A study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of using the television lecture series "Introducing Biology" to traditional lecture techniques in a college-level Animal Biology course. The interest levels and subject course mastery of three groups of students were compared: (1) a control group who attended two 50-minute lectures per week; (2) an experimental group who viewed and discussed the television tapes during the same class periods; and (3) another experimental group who had separate periods for tape viewing and discussion. All three groups had the same amount of in-class and lab time. Study results showed that students attending the lecture course had higher attendance rates and gave better course recommendations than the television-viewing groups, and that there were no significant differences among the groups in attrition rates or stated interest in biology. The study also indicated that subject matter mastery was not enhanced by the television method. While A and B grades remained relatively constant for all groups, there was a downward shift in C to D grades in the television group with separate discussion sections. The interest level questionnaire is included in the study report. (LL)