Lecture: 4 hours/week
and
Lab: 2 hours/week
Class time will include lecture, group discussion, and activities. Weekly journal article and/or textbook readings will be required.
1. Scientific Thinking
- Making observations
- Formulating and testing hypotheses
- Scientific theories
2. Molecules of Life and the Cell
- Macromolecules and lipids
- Main components of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
3. DNA, Genes and Inheritance
- The cell cycle: mitosis and meiosis
- Basics of Mendelian inheritance
4. Evolution
- Darwin’s research
- The theory of evolution by natural selection
5. Origin and Diversification of Life
- Theories of the origin of life
- Key events in life history
- Phylogeny and the tree of life
- Domains and kingdoms of life
6. Ecology
- How populations are studied
- Community interactions
- Human activities and ecosystems
7. Plant Form and Function
- The diversity of the Kingdom Plantae
- Plant support and growth
- Resource acquisition in plants
- Gas exchange and transport in plants
- Plant reproduction
8. Animal Form and Function
- The diversity of the Kingdom Animalia
- Nutrition, feeding, and digestion
- Circulation and respiration
- Excretion and osmoregulation
- Reproduction
- Nervous systems
9. Weekly discussion on current relevant topics in biology
10. Laboratory Investigations:
- Parts of the microscope
- Use of microscope to examine cells and tissues
- Cell processes, such as osmosis, fermentation, and photosynthesis
- Cell division, genetics, hereditary material, natural selection, and evolution
- Use of live specimens to facilitate observations and discussions of animal and plant structure and function
- discuss essential biological concepts and principles;
-
explain the scientific method, including the use of hypotheses and
experiments; - describe the organization and diversity of life;
- explain the principles of inheritance;
- explain the process of evolution by natural selection;
-
describe the ecological relationships among living organisms and
between them and the environment; - describe selected physiological processes in plants and animals;
-
conduct basic laboratory experiments and interpret the observations
and results; -
apply biological concepts and principles in the discussion of issues of
current societal relevance.
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
| Class quizzes and assignments | 20-25% |
| Laboratory assessments | 5-10% |
| Laboratory examination | 15-20% |
| Midterm examination | 25-30% |
| Final examination | 30-35% |
| Total | 100% |
Notes:
Class quizzes and assignments are a compulsory component of this course. A minimum of 50% of the quizzes and assignments must be completed to receive a grade if D or higher in the course.
Laboratory experiments and assignments are a compulsory component of this course. A minimum of 50% of the laboratory experiments and assignments must be completed to receive a grade of D or higher in the course.
There will be one midterm which will cover the course content to that point. The final examination will cover the entire course. If the student achieves a better grade on the final exam than on the midterm examination, the midterm grade will be raised to equal that achieved on the final examination.
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
Douglas College BIOL 1100 Laboratory Manual
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