Biology: Adrianna Smyth

Course Overview:

This course serves as an introduction to biological sciences. Students meet five times a week for a lecture/discussion format. Students are encouraged to think about and debate ethical issues pertaining to biology. An emphasis is placed on self-directed learning. To be successful, students need to exhibit a high degree of self-motivation.

Fall topics include evolution, biochemistry, Mendelian and molecular genetics, and ecology. Spring Topics begin with biological diversity, plant anatomy and physiology, and conclude with human physiology. The human physiology unit is student-centered using on-line resources and is evaluated using Case Studies. The goal of this approach to learning is to avoid an emphasis on “memorizing a lot of facts” and for students to problem solve together in a supportive atmosphere. The instructor provides assistance, clarification and review of the topics.

The course typically has at least one laboratory activity per week. Experimental procedures, data analysis, and experimental design are emphasized. In addition, numerous demonstrations and mini-lab activities are provided during class lectures.

Students are expected to be competent with the use of computer technology for data collection and analysis, lab report writing, oral presentations using PowerPoint, and webpage design for various projects.

Grading is based on points. The longer, more difficult the assignment, the more points it is worth.
    Short HW = 5pts,
    Quizzes = 5-15pts,
    Lab Reports = 25 pts,
    Tests and Projects = 40-50 pts.

Late work may be reduced by 50% and may be turned in up to 7 days late. Generally, CPS students typically are in the A to B range.

Other Section Resources:

Class Resources

Lecture PowerPoint Presentations and other fun stuff.

Student Work

Examples of student work prepared for this course.

Photo Showcase

Check out all of these cool photos!

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Online assignment calendar

 

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Review Outline for Test #1

Test covers 1st half of chapter 2 (Darwin, natural selection), and Ch. 5 (The Cell). Material in the intervening chapters is important where we incorporated it in explaining cell functions.