Course Description
This case study-based course emphasizes the application of fundamental biological principles of current topics that students encounter in their lives with an emphasis on human and environmental health, including impacts on the environment and the effects of environmental toxicants on biological systems. Intended for students' non-science majors.
Athena Title
Biology for a Healthy World
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of major environmental impacts on biological health by learning their effects on anatomical features, genomes, and human health.
- Students will describe major anatomical features of the human body.
- Students will compare and contrast major groups of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- Students will describe the basis of genetic disorders and disorders that result from environmental exposures to pollution and toxicants.
- Students will explain how humans are exposed to and can combat infectious diseases.
- Students will summarize the basis of natural selection and evolution, including the role of the modern environment on the selection process.
- Students will compare and contrast stem cells, germ cells, differentiated cells, and genetically modified cells.
- Students will apply the use of these cells to solving issues related to environmental exposure and to the use of these to adapt to modern environmental conditions.
- Students will describe and specify the relationships among populations, communities, and ecosystems.
- Students will assess health risks with a biological and environmental basis using relevant health information resources available.
- Students will apply the above learning objectives to the everyday lives of themselves and other various stakeholders.
Topical Outline
- The Scientific Process, Public Policies, Politics and Public Health Regulating the environment to protect public health
- Human Anatomy and Reproduction
- Molecules of Life: Building Blocks of Food & Nutrition; Diet & Exercise: Improving the built environment
- Metabolism, Photosynthesis, and Energy Use
- Food Production and Food Safety: Climate change and food supplies, Pesticides, herbicides, and other toxicants in the food system
- DNA, Inheritance, Gene Expression, Genetic Disorders, and Mutations: Regulation of gene expression based on environmental factors/exposures, Mutagens in the environment due to anthropogenic sources
- Epigenetics, Stem Cells, and Genetic Engineering
- Evolution, Natural Selection, and Adaptation
- Speciation, Taxonomy, Phylogenies, and Biodiversity
- Natural History, Ecology, Forestry, Conservation Biology, and Sustainability
- Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Parasites, Vectors, and Antibiotics
- Air and Water Pollution, Water-borne Pathogens
- Sanitation, Hazardous Waste, Radiation: Human exposures to pathogens, Human exposures to hazardous materials, Human exposure to radiation
- Forensics and Toxicology: Process by which toxicological effects from environmental exposures are determined
- Children and Transgenerational Effects: Current environmental exposures that will affect future generations
