Biol 1301 Introduction To Biology

BIOL 1301: Introduction to Biology

Course Description:

This provides an overview of biology. We examine the overarching theories of life from biological research and also explore the fundamental concepts and principles of the study of living organisms and their interaction with the environment. We will examine how life is organized into hierarchical levels; how living organisms use and produce energy; how life grows, develops, and reproduces; how life responds to the environment to maintain internal stability; and how life evolves and adapts to the environment.

Required Textbook and Materials:

The main required textbooks for this course are listed below, and can be readily accessed using the provided links. There may be additional required/recommended readings, supplemental materials, or other resources and websites necessary for lessons; these will be provided for you in the course’s General Information and Forums area, and throughout the term via the weekly course Unit areas and the Learning Guides.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Apply the steps of scientific inquiry to biological questions.
2. Describe the different levels of biological organization.
3. Explain cellular organization, structure, function, and metabolism.
4. Analyze ecological principles in the context of biological science.
5. Evaluate evolution as it applies to populations.

Course Schedule and Topics:

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 .

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Scientific Inquiry and Biochemistry

Week 2: Unit 2 – Biological Molecules

Week 3: Unit 3 – Cellular Metabolism

Week 4: Unit 4 – Cellular Division

Week 5: Unit 5 – Classical and Molecular Genetics

Week 6: Unit 6 – Diversity of Life

Week 7: Unit 7 – Evolution

Week 8: Unit 8 – Ecology

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam