BIOL 1021 - Biology of Reproduction and Development

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3
Course Description: This course investigates the sexual and reproductive biology of humans throughout the lifespan. This includes reproductive anatomy and physiology, the basis of scientific inquiry and investigation, analysis of scientific data, contraception, pregnancy and prenatal development, childbirth, and infertility.  The biology of cancer, sexually transmitted diseases and infections, how chronic and systemic diseases, and how fluctuations in levels of reproductive hormones throughout the lifespan impact reproductive as well as other body systems’ function are also explored. 
MnTC Goals
3 Natural Science

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 biology or BIOL 1020  

Major Content
1.    How science works. The scientific method of inquiry and investigation
2.    The development of scientific theories
3.    The human reproductive anatomy and physiology including, but not limited to, females and males, including development throughout the lifespan
4.    Action and physiology of various contraceptive methods, their actions, effectiveness, and epidemiology
5.    The anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, prenatal development, prenatal testing, childbirth, effects of teratogens, and infertility
6.    Biologic basis of sexually transmitted diseases and infections
7.    Physiology and treatment of various menstrual disorders
8.    Biological basis for, and the prevention of, cancers and systemic chronic diseases throughout the lifespan and how they affect reproductive function
9.   The effects of fluctuations in reproductive hormones on other body systems throughout the lifespan
10.    Analyze a set of data to determine its credibility and make valid conclusions based on the data
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

1.    explain the scientific method, scientific inquiry, and the development of scientific theories.
2.    explain human sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology including, but not limited to, females and males.
3.    analyze various contraceptive methods, their action, effectiveness, and epidemiology.
4.    describe the stages of pregnancy and childbirth.
5.    describe prenatal development, prenatal testing, and effects of teratogens.
6.    explain the anatomical and physiological bases underlying women’s and men’s reproductive health diseases, disorders, including infertility, cancers, sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
7.    explain the effects of fluctuations in reproductive hormones on other body systems throughout the lifespan.
8.    analyze a set of data and make valid conclusions concerning the data.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies
Competency Goals (MnTC Goals 1-6)
03. 01. Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories.
03. 03. Communicate their experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing.
03. 04. Evaluate societal issues from a natural science perspective, ask questions about the evidence presented, and make informed judgments about science-related topics and policies.

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