BI-125  Research Methods in Biology
BI-225  Research Methods in Biology
BS-105  Environmental Biology
BS-107  Investigations in Biology
BS-108  Biology for Living
BS-218  Biological Science: A Process Approach
BS/SW-103  Human Biology
FN-235  Nutrition for Healthy

BI-225    Research Methods in Biology  

Catalog Description (including prerequisites)

Scientific reasoning and its application to problem solving and discovery in biology, including biological literature searching and electronic information retrieval techniques.  Prerequisites: BI-190. Pre or Co-requisite BO-200.  (3)

Course Content

Topics presented in the course are: science as a way of knowing, science as conjecture and refutation (the falsification of hypotheses), the basic components and skills of scientific analysis, generating and testing hypotheses, simple statistical analysis techniques, use of computerized  statistical programs, the nature of literature resources, library research involving hard copy and electronic techniques of information retrieval, the history of scientific thought, research proposal development, scientific reports and presentations as a means of communication.  Group research projects will be conducted to test hypotheses developed by the students.

Nature of Course

Students in biology should appreciate that biology, like other disciplines within science, is a discipline of discovery, of both generating new and adding to existing knowledge.  The focus of the course, then, is upon methods for generating new knowledge.

Initially, the course introduces students to science as a way of knowing, and offers discussion and comparison with other ways of knowing.

Since the essence of scientific inquiry involves the acquisition and analysis of data, the course introduces the principles of experimental design with an emphasis on the appropriate analysis of data in which simple statistical methods are introduced, along with their conduct using basic computer packages.

Students are introduced to basic library techniques relevant to the field of biology, including electronic information searching systems, and whatever techniques are currently available and will serve them as they commence biological careers.

Students will frequently work in groups as they undertake the hypothesis development, experimental design, data collection, data analysis, and research presentation processes.

The course will include a review of the history of scientific thought from early Greek times, through the Renaissance to the modern day, and will also involve students in evaluating the role and responsibilities of scientists on a fragile planet.

Student Expectations

Science is presented according to the Popperian model of science as conjecture and refutation, as the development and attempt to falsify hypotheses.  Students are expected to undertake all preparation exercises prior to each laboratory class, participate in group and class discussion of their ideas, and modify their thoughts in response to these discussions.  Students will develop hypotheses, design tests of these hypotheses, conduct their tests, collect and analyze data, and produce reports and abstracts to communicate the purposes and results of their projects.  Students who do not participate in group activities will be penalized in course assessment.

Since the course is designed to teach science as conjecture and refutation, the instructional design is built to emulate that model; students are expected to "dare to be wrong," and then use class discussion to evaluate and modify their opinions.

Exams are open-book and focus on application of the ideas developed in the course.

Discussion of biological principles with application to environmental issues.  (3)

Course Content

Environmental Biology introduces students to basic biological principles in the context of pertinent environmental issues.  These principles will primarily concern ecological topics such as energy flow, population growth, nutrient cycling, and the interactions between living organisms and their environment.  In addition, the course will introduce students to the process of science, the concept of scientific authority, and the role of scientists in forming environmental policy.  The impact of human activity on biological systems will be considered under the topics of:  overpopulation and world hunger, energy and mineral resources, water resources and pollution, biological diversity, air pollution and atmospheric alterations, and wastes and hazardous chemicals.

Nature of Course

The course will consist of three 50-minute sessions per week.  One time commitment outside of the regularly scheduled class period will be required.  A mixture of teaching strategies will be employed, including lecture, discussion, videotapes, laboratory experiments, and field trips.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to attend and participate in all class activities including lectures, laboratory experiments, video summaries, small group discussion/debate, class presentations, field trips, examinations, and library investigation of an environmental issue. Student performance will be assessed on the basis of written assignments, examinations, and class participation.

Biological processes will be used to provide experience in scientific investigation and discussion of its implications and limitations.  (3)

Course Content

A commonly held misconception is that science generally, and biology specifically, is merely a body of knowledge to be memorized.  Science is more exciting.  Science is a way of discovering, a way of developing new knowledge.

We live in an age when the results, applications, and claims of science touch every minute of our daily lives.  This is true from medicine to agriculture, to business, to electronics, to engineering and to the environment.  Much public debate, and many of our daily social and political decisions require a general public that understands the methods, scope and limitations of scientific research.  Without such an understanding, we can evaluate neither scientific reports nor political debates in the media.  Public misunderstanding may result in serious errors of judgment, with drastic personal, national and global consequences.

Using the living systems theme, this course teaches science as a way of discovering, a way of developing new knowledge.  It is designed for students with no experience in scientific research, but with an interest and willingness to learn.  The course starts from an initial discussion of ways of knowing, and then develops in a step-by-step manner the skills of scientific research.  By the end of the course, students will be conducting their own guided group research.

The living systems content will cover a range of biological themes and topics from among cell structure, simple food chemistry and diet, energy, the human heart and exercise, genetics, population ecology, photosynthesis and respiration, and plant development.

Nature of Course

Course format involves two two-hour laboratory periods per week.  Teaching techniques emphasize small group and class discussions, group conduct of practical exercises and provide extensive opportunity for active student cooperation and learning.

Student Expectations

• Complete all laboratory preparations, answering assigned questions throughout.
• Participate in group and class discussion.
• Perform all laboratory and out-of-class assigned exercises.
• Design, conduct, and interpret the results of studies and research projects.
• Perform and interpret statistical analysis of data both by hand and using a computer program.
• Write research reports and abstracts.
• Undertake open-book exams.

To acquaint students with and help them to understand some of the fundamental biological processes and problems which confront living organisms.  (3)

Course Content

This course is designed to present to the student some of the basic concepts, processes, and problems associated with living organisms.  The intent is to develop in the student a sensitivity to the issues involved as well as the intellectual skills necessary for an understanding of these issues.

The course is divided into topic areas including the characteristics of life; energy demand and utilization within living systems, reproduction, heredity and change, and final topics to be selected by the class.
 
Nature of Course

Each topic area has a limited number of relevant outside readings in addition to the text material.  There are also out-of-class assignments such as laboratory demonstrations and individual investigations with reports and/or class discussion of results.

In-class periods are devoted to introductory orientation lectures by the instructor.  These are supplemented by small weekly discussion sections guided by an instructor.

Student Expectations

Attendance at all class meetings, participation in discussions and out-of-class activities, completion of written reports and assignments, and satisfactory performance on examinations.

This course applies scientific thought to structure, function, energetics, and ecology of living systems.  Two one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory.  Prerequisites:  BS-118; PH-218.

Course Content

This course introduces the elementary education majors to the scientific study of living systems.  Students learn about historical and cultural influences on biological thought, how scientists use evidence to infer the evolution of life, how living things are interrelated in ecological systems, and how science as a human activity affects societal issues.  Specific topics include organization of living systems, energetics, growth and development, reproduction, heredity, adaptation, and evolution.

Nature of Course

The format of the course is two one-hour lecture/discussion sessions and one two-hour laboratory session per week.  Teaching strategies emphasize using science as a process for solving problems and answering questions.  Consequently class emphasizes activities and laboratory/field investigations of biological phenomena.

Student Expectations

Attend all classes, participate in all class and laboratory activities, and satisfactorily complete all assignments and examinations.