10007115General Cell Biology
Course Information
Description
Introduction to cells, emphasizing their structure, diversity, chemistry and physiology. Processes of cellular respiration, photosynthesis and division are discussed. Describes genetic principles and molecular activities involved in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. Lab included.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Appreciate the importance of structure-function relationships in biology.
    Assessment Strategies
    in laboratory with access to lab manual.
    by answering test questions in writing without access to outside resources.
    by preparing report with access to all outside resources.
    by answering test questions in writing without access to outside resources.
    by using all available resources in preparing report.
    by answering test questions in writing without access to outside resources.
    Criteria
    learner completes immunoassays in laboratory
    learner identifies and explains function of cellular organelles on quizzes and exams
    learner identifies and explains function of cell types on a laboratory exam
    learner completes an oral report describing an example of molecular recognition
    learner summarizes the importance of structure-function relationships in biology on exams

  2. Understand how the structure and function of an organism is based on the information in its DNA.
    Assessment Strategies
    in class without access to outside resources
    in laboratory with access to lab resources
    Criteria
    learner diagrams and explains the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein on exams
    learner solves mapping problems on homework assignments and exams
    learner diagrams and explains the lac operon on homework assignments and exams
    learner prepares a karyotype and interprets it in the laboratory

  3. Understand how energy is captured and transformed to support life.
    Assessment Strategies
    in class without access to outside resources
    in laboratory with access to laboratory resources
    Criteria
    learner answers questions on quizzes and exams
    learner completes photosynthesis experiment in laboratory

  4. Understand the chemicals of life.
    Assessment Strategies
    in laboratory with access to laboratory resources
    by completing report outside class with access to all available resources
    in class without access to outside resources
    Criteria
    learner completes solubility laboratory
    learner completes short report on protein of their choice
    learner answers questions on quizzes and exams

  5. Understand communication and interactions in organisms.
    Assessment Strategies
    outside class with access to all available resources except other students
    Criteria
    learner answers essay questions on take-home exam

  6. Understand how genetic information is transmitted from generation to generation.
    Assessment Strategies
    in class without access to resource material
    in laboratory with access to laboratory resources
    in class without access to outside resources
    outside class in groups, with access to all resources
    in laboratory with access to software manual and other lab resources
    Criteria
    learner completes meiosis modeling exercise
    learner completes laboratory on natural selection
    learner answers questions on quizzes and exams
    learner completes collaborative field study on adaptation to the environment
    learner completes computer simulation exercise on Drosophila genetics