BI 211 Principles of Biology 1

Lecture Hours: 4
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 5

Survey of biodiversity including the major groups of organisms, their classification, and evolutionary origins and relationships. Provides first of a three-term sequence for students majoring in sciences and health professionals (i.e. botany, zoology, molecular biology, marine biology, pre-veterinary, pre-medical, pre-dental, pharmacy, and related fields).

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher); and completion of CH 121 or CH 221 ; or consent of instructor.(All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Student Learning Outcomes:

List the main characteristics of living systems and distinguish from non-living entities.
Define species diversity and describe general patterns in species diversity through earth’s history.
Describe how natural selection can lead to adaptation and speciation.
Relate phylogeny to classification of life.
Describe the evolutionary origins, distinguishing characteristics and adaptations, and ecological roles for each major group of organisms.
Assemble independent research and data collected in the laboratory into a standard format scientific paper.

Additional 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

Introduction to Biological Concepts and Research
- Characteristics of living systems
- Major themes in the study of life
Introduction to Evolutionary Theory
- Natural selection and adaptation
- Species diversity and speciation
- Macroevolution
- General patterns in the evolutionary history of life on earth
- Phylogeny, classification, and the tree of life
Survey of Biodiversity: Evolutionary History, Distinguishing Characteristics, and Ecological Roles of the Major Groups of Organisms
- Bacteria and Archaea
- Protists
- Bryophytes and seedless vascular plants
- Seed plants: Gymnosperms and angiosperms
- Fungi
- Invertebrate animals
- Vertebrate animals
Scientific Process
- Scientific process and methodology as applied to biological problems
- Writing a scientific paper
- Term-long group inquiry project
Weekly Laboratories (select from the following topics, field trip is mandatory)
- Microscope use
- Scientific method
- Building a phylogentic tree
- Bacterial diversity
- Protist diversity
- Plant diversity
- Field trip: Investigation of plant and fungal diversity
- Fungal diversity
- Invertebrate diversity
- Vertebrate diversity