BIOLOGY
2002-2004
Description
The Biology Department currently has computers in all but one of its laboratories (Room 319). Room 321 and 302 are set up with Macintosh computers and Room 305 has 2 PC computers. All faculty have computers, 6 faculty have Imacs or G4’s and 4 faculty have PC’s. Each of the 3 technicians have computers, all are PC’s. The department has one networked laser printer for all faculty and staff to use. Two faculty have printers in their offices (1 laserjet and 1 laser printer). Rooms 302 & 305 are equipped with projection equipment to project computer images and video tapes. Room 321 is scheduled for installation of this equipment (Objective 2, 2001-2002 Tech Plan).
In addition to traditional technologies (computers and peripherals), the Biology department also has specialized models of Anatomy and Physiology classes, and specialized equipment of use in Biotechnology and Physiology laboratories
Curriculum Impact
Our department anticipates an ever-growing need for updated and additional computer stations. While the current computers are adequate, new machines are necessary to keep pace with the increasing complexity of the web and software, increasing numbers of students, and an increase in faculty wanting to infuse laboratories with computer-assisted instruction. Two examples of this are Room 305, which currently has just 2 PC’s (on of which is a P100), this room serves over 500 students each semester, yet computer assisted instruction is impossible without new equipment. In Room 321, 305 & 302, essential space is occupied by large computing stations, drastically limiting student/student interactions and student/instructor interactions. Space restrictions in these rooms essentially prevent the installation of additional computers. The need to move to smaller systems (lap tops) that are more mobile (configured for wireless web connections) is essential to the department’s goals for increasing the use of technology in instruction.
Approximate Number of Students Served
The Biology Department serves approximately 1700 students per semester. This represents a theoretical maximum for our department due to severe limitations on lab space and materials. The latter created by a supply budget that has failed to keep up with inflation during the past 20 years.
Support Impact
As the number of computers increase, the need for support will increase as well. However, for the most part, this support will be needed only during the initial installation and configuration of new equipment. Since our department’s computer compliment is 75% Macintosh, it is essential that Mac-trained support technicians be available in a timely fashion.
Year 1 (2002-2003)
Objective
The overall objective for 2002-2003 is updating technologies to reflect increased needs in computing power, memory, software and hardware upgrades. The largest part of meeting this objective entails updating the MacLab equipment for Anatomy & Physiology. This necessitates upgrading the computers in Room 321 as the new MacLab hardware and software will not run on the Power Macs currently in this room.
The second part of meeting this objective is converting Room 302 from stationary IMACS to a mobile computing station with 12 iBooks configured with CD-ROMs and Airports (the wireless web hardware and software for the iBook).
As faculty continue to expand their use of technology in the classroom, with web-based materials and overall curriculum development, faster computers with more RAM memory is needed. To this end, the following 4 of our faculty members are requesting computer or peripheral upgrades in the form of faster systems, more RAM and smaller footprint monitors (see particulars in the next section).
Finally, one objective unmet our 2001-2002, replace the P100 computer in Room 305 with a P3 or P4 with at least 128MB of RAM. This will bring the total in Room 305 to two PII or higher computers, the minimum necessary for the current instructional needs.
Action to Meet Objective
Purchase 8 MacLabs, 8 finger ergonometric peripherals (with software) and 8 iMacs with combo drives (CR-RW/DVD) and a minimum of 512 MEGS of RAM for installation in Room 321
Purchase 12 iBooks equipped with Airport Hardware and Software for Room 302.
Purchase 2 Flat-Panel monitors for faculty used (Craig Milgrim in Room 305B & Michael Golden in Room 304). Note: both monitors should be windows-compatible.
Purchase one basic faculty PC system for Joe Henry (Room 304). Joe is currently using a Pentium 64 with 8 MB RAM)
Purchase 1 G4 – 800 MHz dual processor with 1Gigabyte of RAM with Combo drive (CD-RW/DVD) and video editing software and a 15” Studio Display for Richard Vessel. Dr. Vessel is doing extensive video editing of his lectures as part of an ongoing project to develop DVD recordings of his General Biology lectures.
Purchase P3 or P4 computer with 128 MB RAM for Room 305 (an “existing” computer transferred from another area that meets these specifications would be acceptable
Year 2 (2003-2004)
Objective
For 2003-2004 the department has identified 3 objectives. Increasing the number of dissecting microscopes for use in Environmental and Marine Biology, expanding the use of technology in field courses and converting the stationary computers in Room 305 to a mobile computing station.
Action to Meet Objective
Purchase 32 Dissecting microscopes with built-in light sources for use in Room 302 (Environmental Biology and Marine Biology)
Purchase 32 pairs of field binoculars and 16 GPS units.
Purchase 10 Windows-based laptops equipped with the necessary hardware and software for wireless web connectivity. Purchase any other necessary equipment for wireless web.