BIOL 103: Unit 2 Discussion What does AI say about Macromolecules and Cells?

Unit 2: What does AI say about Macromolecules and Cells?  

In this discussion, we will explore using Generative AI tools as a study partner.

Complete Parts 1, 2 and 3 for the main response. 

Part 1  of BIOL 103: Unit 2 Discussion

Review the UMGC Library’s Artificial Intelligence Guide, especially the “For Students”, “Prompting AI” and “Citing AI” sections.

What was the most interesting thing you learned?  

Part 2  of BIOL 103: Unit 2 Discussion

Identify one sentence, a few sentences, or a short paragraph that you found especially challenging, or interesting in this week’s assigned Concepts of Biology Open Stax textbook readings. Include this as a direct quote in your main response. 

Then write a question that asks for further clarification, ask for an everyday life example or a summary of recent research on this topic, or anything related to this topic that you want to ask.  Use this question as a prompt in a Generative AI tool. 

Before you decide on a question, review the questions already asked by your classmates in the discussion, and write a unique question, preferably on a topic not yet covered.

Be specific and be creative when writing your question, consider asking AI for a specific tone, style, comprehension level, and/or target the answer to a specific audience. Try to produce a challenging question (Why? How?), instead of simple fact-based questions that you may get on a quiz. Ask the AI tool to keep the answer below 250 words. You may need to modify your prompt a few times. 

As UMGC students you have free access to Microsoft’s Copilot, which is a generative AI tool. Go to this link and use your UMGC student email and password to log in:  https://copilot.microsoft.com/ 

Alternatively, you can use the free version of ChatGPT (requires an email address to create an account), or any other generative AI tool that you have access to, are familiar with, or would like to try. 

Add both the direct quote from the textbook, the final version of your question/prompt, and the AI output to your discussion post.  

Use quotation marks around the output and cite the AI tool used in APA format, as explained in the Citing AI section in the UMGC Library AI Guide. This should include the name of the specific AI tool you used.    

Part 3 f BIOL 103: Unit 2 Discussion

Briefly reflect on at least three (3) of the following questions:  

• What is your opinion of the AI answer? Is it accurate, interesting, complete? Explain.

• Did you find any mistakes or inaccurate statements? If AI claims something that you don’t know whether is correct or not, do a web search to confirm the statement with a reliable source. Include a citation to that source. 

• How does the AI output compare to how you would have answered that question in your own words?

• Did the tool provide references (you may need to ask for it)? If so, do they seem like reliable/appropriate references? Does the provided URL work? 

• How much experience did you have using generative AI tools prior to this activity? Have you used it in other classes at UMGC? At work? Privately? Explain. 

• Do you have any concerns about using Generative AI tools to obtain information? Explain. 

Post a minimum of two (2) substantial BIOL 103: Unit 2 Discussion replies to your classmates 

In your replies, 

• Reflect on what you have learned from this activity, both your own results and that of the other students. 

• Reflect on how do you feel about using generative AI tools as a study partner, or for help with assignments? Do you have any concerns?