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Attendance and Participation. Please sit in the same seat each day, and sign the seating chart during the first week of class. Each day's participation counts 4% of your attendance grade. Participation for any class missed for any reason, including sports, can be "made up" by sending Xenon e-mail (100-150 lines) on one of the following: (1) the missed day's reading; (2) one of the evening films; (3) one of the visiting Biology lectures.

50% Two tests (each 25%). Each test covers specific scientific questions, based on the numbered principles in your handouts. For example, questions may ask you to identify which principles from your handouts explain given observations.

25% Panels & Multimedia Project. You must participate in one or more class Panels, plus one multimedia project, proposed by November 11, due December 9. Examples may include: an html science fiction story; a science experiment; an art work with a Web page. Traditional linear term papers are not acceptable. Two partners may share a project; more than two are not permitted, except for Xenon’s appearance.

BIOL 3 BIOLOGY IN SCIENCE FICTION Fall 1997

Dr. Joan Slonczewski, Room 302, Higley Hall

Dr. Xenon, Castor 6.

Introduction. The aim of BIOL 3 Biology in Science Fiction is for students majoring outside the sciences to learn biology in the context of science fiction literature. We will learn to interpret data based on common patterns of biological science. We will also explore the human, societal and artistic dimensions of science fiction.

Books. Required texts include:
The Time Machine, by H. G. Wells
Galapagos, by Kurt Vonnegut
Red Mars, by Kim Stanley Robinson
Dune, by Frank Herbert
Ecology, by Odum
A Door into Ocean, by Joan Slonczewski (copies loaned by instructor)
Cartoon Guide to Genetics, by Gonick and Wheelis
Jurassic Park, by Michael Crichton
The Children Star, by Joan Slonczewski
Andromeda Strain, by Michael Crichton
Dawn, by Octavia Butler

Additional required readings will be handed out in class, or on reserve. An optional text, Science Fiction in the 20th Century, by Edward James, is for those who wish to understand science fiction as a literary genre. Barlowe’s Guide is an introduction to some classic aliens; needed for those who choose the panel on this topic.

Co-instructor: Dr. Xenon of Castor 6. Visiting Professor Xenon comes from the sixth planet orbiting the hot white star Castor, on a special mission from the Pan-galactic Bureau of Investigation (PBI). Xenon’s mission is to investigate reports of "alien impersonation" on Earth, such as the Heaven’s Gate tragedy. He or she will help avert future incidents by teaching Earthlings about the true nature of life throughout the galaxy.

Xenon first heard of humans on Earth by intercepting broadcasts of Star Trek from the sixties. He liked Star Trek a lot, especially Dr. "Bones" McCoy, whose shares his interest in alien life forms. At first he thought Star Trek represented real human civilization, whereas our news and other broadcasts were all fantasy; he was disappointed to learn the reverse is true.

Xenon visited Earth for the first time last summer, through a trans-dimensional wormhole that opened in the basement of Philip Mather Hall. There he tapped into Kenyon’s computer lines to establish an e-mail connection. We don’t know what Xenon really looks like, because PBI investigators are required to assume the shape of a local life form until the natives are sufficiently advanced to join the Pan-galactic Federation. We don't know what Xenon really looks like, because PBI investigators are required to assume the shape of a local life form until the natives are sufficiently advanced to join the Pan-galactic Federation. So Xenon will join us in class each day in the shape of an absent student. He/she will lecture by e-mail, until her/his public appearance on December 9. Xenon will take care of all grading and attendance for BIOL 3.

Web Sites. Xenon’s favorite Web sites may be found through Netscape by opening the file p:\data\biology\biol3\biol3.htm. These include the official BIOL 3 Web Page with student projects, the Dune Museum, and various sites about life on Mars. The biol3 directory also includes student Authorware projects (just click and view.)

Attendance-- Alien Procedure. Xenon takes attendance by scanning Bio Aud with neutrinos throughout the class period, and measuring the absorbance in each seat. An absorbance score of 80% counts as present that day. Please sit in the same seat each day, and sign the seating chart during the first week of class. All questions regarding this alien attendance procedure must be addressed to Xenon. Remember that Castorians are a non-terrestrial species, without even common descent from our own Martian microbes, so naturally Xenon holds ideas foreign to us, and finds ours foreign to him.

Exams. All material tested on the two 80-minute exams will be based on the outlines of biological principles handed out in class. Keep these outlines in your loose-leaf folder to take notes as we cover these points in class. Students need to follow the logic of each point, and be able to apply it to new examples. There is no final exam during exam week.

Final Projects. A Multimedia Final Project is required. Two partners may share a project, but the amount of work expected will increase appropriately. Each project must include principles of biology in some form, although that need not be the main focus of the project. Examples of past projects may be viewed on the BIOL 3 Web page. Possibilities include:

Xenon arrives. Arrange for Xenon's appearance at Kenyon on December 9. Xenon himself will appear in person, with a multimedia presentation. He or she will explain the difference between real aliens and false ones, and will present examples of bizarre "alien" life that has long existed on Earth. Note: This is the only project that may include more than two student participants. Xenon needs lots of help to complete his important mission.

Web project. Write a multimedia science fiction story, or feature essay, using html. html projects can be "published" on the BIOL 3 Web page. Design an alien creature, including its physiology and ecological niche; or an alien planet, with a completely functional ecosystem.

Art project. Create a sculpture or other artistic representation of an alien creature or ecosystem. Illustrate and explain your creature or planet with an html Web page.

Biology experiment. Perform a scientific experiment on one of the biological principles covered in this course. Include lab notebook and research report.
Standards for Projects and Exams. The standard College guidelines on individual authorship and plagiarism apply to all work, as stated in the Student Handbook 97-98. All projects, including html, must include footnotes and references cited in detailcomparable to that of a term paper. Each exam must represent the work of one individual student.