BIO181 Lecture 1: Scientific Reasoning and Models — Comprehensive Notes

Course Context and Community

  • Sports Medicine & Orthopedics Club at ASU

    • Aims: provide pre-health students with hands-on learning in musculoskeletal health, injury prevention, and collaborative care.
    • Meetings: interactive sessions and guest speakers (athletic trainers and sports medicine physicians).
    • Opportunities: engage with professionals, shadowing opportunities, and space for peer-led discussions to share knowledge and experiences.

  • National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Student Chapter at ASU

    • Focus: connection among students focused on rare disorder representation; fundraising, awareness, and advocacy to support Arizona’s rare disorder communities.
    • Impact: involvement can significantly impact lives of millions.
    • Contact: Matthew Bala, mdbala@asu.edu

  • Course kickoff and orientation

    • Agenda emphasizes understanding who we are, practical logistics, semester plans, and why we are here.
    • Introduction to models in science, the scientific process, and BIO181 scope.
    • iClicker testing planned.

Course Logistics and Contacts

  • Instructional team

    • Instructors: Dr. Christofer Bang, Dr. Piyumika Suriyampola
    • Lecture TA: Sarah Koger
    • Lab Coordinator: Richard Clarke

  • Instructors and Office Hours

    • Dr. Piyumika Suriyampola (Dr. Suri)
    • Office Hours: Thursdays 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    • Email: psuriyam@asu.edu
    • Office: LSA 130
    • Title/Role: Integrative Behavioral Ecologist with focus on resilience to climate change via behavioral and physiological mechanisms
    • Dr. Christofer Bang Jr. (Dr. B)
    • Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 9:00 – 10:00 am and by appointment
    • Location/Zoom: LSA 112 or Zoom @asubiologist
    • Discord: https://discord.gg/Yuvtp5WHpA
    • Lecture TA: Sarah Koger
    • Office Hours: Tue/Thu, 1:15–2:15 pm via Zoom
    • Email: skoger@asu.edu

  • Getting started and course orientation

    • Today’s objectives:
    • Gain an overview of the course and logistics
    • Get to know classmates
    • Understand what a model is and its use
    • Understand why the course is structured as it is

Course Learning Outcomes and Core Concepts

  • BIO 181 focus
    • Mastery of core concepts, models, and skills for future courses and life-science careers
  • Biological Concept Outcomes
    • Use models in: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Homeostasis
  • Skill Outcomes
    • Critical Thinking / Scientific Method
    • Information Literacy
    • Modeling and Quantitative Reasoning
    • Engage in Scientific Inquiry and Experimental Design

Required Materials

  • OpenStax Biology 2E (free online) or textbook purchase
  • Optional: OpenStax Biology 2E (hard copy or digital)

Course Structure and Assessment (Overview)

  • Grade components and weighting (as listed):
    • Participation (iClickers): 10%
    • Lecture activities, practice exams, and homework: 25%
    • Laboratory Assignments: 25%
    • Exams: 40%
    • Reading quizzes: Extra credit 2%
    • Total given: 102% (note: typical totals sum to 100%; follow syllabus for final policy)
  • Study and assignment cadence
    • Syllabus quiz (10/10): due before 11:59 pm Aug 26
    • Set up iClicker and begin using it
    • Explore Canvas for lab and lecture materials
    • Check Lab Canvas for lab-specific assignments
    • Reading: OpenStax Biology 2E Chapter 1, sections 1.1–1.2
    • By Thursday: Readings 2 and 3; First reading quizzes due Aug 28; Module 1: Scientific Reasoning Homework 1 due Aug 31

Course Schedule and Lab Timeline

  • Lab Schedules (Overview)
    • Week 0 (Aug 18–22): No Labs; Drop/Add
    • Week 1 (Aug 25–29): Data Analysis
    • Week 2 (Sep 1–5): No Labs; Labor Day
    • Week 3 (Sep 8–12): Module 1: Act I
    • Week 4 (Sep 15–19): Module 1: Act II
    • Week 5 (Sep 22–26): Module 1: Act III
    • Week 6 (Sep 29–Oct 3): Module 2: Act I
    • Week 7 (Oct 6–10): (Labs 7)
    • Week 8 (Oct 13–17): (Labs 8)
    • Week 9 (Oct 20–24): Module 2: Act II; Fall Break; Module 2: Act III
    • Week 10 (Oct 27–31): Module 3: Act I
    • Week 11 (Nov 3–6): Module 3: Act II
    • Week 12 (Nov 10–13): No Labs; Veterans Day
    • Week 13 (Nov 17–21): (Labs 13)
    • Week 14 (Nov 24–27): Module 3: Act III; No Labs; Thanksgiving
    • Week 15 (Dec 1–4): No Labs
    • Week 16 (Dec 8–12): No Labs; Finals Week

Studying, Accessibility, and Support

  • Accommodations

    • If you have accommodations, discuss with the instructor

  • Support and questions

    • Ask questions, seek help, and utilize resources

  • Learning tips and resources

    • Syllabus as a key guide
    • Learning can be hard; you are not alone; expect setbacks and learn from them
    • When frustrated, focus on what you have and how to improve
    • Practice: seek help when needed

  • Suggested learning strategies

    • OpenStax: Read assigned text; complete Reading quizzes
    • Podcasts: e.g., Science of Everything
    • YouTube: Crash Course Biology, Khan Academy, Bozeman Science
    • OpenAI tools: BioBot, ChatGPT Education
    • Form study groups; attend lectures and exam reviews; complete practice exams
    • Use office hours; seek tutoring

  • Campus resources

    • Counseling Services (On-site locations, hours, Tempe Walk-Ins)
    • Tutoring centers on Tempe campus (HAV Evening Tutoring Center, Hayden Library Tutoring Center, Math Tutoring Center, W. P. Carey Tutoring Center)
    • University Tutoring Links: Tutoring | Academic Support Network (asu.edu)

What is Biology? Key Concepts

  • Biology is the study of life; Science is knowledge that covers general truths or the operation of general laws.

  • Examples of living things and systems: Stromatolites, E. coli, Cyanobacteria

  • Living things characteristics (summary):

    • Acquire materials and energy from their environment
    • Perceive and process ambient information
    • Store, replicate, and process hereditary information
    • Reproduce

  • Cellular organization and unity of life

    • Cells: basic unit of life; organisms can be unicellular or multicellular
    • Eukaryotes vs Prokaryotes (inferred from slide content)

Models and the Scientific Process

  • What is a model?

    • Models are frameworks for understanding the world and answering questions like “what if”
    • They allow predictions, inferences, and narrative storytelling about phenomena

  • Types of models

    • Visual, Mathematical, Pictorial, Graphical models (examples include population dynamics graphs, etc.)

  • Famous quote on models

    • "All models are wrong, but some are useful." — George P. Box

  • Use of models in science

    • General rule for how the world works
    • Modeling life properties to distinguish living vs nonliving
    • Human anatomy and physiology as useful models for understanding the body
    • The scientific process itself as a model to develop and test other models

  • History of scientific models

    • Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723): improved microscope
    • Atomic models evolution (overview):
    • Plum pudding model (Dalton-inspired, Thomson proposed electrons within a positively charged sphere)
    • Solid sphere model (early simplifications)
    • Nuclear model (Rutherford): nucleus with electrons surrounding empty space
    • Planetary model (Bohr): electrons in fixed orbits with quantized energies
    • Quantum/Schrödinger model: electrons as clouds/orbitals with probabilistic positions
    • Key idea: atom models change as new data become available; atoms are comprised of subatomic particles; electrons are components of atoms; nucleus centralizes positive charge; modern view uses probability clouds

  • How we use models today

    • Model to understand general rules of the world
    • Life properties model as a diagnostic for living vs nonliving
    • Anatomy/physiology model for human body function
    • The scientific process model to develop and test models

The Hypothesis, Theory, and Scientific Method

  • Hypothesis vs Theory

    • Hypothesis: a suggested explanation that is testable; may become a verified theory
    • Theory: a tested and confirmed explanation for observations or phenomena

  • Scientific Method (overview)

    • A method of research with defined steps that include experiments and careful observation
    • Steps as a cyclical process: make observations, think of interesting questions, formulate hypotheses, gather data to test predictions, develop testable predictions, test those predictions, refine/alter/reject hypotheses, repeat

  • Illustrative sequence (as presented in slides)

    • Make observations → Think of questions → Formulate hypotheses → Gather data to test predictions → Develop testable predictions → Test predictions → Refine, alter, expand, or reject hypotheses

  • Scientific argument components

    • Claim: an answer to a question/problem (your hypothesis)
    • Evidence: data/observations/findings supporting the claim
    • Reasoning: explains the importance of evidence and how it supports the claim; connects data to the hypothesis

  • Example of scientific argument quality (illustrative material)

    • Queensland study claim: 33% of the Australian population has sizable bone spurs at the base of the skull (enthalesophytes), potentially linked to cell phone use; argues for a long-term evolutionary impact on posture due to technology
    • Notes on scientific arguments: evaluate the credibility, relevance, and coherence of claims and evidence

  • Three questions to evaluate a scientific argument
    1) Is the claim clear and testable?
    2) Is the evidence relevant and sufficient?
    3) Is the claim logically connected to a model (scientific concepts) that is supported by the evidence?

Additional Notes and Resources from the Course Slides

  • Quiz and iClicker setup reminders
    • Syllabus quiz due Aug 26; iClicker setup before first use; course materials on Canvas and Lab Canvas; first quizzes due Aug 28; Homework due Aug 31
  • Discord and online references
    • Discord server link: https://discord.gg/Yuvtp5WHpA
  • The role of models in everyday life and science education
    • Models help in decision-making, planning experiments, interpreting data, and explaining concepts to others

Quick Reference: Key Dates and Assignments

  • Syllabus Quiz due: Aug 26 (10/10 points)
  • First reading quizzes due: Aug 28
  • Module 1: Scientific Reasoning Homework 1 due: Aug 31
  • OpenStax Biology 2E Chapter 1 (Sections 1.1–1.2) assigned

Quick Reference: Contact Information and Resources

  • Dr. Piyumika Suriyampola: psuriyam@asu.edu, Office: LSA 130, Office Hours: Thu 12:00–2:00 pm
  • Dr. Christofer Bang Jr.: asubiologist, Office: LSA 112, Office Hours: Mon/Wed 9:00–10:00 am; Zoom option
  • TA Sarah Koger: skoger@asu.edu, Office Hours: Tue/Thu 1:15–2:15 pm (Zoom)
  • Lab Coordinator: Richard Clarke
  • Counseling Services: Tempe location, hours and contact in student services
  • Tutoring centers: HAV Evening Tutoring Center; Hayden Library Tutoring Center; Math Tutoring Center; W. P. Carey Tutoring Center

Endnotes

  • The slides include a Dreamscape VR-themed page and permission prompts for Google Docs; these are notes for orientation materials and access-related topics. Please refer to the official course portal for current access and submission guidelines.