CourseSource: Resources

Essay

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119

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Implementing active learning approaches into an upper-division biology course

In this essay, we present our strategy for implementing active learning strategies into an upper division course on Human Genetics. Our principal goal was to shift from a traditional didactic course design, to one that more clearly placed the...

Courses: Genetics Introductory Biology

human biologyPedigree analysisRare genetic diseases

Teaching Tools and Strategies

1037

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194

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0

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Wikipedia in the Science Classroom

Despite research suggesting that writing-to-learn exercises (WTL) in the classroom are associated with increased student learning, WTL is still not widely implemented in science courses. To provide our students with a meaningful WTL exercise that...

Courses: Introductory Biology Science Process Skills

scientific writingcritical evaluationWikipediawriting for general public

Essay

534

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76

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Learning Frameworks Aid Goal-oriented Course Design

As a new instructor it can be hard to know where to begin. Thankfully, CourseSource's learning frameworks (https://www.coursesource.org/courses) shaped my approach to teaching as a first year instructor. The frameworks, which include learning...

Courses: Introductory Biology Professional Development and Career Planning

backward designlearning goalscourse design

Lesson

18672

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399

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0

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A flexible, multi-week approach to plant biology - How will plants respond to higher levels of CO₂?

To help introductory biology students understand how plants will respond to higher levels of CO2, we have created a multi-week module consisting of a series of four related laboratory lessons. These lessons allow students to make connections among...

Courses: Introductory Biology Plant Biology

statisticsplantsphotosynthesiscarbon dioxidecommunicating sciencegroup workResource AllocationRespirationStomata

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316

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Discovery Poster Project

Engaging in undergraduate research can be exciting yet intimidating to first-year students at large research universities. For first-generation college students, whose pre-college exposure to research may be limited compared to their continuing...

Courses: Introductory Biology Science Process Skills

researchprimary literaturePostercore concepts

Teaching Tools and Strategies

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102

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How to Design a Classroom Activity that Integrates 3D Print Models with Active Learning

Student exploration of relevant physical models can deepen knowledge of course material. In this guide we describe a method by which instructors can integrate 3D printing technology with an established teaching strategy, the classroom jigsaw, to...

Courses: Introductory Biology

active learning3D print modelsclassroom jigsaw

Lesson

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398

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Discovering Prokaryotic Gene Regulation with Simulations of the trp Operon

The trp operon exemplifies important biological concepts, including the central dogma of molecular biology, feedback inhibition, and gene regulation. For this reason, regulation of the trp operon is a common theme in introductory biology,...

Courses: Genetics Introductory Biology Microbiology

prokaryotesgene regulationattenuationfeedback inhibitionrepressible operontrp operon

Lesson

2792

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487

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GMC: Genes, Mutations and Cancer - Group Concept Map Development

It has been shown that active learning strategies used in the classroom can increase student learning and retention of information. We generated an active learning exercise that can be used in the classroom to explore the relationship between...

Courses: Cell Biology Genetics Introductory Biology

mutationcancerCell Division

Essay

547

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67

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Teaching about fatherless snakes in a prison classroom

Developing a course for the first time as a graduate student is challenging. When I first taught introductory biology with the Cornell Prison Education Program, I struggled to design and adapt lessons that felt relevant to my students....

Courses: Genetics Introductory Biology

meiosismitosisReproduction

Lesson

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403

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0

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Using Place-Based Economically Relevant Organisms to Improve Student Understanding of the Roles of Carbon Dioxide, Sunlight, and Nutrients in Photosynthetic Organisms

Biology students require broad preparation for diverse careers including agriculture, natural resource management, and laboratory research. Concurrent with this need, employers are seeking applicants who have the scientific skills that allow them...

Courses: Cell Biology Ecology Ecology Introductory Biology Plant Biology

energyphotosynthesisbiomass

Teaching Tools and Strategies

660

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93

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A "How-to" Guide For Producing Recorded Interviews

Now that almost every student carries a camera in their pocket, student-created digital media items can be used to supplement curriculum material and as assessment. Although students can easily record interviews, events, and activities on their...

