Course topics explore chemistry of life, environmental endocrine
disruptors' effects on gene expression, genetic testing, immunity,
and effects of global nutrient cycling on climate change and
eutrophication. Students apply principles to real-world
situations, identify, interpret, and evaluate valid sources of
scientific information, and apply that information to everyday
decision-making.
Athena Title
Concepts in Biology
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in BIOL 1103E, BIOL 2103H, BIOL 2103S, PBIO 1210
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to apply principles of biology to support real world decisions like genetic testing or purchasing habits.
Students will be able to integrate ideas and communicate understanding about biology with others in a format which is adapted to particular circumstances and audiences, addresses issues in the context of the larger community and environment, and allows them to apply societal ethics to scientific inquiry and findings.
Students will be able to identify and evaluate the credibility of valid sources of scientific information.
Students will be able to develop and effectively express scientific ideas in a written form for a general audience.
Students will learn to work effectively with others in a group and develop and cultivate an interest in current science issues.
Students will be able to model the process whereby researchers test a scientific claim, including composing a valid scientific argument.
Topical Outline
Energy and food
Macromolecules—Proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids
Metabolic pathways and enzymes
Sources of genetic variation
DNA structure, transcription and translation
Impact of genetic variation on protein structure and function
Chromosome structure
Gene Expression and regulatory elements
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression—effects of pollutants, nutrients, and other environmental factors
Endocrine disruptors' effects on gene expression in humans and animals
Human sources of endocrine disruptors in the environment
Gene Expression and cancer
Sources of genetic variation
Methods for genetic testing of DNA sequence variation
Application of genetic technology and bioethics
Patterns of inheritance—Mendelian genetics and pedigree analysis
Environmental vs. inheritance causes of genetic disease
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells, and viruses
Viral evolution in the context of disease (HIV and Ebola)
Innate and adaptive immunity
Vaccination
Microbiomes
Allergic response and engineering hypoallergenic foods
Global cycling of carbon and nitrogen
Carbon and energy transformation: photosynthesis, cellular respiration
Climate change and Slow Carbon Cycle—carbon pools, flux, human impacts
Nitrogen cycling, eutrophication, and human impacts
Coral reef health
Carbon footprint
General Education Core
CORE II: Life Sciences
Institutional Competencies
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
