Coursework Assignments -- The ever growing list below is provided to give you a better view of what is expected of you within the framework of this course in biology. Class work, when done on-time and complete leads to a better understanding of the material and, thus, a better grade. Frankly, working within the expected framework will actually make things easier from the standpoint of learning and just the total effort needed to perform well. A problem arises when our arch nemesis, in the form of our social life, takes over the primary role of the education process and takes our minds off the real intent of public education. Be careful.

If you're the leader in class or within your table group, make sure that your entire group understands the material. Your group will thank you and you'll learn more as well. If you find some of the material more challenging, then take instruction from those within the class or in your group who have a better understanding. Then, make sure you thank them for their help with your effort. Do good work and have good fun.

The assignment list below runs concurrently from bottom to top, with the most recent assignment at the top and the more distant at the bottom.
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General Biology 1-2: Semester One - Scientific Thought and Genetics

Reviewing a Lab Report: Here's the problem. Basic genetic expression is best understood through statistical measure. Thus, it is important to delve into the subject of random occurrences. The lab exercise, "Looking at Random Events", builds a significant database of simple bead picks. Here we'll look at writing that seeks to explain the inner workings of the predictable world of Random.

Your Current Assignment

General Cell Division: Genetic Stability and Instability through Mitosis and Meiosis
		Mendel's findings relied on random distribution, which he called Independant Assortment. The mechanism behind the assortment of genetic material was unknown to him, but we know it as Mitosis and Meiosis. Microscope I: This is the basic, "Get to Know Your Microscope" exercise focusing on a printed letter. Microscope II: Here we'll be looking into basic staining technique. The object of our focus is our very own cells. Microscope III: One of the best ways to see what is going on in these miniscule life forms is through prepared slides. Assignments: RE: Mitosis, RE: Meiosis, Q: Mitosis & Meiosis Curricular Extras: Crash Course Mitosis & Meiosis

The Trihybrid Cross: A synthesis assessment requires a student to peice information together. So, if you are taught "A" and "B" then the synthesis would ask about "C". Much like a math question that asks the finish the series "1 ,3, 5..." with three additional numbers. In this case, your were taught the monohybrid and dihybrid Mendelians cross and now you must construct a trihybrid cross. In addition, a vocabulary assignment adds a crossword.

Looking at Random Events: Everything and that means everything is here due to phenomena that hold within their explanation the processes of random generation. That's right, stars, planets, mountains and your Tio's cocker spaniel.
Lesson Additions:TED: Dan Gilbert: Why are we Happy?

The Word Recall Experiment: As the brain ages, it also tends to have a more difficult time recalling information.
Home Assignments: A website Scavenger Hunt Note: This assignment is a model for future vocabulary assessments. The crossword is the important part with the word search there if you need clues (but you have to work for it). All answers available on this sight.

Reading and Color: The battle of hemispheres, ignore the first few pages as I experiment with iBook Authors

Alien Language Barriers: Here is an introductory lesson in laboratory group work. We'll be using "LiveCube" puzzle kits to experiment with our ability to work in groups. We create a scenario that depicts a set of instructions written in an alien graphic language. By deciphering this language we can build a described structure that may (who knows?) change our perspective in regards to our lives on this planet. There's a hitch though. If we can't communicate our results, then we haven't really done a complete job, now have we?
Lesson Additions: (For more on LiveCube, go to http://www.livecube.com/)

Classroom Expectation Reference: Here are some Links for your Notebook, Note Paper, Graph Paper and the Letter to Home.

Work Always in Progress