Biology Course Essentials — Intro Quick Reference

Final exam: time-limited access to resources; integrated into course schedule.
Weekly case study (Thursdays): apply Tuesday content to real-world scenario; bring a phone/computer or handwrite questions; questions open from $11:00$ to $12:00$ on Thursday for participation points.
Intro assignments: syllabus quiz and grapheme exercise.
Lab structure: weekly lab with pre-lab and post-lab questions.
- Pre-lab: due before lab; typically five questions; attempt drafts in Excel; two attempts allowed for the first pre-lab.
- Post-lab: due next week before the following lab; discussed in lab.
Weekly flow: Tuesday e-notebook (guided reading notes); Thursday case study; Lab activities and questions.
Major multi-week projects: two group experiments (plant and bacteria); group presentation plus either a poster or a two-page paper.
Total points: $1000$ .

Exams: dates in syllabus; multiple exams with open-resource windows.
Late work: general assignments incur a deduction of $15\%$ if late (no accumulation of penalties over time).
Labs: limited makeup opportunities; if a lab is missed, may be offered an online version or alternate arrangement; contact instructor.
Support: TA help via a management board; study groups encouraged (groups of four in lab).

Course organized by weeks: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, etc.
Within each week:
- Tue: e-notebook with guided reading notes.
- Thu: case study with open questions between $11:00$ and $12:00$ .
- Lab page: pre-lab, post-lab, and lab procedures all available here.
Accessibility tip: access Canvas via home page or assignments view; home page is typically less overwhelming.
Before you begin week material: complete the “Starting the Course” resources, including a short video, syllabus, and syllabus quiz.

Lab prerequisites: complete pre-lab questions before lab; drafts can be submitted; instructor will assist during lab for troubleshooting.
Lab materials: printed lab manual and electronic version available; open-note writing allowed.
Dress code: wear closed-toe shoes for labs; bring a three-ring binder.
Lab groups: usually four students per group; collaboration encouraged.

Tutoring and Learning Center: located near the lab; drop-in or schedule one-on-one tutoring.
Disability Services: contact for accommodations.
Counseling Services: mental health support and time-management help.
Communication: reach out to instructor or TA with questions; help available.

Origin and education: grew up in Ohio; Denison University (biology, chemistry); Master’s in science education; taught high school biology in Ohio; Master’s in conservation biology; taught in Alaska and Hawaii; PhD in ecology from the University of Maine.
Research focus: diatoms in lakes as indicator species; paleoecology of aquatic systems; reconstructs past lake environments; work spans from Alaska to the Great Lakes and Arctic regions.
Teaching: experience across K-12 and college biology; emphasis on integrating biology with chemistry, geology, and physics.

Core questions: three big questions in biology:
- How do living things function and grow? (photosynthesis, cellular respiration, protein synthesis, mitosis/meiosis)
- How do living things change? (genetics, evolution)
- How do living things interact with their environment? (ecology, biodiversity)
Hierarchy of organization: from molecules to cells to organisms to populations, ecosystems, and the biosphere; biology is integrated with other sciences.
Course progression: start with scientific method and what constitutes science, then study life across levels of organization and complexity.
Expectation: engage with targeted topics while keeping an eye on cross-disciplinary connections.

Be prepared for lab on Wednesdays or Thursdays; plan ahead for prelab completion.
If anything is unclear, ask early; help is available in person or via email.
Look for weekly updates on Canvas and follow the Week 1 materials before the lab.