BIO-150: Biology: Organisms, Genes, and Ecology

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Synthesize evidence acquired by scientists and apply evidence to daily lives and to current social and environmental issues.
2. Cite evidence to support various statements based on scientific knowledge, thereby illustrating the nature of science.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of model organisms used in many areas of biological research.
4. Demonstrate lab skills required in using model organisms used in many areas of biological research.
5. Demonstrate broad ability to make and record accurate observations.
6. Demonstrate designated levels of proficiency with laboratory skills used by biologists.
7. Provide examples of the importance of searching for and recognizing patterns when studying the sciences or doing scientific research.
8. Design and carry out a research project using the scientific method.
9. Analyze and interpret scientific data using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
10. Write a formal paper on research completed during the semester using standard format, and orally and visually present the paper to the class.
11. Describe the evolutionary bases of modern biology, including forces that result in evolution and recent knowledge acquired through evolutionary developmental biology.
12. Use the Hardy Weinberg equation to illustrate principles of population genetics.
13. Synthesize teleological, physiological, and evolutionary explanations for various biological processes.
14. Explain how evolution accounts for both the unity and the diversity of life on Earth.
15. Predict inheritance in living organisms based on given genotypes and/or phenotypes.
16. Draw and interpret pedigrees based on given genotypes and/or phenotypes.
17. Solve problems involving chance and probability.
18. Explain how planta and animals are classified using traditional taxonomy and also cladistics.
19. Illustrate the relationships among the various domains, kingdoms, phyla, and classes of living organisms.
20. Illustrate the major eras of geologic time and the organisms that characterize each one.
21. Analyze trophic structure of an ecosystem.
22. Relate laws of thermodynamics to organisms in an ecosystem.
23. Identify type of interrelationship between given organisms.
24. Explain biogeochemical cycles of carbon, water, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
25. Explain basics of population ecology and population growth.
26. Explain selected life processes in detail.
27. Demonstrate mastery of selected biological facts as listed in the unit objectives.
28. Define roots, prefixes, and suffixes of words encountered in the sciences.
29. Display professional behavior, courtesy, and attitude.
30. Demonstrate safe laboratory behaviors and techniques.