ENTO608- Syllabus, Spring 2006

Spring 2006 Syllabus

Course Description

Course Objectives and Outcomes

Evaluation Methods

General Information

Lecture Topics and Schedule

Policies

Prerequisites

Required Course Textbook

Predatory mite (right), Phytoseiulus persimilis, and twospotted spider mite (left), Tetranychus urticae.
Photo by Jack Kelly Clark.

General Information

Course Web Site: http://elearning.tamu.edu/

Office Hours: By appointment only.

Instructors: Dr. Amanda Chau Dr. Julio Bernal

Email*:

Office: Room 115, BCC Room 116, BCC

Phone (with voice mail): 979-862-3407 979-862-8378
Address: Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA

* We prefer you using WebCT discussion and email to contact us during the semester.

Course Description
Ruler
ENTO608 is a graduate level, 3-credit hour, web-based course that surveys the theory and practice of biological control. Students will be introduced to: 1) theoretical concepts, 2) associated terminology, 3) empirical evidence and case studies, 4) practical application, and 5) current issues or controversies related to biological control. This is primarily a web-based course using WebCT. Only registered students can gain full access to the course.

Course Objectives and Outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

1) Explain the practice and science of biological control

2) Evaluate scientific studies and concepts related to biological control

3) Assess the current and future roles of biological control within the context of existing agricultural, urban, and natural ecosystems

4) Apply ecological principles to manage pest problems

5) Design and implement projects involving biological control agents and methods

6) Communicate your work effectively using the formats commonly employed in scientific oral presentations and writings

Lecture Topics and Schedule
Ruler

Spring 2006 Lecture Schedule

Required Course Textbook

Van Driesche, R.G. & T.S. Bellows, Jr. 1996. Biological Control. Chapman & Hall. 539 pp.

This book is available at Texas A&M Bookstore.

Prerequisites

Academic Background- No formal training in entomology, biology, ecology, or biological control is required for the class. Students with background in one or more of these subject areas may have an easier time with some of the course topics than students with no background. Basic understanding of statistics would also be helpful. However, students will be provided with all the information necessary to do well.

Computer Skill and Knowledge- You must be familiar and comfortable with the computer environment and have basic understanding of E-mail and the Internet. To access the course web site, you need to have a NetID and a reliable internet connection. If you don’t have a NetID, go to http://neo.tamu.edu/ to activate your NetID. To view course materials, you need Windows Media Player and Adobe Acrobat Reader. Both programs are free for download and the links to their download sites are available within the course website.

Students from Other Universities or Colleges- You will need to submit an application to Texas A&M University. Information on how to register as a G6- non degree seeking graduate student is available online at the Distance Education site. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Ms Rebecca Hapes, Senior Academic Advisor, at our department. Ms Hapes' email is rhapes@tamu.edu and her phone number is 979-845-9733.

Evaluation Methods

There will be a mid-term exam and a final exam. Each student is also required to conduct a biological control project and submit both a written and an oral presentation of his/her project. Students will be asked to submit assignments related to their biological control project, participate in discussions and chat room sessions, contribute to peer reviews and learning processes, and complete online surveys. For details, please see below:

1. Grading

a. Points allocation

Evaluation methods
Points

Midterm Exam
100

Final Exam
200

Assignments
340

Participation
160

Total
800

b. Approximate grading scale

Percentage of total points
Letter grade

85 to 100
A

75 to 84
B

65 to 74
C

50 to 64
D

Below 50
F

2. Midterm and Final Exams (300/800)
Both exams are open book exams and will be comprehensive in the sense that the course will build on material presented in each preceding lecture and all related assigned readings. While specific points may only be tested during an appropriate exam period, conceptual issues covered at various points throughout the course may be used to formulate an exam question at any time. Exams will be consist of essay questions that will test your ability to define terms and compare (identify similarities) or contrast (identify differences) different terms, to evaluate processes, and to understand and critique the concepts associated with biological control. Both exams must be submitted electronically in either Word or WordPerfect format to our WebCT site on the date and time specified. You will receive confirmation of your submission via email. If you do not receive this confirmation, contact Dr. Amanda Chau as soon as possible. Always keep back-up copies of your own work. In case your server or connection to WebCT is not available, you will need to fax your exam to (979) 845-6305, attention to Dr. Amanda Chau. The midterm exam will be available after 5:00pm on Friday of Week 6 and is due on Monday of Week 7 (Feb 27) by 8:00am and the final exam will be available after 5:00pm Friday of Week 16 and is due on Monday of Week 17 (May 8) by 8:00am.

