A foundational course emphasizing the unifying themes of biology. Explores various aspects of living systems, including biological chemistry, cell biology, genetics, evolution, diversity, structure and function relationships, energy transformations, plant and animal systems, ecology, biodiversity, and conservation. Introduces the scientific method and scientific reasoning. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- The nature of science and the properties of life
- Scientific method
- Scientific reasoning and experimental design
- Properties of living things
- Major themes in biology
- Biological chemistry
- Atomic structure and bonds
- Water as a biological solvent
- Effects of pH on living systems
- Carbon-based macromolecules
- Enzymes
- Biology of cells
- Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure
- Plant and animal cell structure
- Membranes
- Organelle structure and function
- Cell cycle
- Mitotic cell division
- Genetics
- Chromosomes
- Meiotic cell division
- Sexual reproduction
- Errors in meiosis
- Mendelian inheritance
- DNA, RNA, and protein
- DNA structure
- DNA replication
- Transcription
- Translation
- Mutations
- The genetic basis of cancer
- Evolution and classification
- How populations change
- Evidence for evolution
- Mechanisms of evolution
- Classification
- Energy transformations
- Energy in living systems
- Cellular respiration and fermentation
- Photosynthesis
- Diversity
- Prokaryotes
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Protists
- Plants
- Structure and function
- Major groups of plants
- Animals
- Structure and function
- Major groups of animals
- Human body systems
- Organization and homeostasis
- Tissues
- Digestive system
- Respiratory system
- Cardiovascular system
- Immune system
- Endocrine system
- Urinary system
- Reproductive system
- Ecology
- Community ecology
- Ecosystems and the biosphere
- Biodiversity
- The effects of humans on the environment
- Conservation
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Explain and apply the scientific method; demonstrate scientific reasoning.
- Identify the properties of a properly-designed scientific experiment.
- Conduct scientific experiments and clearly communicate results.
- Demonstrate use of critical thinking skills in the analysis of experimental data.
- Demonstrate proficiency in basic biological laboratory skills, in keeping with safety guidelines.
- Recall, restate, and apply basic biological facts and concepts as listed in the individual unit objectives.
- Describe the properties of living organisms.
- Describe the chemical basis of living organisms.
- Describe cell structure and function.
- Explain the role of negative feedback in homeostasis.
- Describe material cycling and energy flow in ecosystems.
- Describe interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.
- Predict inheritance patterns using knowledge of the relationship between DNA, RNA and proteins.
- Explain how evolutionary theory applies to the structure and function of living organisms.
- Explain the role of natural selection in evolution.
- Explain how evolution accounts for both the unity and diversity of life.
- Describe levels of organization and related functions in plants and animals.
- Explain how human activity affects the natural world.
- Demonstrate professional behavior in all aspects of the course.
Assessment and Requirements
Lecture and lab exams, homework, and lab response sheets covering each major topic with the percentage of student achievement for these elements and the percentage of the total course being standard across sections.
Outcomes
- Natural Sciences
- Category 6: Natural Sciences (Lecture and Lab)
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Score of 4 or 5 on AP Biology Exam. Score of 56 or higher on CLEP Biology Exam. Score of 5 or 6 in the International Baccalaureate-Higher Level (IB-HL) biology exam.