Course Syllabus

BIOL 1010 General Biology

Course Description

This is a biology course for non-majors. It introduces many major themes in biology, such as inheritance, diversity of life, growth and response of organisms, and flow of matter and energy through biological systems. Special emphasis is given on how this discipline influenced past, present, and future world issues. Students will learn to think critically, interpret data, evaluate information, communicate clearly, about life in the world around them. This class will foster problem solving and the application of scientific thinking in a biological context.

Justification

General Biology (BIOL 1010) is a basic biology course that provides non-life science majors with a general survey of the science of biology and a foundation in scientific reasoning. It is designed to transfer to other schools in the state to fulfill Life Science General Education (GE) requirements. Similar courses are taught with the same course number at most USHE schools.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. A primary purpose of this course is to give students a strong conceptual understanding of biological principles, and how to utilize the scientific method to increase their knowledge about the natural world. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will encounter a variety of information in this course, be it in the form of academic journals, popular press articles, textbook, media, or even anecdotal options. One emphasis of this course will be to equip students with the necessary skills to assess the credibility of information, and analyze and interpret information in a useful way. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Although the course will focus on biological concepts and issues, students will see that the use of the scientific method can be applied for a variety of complex problems. Tools of scientific inquiry involve collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, presenting findings, and using information to answer questions. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. This course will address the role science plays in historical and contemporary issues. Biologists have and will help answer questions of global concern such as how to stop the spread of disease or how to improve crop yields to feed a growing population. The course may include discussion on ethics, honesty, safety, and social responsibility. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate the application of the scientific methods and tools of scientific inquiry by actively and directly collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, presenting findings, and using information to answer questions. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams. Students will demonstrate the application of the scientific methods and tools of scientific inquiry by actively and directly collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, presenting findings, and using information to answer questions. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.
2. Demonstrate basic understanding of how organisms live, grow, respond to their environment, and reproduce.  This course will include biological concepts such as mitosis, meiosis, reproduction, evolution, adaptation, genetics, and/or ecology. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.
3. Discuss the organization and flow of matter and energy through biological systems.  This course will include biological concepts such as trophic levels, nutrient cycling, cellular respiration, and/or photosynthesis. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.
4. Explain from evidence patterns of inheritance, structural unity, adaptation, and diversity of life on Earth.  This course will include biological concepts such as genetics, central dogma, evolution, and/or taxonomy. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.
5. Describe how the Life Sciences have shaped and been shaped by historical, ethical, and social contexts. Although this course will cover key biological concepts, a strong focus of this course is on how science influenced past, present, and future world issues. Students will learn to think critically, interpret data, evaluate information, communicate clearly, about life in the world around them. Students will be assessed through quizzes, homework, projects, writing assignments, library projects, and/or exams.

Course Content

The course will introduce many core biology concepts, such as: evolution; structure and function; information flow, exchange, and storage; pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and systems. A special emphasis will be placed on the nature of science, scientific inquiry, scientific literacy and reasoning, ethics, and the role of biology in society.

Topics may include some or all of the following topics:
*Scientific Method
*Simple Chemistry
*Cell Structure and Function
*Metabolism
*Simple Genetics
*Central Dogma
*Speciation and Evolution
*Systematics and Taxonomy
*Ecology