BIOL 1020 - Biology Concepts

Credits: 4
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 1
Internship hours per week N/A
Course Description: This lab science course provides a basic introduction of biological concepts to non-majors and those pursuing allied health majors such as nursing and dental assisting/hygiene. This course covers the scientific study of life, the molecules and organelles that contribute to cell structure, and the vital functions cells must perform to survive. It also explores how evolution explains both the unity and diversity of life and the important interactions between organisms and their environments. Laboratory experiences emphasize the scientific process as they acquaint students with basic lab methods and techniques used to study biological concepts.
MnTC Goals
Goal 3:  Natural Sciences

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: High school chemistry or CHEM 1020  or equivalent.

Major Content

1. Characteristics of life
2. Organization of life Evolution
3. Food chains and food webs
4. Harvest of energy to sustain life
5. Reproduction
6. Heredity
7. Evolution

1. describe the defining characteristics of living things.
2. explain the steps of the scientific method.
3. formulate testable hypotheses. 
4. design and/or perform a basic experiment that includes essential elements of experimental design.
5. interpret experimental results to draw appropriate conclusions.
6. effectively communicate experimental results
7. distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources of biological information
8. describe cell structure and function using accurate biological vocabulary
9. explain how the theory of evolution describes the unity and diversity of life
10. differentiate between prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals
11. examine interactions between organisms and their environment

03. 03. Communicate their experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing.

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