BIO 304 Discussion Prompts

AI policy: tool, not author

You may use AI assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, etc.) to help you understand course content before writing your post: reviewing a concept, working through practice questions, double-checking a calculation. AI is a study tool.

You may not submit AI-generated text as your own. Every discussion post in this course requires your own data, your own photos, your own observations, or your own conversations. AI cannot fabricate your urine dipstick result, your aunt's gallbladder surgery, today's AQI in your zip code, or what you noticed when you tested cranial nerve VII on yourself in the bathroom mirror. These prompts are designed so that the irreducibly personal content carries the post.

If you are unsure whether a use of AI is appropriate, ask. The default is: use AI to learn, not to write.

Universal grading rubric

Initial post (15 pts)

Criterion	Pts
All required elements present (photo, data, citations, etc.)	6
Course content connected with specific references (trainer, OpenStax, lecture)	4
Original observation or reasoning, not generic content	3
Writing clarity and organization	2
Total	15

Replies (10 pts: 5 each, two replies)

Criterion	Pts each
Engages with classmate's specific content (not generic)	2
Adds new insight or alternative perspective	2
Course content connected	1
Total per reply	5

Each weekly discussion is worth 25 points. Discussions across the 8-week course total 200 points.

For Dr. Rennie: deployment notes

This page is a reference document for you and a transparency document for students. The actual discussion forums live in Canvas Discussions, not here. To deploy:

Copy each topic's "What's required" list into the matching Canvas Discussion forum, one forum per week.
Embed this page in Kajabi as a reference link so students can see all eight weeks of expectations at once.
Set forum due dates: initial post Wed 11:59 PM, two replies Sun 11:59 PM (adjust as needed for your 8-week intensive cadence).
Choose primary or alternate topic per week, or offer both with student choice. Alternates exist to give students an option when a primary topic touches sensitive material (family medical history, body photos).

Pills on each card mark the AI-resistance lever the prompt uses: Photo = real photo required, Personal Data = your own measurement or observation, Time-Bound = data only valid in a specific window, Interview = real conversation required, Local = local geography or news source required, Lab-Tied = built on this week's lab activity.