COURSE SYLLABUS

DEPARTMENT:  Biological Sciences
CREDIT HOURS:  4
COURSE NUMBER:  BIO 216
CLASS MEETING TIMES:

INSTRUCTOR:  Drs. Arnold, Flinn, Gagnon, He, Landberg, and Weber

I.  TITLE:  Biological Inquiry and Analysis

II.  CATALOG DESCRIPTION:  An inquiry-based introduction to concepts in biology.  Research-oriented activities will emphasize the skills and attitudes necessary for understanding and conducting scientific inquiry.

III.  PURPOSE:  To learn basic concepts in biology and experience science as a process of active inquiry, thereby providing a solid framework for further study in the discipline.

IV.  COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Students shall be able to:

1. design and conduct experiments that address testable hypotheses,
2. analyze scientific data and draw valid conclusions,
3. critically evaluate scientific information,
4. communicate scientific information effectivelyin writing and orally,
5. demonstrate understanding of the skills and attitudes necessary for effective teamwork,
6. use computers and other modern technology to conduct and report scientific research,
7. apply basic concepts in biology, including evolution, to solving problems,
8. demonstrate understanding of the theory of evolution and related concepts,
9. demonstrate and apply awareness of the significance of biology (and other sciences) to themselves and society, and
10. distinguish between science and non-science.

V.  CONTENT OUTLINE:  The course is organized into three modules with each module serving as a stepping stone to more in-depth involvement in scientific inquiry and understanding of evolution.  In module I you will focus on the history of biology, learning what science is and what it is not, and the study of science (i.e. biology) as a process of inquiry.  In module II you will move to applying your understanding of science through more extensive scientific inquiry and applications to the study of evolution.  In module III, you will focus more fully on change in organisms over time and the concepts of natural selection and adaptation.  You will also apply your research skills to a community-service project.

VI.  INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:  The class meets twice weekly.  Direct experience of biological research and its methodology is emphasized during the three-hour meeting each week.  During these activities you will propose, design, conduct, and evaluate scientific studies.  The second weekly meeting consists of an activity/discussion period during which you will develop larger, more theoretical knowledge structures that stem from your hands-on experiences, synthesize and formulate relationships between important ideas, and learn concepts and theories specifically related to the process of evolution.

The activities/discussions during module I focus on understanding science as a process of inquiry.  In the hands-on periods, you will examine different ways of knowing by conducting a simple directed investigation, writing a scientific proposal, and writing a draft paper that will be peer reviewed.  In module II, the activities/discussions focus on change in living organisms over time.  During the hands-on investigations, you will study responses of organisms within the broader context of ecology.   As research teams, you will develop a research question that you will then pursue in the field for the next four weeks.  Research teams will present their investigations in the form of a scientific paper that will be evaluated by your peers.  In the activities/discussions of module III, you will continue to study change in living organisms over time. The hands-on periods will comprise a Service Learning Module as described below.

Service Learning Module

The final hands-on module of the course will differ from the previous two modules in that you will conduct an investigation of a biological issue of importance to a local community.  You will increase your knowledge and understanding of biology as in prior modules; but, additionally, will obtain information that will potentially be of service to others.  Through the service learning module, we expect that you will learn how “you can make a difference” in the world around you now and in the future.  As a class, you will determine the community issue which you will investigate.  You will then work as research teams to pose relevant useful scientific questions of your own, state testable hypotheses, conduct a directed investigation, analyze data, and as teams, present your research as a poster that will be evaluated by faculty and your peers.  In your poster presentation and discussions with evaluators you will reflect on the value of your research to the target community and to your own personal development.  Your ability to provide feedback and engage in reflective discussion with your peers and professor(s) concerning the service provided will comprise one-third of your final presentation grade.

NOTE: Cell phone/technology policy - Anybody caught using a cellphone or surfing the web without permission will be penalized with the option to write a 1 page paper on instructors choice or leave class with a 5 point grade penalty. This includes cell phones ringing, texting, facebooking, and surfing web while using computers in class.

