BIOL 101 - Introductory Biology

PREREQUISITES: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in ENGL 093 - Introduction to College Writing and ENGL 083 - Reading Strategies for College or ENGL 095 - Integrated Reading and Writing, or ENGL 075 - Co-Requisite Integrated Reading & Writing, and MATH 023 - Essentials of Algebra or MATH 080 - Mathematical Principles.
PROGRAM: Life Sciences
CREDIT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 2
LAB HOURS: 2
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Fall, 2018

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