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10-836-113 Prep for Basic Biology
Course Information
Description
Introduces learners to basic principles of biology. Students will become familiar with the nature of science, basic biochemistry concepts, evolution, genetics, and cells.
Total Credits
2

Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Cultivate critical and analytical thinking through scientific inquiry
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab Performance
    Criteria
    develop biological questions
    collect data from an experiment
    analyze data using appropriate scientific methods
    develop reasonable conclusions based on data collected
    articulate significance of conclusions from a scientific experiment
    carry out an experiment

  2. Follow lab protocol and safety procedures
    Assessment Strategies
    On-the-job Performance
    Criteria
    All laboratory safety procedures are followed
    lab activities are completed in a timely manner
    directions for lab activities and experiments are followed

  3. Examine the chemistry of life
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Criteria
    correctly identify the subatomic particles in an atom
    you identify types of bonds when given examples of compounds and molecules
    list reasons why water is essential for life at the molecular level
    provide examples of ions, atoms, and isotopes
    explain the importance of the polarity of water
    list the 5 most important elements to life

  4. Summarize each family of biomolecule
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Criteria
    identify a class of biomolecule given a set of characteristics
    list the 4 major classes of biological molecules
    list the functions of each class of biomolecule
    Summarize the importance of each family of biomolecule to living things
    Explain the relationship between building blocks and macromolecules

  5. Summarize cell theory
    Assessment Strategies
    Web Quest
    Lab Activity
    Criteria
    Explain the benefits of cells being small
    outline the milestones in cell evolution
    list the differences between bacteria and viruses
    define prokaryote and eukaryotes
    summarize the major components of cell theory

  6. Model the structure and function of a cell
    Assessment Strategies
    Product
    Web Quest
    Lab Activity
    Criteria
    create a physical model of a eukaryotic cell
    correctly label the organelles in a model of a cell
    summarize the function of each organelle
    write an essay on how the organelles work together in cell
    identify a plant, animal, eukaryote, and prokaryote cell under the microscope
    create a venn diagram comparing plant and animal cells
    label the structures in a cell membrane
    identify types of membrane transport (osmosis, endocytosis, exocytosis, passive, or active transport) given descriptions and/or diagrams of molecular movement

  7. Compare the various types of cell division
    Assessment Strategies
    Web Quest
    Lab Activity
    Criteria
    identify the stage of mitosis or meiosis given a description
    identify the state of mitosis in a cell under the microscope
    give examples of types of cells that undergo mitosis, meiosis, and budding
    label the structures of a cell that are associated with cell division
    write an essay describing how cancer can form from disruptions in the cell cycle
    summarize the stages of the cell cycle

  8. Assess the correlation between DNA and Genetics
    Assessment Strategies
    Case Study
    Written Objective Test
    Criteria
    label the structures on DNA and RNA
    outline the steps to DNA replication
    outline the steps to protein synthesis
    describe the types of DNA mutations that can occur
    identify a genetic disease in a case study
    create a Venn Diagram comparing DNA and RNA

  9. Predict patterns of inheritance
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab Activity
    Written Objective Test
    Criteria
    determine the phenotype and genotype of offspring by creating a punnett square
    interpret a pedigree
    give examples of incomplete domance, lethality, complete domance, pleiopotry, and polygenic inheritance
    summarize Mendel's experiments and laws
    define hybrid, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, and recessive

  10. Evaluate the mechanisms that lead to evolution
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Lab Activity
    Criteria
    Summarize the conditions that must be present for natural selection to occur
    give examples of adaptations of organisms in a given environment
    identify when natural selection will or will not occur
    differentiate between artificial and natural selection given examples
    interpret a graphical representation of stabilizing, disruptive, and directional selection
    explain how allelic frequencies play a role in natural selection
    identify types of selection given a scenario
    describe why genetic mutation is a mechanism for evolution
    describe what is meant by genetic drift
    discribe how migration influences evolution of populations

  11. Schematize the classification and organization of living things
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab Activity
    Written Objective Test
    Criteria
    Identify a species using a dichotomous key
    Use charactoristics of an organism to place it in the correct classification category
    Match charactoristics of living things with the time frame in which they evolved
    summarize the difference between invertebrates and vertebrates