BIOL 115 General Biology I

Course Information

Pre/Corequisites

Prerequisite: (Prerequisites: Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score 250+ OR Classic Accuplacer Reading score 77+ OR MCA Reading score 1046+ OR ACT Reading 21+ OR completion of one of the following courses with a grade of C, 2.0, or higher: READ 0099, ENGL 0099, or ENGL 100 [or equivalent] AND either MATH 0085 or MATH 0095 with a C (2.0) or higher.)

Institutional Core Competencies

• Communication - Students will be able to demonstrate appropriate and effective interactions with others to achieve their personal, academic, and professional objectives.
• Critical and Creative Thinking - Students will be able to demonstrate purposeful thinking with the goal of using a creative process for developing and building upon ideas and/or the goal of using a critical process for the analyzing and evaluating of ideas.

Course Competencies

1. Describe the process of scientific discovery and methodology.
2. Explain the concept of scientific theories in biology.
3. Describe the chemical basis and biochemical origins of organisms.
4. Compare and contrast different cell types.
5. Explain the energy flow within cells.
6. Explain the mechanisms in cellular reproduction.
7. Characterize Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
8. Explain the process of protein synthesis.
9. Describe gene regulation.
10. Develop an understanding of Mendelian genetics.
11. Demonstrate safe laboratory practices.
12. Demonstrate the use of common laboratory instruments and practices.
13. Formulate and test hypotheses by performing laboratory experiments that include the collection of data, statistical analysis, graphical presentation of results, and interpretation of sources of error and uncertainty.
14. Communicate experimental findings both orally and in writing.