SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 11:47:53 PMBIO 16 Course Outline as of Fall 2024

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  BIO 16Title:  NON MAJOR BIOLOGY  
Full Title:  Introduction to Biology For Non-Majors
Last Reviewed:10/23/2023

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum4.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum4.00Lab Scheduled3.008 min.Lab Scheduled52.50
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total6.00 Contact Total105.00
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 210.00 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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Students will be introduced to the core concepts of biology by studying current issues in modern biology with an emphasis on the scientific method and scientific literacy. Not intended for students majoring in biology.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Students will be introduced to the core concepts of biology by studying current issues in modern biology with an emphasis on the scientific method and scientific literacy. Not intended for students majoring in biology.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 2014
Inactive: 
 Area:C
Natural Sciences
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 B2Life ScienceFall 2014
 B3Laboratory Activity  
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 5BBiological SciencesFall 2014
 5CFulfills Lab Requirement  
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2014Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2014Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Apply the scientific method to investigating and evaluating biological phenomena
2. Explain the application of the core concepts of biology to current issues
3. Evaluate the scientific background of and debate on current biological issues
4. Demonstrate knowledge of laboratory and field biology techniques, including microscopy
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Explain the scientific method and assess information about current scientific issues using this methodology
2. Compare and contrast science and pseudoscience
3. Assess the role of science in society
4. Demonstrate knowledge of each of the following core concepts: evolution, structure and function, flow of information, flow of matter, and systems biology
5. Apply core concepts to specific current issues in modern biology
6. Analyze and critically evaluate a current issue in biology and current events using the principles of the scientific method
7. Apply the steps in the scientific method for problem solving and biological investigation
8. Apply laboratory techniques, including proper microscope use, to observing and experimenting with biological phenomena

Topics and Scope
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Lecture-Related Topics and Scope:
I. Science and the Scientific Method
     A. Science and the scientific process
     B. Science versus pseudoscience
    C. Science's role in and influence on society
    D. Assessment of the quality of scientific research
    E. The scientific method
         1. Experimental design
         2. Hypothesis testing
         3. Science writing
II. Core Concepts of Biology
    A. Evolution
         1. Natural selection
         2. Speciation
    B. Structure and function
         1. Relationship of anatomy and physiology
         2. Role of natural selection
          3. Examples in cell biology, organismal biology, and evolutionary biology
    C. Flow of information
         1. Molecular genetics
         2. Mendelian genetics
    D. Flow of energy and matter
         1. Metabolism
         2. Physiology
         3. Biogeochemical cycles
         4. Energy movement in ecosystems
    E. Systems biology: levels of biological organization
    F. Applications of core concepts to current issues in biology
 
Lab-Related Topics and Scope:
III. Laboratory Exercises
    A. Compound and dissecting microscope use
    B. Scientific method
    C. Experimental design
    D. Hypothesis testing
    E. Enzyme structure and function
    F. Properties of water
    G. Molecular genetics
    H. Mendelian genetics
     I. Eukaryotic biodiversity

Assignments:
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Lecture- and Lab-Related Assignments:
1. Written lecture exams (3-4) and lab exam(s) (1-2) covering biological content and applications to current issues in biology
 
Lecture-Related Assignments:
1. Assigned reading from text and instructor prepared material (10-30 pages/week)
2. Response papers (2-4) analyzing current issues in the context of the biological knowledge gained in the course (2-4 pages each)
3. Oral report on biological topics and their relationship to current events
4. Quizzes (5-10) on lecture and reading material
 
Lab-Related Assignments:
1. Participation in class exercises, analysis of case studies, and discussions relating to specific current biological topics and their relationship to current events

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
10 - 30%
Response papers
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
5 - 10%
Analysis of case studies
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
40 - 60%
Lecture exams and lab exams; quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
15 - 25%
Oral report; attendance; participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Concepts of Biology. Current Edition. Folwer, Samantha, Roush, Rebecca, and Wise, James. Openstax. 2013 (Web version last updated 2023)
Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology. 6th ed. Simon, Eric, Dickey, Jean and Reece, Jane. Pearson. 2019.
ebook: Principles of Biology. Nature Publishing Group. 2012 (classic).
Instructor prepared lab manual and materials
 
Open Educational Resource (OER):
Concepts of Biology. Folwer, Samantha, Roush, Rebecca, and Wise, James. https://openstax.org/books/concepts-biology/pages/1-introduction Creative Commons Attribution License v4.0

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