COURSE SYLLABUS

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

INSTRUCTOR:  Drs. Derting, Kirschman, and Moon

I.  TITLE:  Biological Inquiry and Analysis

II.  COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITE(S):  An inquiry-based introduction to concepts in biology.  Research-oriented activities will emphasize the skills and attitudes necessary for understanding and conducting scientific inquiry.

Prerequisite(s): Students are required to have completed BIO 115 and ENG 105.

III.  COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The student shall be able to:

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

IV.  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 learn 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.

V.  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 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 two 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.

NOTE: No projects using humans are permitted unless all student researchers are certified for research with human subjects and their proposed project has approval from the Institutional Review Board. No projects that involve the use of live vertebrates are allowed unless the proposed project is approved by the MSU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

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.  You will identify a 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 your 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 using a cellphone or surfing the web without permission during any class activity, including seminars, will be penalized with the option to write a 1 page paper on instructors choice of topic 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.

VI.  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. Only approved seminars that are posted on the BIO 216 website are acceptable. 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 within a week following a seminar presentation and must be submitted via TurnItIn on Canvas.

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 overtime, to begin packing your notebooks or leaving your seat.  Do not talk with colleagues or use cell phones 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 on 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.

VII.  TEXT(S) AND RESOURCES: 

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

McMillan, V.E.  2016.  Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences. 6th. edition. Bedford/St. Martin's.

SimUText Course Pack Subscription - purchase online, NOT in the bookstore unless you have approval from your professor.

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

VII.  EVALUATION AND GRADING PROCEDURES:

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

NOTE: Audits are not allowed.

Grading is based on a variety of activities that are categorized as:

31%     Scientific content (Tests, Quizzes, and Final Exam)
33%     Scientific communication (Essays, Draft and Final Papers/Poster, Oral presentations)
36%     Assignments

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.

IX.  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.

X. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:  Murray State University takes seriously its moral and educational obligation to maintain high standards of academic honesty and ethical behavior. Instructors are expected to evaluate students’ academic achievements accurately, as well as ascertain that work submitted by students is authentic and the result of their own efforts, and consistent with established academic standards. Students are obligated to respect and abide by the basic standards of personal and professional integrity.

Violations of Academic Honesty include:
Cheating - Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized information such as books, notes, study aids, or other electronic, online, or digital devices in any academic exercise; as well as unauthorized com­munication of information by any means to or from others during any academic exercise.
Fabrication and Falsification - Intentional alteration or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Falsification involves changing information whereas fabrication involves inventing or counterfeiting information.
Multiple Submission - The submission of substantial portions of the same academic work, including oral reports, for credit more than once without authorization from the instructor.
Plagiarism - Intentionally or knowingly representing the words, ideas, creative work, or data of someone else as one’s own in any academic exercise, without due and proper acknowledgement.
Instructors should outline their expectations that may go beyond the scope of this policy at the beginning of each course and identify such expectations and restrictions in the course syllabus. When an instructor receives evidence, either directly or indirectly, of academic dishonesty, he or she should investigate the instance. The faculty member should then take ap­propriate disciplinary action.

Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to the following:
1) Requiring the student(s) to repeat the exercise or do additional related exercise(s).
2) Lowering the grade or failing the student(s) on the particular exercise(s) involved.
3) Lowering the grade or failing the student(s) in the course.
If the disciplinary action results in the awarding of a grade of E in the course, the student(s) may not drop the course.

Faculty reserve the right to invalidate any exercise or other evaluative measures if substantial evidence exists that the integ­rity of the exercise has been compromised. Faculty also reserve the right to document in the course syllabi further academic honesty policy elements related to the individual disciplines.

A student may appeal the decision of the faculty member with the department chair in writing within five working days. Note: If, at any point in this process, the student alleges that actions have taken place that may be in violation of the Murray State University Non-Discrimination Statement, this process must be suspended and the matter be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity. Any appeal will be forwarded to the appropriate university committee as determined by the Provost.

NOTE: Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse for any violation of the MSU academic honesty policy.

XI.  NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

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, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability in employment or application for 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.
In particular and without limiting the preceding and pursuant to and consistent with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its regulations 34 CFR 100 et seq.; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its regulations 34 CFR 104; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 USC 1681 et seq., and its regulations 34 CFR 106 et seq; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and its regulations 34 CFR 110, Murray State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its educational programs and activities. This non-discrimination in education programs and activities extends to employment and admissions and to recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, student services, athletics, and housing. Murray State is required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex and the prohibition against sex discrimination specifically includes a prohibition of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Examples of prohibited sexual harassment and sexual violence can be found in the “Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment” which can be accessed via the link referenced in Appendix I.
For more information concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: 1) the Executive Director of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Access/ Murray State University Title IX Coordinator, Murray State University, 103 Wells Hall, Murray, KY 42071 Telephone: (270) 809-3155 Fax: (270) 809-6887; TDD: (270) 809-3361; Email: msu.titleix@murraystate.edu.

Services for Students with Disabilities Statement
Students with Disabilities: Students requiring special assistance due to a disability should visit the Office of Student Disability Services immediately for assistance with accommodations. For more information, students with disabilities should contact the Office of Student Disability Services, 423 Wells Hall, Murray, KY 42071. Telephone: 270-809-2018 (Voice) 270-809- 5889 (TDD)  

XII. OTHER REQUIRED DEPARTMENTAL OR COLLEGIATE COMMITTEE INFORMATION

None