There are several fundamental principles that span all biology disciplines, whether you are studying the function of a single enzyme or the dynamics of an ecosystem. These principles include: Evolution,Structure-Function Relationships, Information Flow, Homeostasis, and Emergent Properties of Biological Systems.
This course is the first of a two-part sequence (Integrated Biological Principles I & II: BIOL 200 and BIOL 202) that will help you build a solid understanding of these major principles. The goal of BIOL 200 is to give you a strong foundation in these interconnected themes of biology, with a focus that spans from the molecular-level to the organism-level. This foundation will give you a context in which to place new information about biology, whether that new information comes from an upper level course, a research experience, the news, or in your future career.
By the end of this course, students should understand and be able to explain how:
- The diversity of life evolved over time by the processes of genetic change and natural selection.
- Basic units of structure define the function of all living things.
- The growth and behavior of organisms are controlled through gene expression in response to internal and external information.
- Biological systems require energy and are governed by the laws of thermodynamics.
- Living systems exhibit emergent properties that are a consequence of interacting parts, and that those properties could not be predicted from studying the parts alone.
- Scientific thinking enables us to solve biological problems.
You will become competent in applying the process of science and quantitative reasoning to solve problems, building on the skills from BIOL19X including:
- Interpreting data and understanding its strengths and weaknesses
- Implementing the scientific method
- Formulating testable hypotheses
- Choosing the proper experimental and statistical method to address a question
- Communicating scientific information to a variety of audiences, both orally and through writing
- Reading and interpreting the scientific writings of others, particularly primary research articles
- Understanding how biology intersects with other disciplines and why these intersections are important to addressing societal problems
- Understanding the role that science plays in our society and the ethical implications of scientific research
BIO200 Spring 2019 Syllabus and Reading Schedule V1 RJ sections