BIOL 2602 - General Biology 2: Organisms and Ecology
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 40019,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Thomas Diggins
Email: tpdiggins@ysu.edu
Ian Renne
Email: ijrenne@ysu.edu
Course Description
2602. General Biology 2: Organisms and Ecology. The structure and function of plants and animals. Examination of the structure and functioning of organismic communities and ecosystems. Required of all biological sciences majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Prereq.: BIOL 2601 and CHEM 1515. Coreq.: BIOL 2602L. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| No readings |
Brooker et al. 6th edition (recommended)
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Brooker, ch 32, 33, 40 | Animal basics and multicellularity Animal diversity and evolution |
|
| 8/31 | 33, 34 | Animal diversity and evolution Chordate evolution |
|
| 9/7 | 10, 40 | Tissue types and animal body organization | |
| 9/14 | 46 | Musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology | Exam #1 (Diggins) |
| 9/21 | 41, 42, 47, 48 | Nutrition and digestive systems Respiration and circulation |
|
| 9/28 | 47, 48, 43-45 | Respiration and circulation, cont. Neurological regulation |
|
| 10/5 | 43-45, 50 | Neurological regulation Endocrine regulation |
|
| 10/12 | Chapter 23 | Renne begins Oct. 15 Evolution review |
Exam #2 (Tues., Oct. 13, Diggins) |
| 10/19 | 24 | "Darwin Day" talk Population genetics review |
|
| 10/26 | 25, 26, 32-34 | Origin of species, speciation Animal diversity |
|
| 11/2 | 29 | Plant diversity & evolution | Exam 1 (Renne; Nov. 3) |
| 11/9 | 30, 35, 36-39 | Flowering plant form & function Plant nutrition, repro.; Earth's biomes |
|
| 11/16 | 54 | Behavioral ecology, mating systems | Exam 2 (Renne; Nov. 17) |
| 11/23 | 55-56 | Population ecology; community ecology | |
| 11/30 | 56-60 |
Community & ecosystem ecology, conservation |
Exam 3 (Renne; Dec. 3) |
| 12/7 | Comprehensive final (Renne material only) Tues, Dec. 8 from 3:15-5:15 in lecture room |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.