Biology Extra Credit

You may earn up to 25 points of extra credit. Turn in all extra credit at one time two weeks prior to the end of the semester. Late extra credit will not be accepted.

Examples of acceptable extra credit:

A. Write a letter (15 pts.)
1. Select a current environmental/conservation topic or other biological issue that is of interest to you.
2. Research this area, using several sources. Make sure to include on a separate piece of paper the references you consulted.
3. Construct a letter to an elected representative or public official expressing your opinion on the subject.
4. Give the instructor a copy of your letter and a stamped, addressed envelope.

B. Involvement with worthy environmental issues (15 pts.)
1. Help gather Petitions for worthy projects.
2. An example would be using gill nets which catch everything instead of only the intended catch. Check with your instructor if in doubt.

C. Attend a public meeting. (10 pts. each)
1. You may elect to attend a meeting of an organization that is concerned with conservation/environmental issues or some other meeting related to the field of biology. You should take complete notes of any such meeting that you attend and you should also include in your notes a short statement about the organization, ie., how it is organized, when it meets, what it is trying to accomplish, membership cost and benefits, and principle activities of the membership.
"The Audubon Society and the Sierra Club are two examples."
2. You may elect to attend meeting of governmental bodies if they are going to consider biology related topics. You should take complete notes of any such meetings that you attend. Examples of such bodies:
"County Board of Supervisors, City Councils, Others."

D. Viewing Biology Related Science Television Programs(5 pts. each)
1. Many times there are programs on T.V., especially on the Discovery channel and the like, that can make great educational sources.
2. Write up the title of the show and an outline and at least one full page about the show.
3. Do some research and write up at least 1/2 a page about the show from a second source.
E. Assistance in collecting materials or bringing in anything to build up our audio-visual collection. (10 - 20 pts)
1. Sometimes during the semester, there will be a need to have extra material to observe in the laboratory. Check with the instructor before you collect something if you are in doubt.

F. Read a Biology related science book. Read the book and write up something very similar to an article summary, except instead of periodicals, you would be using your book. The book summary may exceed 1 page in length. (15 - 20 Pts Each)

G. Biology Related Field Trips (15-25 Pts.)

1. You may elect to take a field trip outside of the Stockton area. This trip should serve to introduce you to an area or environment different from your own home environment. Examples of some suitable places would include, but not be limited to:

a. Death Valley National Monument
b. Joshua Trees National Monument
c. Yosemite National Park
d. Sequoia National Park

2. Do some reading, ahead of time, on the area that you are going to visit and prepare a written prospectus explaining what you specifically plan to do while you are in the area. Have this prospectus approved before your trip!..

3. Other field trips may be accepted. Simply be sure to do your homework before the trip to insure that you will be able to get credit.

H. Other types of extra credit.
1. This list of acceptable extra credit assignments is neither exhaustive nor all-inclusive. Meaning if you have an additional idea for an extra credit assignment, consult with your instructor to receive approval prior to starting the assignment.