Overview
In order to help you apply the general biology concepts we are covering in class in to something more tangible, you are required to complete one “out-of-class” experience. This experience, and your written summary of this experience, can be submitted through Canvas.
Refer to the remainder of this document for details, but in summary, what you need to do is:
- Complete an “out-of-class experience”
- Write a reflective/analytic paper based on your experience
- Upload your final paper to Canvas (here) by the due date: May 5
You have a few options for engaging in an out-of-class experience, but remember that your experience must be clearly related to a topic or topics covered in Biology 1. Choose one of the following suggested out-of- class experiences:
- Attend a field trip: refer to the links of Canvas for suggestions of museums, “wild places” to visit in Orange County (OC Parks, nature centers, botanical gardens, etc), and other appropriate If you choose this option, you will have to submit proof of your attendance (i.e. a picture next to a park sign, a scanned ticket stub from a zoo or botanical garden, etc) and provide a detailed summary of the locale. You should plan on spending 3-4 hours at your chosen site.
- Opportunities for IVC field trips (i.e. with the IVC Birding Club) will be announced
- Volunteer with a local environmental organization: this option requires that you spend a minimum of 3-4 hours volunteering with a local environmental organization and documenting your See Canvas for a list of suggested organizations.
- Outside film/lecture/discussion: community or campus events sometimes provide opportunities to learn about biological Attendance at such an event may be used as an out-of-class experience. This should be an organized film viewing, lecture or discussion. Suggestions are posted on Canvas.
You will write and submit a reflective/analytic paper on your out-of-class experience, which will include:
- a brief description of the experience, including the name of the organization and the person who directed the experience if it was a service project or lecture/discussion;
- insightful discussion of how the course theme can be used to analyze and understand issues related to the experience, and/or how the experience deepens your understanding of the course theme (this should be the most involved section of your paper);
- I will repeat for emphasis – make sure that you relate your experience to specific course themes or topics!
- your conclusion on the experience as a whole.
A few additional details:
- This paper should be written in your own words and should include a minimum of 3 citations.
- The portion of the paper that summarizes your experience may be narrative in style. The portion that relates your experience to course concepts will be enhanced by the use of citations.
- Use the APA style for in-text citations and for your references cited section. Additional details provided below.
- This paper should be no less than 750 and no more than 1250 words. Required format: double‐ spaced, 1” margins, 12 pt Times New Roman.
You will need to submit your paper on Canvas:
- Upload your paper using the link provided on Canvas by the May 5 due date
- Papers will be scanned for plagiarism using Turnitin.com. Please note that Turnitin also now scans for content copied from ChatGPT. Refer to the syllabus for policies on academic dishonesty. Be sure to submit an original paper written for this class.
Resources for Out of Class ExperienceThe following is a list of suggested locations, organizations, or events that may be appropriate for the Out-of-Class Experience. This is not an exhaustive list - if you are unsure if a particular area or activity meets the criteria of the assignment, please message me. "Wild Places" to Visit in Orange County- San Joaquin Marsh:Links to an external site.
including scheduled nature walks and bird walks - Environmental Nature CenterLinks to an external site.
in Newport Beach - Upper Newport Back BaLinks to an external site.
y, including the Muth Interpretive Center - Orange County Wilderness ParksLinks to an external site.
- Irvine Ranch Open SpaceLinks to an external site.
- Wild Places in OCLinks to an external site.
- Fullerton ArboretumLinks to an external site.
- Orange County ZooLinks to an external site.
- Natural History Museum of LALinks to an external site.
- San Diego Museum of Natural HistoryLinks to an external site.
- La Brea Tar PitsLinks to an external site.
- Aquarium of the PacificLinks to an external site.
- Great Park EventsLinks to an external site.
- Volunteer opportunities with Sea and Sage AudubonLinks to an external site.
- Pacific Marine Mammal CenterLinks to an external site.
- Orange County CoastkeeperLinks to an external site.
- Back to NativesLinks to an external site.
- RECORDED SEMINARS (this section will continually be updated):
- Birds of the ArcticLinks to an external site.
(by your very own Professor, Dr. Bradley) - "Mountain Lions of Southern California": https://www.dropbox.com/s/ullygmud4jkkxuv/2019.09.... to an external site.
- You can view the first hour of this recording directly from Dropbox but you must download the file in order to see all two hours of it. The download button is on the upper right corner of the link page.
- Native bees: Biology and Bee-havior:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuC5GI7cFKsLinks to an external site.
- Keep an eye on the following websites for their schedule of invited biology speakers:
- Cal State Fullerton Department of Biological ScienceLinks to an external site.
- Cal State Long BeachLinks to an external site.
- UC Irvine http://www.bio.uci.edu/events/Links to an external site.
- Links to an external site.
Sea and Sage Audubon Society (Irvine),4th Tuesday Conservation LectureLinks to an external site.
Links to an external site. - (note: if I hear of any other relevant seminars, I will post them on Canvas)
- Birds of the ArcticLinks to an external site.
- Vascular plants or Orange CountyLinks to an external site.
- Natural History of Orange CountyLinks to an external site.
- Birds (mostly OC) of CaliforniaLinks to an external site.
Syllabus
MODULE 1: The Nature of Biology and the Chemistry of LifeScientific Study of Life (Chapter 1)The Chemistry of Life (Chapter 2) MODULE 2: Cells and the Energy of LifeCells – the Fundamental Units of Life (Chapter 3)The Energy of Life (Chapter 4)
MODULE 3: Energy and the Work of CellsPhotosynthesis (Chapter 5)How Cells Release Energy (Chapter 6)MODULE 4: DNA Structure and ReplicationDNA Structure and Gene Function (Chapter 7)DNA Replication and Cell Division (Chapter 8)
MODULE 5: Meiosis, Inheritance, BiotechnologySexual Reproduction and Meiosis (Chapter 9)Patterns of Inheritance (Chapter 10)DNA Technology (Chapter 11) MODULE 6: Evolution and DiversityForces of Evolutionary Change (Ch 12) and Evidence of Evolution (Ch 13)Speciation and Extinction (Chapter 14)Diversity of Life (Chapters 15 – 17, selected topics) MODULE 7: Ecology and the EnvironmentPopulation Ecology (Chapter 18)Communities and Ecosystems (Chapter 19)Preserving Biodiversity (Chapter 20)MODULE 8: Animal PhysiologyHomeostasis (Chapter 23)Overview of Organ Systems (selected topics from Chapters 24-29)Reproduction and Development (Chapter 30) - San Joaquin Marsh:Links to an external site.