Biology assigmnment -

Each student in BIOL 150 must complete a writing assignment that addresses Winthrop’s Natural Science General Education objectives[footnoteRef:1]. This requirement is met by selecting a topic from Section I. and answering the four questions listed in Section II. The purpose for this standardization is to address the Natural Science General Education objectives in a consistent, measurable fashion. You should write your response as a complete narrative essay with complete sentences and proper structure. You must use at least three outside sources to complete this assignment, and you should cite them in the text and provide a list of references cited. However, you should also include your own thoughts and opinions. There is no minimum word or page requirement, but you should answer each question as completely as possible. [1: These questions are aligned with the following Natural Science General Education objectives: Objective #3   Able to discuss the strengths and limitations of science Objective #5   Able to discuss the social and ethical contexts within which science operates Objective # 7   Able to discuss the application of scientific knowledge to the social sciences and to non-scientific disciplines  ]

Section I. Possible Topics:

· Human cloning

· Federal funding for stem-cell research

· Maintaining biodiversity in the face of species extinction

· Evolutionary theory vs. religious views of species origination

· Prevention of global warming

· Population screening for genetic disease

· Rise of genetically modified organisms

· Over-vaccination and overuse of antibiotics leading to bacterial resistance

· Use of biology in forensic science

· Importance of wetland conservation and reconstruction

· Assisted suicide

· The overpopulation of humans and its global impact

· Other topics can be chosen, but must be approved in advance by instructor.

Section II. Questions

1. Why is a thorough understanding of this topic essential to being a well-educated person in today’s society?

2. Explain how this topic relates to other disciplines outside of biology.

3. Explain both the social and ethical implications of this topic. (Examples of social implications may include the impact on policy, business, community structure, economics etc. Ethical implications deal with the overall moral impact of the topic on society.)

4. What are the strengths and limitations of science related to this topic?  In other words, what questions or concerns about this topic is science able to answer and what questions or concerns can science NOT answer? In addressing this question, it may be helpful to refer back to the answer to #3.  Your response should demonstrate your understanding of what makes science unique from other disciplines.

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BIOL 150 Writing assignment S. Fields

Using the following rubric, point values will be assigned to your answers of each question.

This assignment is worth 100 points (equivalent to a regular exam grade).