Important Note about Cooperative Learning:  In this course, we will use cooperative learning approaches. Your accomplishments will depend greatly upon your team participation and individual effort.  We will use cooperative learning strategies to help you learn to work together in order to maximize your own and each other's learning.  If you are unfamiliar with cooperative learning, please review the material for students at: http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/cl1/CL/doingcl/hints.htm.

VII.  FIELD, CLINICAL, AND LABORATORY EXPERIENCES:  You will work extensively in the laboratory and field. In addition, all students are required to attend a minimum of four research seminars.  Seminar announcements will be posted on the course website and in hallways of the Biology Building.  For each seminar, you are to provide your Professor with a one page typed summary in which you 1) state the purpose of the research conducted, 2) give a brief explanation the scientific methods used, 3) state the conclusions resulting from the research, and 4) give your impression of the quality of the presentation (i.e., explain what you thought was well presented and what was not well presented).  Summaries are due the week following a seminar presentation.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Appropriate conduct when attending seminars.  You are expected to be courteous and attentive during seminars.  Wait until the seminar is finished, even if the seminar runs over-time, to begin packing your notebooks or leaving your seat.  Do not talk with colleagues or use cell phones/tablets during a seminar. If you enter the seminar room after the seminar has begun walk behind the speaker, rather than in front, or move to a seat to the side of the room. Remember that most seminar speakers are professionals who are visiting the campus for the first time.  Your actions will establish an impression of the quality of student that attends MSU. Rude or discourteous behavior will not be tolerated.

VIII.  RESOURCES:  You will be provided with access to essential equipment for all classroom and field activities.

IX.  GRADING:

Grades for all components of the course are assigned as follows:

  90-100%               A - unusual ability and distinctive performance
  80-89% .               B - articulate, above average performance
  70-79%                 C - satisfactory performance
  60-69%                 D - passing work, below standard
   <60%                   E - work not acceptable for passing credit

Grading will be based on written papers, assesssments of your knowledge and understanding, results of peer evaluations, student presentations, and participation in class activities.  Your success in cooperating as a research team will also be evaluated throughout the course.  On some assignments, group grades may be part of your individual grade.  Criteria for earning group points will be explained to you as you conduct the team activities.  Points for a number of assignments will be based on rubrics.  Be sure to review the appropriate rubric for each assignment. 

All assignments are due on the assigned due date.   Late work is not accepted except in the event of a medical or other emergency or an approved university event (see Undergraduate Catalog).  Written documentation must be provided in evidence of such an emergency.  Final exams can only be taken at their scheduled time.

X.  ATTENDANCE POLICY:  You are expected to attend all scheduled course activities.  Because of the nature and structure of the class, attendance is vital to your success in the course.

XI.  ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person's  material as one's own, or doing work for another person which will receive academic credit) are all impermissible.  This includes the use of unauthorized books, notebooks, or other sources in order to secure or give help during an assignment, the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments,  reports, or term papers, or the presentation of unacknowledged material as if it were your own work.  If substantial evidence exists for a violation of this policy, you will receive a grade of 'E' for the course.  Disciplinary action may be taken beyond the academic discipline that I administer in the course itself.  If you are unsure about the authorized use of any source of information, it is your responsibility to check with me prior to the use of that information.

XII.  TEXT AND REFERENCES:

Derting, T. L.  2012.  Biology Inquiry and Analysis Course Manual (H. Whiteman, ed.).  12th edition.

McMillan, V.E.  2012.  A Student Handbook for Writing in Biology. 5th. edition. Sinauer Associates, Inc. and W. H. Freeman and Co.

XIII.  PREREQUISITES:  Students are required to have completed BIO 115 and ENG 105.

XIV.  NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Murray State University endorses the intent of all federal and state laws created to prohibit discrimination.  Murray State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability in employment, admissions, or the provision of services and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal access to participate in all programs and activities.  For more information, contact Sabrina Y. Dial, Director of Equal Opportunity, Murray State University, 103 Wells Hall, Murray, KY 42071-3318. Telephone: 270-809-3155 (voice), 270-809-3361 (TDD).