Science Module: Biology

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Science Module Biology
Prepared by PIs Dr. Molly Weinburgh Dr. Ray
DrennerTexas Christian UniversitySchool of
EducationCollege of Science and
EducationInstitute of Mathematics, Science
Technology EducationFunded byTexas Higher
Education Coordinating BoardTexas Education
Agency
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This lesson will increase your knowledge of
concepts covered in the following TEKS for
biology
3.b Evaluate promotional claims that relate to
biological issues 3.c Evaluate impact of
research on scientific thought, society, and the
environment. 3.d Describe the connection
between biology and future careers
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Contemporary Issues in Biology

Updated 2009
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Overview of Lesson

• Why are we here?
• Goals of the course
• Syllabus and grading system
• Scientific methodology and publication

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Why are we here?

• You...
• Me...

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Overview of Lesson

• Why are we here?
• Goals of the course
• Syllabus and grading system
• Scientific methodology and publication

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Goals of Course

• Introduce you to some of the major contemporary
  issues in biology and the underlying biological
  concepts and scientific principles
• Familiarize you with the use of the web to
  inquire about biological issues
• Prepare you to be a more informed citizen and
  voter
• Help you be a better parent, spouse, friend or
  child tending a sick parent

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In slide show mode, use the hot link below to
download a copy of the cover of Time Magazine on
Estrogen.
TIME Magazine Cover Estrogen - Jun. 26, 1995
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Breast Cancer
TIME Magazine Cover Breast Cancer - Feb. 18, 2002
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Prostate Cancer
TIME Magazine Cover Norman Schwarzkopf - Apr. 1,
1996
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Stem Cells
TIME Magazine Cover Scientist James Thomson -
Aug. 20, 2001
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DNA
TIME Magazine Cover DNA Turns 50 - Feb. 17, 2003
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Cloning
TIME Magazine Cover Human Cloning - Feb. 19, 2001
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Heart Disease
TIME Magazine Cover Women and Heart Disease -
Apr. 28, 2003
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Diabetes
TIME Magazine Cover Diabetes Are You at Risk? -
Dec. 8, 2003
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E. coli
TIME Magazine Cover E. Coli - Aug. 3, 1998
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Killer Microbes
TIME Magazine Cover Killer Microbes - Sep. 12,
1994
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AIDS
TIME Magazine Cover AIDS in Africa - Feb. 12,
2001
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Alzheimers
TIME Magazine Cover New Science of Alzheimer's
Disease - Jul. 17, 2000
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Drug Addiction
TIME Magazine Cover How We Get Addicted - May.
5, 1997
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Arthritis
TIME Magazine Cover Arthritis - Dec. 9, 2002
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Origin of Life
TIME Magazine Cover How Life Began - Oct. 11,
1993
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Human Evolution
TIME Magazine Cover How Man Evolved - Aug. 23,
1999
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Ozone Hole
TIME Magazine Cover Vanishing Ozone - Feb. 17,
1992
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Global Warming
TIME Magazine Cover Global Warming - Apr. 9, 2001
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Overview of Lesson

• Why are we here?
• Goals of the course
• Syllabus and grading system
• Scientific methodology and publication

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You will want to put your own syllabus here
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Readings for Lessons and Labs

• From popular press (Time Magazine, U.S. News
  World Report, Newsweek) or health-related web
  sites
• At the start of each lesson, there will be a
  lesson quiz on the days reading and the previous
  lesson

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Example Daily Quiz Question

• Which of the following statements is most FALSE?
• A. Infection with HIV causes an increase in
  helper T cells, leading to death.
• B. HIV is transmitted by both homosexual and
  heterosexual activity.
• C. Currently, there are no drugs that totally
  eliminate HIV from the body.
• HIV has killed more people in Africa than any
  other continent.
• If none of the above statements are false, select
  E.

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Labs and Activities
Wet labs and computer activities are used to
enhance lessons A quiz will be given at the end
of each lab or activity Material covered in labs
and activities will be included on exams
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Overview of Lesson

• Why are we here?
• Goals of the course
• Syllabus and grading system
• Scientific methodologies and publication

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Advances in Biological Knowledge
Immunology
Anatomy
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Knowledge
Ecology
Evolution
The unknown is greater than the known
Year 1950
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Advances in Biological Knowledge
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Immunology
Anatomy
Knowledge
The unknown Is still greater than the known
Ecology
Evolution
Today
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Scientific Methodologies
Observation Hypotheses Tests of
hypotheses Results
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Two-group experimental design
Identity the variable which will test the
hypothesis
CONTROL GROUP
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP
The variable being tested
The variable being tested
is absent
is present
Record results
Record results
Compare and analyze the test results
Report on experimental design, test results, and
conclusions drawn from results
Based on C. Starrs Biology Concepts and
Applications, Brooks/Cole, Thomson Learning
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Science advances by disproofPlatt, J. (1964)
Science
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Scientific Methodologies
World knowledge in scientific
journals Publication
Rejection Peer
review Submission of paper to scientific
journal
Observation Hypotheses Tests of
hypotheses Results
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Results become a part of the general knowledge
only after they are published in a scientific
journal
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Question Why can you have confidence in the
popular press and professional web sites?
Answer Because the information is based on
scientific methodology and scientific journals,
not pseudo-science
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Scientific Methodologies
Reputable Popular Press
World knowledge in scientific
journals Publication
Rejection Peer
review Submission of paper to scientific
journal
Observation Hypotheses Tests of
hypotheses Results
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Beware of pseudo-science (a system of ideas or
misconceptions erroneously regarded as science)
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Based on The Sun, January, 1993
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Based on Texas Highways, May 1999
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