Course Information

BIOL 203: Quantitative Methods for Biology
Fall 2018

Course Description

Biology 203 is an undergraduate lower division introductory statistics class with a focus on biostatistics. The course is required of students in the Biology Program, but many pre-Nursing, and Environmental Studies students also take the course. The overall course learning objectives focus on learning how to use and interpret common statistical methods and critically read statistics reported by others. I have taught the course only once previously as a face to face course and the online version may not manifest for some time. The course I will teach in Fall 2018 will also be in face to face format.

QLT Objectives Showcased

QLT Section 5: Facilitation and Instruction
- 5.1 Instructor helps students understand importance of course topics and content in support of course activities and any related practical experiences.
- 5.8 Instructor provides reminders of due dates and duration of respective modules, as well as other instructions to keep students on task.

Description of QLT Course Design

For Objective 5.1:

After learning about several data analysis tools, students complete a data analysis project. As the course moves along the students learn about individual statistical tests. We build up to a final project in which students complete a data analysis project that requires them to find data and chose the appropriate statistical tools from the ones they have studied. My intention is that students can see the practical value of data analysis as they will see the analysis applied to many different topics by the class overall. Also, in selecting their own topic, I hope students see usefulness and relevancy of the analysis tools since they are picking a topic of interest to them.

For Objective 5.8:

In the project description, the series of steps to complete the project are described and assigned their individual due dates to support students in planning their work and managing their time. Different tools are used according to the phase of the assignment, for example, students share their initial topic ideas on a Discussion Board, and for a later phase, may sign up for conferences to deal with data interpretation issues. Each week, or as needed, I also post announcement reminders of upcoming due dates.

Course Example:

In the written project description posted here, the student is encouraged to find a project topic of interest to them. Each phase with its individual due date is listed. The phases are also posted as assignments in canvas so that they appear in the students To Do list.

clip of bio203 final project description.docx

Announcements are sent regularly to help students keep track of due dates and upcoming tasks. Posted here is a screen shot of a sample announcement.

Example of due date reminder announcement.

Instructor Contact Information

katrina.hales@csuci.edu