Please copy the following into your Agenda Book
Tentative Agenda (based on time):
1. Why study biology?2. Activity-Cholera Epidemic Mystery/Sleuth3. What is science? The Baconian Method4. What is pseudoscience?5. How has science changed over time?6. Syllabus7. Canvas on-line website
Homework:
• Read chapter one in textbook• Find a graph and a use of statistics in the news (bring to class)• Think about what you would like to study or research for your semester
long science project
Why Science?
BiologyWeek 1
Dr. ThorntonOAPB
What is one of the greatest threats to human-kind?
Why Biology?
• A virus like Ebola?
Why Biology?
• BSE causative agent (called a prion) is a protein that is folded in the wrong way
Why Biology?
MRSA
• Staph infection that has morphed over time making it resistant to the most used antibiotics
• Most people contract MRSA in the hospital, also a problem in other confined setting such as prisons, daycare centers, nurseries and also in athletes who share locker rooms and gyms
http://akorra.com/2010/10/13/top-10-most-dangerous-germs/
Thalidomide- 1950’s-1960’s • Given to expectant mothers for morning sickness • A sedative and tranquillizer• Used for 12 years before taken off the market
WHY Biology?
What do you know about BPAs?
One generation ingests, two
generations “feel.”
www.niehs.nih.gov/recovery/critical/docs/bpa-signature-project.pdf
Bisphenol A(BPA)
• Used for more than 40 years• Hard plastic food containers – Baby bottles – Reusable cups – The lining of metal food and beverage cans
(including canned liquid infant formula) – Trace amounts of BPA can be found in some foods
packaged in these containers.
http://www.hhs.gov/safety/bpa/
Biology
• Study of life• Includes– Physics– Chemistry
• All systems– Habitats– Cells– Atoms
Characteristics of Living things
• Uses energy• Respond to their environment• Maintains a relatively constant internal
environment• Information base in the form of DNA• Composed of One or more cells• Evolved from other living things• Highly organized
(Page 9 in Text)
MYSTERY!
How did 500 people, in 10 days, get Cholera?
What is Science?
Science is based on “knowledge” or “skill”Debate of what science is: Is it mathematical?
Who has the knowledge?• Scientist? Laymen?• Does it depend on what the general population believes?• Does science change?
How is that knowledge verified?Scientific Method: Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
“Baconian Method”
PseudoScience
Scientific Method“Baconian Method”
• Hypothesis• Prediction and testing• Experimental Design• Rigorous Testing• Duplication
Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626
Lab Period One: Appropriate Scientific Sources
First Lab Period: Who determines what is valid scientific results?
1. What are primary, secondary, and tertiary sources?2. How do you read a peer reviewed journal article?3. How do you find appropriate sources (library)
Homework:
• Find peer reviewed article and write a summary in electronic journal (2-3 sentences)
How do you discern between good and poorly performed science?
Acceptable Resources
• Primary Original source or evidence Peer reviewed journal articles
• Secondary Cite, comment on, or build upon
primary sources Books, scientific magazines
• Tertiary Compilation of primary and secondary sources
How you do discern acceptable resources?
• In a small group check the resources on your desk.
• Which are acceptable for scientific research?
The Nature of Science
• Ethics in experimentation • Science Changes