| 4/24/2024 8:31:24 AM |
| New Course (First Version) |
| CATALOG INFORMATION
|
| Discipline and Nbr:
BIO 14 | Title:
CURRENT ISSUES IN BIO |
|
| Full Title:
Current Issues in Biology |
| Last Reviewed:5/9/2022 |
| Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
| Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
| Minimum | 3.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 17.5 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| | Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| | Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
| |
| | Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| | Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 | |
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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Designed to introduce non-majors to the basic principles of biology, using topics from ecology, evolution, anatomy, physiology, genetics, molecular and cell biology. This will be done in the context of current issues in modern biology.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100 or equivalent.
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
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Basic principles of biology addressed in a real world context of current issues of ecology, evolution, anatomy, physiology, molecular, genetic and cellular biology.
(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100 or equivalent.
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 2006
| Inactive: | Spring 2010
|
| Area: | C
C
| Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences
|
| |
| CSU GE: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| | B2 | Life Science | Fall 2018 | |
| | B2 | Life Science | Fall 2006 | Spring 2010 |
| |
| IGETC: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| | 5B | Biological Sciences | Fall 2018 | |
| | 5B | Biological Sciences | Fall 2006 | Spring 2010 |
| |
| CSU Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 2006 | Inactive: | Spring 2010 |
| |
| UC Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 2006 | Inactive: | Spring 2010 |
| |
| C-ID: |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Not Certificate/Major Applicable
COURSE CONTENT
Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon successful completion of the course, students will 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 ecosystem, community, and population biology.
5. Explain principles of evolution such as natural selection, speciation,
and the origin of biodiversity.
6. Analyze and relate molecular biology and Mendelian genetics.
7. Differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell types and relate
to knowledge of cell structure and function.
8. Describe the basic anatomy and physiology of plant and animal organ
systems and relate to disease mechanisms.
9. Synthesize the information from the different areas of biology
(ecology, evolution, anatomy, physiology, genetics, molecular, and cell
biology).
10. Apply the basic principles and information of ecology, evolution,
anatomy, physiology, genetics, molecular, and cell biology to current
issues in modern biology.
11. Analyze and critically evaluate a current issue in biology and current
events using the principles of the scientific method.
Topics and Scope
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I. Scientific method versus other methods of decision-making
A.What is science and how is the scientific process conducted?
B.Science versus pseudoscience
C.Science's role in and influence on society
II. Basic principles of ecology
A.Ecosystem structure and function
B.Community structure and function
C.Population structure, growth rates and human population dynamics
III. Principles of evolution
A.Natural Selection
B.Speciation
C.Relationship to biodiversity and extinction crisis
IV. Structure and function of cells
A.Prokaryotic versus eukaryotic
B.Connection to anatomy and physiology, genetics, evolution
C.Anatomy and physiology of plants and animals
V. Genetics and inheritance
A.Molecular genetics
B.Mendelian genetics
C.Relationship to cell biology, evolution, and populations
VI. Anatomy and physiology of plants and animals
A.Structure and functions of specific, selected organisms
B.Relationship to ecology, evolution, genetics and disease
mechanisms
VII. Applications of each of the above areas of biology to the current,
important issues in modern biology and current events
Assignments:
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1. Assigned reading from text and instructor prepared material (10-30
pages/week).
2. Participation in class exercises, case studies, and discussions
relating to specific current biological topics and their relationship to
current events.
3. Response papers analyzing current issues in the context of the
biological knowledge gained in the course (2-4 pages each).
4. Oral reports on biological topics and their relationship to current
events.
5. 5-10 quizzes on lecture and reading material.
6. Written exams covering biological content and applications to current
issues in biology.
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% |
| Case studies | |
| Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations
5 - 10% |
| Oral reports | |
| Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams
40 - 60% |
| Multiple choice, Matching items, Completion, Quizzes, Short answer, Essay | |
| Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category
5 - 10% |
| Attendance and participation | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Current Issues in Biology, Volume 1&2. Scientific American,
Benjamin Cummings, 2003
Biology Today; an Issues Approach, 3rd Edition,
Minkoff, Baker, Garland Science, 2004
Instructor prepared materials.
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