Course

20806272 Organismal Biology
Course Information
Description
This course explores a broad range of principals in organismal biology with a primary emphasis on evolution, plant physiology, and ecology. Organismal Biology (BIO 272) and Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIO 271) are a robust two-semester sequence for biological science majors. The courses can be taken in any order.
Total Credits
5
Course Competencies
  1. Explain the broad and local relevance of biodiversity, including its connection to ecosystem services, human well-being, and everyday life
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, Scenario and/or Project
    Criteria
    Analyze the role of biodiversity at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels
    Identify examples of ecosystem services and connect them to human well-being
    Describe how biodiversity loss affects ecological stability and human communities
    Explain the relevance of local biodiversity to regional ecosystems and everyday life

  2. Classify the major groups of living organisms using taxonomic vocabulary and distinguishing characteristics from domain to species
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, and/or Project
    Criteria
    Distinguish the three domains of life and their key characteristics
    Describe distinguishing features of major kingdoms and representative phyla
    Use hierarchical taxonomic classification correctly from domain to species
    Label diagrams, specimens, or images of representative organisms
    Compare structural and functional characteristics used to classify organisms into major groups
    Use taxonomic vocabulary effectively in both written and oral communication

  3. Describe the diversity, structure, function, and ecological significance of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, protists, and fungi
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, and/or Project
    Criteria
    Compare the structural and metabolic diversity of bacteria and archaea
    Describe the major groups of protists, including their diverse modes of nutrition, reproduction, and ecological roles
    Explain the structural features, life cycles, and ecological roles of fungi, including mutualistic relationships such as mycorrhizae and lichens
    Discuss the roles of microorganisms in nutrient cycling, decomposition, disease, symbiosis, and biotechnology
    Evaluate the impact of microorganisms on human health, agriculture, and the environment
    Identify representative microorganisms from prepared specimens, slides, or images and describes their distinguishing characteristics

  4. Describe the diversity, body plans, and evolutionary adaptations of major plant groups, including the transition from nonvascular to vascular plants and the evolution of seeds and flowers
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, and/or Project
    Criteria
    Describe the evolutionary adaptations associated with the transition of plants to land, including the progression from bryophytes to seedless vascular plants to seed plants
    Compare the distinguishing characteristics of major plant groups, including bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms
    Explain alternation of generations
    Compare reproductive strategies across major plant groups, including the roles of spores, seeds, pollen, and flowers
    Describe the structure and function of flowers, fruits, and seeds in angiosperm reproduction
    Explain pollination mechanisms and seed dispersal strategies and their ecological significance
    Identify representative plants from specimens, diagrams, or images and describe their distinguishing characteristics

  5. Describe the diversity, body plans, and evolutionary adaptations of major animal groups, including invertebrates and vertebrates
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, and/or Project
    Criteria
    Identify key features used to classify animals, including body symmetry, tissue organization, body cavities, and patterns of development
    Describe distinguishing characteristics of major invertebrate phyla, including Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, and Echinodermata
    Describe distinguishing characteristics of major vertebrate classes, including fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals
    Explain evolutionary trends in animal body plans, including cephalization, segmentation, and the development of organ systems
    Compare reproductive strategies and life cycles across major animal groups
    Identify representative animals from specimens, diagrams, or images and describe their distinguishing characteristics

  6. Describe the basic principles of animal form and function, including how organ systems maintain homeostasis and support survival and reproduction
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, Scenario and/or Project
    Criteria
    Explain the hierarchical organization of animal bodies from cells to tissues to organs to organ systems
    Describe the concept of homeostasis and explains how feedback mechanisms maintain internal stability
    Compare the structure and function of major organ systems, including digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, immune, endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems
    Explain how organ systems are coordinated to carry out essential life functions, including gas exchange, nutrient processing, waste elimination, and reproduction
    Describe how animals exchange materials with their environment and how body size and shape affect these exchanges
    Analyze how evolutionary adaptations in animal form and function relate to the demands of different environments

  7. Evaluate multiple lines of evidence supporting the conclusion that living species share descent from common ancestry and explain the mechanisms by which evolution occurs
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, Scenario and/or Project
    Criteria
    Explain the theory of evolution by natural selection, including the conditions necessary for natural selection to occur
    Describes additional mechanisms of evolution, including genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation
    Evaluate fossil, molecular, anatomical, and biogeographical evidence for common descent
    Distinguish between homologous and analogous structures and their evolutionary significance
    Explain how evolution operates at the population level and how it can lead to speciation
    Interpret data to determine which evolutionary mechanisms are at work