Courses: Introductory Biology

communicationemployabilitygathering data

Review

3300

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270

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Active Learning: Developing Self-Directed Learners Through Strong Intellectual Engagement

When they were students, many current science instructors learned through traditional lectures. This mode of passive knowledge transmission has been shown to be less effective for student learning than an approach that involves students in a...

Courses: Introductory Biology Science Process Skills

active learningmetacognitionconstructivism

Lesson

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567

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0

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Linking Genotype to Phenotype: The Effect of a Mutation in Gibberellic Acid Production on Plant Germination

Basic concepts in genetics and plant development are often taught in lecture courses without a lab component. This approach provides students with the content knowledge, but fails to make connections to research opportunities and real-world...

Courses: Cell Biology Developmental Biology Genetics Introductory Biology Plant Biology

geneticsdevelopmentmutationgerminationplantmodel organismGenotype/PhenotypeHormoneSeed

Lesson

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1002

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Building Trees: Introducing evolutionary concepts by exploring Crassulaceae phylogeny and biogeography

Teaching evolutionary theory is foundational for all biological sciences and a key aspect of overall science literacy. The conceptual framework for understanding evolution relies on thinking clearly about evolutionary trees (phylogenetics) and how...

Courses: Evolution Introductory Biology

EvolutionphylogeneticsTree thinkingbiogeography

Lesson

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1323

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Evaluating the Quick Fix: Weight Loss Drugs and Cellular Respiration

One key to student success in introductory and cell biology courses is a foundational knowledge of cellular respiration. This is a content area in which students often harbor misconceptions that make cellular respiration particularly challenging...

Courses: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Cell Biology Introductory Biology

data analysisCellular RespirationElectron Transport ChainEnergy transformationsMitochondriaOxidative phosphorylationWeight loss drugs24-dinitrophenol (DNP)

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694

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A simple way for students to visualize cellular respiration: adapting the board game MousetrapTM to model complexity

Lecture-based introductory biology courses are typically content-heavy as instructors strive to provide students with foundational knowledge in a broad range of topics. One topic traditionally covered is cellular respiration, the series of...

Courses: Introductory Biology

ATPGlycolysisCellular RespirationElectron Transport ChainKrebs Cycle

Lesson

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1127

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Meiosis: A Play in Three Acts, Starring DNA Sequence

Meiosis is well known for being a sticky topic that appears repeatedly in biology curricula. We observe that a typical undergraduate biology major cannot correctly identify haploid and diploid cells or explain how and why chromosomes pair before...

Courses: Cell Biology Genetics Introductory Biology

recombinationmeiosisDNA sequenceCrossingoverchromosome structureHolliday junctionhomology

Lesson

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343

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Discovering Cellular Respiration with Computational Modeling and Simulations

Cellular respiration, a common topic among introductory and cellular biology curricula, is a complex biological process that exemplifies core biological concepts, including systems, pathways and transformation of energy, and structure and function...

Courses: Introductory Biology

Cellular MechanismsCellular RespirationFermentation

Lesson

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994

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An active-learning lesson that targets student understanding of population growth in ecology

Effective teaching and learning of population ecology requires integration of quantitative literacy skills. To facilitate student learning in population ecology and provide students with the opportunity to develop and apply quantitative skills, we...

Courses: Ecology Ecology Introductory Biology

population growthexponential growthlogistic growthpopulation ecologygrowth rateDensityAbundancecarrying capacitylinear growth

Lesson

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291

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Promoting Climate Change Literacy for Non-majors: Implementation of an atmospheric carbon dioxide modeling activity as an inquiry-based classroom activity

Students who are directly involved in scientific activities develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of both scientific knowledge and the scientific process. This understanding is critically important in scientific areas like climate change...

Courses: Introductory Biology Science Process Skills