BI 223Z Principles of Biology: Ecology and Evolution

Lecture Hours: 4
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 5

Explores the unity and diversity of life through evolutionary mechanisms and relationships, and adaptation to the environment. Examines population, community, and ecosystem ecology. Intended for science majors.

Prerequisite: Placement into MTH 112Z (or higher); or completion of MTH 111Z (or higher); placement into WR 121Z (or higher), or completion of WR 115 (or higher); and completion of CH 121, or CH 201, or CH 221Z; or consent of instructor. (All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Differential Fee Yes
Student Learning Outcomes:
Common Course Number Outcomes

Apply the iterative process of science to generate and answer biological questions by analyzing data and drawing conclusions that are based on empirical evidence and current scientific understanding.
Use evidence to develop informed opinions on contemporary biological issues and explain the implications of those issues on society.
Provide evidence for phylogenetic relationships which illustrate the unity and diversity of life.
Describe how adaptation, development, mutation, and the environment affect organismal evolution.
Apply mathematical models to describe how populations change through time in relation to biotic and abiotic factors.
Explain how organisms and their environments affect each other across different temporal and spatial scales.
Interpret models explaining the flow of energy and cycling of matter in ecosystems.

Statewide General Education Outcomes

Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.
Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.

Content Outline

Characteristics of living systems
Scientific Process
- Scientific Method and Experimental Design
- Scientific Communication (oral and written)
- Term-long Group Inquiry Project culminating in presentation of results during laboratory time
Introduction to Evolutionary Theory
- Natural selection and adaptation
- Population Genetics
- Speciation
- Phylogeny, classification, and the tree of life
- Evolutionary history of life on earth (overview)
Ecology
- Population dynamics and growth patterns
- Community structure
- Ecosystem dynamics
- Biosphere structure and function
Weekly Laboratories (select from the following topics)
- Scientific method
- Microscope use
- Evolutionary Agents (Hardy-Weinburg)
- Building a phylogenetic tree
- Evolution of Life: Bacterial diversity
- Intro to Ecology: Aquatic Organisms
- Community Ecology: Invertebrate diversity
- Energy flow in Ecosystems
- In-lab Time for Inquiry Project
- Project Presentations