Biology 160

BIOL 160
INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR IN BIOLOGY

Catalog Entry

Biology 160. Introductory Seminar in Biology (2)
Two hours seminar.

Prerequisite: Declared Biology major and Freshman standing.

Designed for students new to the Biology major, this is a seminar course that will discuss various professional skills needed to succeed in the major.  Topics may include: introduction to scientific literature, discussions of career options and expectations for biology majors.

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Working with scientific literature

    Overview of library skills

    Identifying Primary vs. secondary literature

    Identifying literature in databases

    Finding full text articles online

    Writing and Reading in scientific format

    Proper citation of references

Exploring Career Possibilities

    What to do with a biology degree

    Professional schools vs. graduate schools

    Post-bachelor entrance exams

Expectations of the Biology major

    Navigating the curriculum

    Undergraduate research

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The course will be taught in classroom sessions.  The sessions will be a combination of projects, discussions, presentations and group work as determined by the instructor, in coordination with instructors for other sections of the course.

 

 

Goals and Objectives of Course

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

    Distinguish between primary and secondary literature

    Use the library to find scientific literature

    Read scientific literature

    Write in a scientific format

    Identify potential careers

    Set goals to prepare for potential careers

    Understand the difference between graduate and professional schools

    Understand the Biology curriculum and how it prepares students for future careers

    Know how to approach faculty about undergraduate research

    The biology department has emphasized reading critically and organizing talks and discussions as expected learning outcomes for biology majors.  These will be a major component of the proposed course.

 

Assessment Measures

Assessment my include exams, quizzes, writing and presentation skills.  Other assessment may be based on the instructor's observation of student participation in discussion and group work.

Assessment of whether the course is achieving its goals in the curriculum will be based on observations by instructors in upper level Biology courses.

 

Other Course Information

None

 

Approval and Approval

DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
New Course October 16, 2007