Biology - BIOL 101

Course Description

This course is a one-semester introductory course. This course introduces students to the scientific study of living organisms. Students will investigate biological concepts including the chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, metabolism, reproduction, genetics, evolution, biological diversity and classification, plant structure and function, animal structure and function and ecology. Students attend four hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Science majors seeking to fulfill a two-semester introductory biology sequence should enroll in BIOL 120 and BIOL 130.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Identify in the correct order the steps of the scientific method.
• Arrange the levels of biological organization from least complex to most complex.
• Differentiate between a scientifically valid question, hypothesis and prediction.
• Differentiate between inductive and deductive reasoning with respect to their use in scientific investigation.
• Explain how DNA accounts for both the diversity and unity of life on Earth.
• Relate the process of natural selection to evolutionary adaptation in populations of organisms.
• Relate the structure and function of living organisms to their chemical basis.
• Identify the structural and functional differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Predict the effect of solutions with different tonicities on plant and animal cells.
• Relate the role of enzymes in biochemical pathways and cellular metabolism.
• Explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration contribute to the cycling of carbon atoms on Earth.
• Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis.
• Relate the process of mitosis to asexual reproduction, growth, tissue repair and cancer.
• Describe how meiosis and sexual reproduction contribute to genetic variation in species.
• Explain the chromosomal basis for inheritance.
• Relate the role of DNA and RNA to gene expression.
• Interpret how the genetic code on DNA directs protein synthesis.
• Identify the practical applications of DNA technology.
• Summarize how evolutionary adaptations have led to the anatomical and physiological differences between the major taxonomic groups of organisms.
• Relate the role of plant tissues and organs to plant development, growth, nutrition and reproduction.
• Relate the structure of animal tissues, organs and organ systems to their functions.
• Compare how abiotic (physical and chemical) and biotic (living) factors influence life in the biosphere.
• Relate the processes of energy flow and chemical cycling to ecosystem ecology.
• Determine the length, volume, temperature and mass of objects using standard metric units of measurement.
• Demonstrate the proper use of the light microscope.
• Prepare biological specimens for microscopic examination.
• Construct an appropriate graph to display scientific data.

Course Schedule