Online Course Descriptions

Fall 2008

Biology Update 2 (BIOC 623d)
On-line course for secondary school science teachers;
3 units of credit. Course is full at this time.

Course dates: October 6, 2008 - January 6, 2009. This online course will focus on recent advances in the understanding of basic biology and on new discoveries and applications in genetics, ecology, and evolution. Courtesy of a grant from Science Foundation Arizona, in-service Arizona secondary school teachers will receive a $640 scholarship toward the cost of the course (~$1,047). General information regarding distance learning courses is available at http://www.ceao.arizona.edu/dist/course_tables/BIOC_623D.html.

Spring 2009

Genetics for Teachers (BIOC 650; 3 units of credit; online format).
Recent discoveries in genetics and new molecular technologies stand to impact our lives and the world. To help you understand how, this course begins by considering genetics at the molecular level.

Assuming no prior knowledge of molecular structure, we will introduce the properties that make the key molecules involved in storing and disseminating genetic information ideal for their roles. Building upon this molecular understanding of the gene, we will discuss patterns of heredity, learn how to make and interpret pedigrees, and describe how genetic errors impact human health. Where appropriate, we will connect this basic science with applications that have the potential to affect our lives.

This will be an intensive course running from June 8 to July 31, 2009, with new units beginning each Monday. Online assignments will include weekly discussions, activities, and quizzes, as well as a variety of written assignments. The class is designed for in-service secondary school teachers who have taken Introductory Biology or the equivalent.

Courtesy  of a grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institutes, in-service middle/high school teachers will receive a ~$600 scholarship towards the cost of the course ($1,131.50). Instructors: Lisa Elfring, PhD, and Lisa Rezende, PhD.

Summer 2009

Biology Update 1 (BIOC 623c; 3 units of credit; online format).
This online course will focus on recent advances in the understanding of basic biology and on new applications in cellular and molecular aspects of biology. Courtesy of a grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institutes, in-service middle/high school teachers will receive a ~$250 scholarship towards the cost of the course (~$1,150) which begins June 8 and ends July 31, 2009. Instructors: Jim Ware, M.S. and Lisa Rezende, Ph.D.

Biology Update 2 (BIOC 623d; 3 units of credit; online format)
This online course focuses on evolutionary ecology and conservation. We will cover some foundations and recent advances in the understanding and applications of evolution, ecology, and conservation. May require 2-3 local field trips. Courtesy of a grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institutes, in-service middle/high school teachers will receive a ~$250 scholarship towards the cost of the course (~$1,150) which begins June 8 and ends July 31, 2009. Instructor: Alona Bachi, Ph.D.

Secondary Biology Lab Curricula (BIOC 633; 3 units of credit; hybrid format)
What are the characteristics that most great instructional activities
share? How can you modify an existing activity to increase study
involvement, interest, and understanding? How can you make use of current events to communicate with students about the fun and complexity of doing science? And how do national and state science standards drive your curricular choices? We will explore these ideas by using and discussing exemplary curricula taken from a variety of sources. The emphasis will be for teachers to adapt classroom activities to reflect the results of research on teaching and learning in science, and to promote greater student understanding in biology. This class is a hybrid (partially online/partially in-classroom) course, which means you must come to Tucson July 12-24, 2009 to participate in the in-classroom activities. We have reserved on-campus housing for out-of-town participants. Your cost for this housing would be ~$25/night. Courtesy of a grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institutes, in-service middle/high school teachers will receive a ~$250 scholarship towards the cost of the course (~$1,150) which begins June 8 and ends July 31, 2009. Instructor: Lisa Elfring, Ph.D.

Elective Course: TBA

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