionary history of biological diversity, ecology and the biosphere, and conservation biology are covered in this course. Students needing a full year of introductory biology should also complete Intro to Biology: Cells and the Genetic Basis of Life.

Essential Objectives

1. Summarize principles of classification of life and identify organisms across kingdoms.
2. Describe and model how energy and matter are cycled through ecosystems.
3. Explore and identify the different scales of ecological investigations (populations, communities, ecosystems).
4. Identify and evaluate the historical and present-day evidence for evolution, including phylogenetics.
5. Distinguish between biomes by evaluating abiotic and biotic factors.
6. Analyze how conditions present in biomes have influenced adaptive changes, speciation, and evolution.
7. Describe the factors that affect changes in population size, including birth/death rates, carrying capacity, survivorship curves, reproductive strategies, and the various types of community relationships that exist between species.
8. Analyze case studies to identify mechanisms of evolution within organisms, populations, and communities.
9. Assess human factors influencing ecology, including conservation biology, climate change, and human population growth.
10. Explain the significance of biodiversity and discuss current threats to ecosystems and biodiversity as well as the ways conservation strategies can address them.
11. Demonstrate proficiency in applying, interpreting, evaluating, and extrapolating quantitative data.
12. Construct models of phylogenies, carrying capacity, r-selected and k-selected species, symbiosis, and trophic structure.
13. Explain how knowledge created in the natural sciences has contributed to the creation, maintenance, and dismantling of social inequalities and discuss the impacts of diversity and inclusion on scientific research and practice.
Lab Objectives:
1. Apply knowledge of the scientific method to:
a. formulate and evaluate real-world scientific questions;
b. ethically plan and implement accurate data collection;
c. analyze and evaluate data;
d. generate conclusions based on analysis and justify claims with evidence;
e. integrate the related work of other scientists; and
f. propose ideas for further inquiry.
2. Communicate findings in a format appropriate to the discipline and type of investigation, such as a laboratory notebook, laboratory report, observational study, field investigation report, poster, or presentation using appropriate evidence to support these findings.
3. Understand the structure and purpose of peer-reviewed publications.
4. Evaluate scientific information for validity, accuracy, reliability, and methodology.
5. Identify and follow lab safety techniques that are aligned with CCV’s Chemical Hygiene Plan, Lab Safety Agreements and chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Fall 2026 textbook details will be available on 2026-05-18. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Allowed: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges technology, including generative AI, plays a supportive role in learning and feedback. During our class, we may use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT in certain specific cases. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. Any use outside of these specific cases constitutes a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

In general, as scientist we should be aware of and take advantage of powerful tools like generative AI when they are at our disposal. As developing intellectuals, we should also learn to be skeptical and work to train our minds to build connections and process information ourselves. To achieve this goal we should use generative AI tools at this point in our educational careers as a tool to help us collect information, but not to replace our own independent thinking and or work.

Methods

We will be taking advantage of a variety of instructional methods and resources throughout the semester. In general, you can expect to see the following used regularly in our course this semester:

• Directed learning with textbook, journal articles, and other online materials.
• Participation in weekly online discussion forums with our class.
• Occasional assignments and quizzes to demonstrate your comprehension of course material and critical thinking skills.
• Weekly lab assignments that apply real-world applications to our course topics.
• Both a midterm and final exam

Evaluation Criteria

Throughout our semester we will be using the following evaluation tools to demonstrate our understanding of the course's essential learning objectives.

30% Weekly Lab Projects

20% Midterm Exam

20% Weekly discussions

20% Final Exam

10% Attendance

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Full participation requires active and thoughtful engagement in class each week. The following habits and skills are important.

• Attend class regularly, on-time and for the full session
• Complete all of the week's reading and assignments before the start of class
• Listen to others attentively and with an open mind
• Positively contribute to class discussions and activities
• Ask questions and seek help when you need it
• Challenge yourself to do your best work

Do not hesitate to ask for extra help if you need it or clarification if you don't understand something. It may help me to clarify things for others, too. I am available for questions through email and we can set aside some time to connect on the phone or Zoom, as well. Also, you can use the Q & A section in the discussion forum where you can ask myself and other students questions. The tutoring center is also available.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Please plan to attend lecture each week knowing that regular attendance and active participation are key components to your learning and successful achievement of a satisfactory grade in the course. Please plan to submit all other coursework on time, and be in contact with me as soon as you know of any unforeseen circumstances that may impact your ability to to complete an assignment by the posted due date.

Do not hesitate to ask for extra help if you need it or clarification if you don't understand something. It may help me to clarify things for others, too. I am available for questions through email, Zoom, or the phone. The tutoring center is also available and CCV Academic Services is there to help you be successful in the class.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.