Introduces the basic concepts of life. Includes discussion of cellular and organismal biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and interaction among all living organisms. Addresses applications of biology in a global community.
MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:
- Apply the scientific method to problems encountered in everyday life.
- Provide examples of the historic development of current scientific thought.
- Demonstrate basic skills of metric measuring, data collection, data interpretation, and microscope use.
- Interpret simulations of biological systems and relate them to concrete applications.
- Describe basic concepts in the field of chemistry and biochemistry.
- Describe plant structures and functions including reproductive biology, development, and regulation of systems.
- Identify the internal and external structures of both the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and define the functions of each.
- Recognize energy pathways such as photosynthesis, respiration, and overall cellular metabolism.
- Describe the basic processes of mitosis and meiosis and relate them to the life cycle of organisms.
- Summarize the mechanisms of inheritance and the processes by which protein and DNA are synthesized.
- Describe the major principles of genetics and biotechnology.
- Understand the mechanisms of natural selection and their impact on evolution.
- Identify major ecological concepts such as communities, energy flow and nutrient cycling, and renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Describe the general properties and characteristics of the biological kingdoms.
- Survey the structure and functions of physiological systems of the animal kingdom.
- Apply the scientific method and the knowledge gained from the course to global societal concerns.
COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include -
- Scientific method
- Basic inorganic and organic chemistry principles
- Animal biology
- Cell cycle and the mechanisms of molecular genetics
- Plant biology
- Natural selection and evolution
- Biotechnology
- Cell structure and function
- Genetics
- General process of energy transformation: enzyme function,
- Ecology
- photosynthesis, aerobic and anaerobic respiration
- Phylogeny
- World issues and their effects on the field of biology
- SUGGESTED LAB CONTENTS:
- Microscopy
- Metric system
- Osmosis
- Chemistry
- pH/Model building
- Cell structure
- Genetics Environmental
- Dichotomous Key
- Simulation of protein synthesis
- Enzyme activity
- Comparative anatomy
- Plant anatomy
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