General Biology I (Biology 1408)

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[1. Course Description] [2. Course Outline] [3. Course Competencies] [4. Textbook and Laboratory Manual]

Approved by the biology faculty (November, 05, 1999).

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1. Course Description

This is a study of the fundamental principles of living organisms including physical and chemical properties of life, the transfer of energy through metabolic systems, cellular organization and function, cell division, genetics, and evolution.
Prerequisite: Pass the reading section of the TASP test or completion of Reading 90.

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2. Course Outline

I. Introduction to Biology and Science (Competencies 1 and 2)

1.1 Biology
1.2 Characteristics of life
1.3 Biological organization
1.4 Scientific method and the "metric system"

II. Basic Chemistry (Competencies 3 and 4)

2.1 Atom structure
2.2 Bonds and reactions
2.3 Molecules
2.4 Water chemistry
2.5 Organic chemistry

III. Cells (Competencies 5 and 6)

3.1 Prokaryotic cells
3.2 Eukaryotic cells
3.3 Viruses

IV. Cell membrane structure and functions (Competencies 7)

4.1 Membrane structure
4.2 Membrane function

V. Cellular Processes (Competencies 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12)

5.1 Energy
5.2 Enzymes
5.3 Photosynthesis
5.4 Cellular respiration
5.5 Mitosis
5.6 Meiosis
5.7 Binary fission

VI. Genetics (Competencies 13 and 14)

6.1 DNA
6.2 Mendelian inheritance
6.3 Monohybrid and Dihybrid crosses
6.4 Human genetics
6.5 Mutations
6.6 Chromosomal inheritance
6.7 Gene regulation
6.8 Genetic applications

VII. Evolution (Competencies 15 and 16)

7.1 Darwin and evolution
7.2 Process of evolution
7.3 Origin and evolution of life
7.4 Human evolution

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3. Course Competencies

1. Describe and utilize the scientific method and the use of the "metric system". (I)
2. Describe the basic characteristics shared by all living things, and describe the hierarchy of organization in living things. (I)
3. Identify and describe the basic chemistry fundamentals involved in the structure and life processes of living things, including the basic parts of atoms and describe how they influence chemical characteristics. (II)
4. Identify and describe the structure and function of the four kinds of organic molecules found in living things. (II)
5. Identify the parts and describe the structure and function of cells. (III)
6. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and give a general description of a virus. (III)
7. Describe and indicate the importance of cellular transport, membrane structure, and membrane function. (IV)
8. Describe the laws of thermodynamics as they relate to biology. (V)
9. Describe the purpose, components, and processes of photosynthesis. (V)
10. Describe the purpose, components, and processes of cellular respiration. (V)
11. Describe and examine the various kinds of reproduction, and describe and indicate the importance of mitosis and meiosis. (V)
12. Describe the structure of DNA, and analyze the processes involved in the biochemistry of DNA, including DNA duplication, DNA translation, and the protein synthesis. (V)
13. Analyze the events and processes involved in Mendelian inheritance, human genetics, predict outcome of genetic crosses, and describe and analyze the processes that result in mutations. (VI)
14. Analyze the events and processes involved in chromosomal inheritance, and describe gene regulation and genetic applications. (VI)
15. Analyze the events and processes involved in the origin and evolution of life, and describe the scientific processes involved in evolution and their impact on all living things. (VII)
16. Describe and trace the evolutionary development of primates, including humans. (VII)

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4. Textbook and Laboratory Manual.

Mader, S. 1998. Biology, 6th ed. WCB/McGraw-Hill. Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Mader, S. 1998. Biology: Laboratory Manual, 6th ed. WCB/McGraw-Hill. Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

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Web page layout and design © and intellectual property Jan A. Nilsson, 1999. Page created 24.X.1999, last updated 24.XI.1999. Please send comments and suggestions to: nilsson@stcc.cc.tx.us

-- Disclaimer: The contents of The Biology Niche under the intellectual property of Jan A. Nilsson and the general URL http://stcc.cc.tx.us/~nilsson do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of the South Texas Community College faculty, staff, administration, and Board of Trustees.

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