NS 2030 - Biology

Credits: 3

In this course, students will explore the basic aspects of life on earth. The course will cover cells, photosynthesis, DNA, genetics, evolution, natural selection, biodiversity, population dynamics, and global climate. Students will explore these topics through field trips, classroom activities, laboratory exercises, and lectures. Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand the biological, chemical, and physical processes living organisms utilize to sustain life.

Prerequisites: none

Course Learning Outcomes:

Understand the nature of science to critically assess media reports of science, pseudoscience, and non-science
Understand the diversity of living things.
Understand ecological environments local to the student and in a global context.
Understand the relevance of these ecosystems, as well as the biotic and abiotic components of these ecosystems.
Understand the structures and purposes of these structures in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Understand of cell structures to examples of changes in cell function.
Understand basic structures of living things using concepts of homology.
Understand the relationship of the structure of living things to its function.
Understand the observations that lead to theory of evolution by natural selection.
Understand different types of selection.

Required Textbooks:
ON CAMPUS: Biology Science for Life - ISBN: 9780321767592

ONLINE: Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections, 7th Edition - ISBN: 9780321696816