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Laney College

Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) describe what a student will be able to do upon successful completion of a course.  The SLOs below reflect general outcomes for a variety of biology courses.  Course Outlines give detailed SLOs for each course, and instructor syllabi may include additional outcomes.  See Biology Faculty Pages for your instructor’s syllabus.

Biology Department Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

For Laboratory Courses (Biology 1A/B, 2, 3, 4, 10, 20 A/B, 24, 75):

1.  Describe and practice laboratory safety guidelines relating to working with chemicals, microorganisms, body fluids and/or dissection.
2.  Define and correctly use scientific terminology in regard to biological organisms and processes.
3.  Correctly focus and adjust lighting on microscope slides, to locate and identify biological organisms and their parts.
4.  Synthesize information, think critically and solve critical thinking problems; write clear, well organized essays or research papers that demonstrate synthesis.
5.  Work well independently and in small groups.  Show self-direction and motivation, and contribute to group work.
6.  Show proficiency in taking lab practical exams, responding to questions quickly and accurately, effectively handling the pressure of a timed exam.
7.  Assess personal needs in regard to study time and methods, and accept personal responsibility for the learning process.
8.  Apply principles of scientific inquiry, differentiate a theory from a hypothesis, and differentiate fact from opinion in regard to biological sciences.
9.  Assess and describe aspects of sustainability, including economic, societal and environmental factors, especially in relation to biological systems.

 

For Lecture-only Courses (Biology 11, 27 and 28, 40/41, 76, medical terminology):

1.  Define and correctly use scientific terminology in regard to biological organisms and processes.
2.  Synthesize information, think critically and solve critical thinking problems; write clear, well organized essays or research papers that demonstrate synthesis.
3.  Work well independently and in small groups.  Show self-direction and motivation, and contribute to group work.
4.  Assess personal needs in regard to study time and methods, and accept personal responsibility for the learning process.
5.  Apply principles of scientific inquiry, differentiate a theory from a hypothesis, and differentiate fact from opinion in regard to biological sciences.
6.  Assess and describe aspects of sustainability, including economic, societal and environmental factors, especially in relation to biological systems.