BIOL 202 Biology 2*
This course is designed for science majors and provides an overview of evolution, the diversity of life, and the fundamentals of organismal structure and function. All domains and kingdoms of life are included with the primary focus on plants and animals. Students will complete a taxonomic and comparative study of organismal anatomy, physiology, and evolutional relationships.
BIOL 202Biology 2*
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
II. Course Specification
Course Type
Program Requirement
Credit Hours Narrative
4 Credits
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
43
Semester Contact Hours Lab
45
Prerequisite Narrative
BIOL 201
Corequisite Narrative
BIOL 202L
Grading Method
Letter grade
III. Catalog Course Description
This course is designed for science majors and provides an overview of evolution, the diversity of life, and the fundamentals of organismal structure and function. All domains and kingdoms of life are included with the primary focus on plants and animals. Students will complete a taxonomic and comparative study of organismal anatomy, physiology, and evolutional relationships.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Students will gain a foundation and understanding of evolution, taxonomy, phylogeny, biological diversity of the major taxa of life on Earth, and the fundamentals of the structure and function of organismal systems
- Students will gain an understanding of the evolutionary relationships between taxa and be able to classify organisms into their correct taxa based on morphological, physiological, and molecular characteristics
- Students will be able to identify and name biological structures of organisms, describe the functions of those structures, and explain the fundamental mechanisms underlying those functions
- Students will work in collaborative groups using scientific method to investigate the various strategies of organisms for overcoming environmental challenges Students will then compare and contrast those strategies during informal discussions
- Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in basic laboratory skills including but not limited to laboratory safety, observation, microscope slide preparation, light microscopy, dissection techniques, and the use of dichotomous keys
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
Unit 1: Evolution and minor diversity
Evolution of populations
Species & speciation
Fossils
Phylogeny & cladistics
Tree of life and the domains
Evolution of eukaryotes
Diversity
Prokaryotes
Protists
Fungi
Unit 2: Animals
Origin, dody organization, phylogeny
Diversity
Porifera
Cnidaria
Platyhelminthes
Mollusca
Annelide
Nematoda
Arthropoda
Echinodermata
Chordata
Architecture & coordination, circulation & gas exchange, immune system
Nutrition, excretion, nervous system
Sensory system, muscular & skeletal systems
Unit 2: Plants
Origin and phylogeny
Diversity
Nonvascular plants
Seedless vascular plants
Seed plants: gymnosperms & angiosperms
Architecture & growth
Resource acquisition & internal transport
Soil nutrition and responses
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Required Assignments
Hardy-Weinberg homework (1)*
Cladistics homework (1)*
Required Exams
Unit Lecture Exams (3)
Unit Phylogeny Exams (3)
Unit Lab Practicals (3)
Lecture Final Exam (1)
Skills Assessments (2)*
Life Cycle Quizzes (3)
Weekly Lab Quizzes (24)
Weekly Microscope Care (10)
Required Materials
Urry, et al., Campbell Biology in Focus, 1st Ed.
Custom Lab Manual (I hope to eliminate within 1 year and replace with my own labs and a commercially available atlas)
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
Hardy-Weinberg homework (1)*
Cladistics homework (1)*
Unit Lecture Exams (3)
Unit Phylogeny Exams (3)
Unit Lab Practicals (3)
Lecture Final Exam (1)
Skills Assessments (2)*
Life Cycle Quizzes (3)
Weekly Lab Quizzes (24)
Weekly Microscope Care (10)