BIOL 1020 and BIOL 1021 are designed to be full equivalents of our classroom-based BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1011 courses. Taken together, or in combination with BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1011, these courses satisfy the introductory biology prerequisite for upper level biology classes at Dalhousie University, subject to achieving a final grade of C+ or better in each of the two courses.

This page provides an outline of the objectives, format, content and evaluation procedures for the two courses. Students seeking recognition of BIOL 1020 and/or BIOL 1021 by another institution (e.g., as transfer credits or prerequisites) should refer that institution to this page.

1. Learning Objectives
2. Format
3. Staff
4. Textbook
5. Lesson Topics and Readings
6. Lesson Components
7. Evaluation
8. Labs

1. Learning Objectives

Our global objectives for BIOL 1020/21 are to exemplify:

• the principles of scientific inquiry
• critical thinking and the evaluation of the credibility of scientific information from various sources
• data interpretation
• quantitative skills related to the discipline
• the impact of science on society
• connections between concepts across biology

In addition, each lesson includes a set of learning objectives related to the specific topics of the lesson.

Upon the successful completion of BIOL 1020 and BIOL 1021, students will have a solid foundation for pursuing upper-level studies in biology.

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2. Format

Each course is offered in the Fall, Winter, and Summer terms, and is delivered over approximately 13 weeks, corresponding with the schedule of on-campus courses at Dalhousie University.

BIOL 1020 and BIOL 1021 are fully interactive, web-delivered courses. Content is presented in a series of lessons, and for each lesson there is a reading assignment, a set of related activities or exercises, an online test, and an optional recorded lecture (BIOL 1020 only). There are also midterm and final exams. There are ample opportunities for students to communicate with their classmates, teaching assistants, and instructor, via discussion boards, e-mail, and web conferencing.

Communication is mostly asynchronous, meaning that a student can go online at any time to obtain information, conduct exercises, and participate in discussions. There are, however, weekly deadlines for course work. The midterm and final exams are written on campus for all students.

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3. Staff

The course is facilitated by a primary instructor and one teaching assistant per 20-30 students. A second instructor supports the development of content and materials.

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4. Textbook

Reece JB, Urry LA, Cain ML, Wasserman SA, Minorsky PV, Jackson RB, Rawle F, Durnford D, Moyes C, Walde S, Wilson K. 2014. Campbell Biology. Canadian Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.

Note that this is the same book that is used in BIOL 1010/11 (the face-to-face courses).

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5. Lesson Topics and Readings

The first lesson in each class is an orientation lesson, in which the student is introduced to the online technology, introduces her- or himself, and during which discussions are initiated among students, TAs and the instructor. Content begins with the second lesson in each class. Each lesson corresponds to a week of study, approximately equivalent to material covered by three hours of lecture, two hours of lab, and independent study time in the classroom-based courses.

Please consult these links for a detailed list of the lesson topics and textbook readings for each class:

BIOL 1020 Topics and Readings
BIOL 1021 Topics and Readings

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6. Lesson Components

Each lesson follows the same general format and features the following components:

• An introduction to the lesson followed by a list of learning activities for the week as well as a list of learning objectives.
• A lab assignment or a discussion assignment.
• A non-graded self-quiz and a graded test (both delivered online).
• Multimedia from various sources, including the textbook publisher, in-house productions, and the world wide web at large.

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7. Evaluation

The final grade in each class is based on the following:

Evaluation Component	Percent of Final Grade (may vary between courses and terms)
online tests	5
lab assignments (six in total)	18
midterm exam	20
final exam	55
discussion posts (required)	2
discussion posts (bonus)	3
Final Grade Conversions (Dalhousie Common Grade Scale)
90-100	A+
85-89	A
80-84	A-
77-79	B+
73-76	B
70-72	B-
65-69	C+
60-64	C
55-59	C-
50-54	D
0-49	F

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8. Labs

Laboratory exercises serve important functions in a first-year biology class, including familiarization with the practical tools of biology, developing manual skills such as using a microscope, problem solving, socialization, and learning the style and process of formal scientific investigation and communication. Rather than attend a traditional teaching lab, BIOL 1020/21 students conduct laboratory exercises both online and offline at their location. The lab exercises are chosen and designed to support skills in problem solving, observation, data collection and interpretation, and communication, as well as to support the specific learning objectives of the course lessons.

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