Biology 1010 General Objectives

A person educated in the life sciences should have an understanding of these essential concepts: Concept 1Unifying Themes of life Students will be introduced to and will show mastery in the major unifying themes of biology. These themes include: 1. The domain and process of science 2. The chemical basis of life 3. The cell as the basic unit of life 4. Evolution and the diversity of life 5. DNA and the continuity of life 6. The interrelationships of living organisms. The concept of organizational levels and emergent properties of life will also be emphasized. Concept 2Unity and Diversity of Life Students will understand and be able to describe the atoms to ecosystem organizational system of living organisms, namely: atoms ! molecules ! cells ! tissues ! organs ! organ systems ! whole organisms ! populations ! ecosystems. They will be able to discuss the basic conditions that define life. They will be able to compare the major kingdoms of living organisms. Concept 3Chemistry of Life Students will understand the chemical basis for life. This will include both inorganic and organic molecules. Concpet 4--Metabolism Students will understand and be able to compare the metabolic processes carried out by living organisms in the different kingdoms. They will be able to describe the inter-relationships of these metabolic processes. Concept 5Cell Biology Students will appreciate the cellular basis of life and be able to compare cellular organization among the various kingdoms. They will understand the structure and function of cellular components. Concept 6Cell Division and Reproduction Students will understand the events of the cell cycle and how sexual life cycles and asexual life cycles are used by various organisms. Students will appreciate the need for both genetic stability and mutability. Concept 7Transmission Genetics Students will be able to describe how genetic traits are passed from one generation to the next. Students will be able to predict resulting offspring from various parental crosses. Students will appreciate the relationship between chromosomal behavior or genetic transmission. Concept 8Molecular Genetics Students will understand and be able to discuss the chemistry of DNA, including its structure, replication, and expression.

Concept 9Evolutionary Biology/Population Genetics Students will appreciate that the diversity of life existing today has arisen through the process of evolution. Students will understand and be able to describe forces that increase genetic diversity and decrease genetic diversity in a population. Concept 10Diversity of Life Students will understand and be able to compare the major kingdoms of living organisms. Concept 11--Interactions The interactions of organisms with each other and with their environment. The consequences of interactions between humans and the biosphere.