Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Course Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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BIO 104 - Introductory Biology w/lab

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Core
Introduction to basic concepts in biology. Topics include the scientific method, cell structure and function, genetic inheritance, evolution, diversity of life at the organismal level, ecology and ecosystems. Biology as an experimental science and biotechnology will be explored through laboratory experiences.
Competencies
  1. Act competently and safely  in the laboratory 
    1. Locate safety equipment in the laboratory 
    2. Use safe behavioral practices when in the laboratory
    3. Use laboratory equipment correctly
    4. Demonstrate competence in the use of microscopes
    5. Utilize the metric system
  2. Describe how the scientific process is used to investigate scientific questions.
    1. List the stages of the scientific process.
    2. Recognize the difference between a hypothesis and a theory.
    3. Understand the limitations of science.
    4. Gain exposure to current scientific issues
  3. Explain the characteristics found in all living things.
    1. Describe the organization and chemistry of life
    2. Discuss biology’s unifying principles
  4. Correlate cell structure and function
    1. Identify plant and animal cell structure and explain the functions
    2. Differentiate how plants and animals obtain their energy
    3. Explain the cell theory
    4. Compare and contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
    5. List evidence supporting the endosymbiotic theory
  5. Assess the role of the cell membrane in cell regulation
    1. Compare and contrast ways molecules pass in and out of the cell.
    2. Describe the membrane’s roles in cell communication and cell recognition.
  6. Summarize the stages and the events that occur in the cell cycle
    1. Identify cell cycle checkpoints
    2. Compare and contrast mitosis, meiosis and binary fission.
  7. Appraise the roles of genes in inheritance
    1. Apply Mendel’s laws to find solutions to various genetic problems.
    2. Recognize non-Mendelian inheritance patterns
    3. Describe chromosome structure and karyotyping
    4. Differentiate sex-linked inheritance from autosomal inheritance.
    5. Distinguish gene linkage from independent gene assortment.
  8. Discuss the importance of biotechnology to society
    1. List the steps involved in cloning a gene.
    2. Explain the impact of the Human Genome Project.
    3. Give specific examples of biotechnology in medical and agricultural applications
    4. Explain how biotechnology relates to gene therapy, vaccine development and other areas of medicine
  9. Discuss inheritance at the molecular level starting with the central dogma of molecular biology.
    1. Describe DNA structure and how it relates to its function as the genetic code.
    2. Explain DNA replication as a semiconservative process
    3. List the roles of RNA in protein synthesis
    4. Define gene mutations and list various types of mutations
  10. Discuss the theory of evolution.
    1. Give specific examples of evidence supporting the theory of evolution.
    2. Explain Darwin’s contributions of Natural Selection to understanding of evolution.
    3. Recognize the roles of genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow to evolution
    4. Describe the mechanisms which lead to the development of new species.
    5. Explain the relationship between microevolution, macroevolution and adaptation.
  11. Appraise the diversity of life
    1. Distinguish characteristics of viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, plants and animals.
    2. Explain the evolutionary development of plants and animals from primitive life to complex advanced multicellular organisms
  12. Consider ecology and its impact
    1. Discuss population, community and ecosystem ecology.
    2. Explore the ecological impact of humans and technology.
    3. Discuss evidence and issues associated with Climate Change
    4. Understand community interactions, including keystone and invasive species
    5. Explain the process of nutrient cycles within ecosystems
    6. Describe the flow of energy through ecosystems



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