Download Writing Assignment - Oregon State University

Connections: Science, Technology, and Society
Writing Assignment
Biology 211
Fall 2005
Introduction
Biology and its applications have a profound impact on culture - on our perspective of nature,
on our environmental awareness, and on our health and quality of life. It is important to
appreciate that ethics has a place in science, and that technology brings with it the need to
examine values and make choices. Many of our environmental problems, such as the destruction
of tropical forests, are complex issues with cultural, political, and economic considerations as
well as biological ones.
Objectives
 To incorporate biological concepts learned in lecture and lab into a larger world context.
 To develop skills in retrieving and evaluating published information.
 To develop writing skills.
Assignment
1. Select one question from the list of Science, Technology, and Society questions provided by
your lab instructor.
2. Write an answer, addressing the question or issues presented in the chosen question.
3. If you need assistance in locating references for this assignment, review the following
resources. http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/instruction/classign/bi211.html
b) How Reference Librarians Can Help You
http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/reference
c) For a general guide on library research, try the OSU Libraries Research Tutorial at
http://osulibrary.orst.edu/instruction/tutorials/
You may also contact Anne Christie, reference librarian at the Valley Library (ph. 737-7291)
([email protected]).
4. After writing your report, give it to another BI 211 student in your lab, who will critique your
writing and who will also critique your ideas and conclusions, using the evaluation form that
is included with this assignment. Incorporate as many of your editor’s comments as
appropriate.
5. You will do the same critique for another Biology 211 student. Make a copy of your critique
and turn it in with your assignment. Review the following guidelines on completing an
effective review:
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/PeerReviews.html
6. Answering your chosen question requires that you review and summarize information from
published sources. It is important that you summarize this information in your own words
and avoid plagiarism. Review the guidelines for creating a successful summary developed by
the Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Summaries and plagiarism http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/QuotingSources.html
7. The source (reference) of every specific fact or theory that you derived from reading must be
indicated in the text of your paper. Citing references is a way to support your arguments and
acknowledge the work of others. The complete citation for these references must be listed in
the References Cited section. For purposes of this paper, do not use direct quotes. If a
reference is used in more than one area of the paper, it must be cited each time it is used.
Review guidelines on using and citing references:

What do I need to document?
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocGeneral_What.html
 What are documentation styles?
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocGeneral.html
 Which documentation style do I use for this assignment? Use the CBE documentation,
year-name system.
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocCBE.html
 How should I gather information for documenting sources?
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocGeneral_GetInfo.html
 How to create in-text citations
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocCBE_NameYear_Intext.html
 How to create a reference list
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocCBE_NameYear_RefList.html
8. Your answer may include as many references as you need but you must include at least three
references that are not from general science textbooks, encyclopedias, or Internet references.
9. For hints on writing a paper that communicates well, review the following web pages:
 http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/CommonErrors.html
 http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/Proofreading.html
Additional resources
 The CWL's Writing Center offers free help with any writing task at any stage of the writing
process and is open to all OSU students. The CWL Writing Center web site at
http://cwl.oregonstate.edu/ includes useful information and references for writers and a link to
the OSU Online Writing Lab (OWL).
 The Oregon State University WIC sites at http://wic.oregonstate.edu/ includes a “Writing
Help” page that links users to a variety of online grammar, usage and style guidelines as well
as to the OSU Online Writing labs and other resources for composing, evaluating, and citing
electronic and print texts.
Assignment format
 Put the title and your name on a separate first page. Your answer to your chosen question
will follow on the next three pages (excluding References Cited) with doubled spaced text
with font 12 point, 1-inch margins and pages numbered.
 References Cited section should include all references cited in your essay and only these
references.
 Your answer may include as many references as you need but you must include at least three
references that are not general science textbooks, encyclopedias, or Internet references.
 Include a copy of your critique of another student’s essay.
Due dates
Task
Give draft paper to student peer editor
Review and return comments on draft paper
Turn in final revision of paper
Evaluation
Due date
Week of October 24, during your scheduled lab
period
Week of October 31, during your scheduled lab
period
Week of November 14, during your scheduled
lab period
The report is worth 13 points distributed as follows: communication (6 pt), content (6 pt) and peer
editing (1pt). The attached evaluation form will be used by your lab instructor as a guideline for
evaluating your report. Grades for late papers will be reduced 5% per day.
Sample Evaluation Form for
Science, Technology, and Society Assignment
Biology 211
Fall 2005
CONTENT
 Title

Questions and/or issues are addressed
thoroughly and in depth

Arguments are logical

Arguments or points are backed up with
accurate referenced information
COMMUNICATION
 Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation,
capitalization

Correct sentence construction

Paragraph structure: sentences are in logical
order within a paragraph and support one main
idea
Paragraph organization (paragraphs are
connected and organized in logical order)


Writing is concise and clear

References are cited correctly in the text


Reference Cited section lists all references
cited in text and is in the required format
Pages numbered

