2009-2010 Biology Curriculum Wiki

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Group I (Mark B, Karen B, Steve P, & Barbara L)

• Bio majors requires:

-three intro classes -three 200 level courses -five classes at 300/400 level (at least two of which include labs)

• Intro = Chem 115, Biolll, & Bio112 (all with labs)

• 200 level = two integrative/interdisciplinary lab courses (no lecture) and one seminar/lecture course (with no lab)

- topics for these 200-level courses could vary by instructor, year, may be team-taught, etc. - intended to provide potential bio majors and pre-meds who are busy with organic/physics with foundational biology courses that are not as time-consuming as combined lecture/lab courses currently in the ABC categories -intended to lay experimental and inquiry foundations so that students have ability to ask questions and take responsibility for seeking information/answers on their own -

• 300 level = upper level lab, lecture, seminar, group investigation, etc. courses

-similar to current structures, topics, etc. of our 300 level courses

• 400 level = independent research, thesis research, honors research

- greater variety of research course numbers to reflect discipline and/or nature of research experience

First pass at pros and cons of other 2 versions KB Question: What about requiring a portfolio of some sort? (a 'product') Could require lab article from 111/112 (so they go back and edit), a research article, a 'reflection' piece, set of images or website

KB Question: What about having a 'biology tools' course after first bio course for those who would benefit. This would circumvent our inability to pre-screen and place (AP scores are not the best indicator, no placement test.

Group II First pass at fleshing out proposal (may modify original version in response to discussions)

First pass at pros and cons of other 2 versions

Group III First pass at fleshing out proposal (may modify original version in response to discussions)

Dave, Pat and Malcolm

• We like the idea of 200, 300, 400 courses
• We think that big biologist should include some genetics and we think small biologists should include some diversity/ecology and statistics.
• We think this would allow Karen Hales to be the only genetics instructor. Dave would offer micro once a year and Sofia would offer immunology once a year.
• We propose that we team-teach more and design interdisciplinary courses. This would require faculty development where each of us offer mini-courses on special topics as needed. We could develop new teach-taught courses that accomplish faculty development as well as offering new courses.
• Current ABC course division is not working. We propose n 200 level courses that would address the breath issues that could be team taught.
• We think the holes that are in our curriculum could be filled as identified especially through team taught courses.
• There are methods to keep assessment consistent for team-taught courses throughout the semester.
• As indicated by the outside reviewers, our department has a mindset where each faculty member is an island and we prefer a metaphor of a network of interconnected nodes where we help each other.

Part II

• We want students to be able to start the major after first year and be able to go abroad.
• 100 level courses need to combine some skills, some content, some excitement. Should be funnels and not filters. We want to utilize Mark Barsoum’s M&S center to help students make the transition from HS memorization to college critical thinking and extracting key concepts.
• There is a difference between covering material and students learning material.
• 200 level courses add the breadth.
• Chem 115 should be required before any 300 level courses.
• 300 level courses could be in-depth courses that explore an area
• 400 level courses have synthesis and/or full research experience.
• The outside reviewers commented repeatedly about the departmental culture of not talking about difficult topics is stifling creativity. We think every course should be open to collaborative input.
• We are scared of change, time taken from research, and going into an area where we are less comfortable. We think some time allocation is necessary to facilitate the transition.
• We think the new interdisciplinary initiatives will require that we have time shifted, not added. One way to do that is have a 3+2 or 4+1 distribution, with majority in Biology and 2 or 1 in interdisciplinary area.

Requirements
111 and 112 required
two 200 courses required
three 300 courses required
one 400 course required and will be considered a capstone experience
2 "floater courses"
Chem 115 required before any 300s
Total courses required remains 11
SFS semester program would give students a 400 credit and 2 "floater" courses
SFS summer program would get one "floater" course
Duke/Davidson program would be determined by courses selected by students

Other	100s	200s	300s	400s
Chem 115	103	Biostats	Genetics	Seminars
	104	Micro	Biochem	Seminars
	111	Entomology	Immunology	Seminars
	112	Botany	Development	Group Investigations
		Animal Physiology	Mol. Bio.	Ind. Studies
		Vert. Field Bio.	Ecology	Neuro__?
		Animal Behavior	Evolution
		Comp. Anat.	Genomics
			Cell Bio
			Histology
			Bioinformatics XL
			Lab Methods Genomics
			Cellular Neuro

First pass at pros and cons of other 2 versions KB Concerned that demand for genetics will outstrip supply UNLESS genetics is placed at 300 level and there is a 200 level requirement. (impression being current non-major premed students seem to filter intro to genetics) KB chem115 before 300bio is strength. (I would actually prefer a bit more chem but that's another tail) KB 400level= synthesis &/or research experience is strength. Would suggest going so far as to only allow second sem jr and sr to enroll