Biology & Society: Understanding Science Through Society Interaction

1. Biology & Society BIOL 101 Spring 2013

2. Instructor: Michelle Smith Contact Information: Email: miliefsk@hawaii.edu

3. Class Web Sites: www.wcc.hawaii.edu/facstaff/miliefsky-m/ • Syllabus • Schedule • Assignments • Handouts

4. Class Time & Location Lecture: Section 35115 WF 1-2:15 Imiloa 123 Lab: Friday 2:30-5:15 Imiloa 103

5. Instructor’s Office Location & Hours Imiloa 136 • Tuesday 11:15-1 • Wed.-Friday 12:30-1 • or by apt

6. Class Policies • Attendance: • Mandatory • Come Prepared: • Read assignments • Review lecture notes and outlines

7. Cell Phones Please turn it off before arriving to class!

8. Requirements Satisfied by this Course Meets general education core requirements for a biological science course.

9. Requirements Satisfied by this Course This class is designed for the non-science major.

10. Course Description Introduction to the characteristics of science, historical development of scientific concepts, and interaction of society with science illustrated by topics from biological science.

11. Course Objectives By the end of this course the student should know: • The basic terminology of biology • General history and philosophy of the biological sciences • Key fundamental concepts in evolution, cell biology, population biology and ecology • The major, current biological issues in human society • How to ask scientific questions, make hypotheses, and interpret results

12. Attendance • Attendance is mandatory. • If a class is to be missed the Instructor must be notified and as to the reason why. • Attendance is worth 100 points (10%) toward your lecture grade. • Each unexcused absence will result in a deduction of 10 points

13. Assignments • Readings from ‘Into the Jungle’ • Discussion and written analysis of book or articles • Four assignments are worth 75 points each, totaling 300 points (30%) toward your lecture grade

14. Review Session You ask questions Jeopardy game Ecology Symbiosis Succession Community Biodiversity Potluck

15. EXAMINATIONS: • 4 exams @ 150 points each (60%) • Non cumulative • 50 multiple choice questions • Book questions included on exams • Closed book, but allowed 1-sided 3x5 note card Final Exam: Mon. 6, 1-3pm

16. EXAMINATIONS: Bring your own scantron At bookstore 6 for $1.25

17. Missed Exam Policy Contact your instructor (email)! No retest unless a legitimate reason Take exam next class time

18. Extra Credit Assignments 4 assignments worth up to 5 percentage points toward your exam (e.g. 85% + 5 = 90%) Attend a lecture at Waikiki Aquarium, Hanauma Bay Education Center, participate in a beach or algae cleanup… Review an article related to class content (e.g., Discover magazine, National Geographic, local paper…). No internet articles. Write a 1 page summary-reaction paper, typed, double spaced, size 12 font. Attach article to paper (photocopy or cut it out).

19. Grading Attendance 100 points Assignments 300 points Exams (4) 600 points Total lecture grade: 1000 points Grade cutoffs: A = above 90% B = 80%-90% C = 70%-80% D = 60%-70% F = below 60% No plus or minus final grades

20. Academic Dishonesty • Cheating • Plagiarism • See student handbook on conduct code or • http://www.hawaii.edu/student/conduct/imper.html

21. Textbooks Simon, E., Dickey, J., & Reece, J., 2013. Biology: Science for Life (5th ed.). Pearson. ISBN. 9780321772596

22. Textbooks Carroll, S., 2009. Into the Jungle: Great adventures in the search for evolution. Pearson. ISBN. 9780321556714

23. Hawaii is an Ideal Place to Study Biology

24. Most Unique Plants Silversword

25. Rare Native Birds Nene

26. Unusual Insects & their Relatives Happy Face Spider

27. Complex Environments

28. Need: Understand & protect this heritage

29. Many Important Societal Issues Involve Biology Many issues are critical concerns Decisions on solutions or remediation can’t be delayed

30. Population Pressures Natural Disasters Environmental Degradation Resource Exploitation

31. Health Care Lifestyle Decisions

32. Epidemic Diseases BSE SARS Smallpox Flu West Nile Fever Anthrax Hepatitis HIV/AIDS Ebola Next crisis? Dengue

33. Genetic Engineering

34. Biology as a Way of Thinking Fundamental processes(& we know a lot about them) Applied in the context of diversity(unique in the sciences & fundamental) Evolution(also unique)

35. Key Themes How science has developed The strong interaction between science and society Thinking about time (fast vs. glacially slow) The importance of variability (no survival without adaptive differences)

36. How to Succeed in this Class • Review lecture notes as often as possible. • Read the text. • Making flashcards for each new vocabulary word presented. • Establish study groups and study together. • Ask questions.

37. Why Biology 101? We are at the right place There are very important problems We have a good basic knowledge Knowing biology will help your overall understanding of life

38. Reminders • Make sure you have access to the class web site: • www.wcc.hawaii.edu/facstaff/miliefsky-m/ • If you are taking the lab -- attend this week’s session • Simon, E., Dickey, J., & Reece, J., 2013. Biology: Science for Life (5th ed.). • Carroll, S., 2009. Into the Jungle: Great adventures in the search for evolution. • (bookstore)

39. Questions • The course instructor’s name is: • The instructor suggested that the best way to get help for the course is to: • The title of the Biology 101 textbook is: • The Biology 101 course URL (web address) is: • A primary goal of this course is to: • The best place to get the dates of the exams is: