Lecture: 4 hours/week
and
Lab: 2 hours/week
Class time will include lecture, group discussion, and activities. Weekly journal article and/or textbook readings will be required.
1. Scientific Thinking
- Making observations
- Formulating and testing hypotheses
- Scientific theories
2. Molecules of Life and the Cell
- Macromolecules and lipids
- Main components of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
3. DNA, Genes and Inheritance
- The cell cycle: mitosis and meiosis
- Basics of Mendelian inheritance
4. Evolution
- Darwin’s research
- The theory of evolution by natural selection
5. Origin and Diversification of Life
- Theories of the origin of life
- Key events in life history
- Phylogeny and the tree of life
- Domains and kingdoms of life
6. Ecology
- How populations are studied
- Community interactions
- Human activities and ecosystems
7. Plant Form and Function
- The diversity of the Kingdom Plantae
- Plant support and growth
- Resource acquisition in plants
- Gas exchange and transport in plants
- Plant reproduction
8. Animal Form and Function
- The diversity of the Kingdom Animalia
- Nutrition, feeding, and digestion
- Circulation and respiration
- Excretion and osmoregulation
- Reproduction
- Nervous systems
9. Weekly discussion on current relevant topics in biology
10. Laboratory Investigations:
- Parts of the microscope
- Use of microscope to examine cells and tissues
- Cell processes, such as osmosis, fermentation, and photosynthesis
- Cell division, genetics, hereditary material, natural selection, and evolution
- Use of live specimens to facilitate observations and discussions of animal and plant structure and function
- discuss essential biological concepts and principles;
-
explain the scientific method, including the use of hypotheses and
experiments; - describe the organization and diversity of life;
- explain the principles of inheritance;
- explain the process of evolution by natural selection;
-
describe the ecological relationships among living organisms and
between them and the environment; - describe selected physiological processes in plants and animals;
-
conduct basic laboratory experiments and interpret the observations
and results; -
apply biological concepts and principles in the discussion of issues of
current societal relevance.
Assessment will be in accordance with the °µÍø51 Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
| Class quizzes and assignments | 20-25% |
| Laboratory assessments | 5-10% |
| Laboratory examination | 15-20% |
| Midterm examination | 25-30% |
| Final examination | 30-35% |
| Total | 100% |
Notes:
Class quizzes and assignments are a compulsory component of this course. A minimum of 50% of the quizzes and assignments must be completed to receive a grade if D or higher in the course.
Laboratory experiments and assignments are a compulsory component of this course. A minimum of 50% of the laboratory experiments and assignments must be completed to receive a grade of D or higher in the course.
There will be one midterm which will cover the course content to that point. The final examination will cover the entire course. If the student achieves a better grade on the final exam than on the midterm examination, the midterm grade will be raised to equal that achieved on the final examination.
Consult the °µÍø51 Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
°µÍø51 BIOL 1100 Laboratory Manual
None
None
None
None