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BIOL 1020L Biology and Society Lab

Sponsoring Institution: University of Idaho

1 Credit

Instructor Information

Course Instructor: Lisa Bird

• Email: lisah@uidaho.edu
• Phone: 208 885 6185
• Office Hours: MW 8:30 - 9:20 am in-person, room LSS 164A, or zoom meeting by appointment only. 

Course Description

There has never been a better day to start learning biology. Being a living thing, you interact with the natural world each day. BIOL 1020 Lab is like the lecture course in that it is organized around five core areas: (1) Ecology and Conservation; (2) Cells and Cellular Processes; (3) Genetics and Inheritance; (4) Evolution of Living Things; and (5) Human Body Form and Function.

University and State Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Apply foundational knowledge and models within biology to analyze and/or predict phenomena.
2. Apply scientific reasoning to critically evaluate assertations, claims and experiments.
3. Interpret and communicate scientific information via written, spoken, and/or visual representations.
4. Describe the relevance of specific scientific principles to the human experience and connect concepts to students’ lives.
5. Test a hypothesis in the laboratory using discipline-specific tools and techniques for observation, data collection, and analysis to form a defensible solution.

Biology 1020 is a part of the University of Idaho General Education curriculum that emphasizes a multi-year, broad liberal education. This course will discuss environmental issues, genetics, evolution and human health topics that will be integrated into other courses you take here.

Course Rules and Requirements

1. Students will be given instructions for each lab within the Modules tab on the left side of your screen. I have also given an idea of when it will be most useful to complete the lab in relation to the lecture course. 
2. All labs will be open for completion for at least one year. Students may complete the lab activity at any time. I recommend trying the activities when it integrates best with the lecture and communicating with the instructor if problems come up. 
3. All papers will need to be submitted to Canvas or emailed to the instructor at lisah@uidaho.edu

Grade Information

13 Laboratories Exercises (15 pts each) = 195 pts

Final Research Paper = 20 pts

215 total points possible

Letter grades are awarded based on the University of Idaho grade scale: 

• A 90 - 100%
• B 80 - 89.9%
• C 70 - 79.9%
• D 60 - 69.9%
• F 0 - 59.9%

Grades will be updated frequently on the "Grades" section of Canvas. If you think your laboratories, projects or quizzes were incorrectly graded, you must submit your concern to the instructor within 7 days of receiving your grade on Canvas. Please send me an email if a problem comes up.

Course Policies

Center for Disability Access and Resources (CDAR):

The University of Idaho is committed to ensuring an accessible learning environment where course or instructional content are usable by all students and faculty. If you believe that you require disability-related academic adjustments for this class (including pregnancy-related disabilities), please contact the Center for Disability Access and Resources (CDAR) to discuss eligibility. A current accommodation letter from CDAR is required before any modifications, above and beyond what is otherwise available for all other students in this class, will be provided. Please be advised that disability-related academic adjustments are not retroactive. CDAR is located at the Bruce Pitman Building, Suite 127. Phone is 208-885-6307 and e-mail is cdar@uidaho.edu.  Visit the CDAR website for a complete list of services and current business hours.

Academic Dishonesty:

Acts of cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. According to university policy cheating or plagiarism can result in you failing this class. The UI Student Handbook outlines the expected code of conduct for students at the University of Idaho. Article II addresses academic honesty of students.

Suggested Lab Sequence

1. Sign up for SimUText Lab - Complete as you enter the course
2. Isle Royale Lab - Complete after Unit 1 Study Sheet #2
3. Ted Talk Review Lab - Complete after Unit 1 Study Sheet #3
4. Nutrient Pollution Lab - Complete after Unit 1 Study Sheet #4
5. Cell Diversity Activity Lab - Complete after Unit 1 Study Sheet #2
6. Cellular Respiration Lab - Complete after Unit 2 Study Sheet #4
7. DNA Explored Lab - Complete after Unit 3 Study Sheet #1
8. Cell Division Lab Packet & Quiz - Complete after Unit 3 Study Sheet #2
9. Mendelian Pigs Lab - Complete after Unit 3 Study Sheet #4
10. DNA Cancer Lab Packet & Quiz - Complete after Unit 3 Study Sheet #5
11. Darwinian Snails Lab - Complete after Unit 4 Study Sheet #1
12. Genetic Drift-Bottlenecked Ferrets Lab - Complete after Unit 4 Study Sheet #2
13. Tree of Life Activity Lab - Complete after Unit 4 Study Sheet #3
14. How Diseases Spread Lab - Complete after Unit 5 Study Sheet #6
15. Human Body Myth Papers Lab - Complete after Unit 5 Study Sheet #7