Course Syllabus

BIOL 1620 Biology II

Course Description

This course introduces major phyla and classes of algae, plants, and animals through the study of structure/function relationships, reproductive mechanisms, adaptations, and evolutionary development, physiology, ecology, and human importance. This is the second semester course of a year-long sequence that is required for most biology majors, many preprofessional majors, Natural Resource majors, and some Agriculture majors.

Justification

The Biology II lecture course (BIOL 1620) and Biology II laboratory (BIOL 1625) have been designed as the second semester courses in a year-long exposure to biology as recommended by the State Biology Group. Biology I lecture (BIOL 1610) and Biology I laboratory (BIOL 1615) constitute the first semester courses for the majors' biology sequence. This year-long sequence of biology is required for most biology majors, many preprofessional majors, natural resource majors, and some agriculture majors. For the natural sciences, science is the systematic inquiry into natural phenomena organizing and condensing those observations into testable models and hypotheses, theories or laws. The success and credibility of science is anchored in the willingness of scientists to: 1) expose their ideas and results to independent testing and replication by other scientists which requires the complete and open exchange of data, procedures, and materials; 2) abandon or modify accepted conclusions when confronted with more complete or reliable experimental evidence. Adherence to these principles provides a mechanism for self-correction that is the foundation of the credibility of science. (Adapted from a statement by the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society which was endorsed by the Executive Board of the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1999.) While properties of matter and energy in the physical sciences are common to life science, the emergent properties resulting from the complexities of life require additional study to amplify and clarify the scientific mechanisms of nature.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will develop a strong understanding of animal biology---specifically, how biological principles of cell structure and function, metabolism, meiosis (life cycles), and biological information in DNA, RNA and protein are integral to our understanding of evolution, systematics and taxonomy, diversity and ecology of animals.
2. Students will develop a strong understanding of plant and algal biology---specifically, how biological principles such as cell structure and function, metabolism, meiosis (life cycles), and biological information in DNA, RNA and protein are integral to our understanding of evolution, systematics and taxonomy, diversity and ecology of algae, and plants.
3. Students will understand how our scientific understanding of organismal biology is applied to improve human quality of life and help society deal with current issues. This will be achieved through discussion of instructor-chosen topics including genetic engineering and bioprospecting for food, fiber, medicines, fuel, how representative taxa influence environmental quality and pollution, and the potential impacts of climate change on ecosystems. Students will understand these issues in the context of how scientific principles are applied to develop technologies and deal with environmental problems and issues.

Course Content

Course content will be covered by reading assignments in the textbooks, handouts, lecture and class discussion, and independent study. This course will introduce students to: the evolution of multicellularity and complex body plans; cell specializations including their organization into tissues, organs and their physiology; representative reproductive strategies and cycles; chloroplast endosymbiosis and possible evolutionary paths in development of land plants from green algae; and the diversity of life in algae, plants and animals. Scientists from various backgrounds will be highlighted as a part of course discussions.