- Home
- Inquiry labs
- Freshmen Research Initiative (FRI)
- Big Data for Introductory Research
- Research projects in lab courses
- Interdisciplinary: Undeclared students
- Active learning in large classes
- Sustainability education: Tall Grass Prairie
- Summer Research by Community College Students
- More Information
- About us
Biology 1
- Course topic and level
Majors Introductory Biology Lab focusing on biological diversity, followed by introductions to genetics, evolution, and ecology.
2. Main Change
Lab activities changed to an inquiry format, allowing students to learn about biological diversity in a fashion more similar to practicing biologists. For example:
In "A", the original lab, students were provided identification labels and detailed lab instructions. In "B", the inquiry lab, students are asked to identify plants 1, 2, 3 and observe and indentify key phyla differences.
3. Faculty Resources
Colbert J.T. and Westgate L.M. (2015) Exploring Biological Diversity with Introductions to Genetics, Evolution, and Ecology. Fountainhead Press. Southlake, TX. Contact Jim Colbert
4. Presentations/Publications
Mynhardt, G. and J.T. Colbert. 2013. Student perceptions and conceptual understanding of biological diversity. Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research, Annual Meeting Abstracts, University of Minnesota, p. 25.
Chaffee, C., G. Mynhardt, and J.T. Colbert. 2014. Teaching biodiversity positively influences both the cognitive and affective domains. Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research, Annual Meeting Abstracts, University of Minnesota, p. 74.