Biology, Tuesday, second period

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

Elliot was bouncing on her toes a little as she waited for her class to file in. There were long tables for students to sit at in the front of the room, and a cart with several microscopes and prepared slides near the back. On the side near a window sat a cage with two cheerful rats, Ronnie and Nancy.

Once more or less everyone was here, she started talking.

"Hi! I am Elliot Reid -- you can call me Dr. Reid or Elliot, it doesn't really matter -- and welcome to Biology. I'm going to start by passing out your syllabus.

"Biology, as some of you may know, is the branch of science dealing with the study of life. It talks about things like the characteristics, classification, and behaviors of organisms, how species come into existence, and the interactions they have with each other and with the natural environment.

"Biology tries to explain things like birth, growth, aging, death and decay of living organisms and why organisms look like their parent. And it studies other things too, such as lactation, metamorphosis, egg-hatching, healing and tropism. On a wider scale of time and space, biologists have studied domestication of animals and plants, the wide variety of living organisms-- biodiversity -- changes in living organisms over time -- evolution -- extinction, speciation, social behaviour among animals, and so on.

"This isn't really a subject I can cover in 14 50-minute sessions. A lot of people study it their whole lives. But I'll do my best to give you guys at least a basic overview of the subject, okay?"

"I'm going to have you introduce yourselves, and then I have a handout about cells. Please try to read is sometime this week. The microscopes have been set up to do look at onion root cells to show you guys the life cycle of the cell. You can do the experiment in pairs or alone, and I'll be around to answer questions."

Comments

Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

Say your name, grade, what science you've taken before and why you're in this class.

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[twohalvesofaphd.livejournal.com]

"Zack Addy. Junior. Basic science, physics, chemistry, electronics, computing. I'm in this class to learn more about biology."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[willbedone.livejournal.com]

"Willow Rosenberg, junior," Willow said. "I've, um, taken the usual classes. For freshmen and sophmores. No more than that. Really. And I'm here because Biology is fascinating."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

"So general science only?," Elliot asked. "but you like rats, so you get ppoints for that. Thanks, Willow."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

"Sounds like you're well-prepared for the class, Zack. Thanks for joining us. Do you have a favorite branch of science?"

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[twohalvesofaphd.livejournal.com]

"Forensic anthopology," Zack replied. "And engineering, but I like forensics just a little more."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[greenmagebriar.livejournal.com]

"Briar Moss, Freshman, and large amounts of Anatomy and Astronomy. I'm in this class because it's fairly close to anatomy."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

"We'll cover anatomy quite a bit closer to the end of term. Thanks for juning us, Briar."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[like-a-sponge.livejournal.com]

"Greg Sanders. I've taken physics, several chemistry courses, and basic science. I want to go into biochemistry. So I'm here for the bio part."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

"Awesome, Greg. Do yoou know what you want to do with biochem?"

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Isabel Evans, junior. I've taken some basic science courses before, mostly focusing on earth sciences. I'm in this class partly to learn and partly because I need at least one normal class to talk about with my folks."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

"It's a very strange thing to be the token normal teacher," Elliot joked. "Anything in particular you're hoping to learn?"

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[notthehulk.livejournal.com]

"Teddy Altman. Sophomore. I've had chemistry before this. And I'm taking this class because I'm interested in genetics."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Parker. Senior. Basic combined chem/bio course, a couple years ago; taking it because half my friends are huge science fiends. Plus I need a science credit to graduate, and your First Aid classes were fun this summer."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

"We'll be covering genetics in a couple weeks," Elliot noted. "Good to meet you, Teddy."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Elizabeth Weir, I'm a senior. I've taken Honors Biology and Chemistry and I'm here because I need the science credit and because I'd like to understand what my girlfriend's talking about."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

"I hope the class doesn't move too slowly for you," Elliot fretted. "Holler if you need extra-credit work. And it's nice to meet yoou, Elizabeth"

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[multi-madrox.livejournal.com]

The Jamie that shows up for class isn't the regular Jamie but the Jamie from Xavier's school who just...

Okay it's just a dupe. One who doesn't know why the original Jamie is taking the class.

So he takes a shot in the dark.

"My name is Jamie Madrox, Freshman. I've done some home schooling but I've forgotten most of the science stuff. I'm in this class so that I can check out the pictures of naked women when get to the reproductive portion of the curriculum."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

Elliot? Literally speechless at that.

Also wondering why this kid had never heard of Playboy. "Um .. I hope you find this class stimulating, Jamie. Good to see you again."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[can_be_more]

"Aeryn Sun, senior. And I've never had any real science training here."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

That was interesting, but Elliot didn't want to put Aeryn on the spot about it. "I'm going to try to gear this class to all levels, but let me know if you need anything explained," she said.

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[peter--parker.livejournal.com]

"Peter Parker, Junior - which is my class, not part of my name, my father's name was Richard - and I've taken pretty much all the science classes available to me. Mainly chem and physics. I took this class because I need to bone up on my bio in the hopes of better understanding fun mutations and such."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

"We'll talk about mutations a teensy bit," Elliot said. "And if you want to do any research or anything, let me know. Good to see you again, Peter."

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[danakathscully.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm Dana Scully, senior, I've taken physics, biol and chem with hons and I'm here because I want to be a Doctor, like you I guess.

Re: Sign in, Biology, 9/5

[blonde-doctor.livejournal.com]

"That's great, Dana," Elliot said. "Have you thought about a specialty at all, or even medical vs. surgical?"