This is Biology 3, Introduction

Day 11. Cover the mechanics of this class2. What we will be doing in this class3. Create a context for this class

• “…From an early age I knew my ambition was to be in a plot, or several plots—but no plots came my way. You have to apply for them, a friend of mine told me. He’d been around, so I took his advice and went down to the plot factory. Like everything else, there was an interview. ‘So,’ said the youngish man behind the desk, ‘You think you have what it takes to be in a plot? What did you have in mind?…

• When we’re asked who we are, we pretty much tell our story. Story telling is key—it’s how we understand one another, how we preserve the past, how we make meaning, how we bring new realities to life. While our stories are rich, layered, and unique, we are no more our stories than we are our names, all that happens, the meanings we assign, or our mental or emotional states. The content of our stories is not us—yet, often without us even noticing, the content of our stories and “who we consider ourselves to be” (our identity) get collapsed and become one and the same. The collapse is just kind of a built-in, de facto part of human nature. It’s where we get stuck and what immunizes us against the vastness of what’s possible in being human.

• We can describe and refer to ourselves as “in” the story—to forward our views, launch great ideas, further our commitments—but we are “outside” of it, standing ever ready as the author. Our authorship lives in language. It’s in language that we articulate, define, and shape reality, giving us hands-on access to a world that’s malleable and always open to being invented.

• - See more at: http://landmarkinsights.com/2015/02/our-story-ever-malleable-and-open-to-being-invented/#sthash.UDomQDpk.dpuf

• The Syllabus – read along silently as I read aloud.

• Class fundamentals:• Being on time• Taking attendance• Turning in homework• Wearing nametag• Clean the classroom!

• Why am I in this class?

• Is it hard?

• Who will I have to become to get an A in this class?

• What is critical thinking?

• What does THIS teacher want from us?

• How much work do I have to do?

A FEW ANSWERS:• Rules:• Class begins at 8AM Sharp!• Homework will be assigned and will be due on every

lecture day. To receive points for your homework, it must be on my desk at 8AM sharp!

• There will be a quiz at the end of EVERY lecture. If you are not present, you will receive a zero!

• While in class (lecture or lab) you will wear your name tag.

• You will be a part of a lecture group and a lab group• Certain assignments are individual, group or class

projects• You’re going to have a blast in this class!

Let’s read the syllabus

• What are the most important issues?

• 1. be on time!

• 2. do all of the work assigned!

• 3. take notes

• 4. study

Let’s Begin!

• What will we be studying in this class?• How will we learn?• Critical Thinking! Oh no! Critical Thinking    

More• What is knowledge and how did humans

acquire all of the knowledge that exists today? What is philosophy?

• How can I do that too?

Most of your education has involved the Knowledge level only. This will not get you very far in the World. You don’t need to go to college to be a “Synthesis” level person. Have you ever taught yourself to do something like play the guitar? Critical thinking begins at the comprehension level.

• Inquiry based learning

Science• What is science?

• Where did it come from?

• How do scientists think and collect data?

• What is the value of taking this class?

• What grade do you expect to get in this class?

• Let’s explore this…I’ll ask you to write a statement.

How do Scientists Collect Knowledge?

• I think, therefore I am

• The Scientific Method

• Optical Illusions  How Your Brain Works

Monty Python

• Here

Let’s Meet!

• One by one, stand and tell us:

• Your name, nickname if any

• Why you’re in this class

• What languages you speak

• Why you’re going to college

• How will you apply your college education is what you will do as a career in your life?

What will we learn in this class?• Great question!• 1. Chemistry – electrons, protons, atoms, molecules and their interactions

and products.Included will be concepts such as entropy, diffusion, osmosis, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, energy etc. Homeostasis of the non-living World

• 2. Cells – Cell theory is a primary concept in biology since it is believed that life is made of cells and all cells are ancestors of prior cells. Anatomy and physiology of cells and cell membranes. Homeostasis of the living unit.

• 3. DNA – The chemical formula and structure of DNA. DNA transcription, translation and reproduction. How proteins are made from DNA.

• 4. Genetics – How DNA is expressed. How traits are inherited. Normal and abnormal genetic expression, punnett squares. Darwin. Evolution of a species.

• 5. Evolution – How life began. From the first cell to millions of expressions of DNA in the form of organisms. Classification of all organisms. Homeostasis of all living things.

• 6. Environments – ecosystems, organisms and the environment. Here we’ll conclude studies of the scientific method.

On to Biology• What is biology?

• What is living?

• What is non-living?

• Can we live without the non-living?

• The non living environment is just as important as the living beings in it.

• The phenomenon we call life– Defies a simple, one-sentence definition

What do you see?

Remember, not everything you

see is really what it seems. How reliable are our

senses?

Any Relation?

• What is Life?

Figure 1.2

(c) Response to the environment

(a) Order

(d) Regulation

(g) Reproduction (f) Growth and development

(b) Evolutionary adaptation

(e) Energy processing

Biosphere

Ecosystem

Community

Species

Population

Multicellular organism

Organ system

Organ

Tissue

Cell

Molecule

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