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:

  • 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)