Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Across the Curriculum

Critical Thinking & Information Literacy
Across the Curriculum

Of Mice and Matter:
a successful journey through the scientific maze.

presented at the
Creating and Sustaining Learning Communities:
Connections, Collaboration, and Crossing Borders Conference
Tampa, Florida March 11 - 13, 1999
Mice and Matter is an interdisciplinary course involving Chemistry 101, Biology 101, Learning Strategies (HD 120), and CTILAC (English 103). We are using CTILAC as a way to explore the chemistry and biology content and to link the two science disciplines.

Course Objective

Turn information into knowledge by teaching content using critical thinking and research skills.

Student Benefits

Supportive learning environment
Understanding of group dynamics
Improve confidence and self-esteem
Acknowledge impact of science on their own lives
Recognize overlapping concepts in biology and chemistry

Skills developed by students

Integrate concepts
Improve critical thinking
Refine information research methods
Increase fluency in information literacy
Develop learning strategies for science

Course Content

Atomic and cellular structure
Classification of life (mice) and matter
Chemical reactions in biological systems
Energy, what it is and how it flows
Chemical bonding in biological molecules
Learning styles
Class Assignments

Course Timeline

Week	Chemistry	Biology	Human Development	CTILAC
1	Atomic Structure	Scientific Method Evolution	Learning Styles	Reference Tools
2	Modern atom Electron configuration	Organelles Microscope	Group dynamics Personality Concept maps	Question Analysis OPAC Documentation
3	Dot structure Ionic compounds	Mitosis Meiosis	Objective tests Essay tests	Search engines Evaluating information
4	Covalent bonding	Genetics	Time management	Boolean logic
5	Molecular structure Intermolecular forces	Organic molecules	Reading strategies	Periodicals Evaluation
6	Solutions	DNA Protein synthesis	Memory	Issues
7	Equation balancing	Gene regulation Biotechnology	Advising	Capstone project
8	Significant figures	Membranes/diffusion Enzymes	Careers	Capstone project
9	Stoichiometry	Respiration	Right brain / Left brain	Capstone project
10	Energy Solution concentration	Photosynthesis	Preparing for finals	Poster presentation
11		Population genetics

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Bellevue, Washington 98007-6484

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Permission is granted to copy these materials for educational purposes
provided complete acknowledgement is included.