FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOLOGY II

FULFILLS:
LIFE 121 & LIFE 121L, ACE 04

PREREQUISITE:
LIFE 120 & LIFE 120L

Date:
May 17th to June 5th

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Bill Glider

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a survey of living organisms, their morphology, life histories, taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology, and biogeography.  It explores the nature of biodiversity, how that diversity is studied, and the economic importance of various groups of organisms.  Students learn to sample, observe, identify, and understand the activities of a wide variety of conspicuous (and not so conspicuous) organisms. Studies in the field and laboratory address different types of aquatic and terrestrial communities in the Sandhills. Lecture, lab, and field work are combined to make for a more unified learning experience.

A short-term research project is carried out by teams of students (typically 2-3) which emphasizes scientific problem solving skills including experimental design, experimentation, and hypothesis testing using statistical analysis. This project uses the native crayfish (Orconectes virilis) as the model organism. The crayfish are collected and maintained by the students. The students then report to the class as an oral and written report. Approximately two-thirds of the class time is spent in the field. There are mid-term and final examinations.

Students should expect to acquire from this course: (1) the ability to identify common organisms of Nebraska; (2) an understanding of the relationships of these organism; (3) an understanding of community structure in the Great Plains; (4) experience designing and conducting field experiments; (5) a savage tan.

A poster was made and presented at 2016 SciComm about the activities and culture the class creates.

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