Introduction to Biology

Full course description

Biology, the science of life, studies organisms as the basic units of life. How they are evolved, how they are build up, how they act, how they communicate with each other, how they are related to the non-living environment, and how they reproduce. Since organisms are built up of cells, the basic unity of all life forms, the course will start with biomolecules and reactions that enable life, followed by tasks about organelles, cells, DNA and the protein machinery that results in the diversity of cells. We will continue with cell growth and differentiation, metabolism and reproduction. Towards the end of the course, we will go into organ systems and evolutionary mechanisms that ultimately provide the biodiversity on planet Earth.

Course objectives

After this course, students are able to

classify the 4 molecules of life based on structure and function
differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells based on organelles and their function
summarize the main pathways to generate ATP
compare and contrast the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis
transcribe and translate molecules if DNA, mRNA, or amino acid sequence is given
describe the phases of mitosis and meiosis
provide and use examples of homeostatic mechanisms in animal bodies
differentiate between innate and adaptive immunity
recognize top-down or bottom-up effects in food chains
differentiate between homologous and analogous adaptations

Prerequisites

NB: This course is aimed at students who have only taken basic level biology. It is strongly suggested that students with substantial high school experience in biology consider taking relevant 2000-level courses directly (for an indication of the relevant topics, see SCI-B,). However, the content of this course does go beyond high school biology end level. It is possible to take this course without having previously taken biology, but it will be challenging.

Prerequisite

None.

Introduction to Biology