Course Syllabus

BIOL 1015 General Biology Laboratory

Course Description

The general biology laboratory component allows for student application of biological concepts and skills with an emphasis on investigative learning. This component (BIOL 1015) is optional, but in order to count as a laboratory experience, it must be taken concurrently with BIOL 1010. (Lab fee required)

Justification

The General Biology Laboratory (BIOL 1015) satisifes the science laboratory GE requirement for Snow College. Some majors at the four year colleges and universities require both the laboratory and the general biology lecture.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. A primary purpose of this lab course is to give students a strong practical understanding of biological principles, and how to utilizes scientific method to increase their knowledge about the natural world. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, and/or exams.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will encounter a variety of information in this course, primarily in the form of lab manuals, peer reviewed research, media, articles, and anecdotal evidence. One emphasis of the lecture course will be to equip students with the necessary skills to assess the credibility of information, and analyze and interpret information in a useful way, this is reinforced in the lab portion. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, and/or exams.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Although the course will focus on biological concepts and issues, students will see that use of the scientific method can be applied for a variety of complex problems. Tools of scientific inquiry involve collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, presenting findings, and using information to answer questions. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, and/or exams.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. This course reinforces the reasoning skills that are initially introduced in lecture. Analytical, critical, and creative thinking are core to correct employment of the scientific method. The course may include discussion on ethics, honesty, safety and social responsibility. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. In this laboratory course, the student will complete several labs requiring the use of the scientific method with verification through experimentation. Students will be assessed through reports, quizzes, assignments, projects, and/or exams. In this laboratory course, the student will complete several labs requiring the use of the scientific method with verification through experimentation. Students will be assessed through reports, quizzes, assignments, projects, and/or exams.

Student Learning Outcomes

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Course Content

This course will include hands on laboratory exercises in biology. Students will demonstrate the application of specialized methods and tools of scientific inquiry by actively and directly collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, presenting findings, and using information to answer questions. Content may include major themes in biology, such as inheritance, diversity of life, growth and response of organisms, and flow of matter and energy through biological systems.