Honors BIOL 175-001, 003

Honors University Experience in Biology

Fall 2006

Section 001 Section 003

Meetings: M 1:50-3:40, TCNW 203 W 1:50-3:40, TCNW 203

Instructors: Dr. Doug McElroy, TCNW 207 Dr. Jeffrey Marcus, TCNW 126

745-5996, doug.mcelroy@wku.edu 745-2043, jeffrey.marcus@wku.edu

Office Hours: MWF 8:00-9:00 MWF 10:05-11:05

Texts: Gordon, V.N., et al. 2006. Foundations: a Reader for Western Kentucky University

Students. Thomson Wadsworth, Mason, OH.

Paul, R. and L. Elder. 2001. A Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools.

Foundation for Critical Thinking, Dillon Beach, CA.

Introduction. The purpose of UE 175 is to help you establish yourself as a university student. Developing good note-taking and study habits, learning where to find needed information and resources, and becoming integrated into the cultural fabric of the university are part of this equation. It is equally important, however, that you learn to think critically about your studies and the world in general, and to understand your role as a university-educated person in the community of which you are (and become) a part. As a science major, it is also essential that you develop the basic skills necessary to become a practitioner of science from the very beginning of your career. All of these higher-order abilities will help you put your learning in context, help you see the åwhyπ in what you are studying, and make your WKU Experience richer and more powerful.

We have four goals for your learning in this course. Through in-class activities, out-of-class readings, and independent homework assignments, it is our intention that:

1. You will learn fundamental scientific skills, applying them to development of a biotic inventory for

the Upper Green River Biological Preserve.

2. You will come to understand the elements of critical reasoning, applying these principles to diverse

types of problems, issues and questions.

3. You will appreciate the role of biology (and biologists) in informing public policy, applying this to

consideration of a relevant issue in society today.

4. You will acquire the knowledge, habits and perspectives that will allow you to be successful at

WKU and beyond.

Assignments and Grading. Your grade for the course will be based on class attendance and participation, completion of homework assignments and assigned activities, construction of a DNA barcode web page, and a poster presentation building on the library skills components of the course. In general, there will be no make-up assignments and no opportunity for extra credit. You must complete assignments and turn them in electronically by the time they are due. Grades will be determined based on the following breakdown:

Grade components Final grades

Homework assignments 40 % A 90-100 %

DNA barcode web assignment 15 % B 80-89 %

Poster presentation 15 % C 70-79 %

In-class participation 30 % D 60-69 %

F 59 % or less

Expectations. Students will be expected to attend all class meetings. It will generally not be possible to make up missed classes. Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of dishonesty are violations of academic integrity and will be dealt with according to university policy as outlined in the university catalog. You are responsible for monitoring the university Academic Calendar for important dates relating to add/drop, withdrawal and the like. To reaffirm what is expected of every Western student, refer to the Western Creed.

Disability Services. In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office of Student Disability Services in DUC A-200 of the Student Success Center in Downing University Center. Please DO NOT request accommodation directly from the professor without a letter of accommodation from the Office of Student Disability Services.

Date (001)	Date (003)	Readings	Activities	Assignments
28 Aug	30 Aug	PE: 1-5 G: 3-15 G: 215-225	Elements of reasoning WKU Biology web site Class Legacy Project	Why am I here ? 3 Qπs & their Aπs Freshman Assembly
11 Sep	06 Sep	G: 19-49 G: 81-101	Helms-Craven Library Tour	Research topic Degree program My åIπ in society
18 Sep	13 Sep	Handout G: 117-124 G: 132-149	Fundamental & powerful concepts DNA Barcode Project What impact will you have ?	F&P concept map
Saturday, 16 Sep			Field trip: 9am – 5pm (rain date 30 Sep)	Field notes and photo
25 Sep	20 Sep	G: 150-170	From here to career Keying and measuring specimens Seeing the world and asking questions	WKU Career Plan Specimen Info
02 Oct	27 Sep	PE: 6 G: 173-185	Thinking about research DNA preparation What you know, think and expect	Faculty web review WKU sponsored event
09 Oct	04 Oct	PE: 7-9 G: 191-203	Intellectual standards PCR amplification The limits of knowing in science	Research outline
16 Oct	11 Oct	PE: 10-11 G: 204-211	Evaluating arguments Gel electrophoresis Biotech and Biodiversity Center tours	Career Services visit
23 Oct	18 Oct	PE: 13-14 G: 226-241	Essential intellectual traits DNA Sequencing reactions Electron Microscopy tours	Research position paper
30 Oct	25 Oct	PE: 15-19	Science and pseudoscience Graphing and tabulation of data	WKU sponsored event
06 Nov	01 Nov	G: 53-78	Professional ethics in science Interpreting DNA sequences	Position paper feedback
13 Nov	08 Nov	Handout	Role of science in society Current social issues in biology	Class Legacy review
20 Nov	15 Nov	Handout	Current social issues in biology	Research paper draft
27 Nov	29 Nov	Handout	National scholarships Current social issues in biology	WKU sponsored event
04 Dec	06 Dec		No Class – Final work on posters
Evening, 06 Dec			EBS Poster Soiree: 7pm – 9pm

Agreement Form. In order to remain enrolled in Honors UE 175, you must complete and return this form to the professor by the second meeting of class. Failure to submit a completed form by that date will cause you to receive a grade of FN for the course. By submitting your name on the form you are agreeing to the following statement:

≥I have read the Honors UE 175 course syllabus and understand and accept its contents. I also understand that all work in this course must be my own, in my own words, and all required assignments, projects, and tests must be completed to receive a passing grade for this course. I understand that facilitating academic dishonesty such as plagiarism by another student is an academic offense for both students and both students will be penalized for such behavior. I stipulate that I have reviewed the following web sites:

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

http://www.georgetown.edu/honor/plagiarism.html

and understand what constitutes academic plagiarism. I further agree that it is my responsibility to withdraw or make other changes in my enrollment status, according to the policies and deadlines outlined in the University Catalog and/or Academic Calendar.≤

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Signature

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Printed Name

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Date

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Semester Taken