- Mar 2023
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bio.libretexts.org bio.libretexts.org
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Therefore, students in BIS2A need to put some effort into constructing mental models of what proteins "look" like and how they behave at the molecular scale. Since the entire course centers around biomolecules and processes that happen at a microscopic scale, a similar argument can be made for nearly every topic in the class.
As a student who has not taken a biology class on these systems since approximately 5 years ago, (and not a great class at that), this is a little daunting to me. I hope that I can find or be provided with some good resources of models and images that I can refer to. I think that the combination of both new concepts and new visual ideas will be difficult but I hope that the in-class sketches with the sketch pads will be beneficial. In my experience, getting hands-on with the information helps you in long run in terms of recall.
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“Studying” includes any time spent learning the vocabulary, doing the reading and Nota Bene assignments, preparing for class by doing the pre-lecture study guides, reviewing the slides and your notes after class, listening to the podcast, and completing the post-lecture study guides and homework assignments.
While this can seem a little daunting at first, I know that it definitely helps. Repeated exposure to the information as well as metacognitive reflection on what strategies work/which don't, help as well. One strategy I like to use is diversifying what daily approach I use. For example, one day I make a Quizlet and do the reading for the next day. The next day, I study my Quizlet, and take notes from the podcast. On another day, I'll complete my homework assignment. By studying in this way I avoid burning out on just one area/avoid redundant work.
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Studying biology helps us understand issues and solve everyday problems. For instance, understanding the biochemical reactions that transform your food, how it and your body store energy, and how this energy can be transferred from the food to your muscles, teaches you about how your diet and exercise influence your health.
This seems to be an integral part of biological sciences and I can really see the intersections between the biochemical reactions we'll learn about in this class and other classes I've taken like BIS2B and ANS1. I think the gut microbiome is very interesting, especially in ruminants, so I'm interested in learning more about how the digestive system works on the cellular level.
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