BI 211 - General Biology I

3 Credit(s)

Prerequisite(s): MTH 60 or designated placement, and RD 90 or WR 91 or designated placement.

Corequisite(s): BI 211L

Recommended Prerequisite(s): CHEM 104, CHEM 104L, CHEM 104R

Course Description: This sequence of biology is primarily for the pre-professional student majoring in the biological sciences, science education, nursing and medicine related fields. The course emphasizes the molecular and cellular aspects of biology and is designed to introduce the foundations of living systems and biological organization. It emphasizes such topics as: the scientific method, classification of organisms, molecular & cellular processes, energy transfer, cellular respiration, cellular division, and genetics, as well as stressing topics on biochemical genetics, genetic engineering and DNA-RNA-protein synthesis mechanisms. Students who take CHEM 104 or its equivalent before BI 211 are better prepared for the rigors of this class.

Course Level: Lower Division Collegiate

Course Learning Outcomes:

CLO#1: Describe and identify the characteristics of living things and how these characteristics relate to energy, reproduction, evolution and the environment.
CLO#2: Describe, identify, and apply knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry: elements and atoms, chemical bonds and chemical reactions, properties of water, and classification of organic compounds and their functional groups.
CLO#3: Describe and identify the components of a cell and the differences between plant, animal, and bacterial cells.
CLO#4: Describe and identify the components of a cell membrane and mechanisms by which materials can enter or leave a cell and the energy requirements of each.
CLO#5: Describe and apply knowledge of the role and stages of cellular communication in an organism and identify selected types of cell receptors.
CLO#6: Describe and apply knowledge of energy transfer in a cell, the structure and function of enzymes and their role in cellular metabolism.
CLO#7: Describe and apply knowledge of the processes of aerobic respiration and fermentation and identify the cellular structures involved.
CLO#8: Describe, identify, and apply knowledge of the stages and products of mitosis and meiosis.
CLO#9: Describe and apply knowledge of the principles of heredity, solving genetics problems, and interpreting pedigrees.
CLO#10: Describe and apply knowledge of the processes of DNA replication and protein synthesis, identify the cellular structures and enzymes involved, and describe and apply knowledge of the importance and use of biotechnology. (ILO: Critical Thinking)