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BIOLOGY 120 - First Year Seminar in Biology
Fall 2022, Section 002 - Biology and Middle Earth
Instruction Mode: Section 002 is  In Person (see other Sections below)
Subject: Biology (BIOLOGY)
Department: LSA Biology
See additional student enrollment and course instructor information to guide you in your decision making.
Page Index
 Details  Description  Schedule  Textbooks/Other Materials  Syllabi

Details

Credits:
3
Requirements & Distribution:
BS, NS
Other:
FYSem
Consent:
With permission of instructor.
Advisory Prerequisites:
Enrollment restricted to first-year students, including those with sophomore standing.
BS:
This course counts toward the 60 credits of math/science required for a Bachelor of Science degree.
Repeatability:
May not be repeated for credit.
Primary Instructor:
Smith,Stephen A; homepage
Start/End Date:
Full Term 8/29/22 - 12/9/22 (see other Sections below)
NOTE: Drop/Add deadlines are dependent on the class meeting dates and will differ for full term versus partial term offerings.
For information on drop/add deadlines, see the Office of the Registrar and search Registration Deadlines.

Description

Through the lens of Tolkien’s works (Lord of the Rings, Hobbit, among others), we will explore several major modern biological themes including environmentalism, ethnobotany (plants and people), evolution, biogeography (why do things live where they live), and ecology. In addition to learning about some of the biology related to these topics, students will learn about the local flora of Michigan as well as the last few billion years of Michigan’s geology. The ecological ethos of Tolkien's middle earth offers compelling lessons for modern biology and environmentalism. While Tolkien wrote fiction, his works are firmly grounded both in real plants and in broad biological themes that we will use to learn and discuss major biological topics.

Course Requirements:

Students will be evaluated based on their class participation and mastery of course objectives as demonstrated in written assignments and presentations.

Intended Audience:

Both biology and non-biology majors. No special knowledge of Biology beyond the basic High School level is required.

Schedule

BIOLOGY 120 - First Year Seminar in Biology
Schedule Listing
001 (SEM)
 In Person
33339
Closed
0
14Y1
 
-
TuTh 2:30PM - 4:00PM2050 SKB
8/29/22 - 12/9/22
Note: Please be advised that the registration process and restricted seating/enrollment management for First Year Seminars (FYS) are managed by the LSA Dean's Office. For additional information regarding this process, please visit the FYS FAQ https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/academics/engaged-learning/first-year-seminars
002 (SEM)
 In Person
34274
Closed
0
6Enrollment Management
3Y1
-
TuTh 8:30AM - 10:00AM3096 EH
8/29/22 - 12/9/22
Note: Please be advised that the registration process and restricted seating/enrollment management for First Year Seminars (FYS) are managed by the LSA Dean's Office. For additional information regarding this process, please visit the FYS FAQ https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/academics/engaged-learning/first-year-seminars

Textbooks/Other Materials

The partner U-M / Barnes & Noble Education textbook website is the official way for U-M students to view their upcoming textbook or course material needs, whether they choose to buy from Barnes & Noble Education or not. Students also can view a customized list of their specific textbook needs by clicking a "View/Buy Textbooks" link in their course schedule in Wolverine Access.

Click the button below to view and buy textbooks for BIOLOGY 120.002

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Syllabi

Syllabi are available to current LSA students. IMPORTANT: These syllabi are provided to give students a general idea about the courses, as offered by LSA departments and programs in prior academic terms. The syllabi do not necessarily reflect the assignments, sequence of course materials, and/or course expectations that the faculty and departments/programs have for these same courses in the current and/or future terms.

Click the button below to view historical syllabi for BIOLOGY 120 (UM login required)

View Historical Syllabi

CourseProfile (Atlas)

The Atlas system, developed by the Center for Academic Innovation, provides additional information about: course enrollments; academic terms and instructors; student academic profiles (school/college, majors), and previous, concurrent, and subsequent course enrollments.

CourseProfile (Atlas)