BIL 149 is a weekly, one-hour seminar designed to introduce our first year biology majors to the workings of the Department of Biology, the College of Arts and Sciences and the University of Miami.
Instructor: Dr. Dana
Krempels
Office: Cox
Science Building, Room 110B
Office Hours:
Description:
First year seminar for incoming Biology majors.
Facilitation and encouragement of development of critical thinking skills, proficiency
in oral and written expression, and an ability to solve problems by integrating
knowledge from different disciplines and perspectives in Biology
Objective:
By the end of the course, students should be able to
appropriately select courses, know the research interests of Biology Department
faculty members so that they can approach them for research opportunities, be
experienced in critical thinking, the scientific method, and scientific
writing, and have been exposed (via readings and class discussions) to the work
of several eminent and globally-respected biologists.
Class Meetings:
Students will meet for one hour each week for
class. A mandatory field trip will be held near the end of
the semester. Seminar presentations by research faculty will be an integral
part of the course, and will serve to encourage our undergraduates to become
involved in research during their time at U.M.
Grades:
Grades are based on participation and attendance, quizzes on course material, assignments (TBA) and a final assessment exam covering material we studied in the class sessions and guest lectures.
Be sure to take notes during Faculty Guest lectures, as these will be covered on the quiz along with other items on the syllabus.
Attendance is mandatory. One excused absence is allowed. Each additional absence will result in loss of one half a letter grade. If you miss class, you must notify me within 48 hours of the appropriate reason (medical or other emergency), or the absence will be considered unexcused. Please send such notifications via EMAIL. If you have an emergency, you may be able ot make up the class in another section. But this must be carefully scheduled, so I must be notified no later than 24 hours after you have missed class due to a true emergency (which will require documentation).
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Date: |
Topic |
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August 30 or |
Introductions: Getting to Know You |
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September 6 or 8 |
The Scientific Method: A Discussion Required Reading in advance: |
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Sept 13 or 15 |
I. Nuts and Bolts of being a Biology Major |
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Sept 20 or 22 |
Upper Class Student Discussion Panel: |
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Sept 27 or 29 |
Dr. Krempels: Strong Inference in the Rainforest |
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October 4 or 6 |
Guest Lecture |
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October 11 or 13 |
Guest Lecture |
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October 18 or 20 |
Library Resources: a Tour |
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October 25 or 27 |
A Special Halloween Treat: |
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November 1 or 3 |
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November 8 or 10 |
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November 15 or 17 |
Preparation for the field trip during the last week of class. |
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November 22 or 24 |
Thanksgiving Week. No Meeting. |
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November 29 or December 1 |
NO CLASSROOM MEETING THIS WEEK.
You must complete and return this |
Final grade will be based on
You are allowed ONE excused absence per semester. After that, each absence will result in the reduction of your grade by one half a letter grade. Attendance is mandatory.