ENTO310: Living in Symbiosis

Fall 2009

ENTO 310: LIVING IN SYMBIOSIS

Instructor:
S. Patricia Stock
Dept. Entomology, University of Arizona
Forbes Bldg. Rm 410.
1140 E. South Campus Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85721-0036
Phone: (520) 626-3854
E-mail: spstock@ag.arizona.edu

SCOPE OF THE COURSE: Symbiotic associations are incredibly widespread in nature. We can expect to find symbioses occurring in every type of ecological niche. This course will provide an overview of the diversity of associations that exist between microbes and eukaryotic hosts. The course will span from highly integrated obligatory symbioses to loose associations. Students will learn how symbionts have adapted to their hosts with astounding sophistication, being able, in many cases, to control their reproduction, behavior and overall physiology. Emphasis will be placed on symbiotic associations with relevance to human medicine, veterinary sciences and agriculture.

LOCATION AND TIMES: Location TBA.
Mondays and Wednesdays: 1.30-3.00 PM

PREREQUISITES: General Biology (MCB 181, BIOC 181, MIC 181, ECOL 181).

READING MATERIAL:
Course readings will be drawn from multiple sources, including recent papers from the primary literature and an array of texts. Readings will be posted to the course website and will be available in hard copy in class.

SUGGESTED TEXTS
Seckbach, J. 2002. Symbiosis: mechanisms and model systems.
Paracer, S. 2000. Symbiosis: an introduction to biological associations.
Margulis, L. 1998. Symbiotic Planet

TEACHING METHODS:
Teaching methods will include lectures, discussions and assigned readings.
Lectures will generally be based on the class readings. Two guest lectures will also be included.
Class discussions will be encouraged to extend and clarify the lectures and readings. Student participation will account for 10 points of your total grade. Self-study is an important part of the class. As a rule of thumb, students are expected to spend at least three additional hours for every lecture. Any questions raised during the self-study can be discussed in the class or in the office hours.
Reading assignments: Students will be expected to turn in a total of three written summaries of selected reading assignments for the course; each summary will consist of one page of written work (single-spaced, font 10) summarizing the major points and/or questions raised on the reading (3 x 10 points = 30 points). All assignments will be due on the date specified and should be turned in at the start of class.
Team Project: Students will work together in groups to prepare a team project on a topic, which will be discussed and/or agreed on at the beginning of the course. Each team will provide a written paper (five pages, single spaced, not including the list of references) and a 10 min. PowerPoint presentation that will be presented to the class.
Optional Final Exam: Students will have the opportunity to replace their lowest test score by taking a final exam at the end of the term (worth 50 points). This option will only be available for those students who have taken all three regular exams in the course.

GRADES
Grades will be based on a total of 220 points, with a standard grading scale (A: 90-100%; B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69%, F: <60%. Grades will be based on a total of three exams and additional assignments, with the maximum points available from each as follows:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are encouraged to share their intellectual merits and views, and to openly discuss course topics with one another and with the instructor. There will be no tolerance for cheating, or evidence of cheating on course exams. This will result in zero points for all students involved. Graded work/exercises must be the product of independent effort unless otherwise instructed. Evidence of non-independent work will result in zero points for all students involved. Students must take care to cite sources for their ideas in any written work to avoid plagiarism. Evidence of plagiarism will be brought to the student attention and may result in zero points for a given assignment. For information regarding the UA Academic Code, under which this course operates, please see. Students are expected to adhere to the UA Code of Academic Integrity as described in the UA General Catalog. See: http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:
Cell phones and/or pagers must be turned off before the start of class. Follow University policy regarding food and drink in classrooms. The Arizona Board of Regents’ Student Code of Conduct, ABOR Policy 5-308, prohibits threats of physical harm to any member of the University community, including to one’s self. For further information refer to the following websites: http://policy.web.arizona.edu/~policy/threaten.shtml
http://web.arizona.edu/~studpubs/policies/studdisc.htm
http://www.hr.arizona.edu/09_rel/policies/pp401-1.php

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Success in this course will depend on your presence in class. Only a summary of the lectures will be posted on the course webpage. Students are expected to be knowledgeable of all topics discussed during lectures. Students should not miss the exams. Makeup exams will only be given in very unusual situations, and only if permission is obtained from the instructor before the regular exam is given.
Makeup exams may differ in format and content relative to the regular exams. Please note that all holidays or special events observed by organized religions will be honored for students who show affiliation with that particular religion. Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students also will be honored.

WITHDRAWALS FROM THE COURSE:
Withdrawal must follow the procedures outlined in the UA General Catalog. The last day to drop the course and thereby delete it from your enrollment record is Sept. 14, 2007; the last day to drop the course with a W (if passing) is Oct. 12, 2007. The latter requires a change of schedule form, and my signature; you can download the form at this address: http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/registration/changereg/onpaper.htm.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF STUDENT RECORDS:
Please refer to: http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/ferpa.default.htm

SPECIAL NEEDS AND ACCOMMODATIONS:
Students who need special accommodation or services should contact the Disability Resources Center, 1224 East Lowell Street, Tucson, AZ 85721, (520) 621-3268, FAX (520) 621-9423, email: uadrc@email.arizona.edu, http://drc.arizona.edu/. You must register and request that the Center or DRC send me official notification of your accommodations needs as soon as possible. Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate. The need for accommodations must be documented by the appropriate office.

OFFICE HOURS
Students should contact instructor by phone or e-mail to schedule an appointment during regular University hours to discuss course related matters.