Biol 1121 Biology 1 For Health Studies Majors

BIOL 1121: Biology 1 for Health Studies Majors

Course Description:

This course introduces main concepts in biology, common to most living organisms. It covers topics in biochemistry, cell biology and genetics, which illustrate how molecules are organized into cells. Cells constitute the basic unit of life and genes are central to information flow within and between cells. This course makes use of assignments, conceived as mini-projects, to introduce experimental methods and research data repositories. Through these activities, the goal is to learn how to approach methodically a complex problem and find information relevant to a specific question. This course is, thus, meant both as a prerequisite to the study of biology at the organism or population level, and as a general introduction to how biological knowledge is being produced.

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.

Biology from OpenStax College. Available online at http://cnx.org/contents/[email protected]:1/ or for download here.
Additional freely-available online materials are referenced in the learning guide and assignments for each unit.

Software Requirements/Installation:

This course requires a modern web browser such as Mozilla Firefox (https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/products/), a spreadsheet software capable of opening .xls files such as LibreOffice.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

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

1. Classify the structure and properties of biological molecules.
2. Explain cell organization and functions.
3. Examine how genetic information is encoded in DNA and transmitted.
4. Design experiments and execute experimental protocols.
5. Perform research in discipline specific databases and locate information in scientific-based articles.

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 – The Chemical Foundation of Life

Week 2: Unit 2 – Biological Macromolecules

Week 3: Unit 3 – Cell Structure and Membranes

Week 4: Unit 4 – Metabolism

Week 5: Unit 5 – Cell Communication and Reproduction

Week 6: Unit 6 – Meiosis and Genetic Transmission

Week 7: Unit 7 – DNA Encoding of Genetic Information

Week 8: Unit 8 – Gene Expression and Molecular Biology

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam