Course covers basic principles of biology, with a focus on plants and the importance of science in daily life. Topics include energy, cells, plant structure and growth, genetics, evolution, ecology, agriculture, and the environment. Students will learn to use these principles to understand human impacts on the environment.
Athena Title
Plants and the World
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in BIOL 1103, BIOL 1103E, BIOL 2103H, BIOL 2103S
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Course Objectives:
1. Understand the scientific method and the importance of biology
2. Understand basic biology and the relationship between humans and the natural world
3. Recognize and the apply the concepts learned through the course to everyday life
Expected Learning Outcomes:
1. Explain how biological structure-function relationships, information flow, energy transfer, adaptation, and inter-organismal interactions work.
2. Use the scientific method to analyze biological questions and interpret data.
3. Apply plant biology concepts to everyday challenges and decision-making.
Topical Outline
Molecules of life: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins
Cells: structure and function
Energy processes: photosynthesis and respiration
Plant physiology/behavior: transpiration, growth, and pathogens
Information flow: DNA, RNA, and proteins
Crop plants: plant breeding and genetic engineering
Plant growth: cell cycle and cell division
Inheritance in plants (and humans)
History of evolutionary thought
Evolutionary processes: mutation, selection, and genetic drift
Origins of biodiversity: speciation, classification, and evolutionary trees
Plant/animal interactions: herbivory, pollination, and seed dispersal
Ecological interactions, invasive species, and succession
Ecosystems: biomes, climate, and the value of biodiversity
Domestication and the environmental impacts of agriculture
Carrying capacity, ecological footprints, climate, and sustainability
