10836113Prep for Basic Biology
Course Information
Description
This is an introductory course designed to present basic principles of biology. Students will also become familiar with the nature of science, basic biochemistry concepts, and the structure and function of a cell.  The course is designed to prepare students for more advanced biology courses required for biology majors and medical programs.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Prepare for a college level science course.
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting answers to questions and participating in small group discussions.
    by completing assignments and activities.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments and activities with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  2. Develop good study skills.
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting answers to questions and participating in small group discussions.
    by completing assignments and activities.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  3. Apply reading strategies to science textbooks.
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting answers to questions and participating in small group discussions.
    by completing assignments and activities using the S+Q+3R+P method.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  4. Apply test-taking skills.
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting answers to questions and participating in small group discussions.
    by completing assignments and activities.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  5. Explain the nature of science.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  6. Explain the theory of evolution.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly explain a phylogenic map with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  7. Explain the organization of living things.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you list the levels of organization of life with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  8. Explain the properties of living organisms.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  9. Explain how organisms are classified by biologists.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  10. Explain matter and energy.
    Assessment Strategies
    by sketching the structure of an atom.
    by identifying specific elements on the periodic table.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you can sketch the structure of an atom based on criteria provided in class.
    you can identify elements on the periodic table with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  11. Explain the nature of chemical reactions.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  12. Explain how matter behaves in aqueous solutions.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  13. Summarize organic chemistry.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  14. Use a bright field microscope.
    Assessment Strategies
    by properly setting up a microscope.
    by completing lab exercises.
    by properly cleaning a microscope after use.
    by sketching the field of view using high and low power objectives.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you can view a specimen using low, high and oil immersion objectives to 100% accuracy.
    you complete lab exercises with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  15. Describe the structure and explain the functions of the components of a generalized animal cell.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by completing laboratory activities.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly complete laboratory activities with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  16. Explain the movement of substances across the plasma membrane.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by completing laboratory activities.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly complete laboratory activities with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  17. Evaluate cell diversity.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  18. Explain the Cell Cycle.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by completing laboratory activities.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly complete laboratory activities with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  19. Explain the cellular basis of heredity.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by completing laboratory activities.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly complete laboratory activities with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  20. Explain the basic principles of heredity.
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned activities and questions.
    by completing laboratory activities.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly complete assignments with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly complete laboratory activities with 70% proficiency.
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.

  21. Follow laboratory safety procedures.
    Assessment Strategies
    by attending the lecture on lab safety in class.
    by answering questions on a quiz or exam.
    Criteria
    you correctly answer exam and quiz questions with 70% proficiency.