Text double-spaced
Comments
Topics for Science, Technology, and Society Assignment
Biology 211
Fall 2005
Friday Weniger 228
1. The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is increasing, and global temperature has increases
over the past century; however, scientists do not agree about the extent to which the
phenomena are related. Most say that greenhouse warming is under way, and we need to
take action now to avoid drastic environmental change. Some say it is too soon to tell,
and we should gather more data before we act. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of doing something now to slow global warming? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of waiting until more data are available?
2. Water use is a serious social and environmental issue in the arid southwestern United
States. In recent years, there has been growing criticism of water-intensive ornamental
landscapes like lawns and golf greens. These areas are maintained artificially by
diverting water from rivers and streams or pumping from ancient subterranean aquifers.
Is this form of water use something society should limit or even eliminate in such areas?
Or should property owners be free to landscape as hey choose? Defend your answer in
this debate.
3. Why are tropical rain forests being destroyed at such an alarming rate? What kinds of
social, technological, and economic factors are responsible? Most foress in developed
Northern Hemisphere countries have already been cut. Do the developed nations have a
right to ask the developing nations in the Southern Hemisphere to slow or stop the
destruction oft their forest? Defend your answer. What kinds of benefits, incentives of
programs might slow the assault on the rain forests?
4. There are 90 million acres in the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System, representing
most of the habitats within the United States and protecting thousands of animal species.
Many refuges permit logging, grazing, farming, mineral exploration, and recreational
activities. Each year 400,000 animals are legally taken from refuges by hunters and
trappers. Pressure is mounting to permit oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge of Alaska. What level of human activity do you think should be
permitted on wildlife refuges? Should they be open to ‘consumptive’ uses, such as
logging, farming, and hunting? Or should refuges be sanctuaries where animals are
touched as little as possible by human activities? Give reasons for your answers.
Topics for Science, Technology, and Society Assignment
Biology 211
Fall 2005
Tuesday and Friday
Weniger 112
1. Ascribing economic value to ecosystem services is a new way to communicate
environmental concepts to a capitalistic society. What are the pros and cons of this
approach? If you were responsible for putting a value on ecosystem services, how would
you go about doing it? What questions would need to be answered, or what information
would you need? How would you go about getting the information? Include a table of
examples of the economic values scientists have assigned to specific environmental
services. What is their goal in assigning these values? Do you think they have a good
argument?
2. Explain how the excessive or inappropriate use of antibiotics [or antibiotic products such
as soap] poses a health hazard for a human population.
3. Many people regard the rapid population growth of developing countries as our most
serious environmental problem. Others think that the population growth in developed
countries, though smaller, is actually a greater threat to the environment. What kinds of
problems result from population growth in (a) developing countries, and (b) the
industrialized world? Which do you think is the greater threat and why?
4. The world’s oceans are in danger of over-fishing. Many fisheries are close to or above
their maximum sustainable yield. A few fisheries and shellfisheries at risk include the
California sardine fishery, the Newfoundland cod fishery, and the king crab fisheries of
the Bering Sea. What are the short-term and long-term costs and benefits of large-scale
fishing in terms of the economics and the ecology (e.g., impact on natural marine food
webs) of the oceans?
Topics for Science, Technology, and Society Assignment
Biology 211
Fall 2005
Wednesday
1. By 1935, hunting and trapping had eliminated wolves from the United States except for
Alaska. Because wolves have since been protected as an endangered species, they
moved south from Canada and become reestablished in the Rocky Mountains and
northern Great Lakes region. Conservationists who would like to speed up wolf
recovery have reintroduced wolves into Yellowstone National Park. Local ranchers are
opposed to bringing back the wolves because they fear predation on their cattle and
sheep. What some reasons for reestablishing wolves in Yellowstone National Park?
What effects might the reintroduction of wolves have on the ecological communities in
the region? What might be done to mitigate the conflicts between ranchers and wolves?
2. Biosphere 1 and Biosphere 2 are two self-contained research stations designed to emulate
Earth to better understand how the planet functions as a whole. This information may be
useful for the design of future human-inhabited space stations. Focus on either Biosphere
1 or Biosphere 2. Describe the project and its simulated Earth ecosystems. Why was the
project designed to include these elements (e.g., what are the main functions of the
systems, why were the ecosystems/organisms selected)? Evaluate the success of the
project.
3. Famine plagues certain parts of the world today. Some people argue that distributing
food more equitably to the various countries would reduce starvation, at least for a while.
Others counter that it is erroneous and ultimately harmful to perceive starvation as a
global problem, because the causes and long-term solutions are usually regional.
Evaluate the biological, political, and ethical aspects of this debate.
4. What are the most diverse ecosystems on Earth? What are the similarities and
differences of biodiversity between marine ecosystems and tropical forests?
5. Some organizations are starting to envision a sustainable society – one in which each
generation inherits sufficient natural and economic resources and a relatively stable
environment. The Worldwatch Institute, an environmental policy organization, estimates
that we must reach sustainability but by the year 2030 to avoid economic and
environmental disaster. To get there, we must begin shaping a sustainable society during
the next ten years or so. In what ways is our current system not sustainable? What might
