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. 

Credits

4 Credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

43

Semester Contact Hours Lab

45

Prerequisite

BIOL 201

Corequisite

BIOL 202L

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

Department

Biology

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

Repeatable

N

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:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the following concepts: Evolution - evolutionary mechanisms, taxonomy, phylogeny, and biological diversity of the major taxa of life on Earth
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Structure and Function - Relationship between organismal structure and function
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Information Flow, Exchange, and Storage - Organisms have sophisticated mechanisms for sensing changes in the internal or external environment.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Pathways and Transformations of Energy and Matter - Fundamentals of resource acquisition, waste removal, and transport
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Systems - Osmoregulation in the context of homeostasis
  • Demonstrate competence in the process of science - Describe the iterative nature of science and how new evidence can lead to the revision of scientific knowledge.
  • Demonstrate competence in using quantitative reasoning - Understand evolution in the quantitative context of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
  • Demonstrate competence in applying the interdisciplinary nature of science - Understand that organisms interact with the physical and chemical nature of the environment.
  • Demonstrate competence in Modeling and simulation - Simulation of different types of evolutionary change within populations.
  • Demonstrate competence in communicating and collaborating scientific information - Communicate important aspects of an example of biological diversity.
  • Demonstrate competence in understanding the relationship between science and society - Understand the value of biological diversity to human society
  • Demonstrate competency in the following skills: microscope use and care, and use of positional terms to discuss the anatomy of organisms

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)