  8. Analyze historical and evolutionary relationships among major groups of living organisms using phylogenetic trees and cladograms
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, and/or Project
    Criteria
    Read phylogenetic trees and cladograms to interpret evolutionary relationships
    Identify shared derived characters (synapomorphies) used to construct cladograms
    Construct simple cladograms from morphological or molecular data sets
    Explain what a phylogenetic tree represents about common ancestry and divergence
    Use phylogenetic reasoning to make predictions about the characteristics of organisms
    Distinguish between monophyletic, paraphyletic, and polyphyletic groups

  9. Analyze ecological relationships among organisms and their environments, including the abiotic and biotic factors that affect distribution, behavior, and population dynamics
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, Scenario and/or Project
    Criteria
    Differentiate between abiotic and biotic factors and how each affects organism distribution and behavior
    Describe major types of species interactions, including competition, predation, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism
    Explain how population size is regulated by density-dependent and density-independent factors
    Interpret population growth models
    Describe energy flow through ecosystems, including trophic levels and food webs
    Explain biogeochemical cycles, with emphasis on the carbon cycle and its connection to climate change

  10. Evaluate issues affecting biological diversity and conservation
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, Scenario and/or Project
    Criteria
    Describe the characteristics of major terrestrial and aquatic biomes
    Explain the greenhouse effect and its role in regulating Earth's climate
    Describe causes and consequences of global climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity
    Identify major threats to biodiversity, including habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change
    Evaluate conservation strategies and their effectiveness using evidence-based reasoning
    Apply ecological and evolutionary principles
    Apply major ecological concepts including biomes, the greenhouse effect, and global climate change

  11. Describe structure-function relationships in terrestrial vascular plants, including how plants acquire, transport, and use energy and material resources to complete their life cycle
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, and/or Project
    Criteria
    Identify the major tissues and organs of vascular plants and describe their functions
    Explain how water, minerals, and sugars are transported through xylem and phloem
    Describe the process of photosynthesis in the context of whole-plant energy acquisition
    Explain the role of soil composition and root-microbe interactions, including nitrogen fixation and mycorrhizal associations, in plant nutrition
    Explain plant response to environmental stimuli, including light, gravity, and seasonal changes
    Describe the plant life cycle, including alternation of generations in representative plant groups
    Label diagrams and models of plant structures and explain how structure supports function
    Describe coordination of development and resource acquisition across cells, tissues, and organs

  12. Investigate scientific problems
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, Skill Demonstration and/or Project
    Criteria
    Identify a clear and testable scientific problem or research question based on prior knowledge or literature
    Formulate testable, evidence-based hypotheses and predict outcomes
    Experiments are designed with appropriate independent, dependent, and controlled variables
    Conduct experiments
    Selects effective data collection methods and scientific procedures
    Accurately record, organize, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data
    Evaluate experimental results
    Draw evidence-based conclusions
    Identify limitations of investigations
    Propose modifications and future experimental directions

  13. Demonstrate biological research skills, including effective teamwork, laboratory and field techniques, data collection methods, and scientific communication
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, Written, Oral, Visual Product and/or Project
    Criteria
    Laboratory and field techniques are conducted safely and accurately, including microscopy, pipetting, weighing/measuring, and quadrat plotting
    Collect, record, and organize biological data systematically and reliably
    Demonstrates effective teamwork and collaboration, contributing meaningfully to group investigations
    Communicate scientific ideas clearly through written reports, oral presentations, and visual representations
    Use accurate scientific terminology and conventions in all forms of communication
    Data interpretation and presentation is accurate and consistent

  14. Design and carry out a semester-long Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) relevant to organismal biology
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Exam, Report, Skill Demonstration, Reflection and/or Project
    Criteria
    Integrate course concepts with personal scholarly interest
    Develop a clear, original research question connected to organismal biology concepts
    Written project proposal includes background, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes
    Conduct sustained investigation over the course of the semester, demonstrating iterative refinement of methods and analysis
    Collect and analyze data using appropriate scientific methods and tools
    Integrate concepts from evolution, ecology, and/or plant biology into the project analysis and conclusions
    Findings are presented in a formal scientific format through both a written report and an oral or poster presentation
    Identify challenges, limitations, and future directions
    Collaborate effectively with peers throughout the research process