D850 is the laboratory partner to General Biology I. WGU's guidebook says it applies the scientific method to answer biological questions through hypothesis-driven experiments, with rigorous protocols and ethical standards.
Like the Earth science lab, it also asks students to identify and analyze the components of a lab report by answering questions about a simulated one. The emphasis is on critical thinking: interpreting data, drawing conclusions and proposing further research.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course code | D850 |
| Program | BS Science Education (Secondary) |
| Size | 1 competency unit |
| Competency | Conduct scientific investigations using experimentation in biology |
| Companion course | D849 General Biology I |
What D850 Covers
| Skill | What it looks like in biology |
|---|---|
| Hypothesis-driven design | A testable prediction about a biological process |
| Execution and protocols | Following rigorous, safe procedures |
| Ethical standards | Honest data and humane, responsible practice |
| Data analysis | Comparing groups and spotting patterns |
| Lab report analysis | Answering questions about a simulated report |
| Further research | Proposing the next question |
Key Concepts Explained
Experimental and Control Groups
A control group lacks the treatment so you can see whether the treatment caused the difference. Without a control, a change may have other causes.
Example: To test whether light affects seedling growth, one group grows in light (control) and one in dark (experimental). Seed type, water and temperature are kept equal. If the light group is taller after a week, the data supports the hypothesis, and further research could test different light colors.
Sample Size and Repetition
More samples reduce the influence of chance. A conclusion from three seedlings is weaker than one from thirty.
Proposing Further Research
Good proposals follow from limits in the work: a variable not tested, a small sample or a surprising result. State the next question and how you would test it.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
The guidebook lists one competency and no task names. These are typical elements of such lab work.
| Work type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Experiment design | Hypothesis and controls | State groups, variables and measurements |
| Data collection and analysis | Accuracy and interpretation | Table, graph and summary of the pattern |
| Simulated lab report questions | Report literacy | Cite the section that supports your answer |
| Conclusion and next steps | Critical thinking | Claim, evidence, limits, proposed further study |
Lab Planning Table
| Stage | Goal | Evidence to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | Hypothesis and groups | Variable list |
| Run | Follow protocol and record | Raw data with units |
| Analyze | Compare groups | Graph and averages |
| Conclude | Answer the question | Claim, evidence, limits, next study |
Designing a Fair Biology Experiment
Check each element before collecting data.
| Element | Check |
|---|---|
| Hypothesis | Predicts a direction and gives a reason |
| Groups | Control and experimental groups defined |
| Variables | One independent, one dependent, others held constant |
| Sample size | Enough repetitions to reduce chance effects |
| Ethics | Safe, honest and responsible practice |
Before You Submit
- The control and experimental groups are clear.
- Data are shown before they are interpreted.
- Sources of error are specific.
- Conclusions stay within the evidence.
- A further research question is proposed.
Worked Example: Critiquing a Simulated Report
A simulated report states that fertilizer increases plant growth but used only one plant per group and did not control watering. A strong critique notes that one plant per group is too small to rule out chance and that uncontrolled watering is a confounding variable.
It then suggests improvements: at least ten plants per group, equal watering, and repeated measurement. Finally, it proposes a follow-up testing different fertilizer amounts. Pointing to the exact weakness in each section is what the questions look for.
Where Students Get Stuck
- No control group. Always say what the comparison is.
- Conclusions beyond the data. Match claims to evidence.
- Vague next steps. Propose a specific, testable follow-up.
- Ignoring ethics. Mention honest reporting and responsible practice.
Study Tips for D850
- Review the matching topic in D849 before each task.
- Annotate a published report, labeling hypothesis, method, results and conclusion.
- Keep a glossary of terms such as control, variable and sample size.
- Check each conclusion sentence against a number from your results.
How We Help with D850
Send your data, notes and rubric. A tutor can explain how to analyze results and read a report critically, give feedback on your answers or show a model write-up from sample data. For more detail, see our lab report guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Hypothesis-driven biology experiments, ethical standards and analysis of a simulated lab report, per WGU's guidebook.
1 in the BS Science Education guidebook.
The learner conducts scientific investigations to answer questions using experimentation in biology.
To show whether the treatment, rather than something else, caused the difference.
Identify a limit or open question in your results and describe a specific test.
No. We never create data. We offer tutoring and feedback on your own work.