UTPA STEM/CBI Courses/Life Sciences, Survey of/Genetics

Course Title: Life Science, Survey of

Lecture Topic: Genetics

Instructor: Selinda Martinez

Institution: Texas A&M International University

Backwards Design

Course Objectives

• Primary Objectives- By the next class period students will be able to:
  • Understand mimicry, camouflage, and warning colorations
  • Analyze evolution and natural selection
  • Understand the concept of adaptation by using coloration

• Sub Objectives- The objectives will require that students be able to:
  • Determine the use of coloration for sexual selection, defense, feeding mechanisms, etc.
  • Understand adaptation and evolution of various organisms
  • Identify the importance of pigmentations

• Difficulties- Students may have difficulty:
  • Understanding how the environment can play a role in evolution
  • Understanding the differences between the various defensive mechanisms (mimicry, camouflage, warning colorations)

• Real-World Contexts- There are many ways that students can use this material in the real-world, such as:
  • Animal Behavior
  • Evolution
  • Medical Research

Model of Knowledge

• Concept Map
  • Pigments
  • Mimicry
  • Cryptic Coloration
  • Sexual selection
  • Adaption
  • Evolution
  • Energy source
  • Natural Selection
  • Predation and Defense

• Content Priorities
  • Enduring Understanding: Concepts fundamental to achieving the course objectives and fundamental to the domain in general.
    • Knowing the difference between cryptic and warning colorations
    • How certain colorations can be used as an energy source (e.g. photosynthesis)
  • Important to Do and Know: Ideas and skills necessary for achieving the objectives but not necessarily requiring mastery by the end of the course.
    • Understanding various animal Behaviors
    • Analyze form and function of various organisms
  • Worth Being Familiar with: Things not critical to performing desired outcome of the course, but students should be aware of their association with the course objectives.
    • Genetic drift
    • Gene flow
    • Genetic Analysis
    • Use of pigments during photosynthesis

Assessment of Learning

• Formative Assessment
  • In Class (groups)
    • Students will read various articles on the use of colorations among various species. Then discuss them within a group.
  • Homework (individual)
    • Students will write a research paper on a species describing how they use a specific type of coloration.
• Summative Assessment
  • Students will be given an exam to assess their knowledge of natural selection, evolution, and the use of coloration.

Legacy Cycle

OBJECTIVE

By the next class period students will be able to:

• Understand mimicry, camouflage, and warning colorations
• Analyze evolution and natural selection
• Understand the concept of adaptation by using coloration

The objectives will require that students be able to:

• Determine the use of coloration for sexual selection, defense, feeding mechanisms, etc.
• Understand adaptation and evolution of various organisms
• Identify the importance of pigmentations

The following sections can be found by clicking the following link. A reader capable of reading :

THE CHALLENGE

GENERATE IDEAS

MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES

RESEARCH & REVISE

TEST YOUR METTLE

GO PUBLIC