Reports on a questionnaire completed by 73 universities. Results indicate that laboratory instruction is part of almost all introductory biology classes. The majority (62%) of these institutions offer separate biology courses for majors and nonmajors. There is renewed interest in investigative types of laboratories. Most laboratory instruction…

Lists eight guidelines for the use of live animals at the pre-university level adopted by the National Association for Biology Teachers in March 1980. (CS)

Provides findings of a study designed to explore ways in which changes in students' conceptual knowledge of photosynthesis are related to their study strategies and achievement and to course content. The authors ask teachers to consider these results and implications when facilitating students' learning. (ZWH)

An important aspect of teaching biology is to expose students to the concept of biodiversity. For this purpose, bacteria are excellent examples. The advanced placement (AP) biology class at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia, learned how to explore bacterial biodiversity using molecular fingerprinting. They collected marine water samples,…

Discusses the use of epidemiology as an introduction to useful aspects of biology, mathematics, and simulation skills for kindergarten through university undergraduate students. (Contains 20 references.) (ASK)

Describes the first Student Biotechnology Expo which came about through the cooperation of high schools, universities, local biotechnology and biomedical companies, and research institutions with the purpose of providing opportunities to high school students to explore science related careers. (Contains 13 references.) (YDS)

Describes the Bajema strategy for teaching meiosis and how it is used in the general genetics course at Ball State University and can be used to identify students who have misconceptions of meiosis that can interfere with their learning the basics of Mendelian inheritance. (Contains 11 references.) (MDH)

Describes the reorganized introductory cell and molecular biology lecture course at the State University of New York at Binghamton that was designed to address the issues of lack of active student participation and the stress put on memorization rather than analytical skills. Emphasizes teaching the subject historically and empirically…