BIOL 121 - College Biology I

4 Credit: (3 lecture, 2 lab, 0 clinical) 5 Contact Hours:

1. Identify common lab equipment. 
2. Identify microscope parts and functions. 
3. Correctly use a microscope. 
4. Prepare a wet mount. 
5. Calculate total magnification. 
6. Use standard lab equipment to measure metric volumes and weight. 
7. Perform common biotechnology laboratory techniques. 
8. Document laboratory exercises in a scientific manner. 

Goal 2:  Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process. 

1. Identify hypothesis and independent, dependent and control variables in a given data set or experiment. 
2. Distinguish between hypothesis, theory and law. 
3. Describe the steps of the scientific process (method). 
4. List characteristics of good scientific methodology and experimentation. 
5. Interpret data presented in different formats (text, table, graph, etc.). 
6. Draw valid conclusions from data examples. 
7. Conduct a search for primary scientific literature. 
8. Write a clear and concise lab report. 

Goal 3:  Explain life at the atomic and molecular levels. 

1. Identify the basic parts of the atom. 
2. Distinguish between ionic, covalent, and polar covalent bonds. 
3. Define ion, isotope, organic, inorganic, and electrolyte. 
4. Define pH and use various methods (in lab) to determine pH of a given solution. 
5. Describe the major macromolecules and how they are synthesized, used and stored in cells. 
6. Recognize the molecular structure of the basic building blocks of cells. 

Goal 4:  Explain life in terms of cellular structure, function, and metabolism. 

1. Relate the surface-to-volume ratio in cells to their overall size. 
2. Describe the physical and chemical make-up of the cell membrane. 
3. Describe or demonstrate (in lab) the methods of transport across a cell membrane. 
4. Describe the structure and function of all cellular organelles. 
5. Describe how cells gain and use energy (metabolism). 
6. Explain enzyme function and regulation. 
7. Describe, in some detail, the steps of cellular respiration. 

Goal 5:  Explain different types of inheritance in terms of cell division and genetics. 

1. Recognize the steps of mitosis and meiosis. 
2. Describe the steps of mitosis and meiosis. 
3. Describe the structure and replication of DNA. 
4. Describe the parts and steps of transcription and translation. 
5. Define genetic terminology and apply this to various genetic problems. 
6. Explain the basic patterns of inheritance. 
7. Apply genetic information to describe techniques used in genetic engineering. 
8. Apply molecular genetic knowledge in the laboratory (electrophoresis, restriction enzyme digests, genetic problems, etc.). 
9. Compare cell replication in selected organisms (virus, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, etc.). 

Goal 6:  Compare how different animals and humans maintain homeostasis at the organ system level. 

1. Describe the organization and interaction of systems from cell to tissue to organs. 
2. Identify major organs and relate their structures to function and location. 
3. Describe material exchange in respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive and urinary systems. 
4. Compare how the nervous and endocrine systems work and maintain homeostasis. 
5. Compare skeletons and musculature as they relate to movement. 
6. Apply homeostasis principles to normal and selected diseased states of humans. 
7. Describe reproduction and development if time permits.