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Dr. Jeffrey M. Osborn
Dean of the School of Science and Professor of Biology
The College of New Jersey |
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Senior Biology Seminar
- Biology 545
Understanding Biology Through Art |
Catalog Description
1 hour
Selected topics, including a culminating review of the Biology Program. (Required for all senior Biology Majors during the fall semester.)
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Course Information
| Instructor: |
Dr. Jeffrey M. Osborn |
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Magruder Hall 251 |
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785-4017 |
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| Office Hrs: |
Mon: 9:00 am - 10:30 am |
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Thurs: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm |
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& by appointment |
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Course Goals:
Truman State University requires that all graduating students participate in some sort of capstone experience. The Biology Discipline accomplishes this through the Senior Biology Seminar. The goals for the course are as follows:
- serve as an integrating capstone experience
- provide a culminating review of the Biology program
- make students content with their biology education
- challenge students to use their biology knowledge after graduation
- provide students with the opportunity to make a formal oral presentation
- encourage students to prepare for the Biology Senior Test (Major Field Achievement Test, MFAT)
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| Senior Test:
During the spring 2001 semester, the Biology MFAT will be given six times. The Test will be administered from 6:00 800 pm in Violette Hall on February 5-8 (Monday-Thursday) and February 12-13 (Monday-Tuesday). All seniors will be receiving a letter from the Assessment and Testing Office that will explain how to sign-up for the test.
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| Senior Portfolios:
More information about Senior Portfolios will be distributed later in the course. All Biology Seniors are required to turn-in a Senior Portfolio, and these will be due at the end of the semester.
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| In-Class Presentations:
Each student will make at least one oral presentation during the course. In all likelihood, each student will deliver one independent presentation and one group presentation. Each oral presentation should be accompanied by a written report.
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Course Policies
Attendance:
Weekly
attendance is required. Unexcused absences will result in the loss of substantial points. One unexcused absence will result in the loss of one letter grade; two unexcused absences will result in failure of the course, which may also prevent you from graduating on time.
Tardiness - Persistent tardiness is distracting to both your instructor and fellow classmates, please make every effort to arrive at all class meetings on time. - Grading Policy:
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A tentative list of assignments and point distributions are listed below. These may change after the class has met and firmed-up the nature of the presentation schedule.
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| Independent topic (40%) |
| Oral presentation |
50 pts |
| Written report |
50 pts |
| Group topic (40%) |
| Oral presentation |
50 pts |
| Written report |
50 pts |
| Participation in discussion (10%) (40%) |
25 pts |
| Attendance (10%) |
25 pts |
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250 pts |
| Final grades will be based on the following scale. |
| A |
90 - 100% |
B |
80 - 89% |
C |
70 - 79% |
| D |
60 - 69% |
| F |
≤ 59% |
Seminar Scope:
"Scholars are trained to analyze words. But primates are visual animals, and the key to concepts and
their history often lies in iconography. Scientific illustrations are not frills or summaries; they are
foci for modes of thought."
- Stephen Jay Gould
Historically, illustrations have been used in both textbooks and the primary literature to clarify, abbreviate, as well as expand the work of biologists. These renderings are invaluable learning tools; the ability to couple a picture with a concept communicated in prose only enhances the chance of full comprehension. Moreover, illustrations can cross language barriers and eliminate the need for pages of discourse. This Senior Seminar course will focus on this interdisciplinary connection between art and biology. In particular, students will investigate how biological issues (e.g., structures, principles, and concepts) are expressed artistically. For example, some of the topics that may be included in the Seminar are as follows: What forms of artistic expression have been used in biology, both over the course of history and those that are employed today? Have some artistic media been used more than others and, if so, why? Have the original artists effectively and accurately depicted the relevant biological points? If not, what facets of biological information are most often omitted? When omissions exist, what are the implications for the dissemination of biological knowledge?
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