3. Assignments (340/800)
Individual assignments and their instructions are available for download at our WebCT site. Assignments except Assignment 10 must be submitted electronically in either Word or WordPerfect format to our WebCT site by 11:00pm on the Saturday of the week specified. Assignment 10- Oral presentation must be submitted electronically in PowerPoint format to our WebCT site by 11:00pm on the Saturday of Week 15. In case your server or connection to WebCT is not available, you will need to fax your assignment (except Assignment #10) to (979) 845-6305, attention to Dr. Amanda Chau. If you can not submit Assignment #10 due to server problem, call Dr. Amanda Chau at 979-862-3407 immediately. There is a penalty of 20% reduction in points per day (from the time the assignment is due to the actual time it is turned in) for all late assignments. Please see below for the list of assignments, their due weeks and points allocation.

Assignments Due- Saturday of (Date)
Points

#1- Personal Homepage Week 1 (Jan. 21)
10

#2- Field Journal- Location Week 4 (Feb. 11)
10

#3- Pest ID/Literature Review Week 5 (Feb. 18)
40

#4- Materials & Methods Week 6 (Feb. 25)
20

#5- Peer Review M & M Week 7 (Mar. 04)
10

#6- Field Journal-First Submission Week 8 (Mar. 11)
10

#7- Results Week 12 (Apr. 08)
20

#8- Peer Review Results Week 13 (Apr. 15)
10

#9- Written Field Project Week 14 (Apr. 22)
100

#10- Oral Presentation of Field Project Week 15 (Apr. 29)
100

#6- Field Journal-Second Submission Week 16 (May 06)
10

Total
340

4. Participation (160/800)
Students are expected to participate in discussions, chat room sessions, and peer review of student presentations in a constructive manner. The instructor in charge may assign points at any time during a discussion session. Each student will also be graded on the quality of the reviews they provided for other students. Evaluation form and criteria for peer review will be provided at the appropriate time. Bonus points (up to 50), at the discretion of the instructor, may be allocated to students exhibiting exceptional leadership in areas of discussion participation and peer review.

Participation Date
Points

Discussions and chat room sessions See Lecture Schedule
100

Peer Review- Presentations End of Week 16 (May 6)
60

Total
160

5. Field project requirements
Each student is expected to conduct a biological control project at a location of his/her choice. At the end of week 14, each student will submit a 10-page, double-space paper on his/her field project (figures, tables, and literature citations will not count toward the required number of pages). Throughout the semester, students are required to submit different sections of their written report as individual assignments. Both the instructor and his/her peer will provide comments and feedbacks on the assignments. For details on formatting and expectations, refer to the Field Guide (see Field Project Module). At the end of week 15, each student will also give a 10 min presentation on his/her field project. Students will be graded on content and presentation quality. The instructor will make these presentations available for other students to view. Each student will then review these presentations and provide constructive comments and feedback for his/her fellow students. Points allocation and due dates are listed above.

Policies

1. Aggie Honor Code
"An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do." Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the Texas A&M University community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System. For additional information please visit: www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/

Copyright- Handouts and lecture videos used in this course are copyrighted. Handouts are defined as materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, lecture outlines, exams, assignments, field project guide, and online surveys. You do not have the right to copy the handouts because these materials are copyrighted, unless the instructor expressly grants his/her permission. Articles used in this class are all copyrighted materials. You do not have the right to make multiply copies or distribute them without permission from the author(s) or publishers.

Scholarly dishonesty- As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one's own the ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated. For complete detail see http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule20.htm. In addition, there are resources available at the library to help students understand and avoid plagiarism.

Turnitin.com- Turnitin.com is an online service used by Texas A&M University to help detect and deter plagiarism. All student assignments and exams will be submitted to Turnitin.com. Turnitin.com will then compare your assignment or exam to other student papers and sources on the web. Please note that your work will be stored by Turnitin and included in its database to be used only for the future detection of plagiarism. Participation in this course will constitute a tacit consent to have your work used in this manner.

Student rules- A complete handbook of student rules at Texas A&M University can be found at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/

2. Distance Learning and Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for obtaining lecture materials, assignments, instructions, exams, and news and updates related to this course from our WebCT site. You are also responsible for ensuring that your assignments and exams are submitted on time and reporting any problems to the instructor immediately. You should be aware that a distance learning class requires a higher level of personal responsibility and dedication. Student Counseling Service at Texas A&M University provides excellent resources on both study and time management skills.

3. Texas A&M Services for Students with Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, either temporary (e.g. broken arm) or permanent (including a learning disability), please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with disabilities, at 979-845-1637 or visit their office in Cain Hall, 1st floor (Hours: 8 AM to 5:30 PM) or http://disability.tamu.edu/. If you have any questions, see me.

Last modified: December 19, 2005