we do to work toward sustainability, and what are the major roadblocks to achieving it?
How would your life be different in a sustainable society?
Topics for Science, Technology, and Society Assignment
Biology 211
Fall 2005
Thursday Weniger 112
1. Describe the controversy surrounding non-indigenous species, explaining all
angles. Describe one of the following invasive species and its threat to the
biodiversity of the Pacific Northwest: Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Starthistle
(Centaurea solstitialis L.), Gorse (Ulex europaeus), Scot's broom (Cytisus
scoparius). Suggest a solution.
2. What is a biodiversity hot spot? Where are the main hot spots located? Describe
one hotspot and the major threats to the area. How is this classification useful?
3. A lot of money and attention have been directed toward saving a few endangered
animals, such as the black-footed ferret and the California condor. (Millions of dollars
have been spent in efforts to maintain and breed these two species – more than has been
spent on all endangered invertebrates, reptiles, and plants combined.) Condors and
ferrets have recently been returned to the wild, but it is questionable whether they can
withstand the human encroachments that endangered them in the first place. Should we
work hard to save these animals? Why or why not? Would it be better to use our
resources to save more species that have a better chance of survival? What are some
biological arguments for focusing preservation efforts on whole ecosystems instead of
individual endangered species?
4. Identify some of the problems the world faces for future food production with increasing
human populations and outline some possible solutions. What economic and
environmental costs are associated with each of these solutions?
Topics for Science, Technology, and Society Assignment
Biology 211
Fall 2005
Tuesday Weniger 228
1. In 1986, an explosion at a nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, Ukraine, released clouds of
radioactive material. Since then, researchers have been using mosses and other bryophytes as
‘living radioactivity meters’ to monitor biologically harmful radiation in the regions most
likely affected by the Chernobyl fallout. [Only briefly describe the Chernobyl incident and
its long-term effects on the environment.] What characteristics of bryophytes make them
especially sensitive to radioactivity and other harmful agents in the environment?
2. Define and compare three types of biodiversity. What are the threats to biodiversity? How do
we measure biodiversity? What are the reasons for preserving biodiversity?
3. How do hydrothermal vent ecosystems function (e.g., environment, food webs)? Where are
they located? What are some problems that organisms face in this harsh environment and
their solutions? Why is research of hydrothermal vents economically important to humans
(e.g., mining, medicinals)?
4. About 10% of U.S. cropland is irrigated. Agriculture is by far the biggest user of water in
arid western states, including Colorado, Arizona, and California. The populations of these
states are growing and there is an ongoing conflict between cities and farm regions over
water. To ensure adequate water supplies for urban growth, cities are purchasing water rights
from farmers. This is often the least expensive way for a city to obtain more water, and it is
possible for some farmers to make more money selling water rights than growing crops.
Discuss the possible consequences of this trend. Is this the best way to allocate water for all
concerned? Why or why not?
Topics for Science, Technology, and Society Assignment
Biology 211
Fall 2005
Thursday Weniger 228
1. Some organizations are starting to envision a sustainable society – one in which each
generation inherits sufficient natural and economic resources and a relatively stable
environment. The Worldwatch Institute, an environmental policy organization, estimates that
we must reach sustainability but by the year 2030 to avoid economic and environmental
disaster. To get there, we must begin shaping a sustainable society during the next ten years
or so. In what ways is our current system not sustainable? What might we do to work toward
sustainability and what are the major roadblocks to achieving it? How would your life be
different in a sustainable society?
2. Construction of a dam and irrigation canals in an African country has enable farmers to
increase the amount of food they can grow. In the past, crops were planted only after spring
floods; the fields were too dry the rest of the year. Now fields can be watered year-round.
Improvement in crop yield has had an unexpected cost --- a tremendous increase in the
incidence of schistosomiasis. Look at the blood fluke life cycle in Figure 33.11 of your
textbook and imagine that your Peach Corps assignment is to help local health officials
control the disease. Why do you think the irrigation project increased the incidence of
schistosomiasis? It is difficult and expensive to control the disease with drugs. Suggest three
other methods that could be tried to prevent people from becoming infected.
3. In pet shops throughout North America, you can purchase a variety of nonnative fishes, birds,
and reptiles. Describe some scenarios in which such pet trade could endanger native plants
and animals. Should governments regulate the pet trade? Are there currently any restrictions
on what species a pet shop can sell in your city? How would you balance such regulation
against a person’s individual rights?
4. As mandated by the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act, the EPA has announces its intention
to evaluate the safety of the most commonly used organophosphate insecticides. In
agriculture, the most frequently used organophosphates account for half of the 58 million
pounds applied annually nationwide. Organophosphates typically interfere with nerve
transmission by inhabiting the enzymes that degrade the transmitter molecules that diffuse
from one neuron to another. Noxious insects are not uniquely susceptible; humans and other
vertebrates can be affected as well. Thus the use of pesticides creates some health risks. As a
consumer, what levels of risk are you willing to accept in exchange for an abundant and
affordable food supply? Is it prudent to expect a reasonable certainty that no harm will result
from pesticide exposure? What other facts would you like to know about this situation before
you could defend your opinion?
5. Discuss the pros and cons of the exploration of global ecosystems for pharmaceutically useful
organisms. Give examples. How does this impact the local region (e.g., humans,
ecosystem)? How does this impact the Earth as a whole?