Biology 1100 Description and Objectives

General Description:

This biology course promotes scientific literacy for non-science majors and interested students. Organisms will be studied from their behavioral, ecological, hereditary, and evolutionary perspectives. An inquiry-based approach to understanding biological processes is emphasized. Students will explore the relevance of biology to contemporary issues in human society.

Repeatable for credit: No
Pre-Enrollment Criteria:
Reading Placement Category 1:
Prerequisite: MATH 0465 Preparatory Mathematics for General Education with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent or
Prerequisite: MATH 0481 Foundations for College Mathematics I with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent or
Qualifying score on the mathematics placement test, or qualifying A.C.T. math score.

  1. General Course Objectives:
    Upon successful completion of the course the student should be able to do the following:
    1. Apply the scientific process
    2. Recognize the broad interdisciplinary nature of biology as it pertains to the function, structure, ecology, behavior, genetics, and evolution of organisms
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of human influence on evolution, biological inheritance, behavior, and relationships with the natural world
    4. Explore contemporary global issues from a biological perspective
    5. Demonstrate scientific literacy in biology
  2. Topical Outline:
    1. Introduction to the scientific process
    2. Hypothesis testing Generating theories
    3. Limits to science
    4. Introduction to biology and biodiversity
    5. Characteristics of life
    6. Evolution is the unifying theory
    7. Biodiversity
    8. Evolution
    9. History of evolutionary thought
    10. Theory and mechanisms
    11. Evidence
    12. History of life
    13. Genetics
    14. Mitosis and meiosis
    15. Mendelian genetics
    16. Human genetics
    17. Basic molecular genetics
    18. Genetic technology
    19. Behavior
    20. Innate and learned behavior
    21. Social behavior and communication
    22. Ecology
    23. Populations and communities
    24. Ecosystems and biomes
    25. Basic cell biology
    26. Domains of life
    27. Basic cell structure and function
    28. Humans and environmental issues
    29. Human population growth
    30. Natural resource depletion and energy
    31. Pollution and habitat degradation
    32. Biodiversity crisis
    33. Climate change Infectious diseases