Exploring The Natural World - BI 101
Learning outcomes - Course Specific
Section 1 - Introduction to Science
Students will learn through lecture and experience in lab the various steps of the scientific method used by scientists to seek natural explanations of natural phenomena and the limitations of science.
Students will be able to:
- Characterize the scientific method as a process comprised of hypothetico-deductive reasoning, hypothesis testing
- Understand and articulate steps of the scientific method
- Recognize the importance of mathematics, statistical analysis, computer technology in scientific inquiry
- Interpret evidence from an experiment and how it is used to answer a scientific question
- Critically read, evaluate claims made by scientists based on knowledge of the scientific method
- Distinguish differences between science and other approaches to inquiry of non-science disciplines (e.g., Humanities)
- Apply skepticism, the scientific method, evidence-based decision making to problem solving in everyday life
- Implement directly the steps of the scientific method in several laboratories
- Students will be assessed on materials from this section with random iClicker lecture quizzes, lecture examinations, exercises in Mastering Biology and quizzes at the end of each laboratory
Contemporary issues and society - science versus pseudo-science, drug trials and testing, role of science in assessing natural disasters (Exxon, BP oil spills), myths about autism and vaccinations, global warming and evolution
Section 2 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Students will demonstrate competence with the fundamental principles of chemistry, cellular biology, energy and energy in living systems.
Students will be able to:
- Describe atoms, atomic structure, subatomic particles, nucleus, orbitals and valence electrons
- Understand valence electrons, ionic, covalent and hydrogen bonds
- Characterize structural, functional differences among carbohydrates, fats and lipids, proteins, nuclei acids in biological systems
- Compare and contrast prokaryotes and eukaryotes, illustrate with examples
- Distinguish among different organelles of a eukaryotic cell
- Comprehend the central ideas of energy, thermodynamics, enthalpy, entropy, exergonic and endergonic reactions in living systems
- Outline how cells use energy to do chemical, mechanical and transport work
- Students employ the scientific method in various laboratories (e.g., forensic simulation, diffusion, photosyntheis)
- Students will be assessed on materials from this section with random iClicker lecture quizzes, lecture examinations, exercises in Mastering Biology and quizzes at the end of each laboratory
Contemporary issues and society - hanressing energy from coal, oil, nuclear and sustainable sources, inorganic pollutions and toxins (e.g., lead poisoning), organic pollution (DDT, dioxin), the chemistry of a healthy diet
Section 3 - Cellular Reproduction, Cancer and Genetics
Students will recognize the different types of cell division, relationship of mitosis to cancer, fundamental principles of genetics, chromosomal and chemical basis of genetics, fundamentals of genetic engineering and DNA technology
Students will be able to:
- Identify the processes and functions of binary fission, mitosis and meiosis
- Describe the general process controlling cell division and genetic problems resulting in Cancer
- Understand the principles of Mendelian inheritance including genotype, phenotype, genes, alleles and genetic crosses
- Use the Punnett Square and probability to make predictions about offspring
- Define mutations, mutagenic agents, relation to genetic disease
- Describe structure of DNA and genes
- Outline DNA technology (e.g., genetic engineering, genetic fingerprinting, cloning extinct organisms, etc.)
- Through laboratory exercises, students will further distinguish the concepts of genotype, phenotype, locus, homologous chromosomes, transcription and translation
- Students will be assessed on materials from this section with random iClicker lecture quizzes, lecture examinations, exercises in Mastering Biology and quizzes at the end of each laboratory
Contemporary issues and society - cancer, genetic disease, gene therapy, genetic engineering, GMOs - genetically modified organisms, DNA fingerprinting (forensic applications, use in the military, etc.), genome projects and bioinformatics, cloning, ancient DNA and extinct organisms
Section 4 - Anatomy and Physiology
Students will be able to identify the primary systems that make up the body plan of an organism using humans as a generic example.
Students will be able to:
- Distinguish the major systems of a generic vertebrate using humans as an example (integumentary, muscular, skeletal, etc.)
- Outline in detail the components of selected systems and define the functions of the major organs in each system
- Digestive system
- Circulatory system
- Immune system
- Nervous system
- Reproductive system
- Characterize how systems interact, their control by the nervous system and define Homeostasis
- Students will combine foundational knowledge of the systems with direct implementation of the scientific method in a Human Physiology laboratory on the effects of activity on vitals signs.
- Students will be assessed on materials from this section with random iClicker lecture quizzes, lecture examinations, exercises in Mastering Biology and quizzes at the end of each laboratory
Contemporary issues and society - Students will realize and make important links between these materials and issues relevant to society (see Table below for some examples)
System Connection Digestive Obesity, BMI, Chemistry of a healthy diet Circulatory Cardiovascular disease (heart problems, stents, atherosclerosis) Immune HIV, autoimmune disease, allergies Nervous Drugs and drug addiction Reproductive STDs
Section 5 - Origins, Biodiversity and Evolution
Students will make connections between biodiversity (major groups of present and fossil or extinct organisms) and the underlying evolutionary processes responsible for this diversity
Students will be able to:
- Describe the role of Charles Darwin in formulating the theory of evolution
- Explain the fundamental assumptions of the theory of evolution, the various mechanisms that cause evolutionary change among populations, the consequences of evolutionary change
- Outline the history of earth including cosmology and origin of the solar system, the time line of the major events in the history of life, continental drift, tectonic plates, the first appearance of the major groups of organisms and extinctions
- Differentiate among the major groups of organisms (Bacteria, Protists, Fungi, Animals, Plants) and their classification in the Linnean Hierarchy
- Students will be assessed on materials from this section with random iClicker lecture quizzes, lecture examinations, exercises in Mastering Biology and quizzes at the end of each laboratory
Contemporary issues and society - evolution versus creationism controversy, the separation of Theology and Science and primate evolution; evolution and natural selection in action - superbugs, herbicide and pesticide resistance, ancient DNA and the ability to bring back extinct organisms
Section 6 - Ecology and Conservation Biology
Students will realize the importance species' interactactions with the biological and physical environment and how all species are interdependent on each other for long term survival in the biosphere
Students will be able to:
- Recognize characteristics of populations, limiting factors (biotic, abiotic), r- and k-selected species
- Define an ecological community and recognize the variety of different communities on earth
- Compare symbiotic, predator-prey, etc., relationships among species within communities
- Characterize trophic relationships, food chains and energy movement through communities
- Outline the major biogeochemical cycles including water, carbon and nitrogen
- Define the field of conservation biology
- Explain major issues facing conservation biologists including habitat loss, invasive species, global warming
- Students will be assessed on materials from this section with random iClicker lecture quizzes, lecture examinations, exercises in Mastering Biology and quizzes at the end of each laboratory
Contemporary issues and society - human impact on the biosphere with numerous examples: natural biogeochemical cycles and the effects of artificial disturbances to them (e.g., greenhouse gases, various forms of pollution, etc.), various conservation issues including the ESA (endangered species act), CITES treaty and effects of illegal trade in endangered species (e.g., medicines, aphrodisiacs), disappearance of large animal species