BIOL& 160 - General Biology with Lab

Credits: 5
Introduces major concepts in cell biology, including science process, cell biochemistry, cell physiology and structure, molecular biology, genetics, and evolution. Course is a prerequisite for professional health-science programs. Format includes group work in a laboratory setting. Intended for health science majors.

Enrollment Requirement: ENGL& 101  with a grade of 2.0 or higher. Recommended: STRONGLY MATH 97  or higher and CHEM& 121 .

Satisfies Requirement: Natural Science or Lab Science
Course Fee: $25.00

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

1. Attributes of living things: Critically evaluate the characteristics of living organisms, including vital functions.
2. Scientific method:  Apply the scientific method to answer biology questions and critically analyze published research.
3. Biochemistry:  Critically evaluate biochemistry principles of structure, bonds/energy, reactions, enzymes, pH, and water to cell biology.   Distinguish between metabolic and cellular uses of dietary of nutrients.

4. Cells:  Explain how cell structures enable specific functions to be performed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. 

5. Transport and gradient mechanisms:  Distinguish between active and passive transport processes and identify examples of each.  Predict how fluid tonicity influences osmosis; explain the significance of tonicity on cell structure and function. 

6. Cell cycle:  Compare and contrast the division process of meiosis and mitosis.  

7. Genetics:  Apply the principles of genetics to explain inheritance, protein synthesis, mutation, genetic diseases, cancer, differentiation, and use in biotechnology. 

8. Other areas:  Demonstrate proficiency in a variety of lab techniques used in the study of cell structure and function.   

1. Interpret biological data and draw conclusions from graphs and tables.
2. Summarize and apply the steps of the scientific method.
3. Answer multiple choice questions regarding organic chemistry, energy transfer in organisms, cell division, genetics, DNA, protein synthesis and natural selection.

• Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.