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BIL 101 - INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Section B: MWF
Fall 2001
|
COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Instructor: Dr. Dan DiResta
Cox
Science Bldg, Rm 182
284-2180
Office Hours:
MTW 10:00 - 11:00 AM or by appointment
Textbook:
BioInquiry, Pruitt, Underwood and Surver
Course web site:
http://fig.cox.miami.edu/courses.html
Course Description:
This is an introductory course for students majoring in an area other than
science. The course material is presented within the context of the human
experience and covers cell biology, physiology, genetics, evolution, ecology
and the interaction of humankind with the environment. The success of this
course depends on both of us - me, by providing the opportunity for your
involvement, and you, by your active participation in the process.
Class Attendance:
Attendance is a matter of individual choice in this class. However, a strong
association exists between attendance and grades. Students who miss regularly
rarely do well in the course. There will be unannounced quizzes and assignments
given with no make-ups, so it is in your best interest to attend class.
Examinations:
There will be 3 regular multiple choice and short essay exams each worth 100
points, and several unannounced quizzes and assignments covering lectures and
readings. The final course grade will be determined by the percentage of points
out of the total. There will be no cumulative final.
Honor Code:
Follow it. Those caught cheating on exams, improperly referencing published
written or electronic material, or submitting work that is not your own will
fail the course.
<div class="MsoNormal"
style="text-align:center">Lecture
Schedule
Aug 22 Chapter 1
Purpose and orientation of course. The goal of the course is to make the
student scientifically aware of questions in biology that have an impact on society
and health. The relevance of biological science in devising solutions to world
problems such as AIDS, cancer, heart disease, antibiotic resistance,
overpopulation, and environmental degradation will be discussed.
Aug 24 Chapter 2
Evolution.
Of Interest: Darwin’s Revolutionary Idea
Of Interest: The Argument
Against Creationism
Of Interest: The Darwin Awards
Aug 27 Chapter 2
Evolution continued....
Aug 29 Chapter 2
Evidence for evolution…
Aug 31 Chapter 3
Mendelian Genetics. How are traits inherited? Mendel's discovery of inheritance
patterns explains the source of variation in individuals. Mendel's concept of
"units of inheritance" being responsible for transmitting traits from
generation to generation comes long before the discovery of chromosomes and
genes.
Sept 5 Chapter 3
Inheritance patterns. Are traits always the result of a single gene? How genes
work together to determine phenotypes.
Sept 7 Chapter 3
Inheritance and human diseases. How can Mendel's discoveries be applied to
human health and reproduction? Now that the human genome has been sequenced,
what’s next?
Of Interest: Genes and Disease
Of Interest: Blazing a Genetic Trail
Sept 10 Chapter 4
The dynamic cell - how does it do what it does? Simple organic compounds are
the building blocks of the complex biological molecules that make up cells.
Cell structure, function and processes. Similarities and differences among
viruses. bacteria, plant and animal cells. Are viruses alive?
Of Interest: Cells and Organelles
Sept 12 Chapter 4
Cells continued......
Sept 14 Chapter 5
What are genes and how are they transmitted? The cell cycle and cancer.
Of Interest: Advances in Cancer
Research
Of Interest: Genes and Cancer
Sept 17 Chapter 5
Meiosis, gamete production and genetic variability. How are traits inherited? Genes,
alleles and their expression. How is sex determined? What are some of the key
experiments that led to the discovery of the genetic material.
Sept 19
Review for 1st Exam
Sept
21 - Exam 1 (Chapters 1-5)
Sept 24 Chapter 6
The molecular basis of inheritance. DNA ® RNA ®
Protein. How is information coded in the DNA molecule? How is the information
contained in DNA used? How is gene expression controlled in different tissues and
during different developmental stages.
Of Interest: The Discoverers
of DNA: James Watson and Francis Crick
Of Interest: The Search for
the Genetic Material
Sept 26 Chapter 6
The Jurassic Park scenario: do we have the technology? How is gene expression
controlled in different tissues and during different developmental stages.
Sept 28 Chapter 6
Biotechnology, making designer genes and treating genetic diseases. Why is stem
cell research so controversial?
Of Interest: What is a Stem Cell?
Oct 1 Chapter 6
Bioethics...Balancing the advantages and disadvantages of molecular advances.
Should human cloning be legalized?
Of Interest: The Dangers of Human
Cloning
Oct 3 Chapter 7
Population genetics. Populations, not individuals, evolve. How are allele
frequencies in populations affected by natural selection?
Oct 5 Chapter 7
Born Better? Can differences in intelligence and athletic performance be
attributed to our genetic endowment?
Of Interest: Born Better?
(Do Black Athletes Have a Genetic Advantage?)
Of Interest: Human
Nature: Born or Made?
Of Interest: The Immoral Animal
Oct 8 Chapter 8
Why does life exist on Earth? How did life evolve? Has life evolved elsewhere
in the universe? Life is discussed in terms of its chemical and physical
properties.
Oct 10 Chapter 8
A brief look at the evolution of biodiversity.
Oct 12 Chapter 9
Bioenergetics. How is chemical energy used to do biological work? Glycolysis,
fermentation and respiration are processes involved in converting chemical energy
into work. What is the ultimate source of all biological energy? Photosynthesis
traps solar energy and converts it to chemical energy.
Oct 15 Chapter 9
Bioenergetics continued...
Oct 17
You are what you eat. How do certain diets affect your metabolism?
Of Interest: How Diets Work
Oct 22
Review for 2nd Exam
Oct
24 - Exam 2 (Chapters 6-9)
Oct 26 Chapter 10
Homeostasis and Physiological Systems - Why must organisms maintain constant
internal function when faced with changing internal and external environments?
Oct 29
Chapter 10
Homeostasis and Physiological Systems continued…
Oct 31 Chapter 11
How does the body coordinate functions? Organization of the vertebrate nervous
system and its role in internal and external monitoring, information processing
and initiating responses.
Nov 2 Chapter 11
Along with the nervous system, hormones help coordinate body functions. Major
hormonal systems involved in regulating metabolism, homeostasis and
physiological change.
Nov 5 Chapter 11
Acquiring nutrients and getting rid of wastes. The coordinated functions of the
digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory systems.
Nov 7 Chapter 11
Human reproduction and development. How does a single, fertilized egg develop
into a functioning organism? What happens when things go wrong?
Nov 9 Chapter 11
The immune system, aquired immunity and AIDS.
Of Interest: Immunity and AIDS
Nov 12 Chapter 14
We are rapidly approaching the ability of the Earth to support the human
population. What limits population growth?
Nov 14 Chapter 14
The human effect…How does overpopulation affect the environment?
Nov 16 Chapter 15
The Biodiversity Crisis...How do populations interact with other populations
and with the environment?
Nov 19 Chapter 15
Energy flow and nutrient recycling are important ecosystem functions.
Nov 21 Chapter 15
The Tragedy of the Commons and the GAIA Hypothesis.
Nov 26 Chapter 15
Does anyone really doubt that the planet is warming? The National Research
Council report on global change.
Nov 28
Review for 3rd Exam
Nov
30 - Exam 3 (Chapters 10, 11, 14, 15)</div></div>