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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Biology Concepts
Course: BIO100

First Term: 2024 Fall
 Lecture   4.0 Credit(s)   3.0 Period(s)   3.0 Load  
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: T - Lab Load


Description: This course will introduce students to the basic principles and concepts of biology, from the smallest molecules to the largest ecosystems. Students will learn about the methods of scientific inquiry that biologists use to study life.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Use the tenets of the scientific method to understand biological and everyday phenomena. (I)
2. Analyze experimental data through laboratory activities, using the scientific method, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking. (I)
3. Identify the fundamental characteristics that define living things. (I-II, VI-VII)
4. Explain connections between biological molecules, protein function, and cellular metabolism. (II)
5. Describe the processes by which DNA is read, copied, transferred to offspring, and changed over time. (II-III)
6. Apply cell theory and the structure and function of cells. (III)
7. Describe inheritance patterns of traits through asexual and sexual reproductive processes. (III, V)
8. Analyze evidence that supports understanding of the processes involved in evolution and the evolutionary relatedness of all organisms. (III, VI)
9. Identify how organisms respond to changes to their internal and external environment to maintain homeostasis. (IV)
10. Identify principles of ecology and how they can inform understanding of the impact of human activities, including human-driven climate change, on ecological systems. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Foundations of biology
   A. Scientific method
   B. Characteristics of life
II. Chemistry of life
   A. Atomic structure
   B. Structure and function of biological molecules
      1. Carbohydrates
      2. Fats
      3. Proteins, including enzymes
      4. Nucleic acids
   C. Cellular respiration
   D. Photosynthesis
   E. Structure and replication of DNA
   F. Transcription and translation
III. Cell structure and function
   A. Prokaryotic cells
   B. Eukaryotic cells
   C. Cell division
      1. Mitosis
      2. Meiosis
IV. Homeostasis
V. Inheritance
   A. Phenotype, genotype
   B. Mendelian inheritance
   C. Non-Mendelian inheritance
      1. Polygenic inheritance
      2. Multiple alleles
      3. Sex-linked
VI. Evolution
   A. Classification of organisms
      1. Linnean
      2. Phylogeny
   B. Microevolution
      1. Mutation
      2. Gene flow
      3. Genetic drift
      4. Natural selection
   C. Macroevolution
      1. Speciation
      2. Extinction
VII. Ecology
   A. Population dynamics
   B. Community ecology
      1. Trophic levels
      2. Species interactions
         a. Mutualism
         b. Predation
         c. Parasitism
         d. Other
      3. Community succession
         a. Primary
         b. Secondary
   C. Ecosystem ecology
      1. Biomes: aquatic and terrestrial
      2. Biogeochemical cycles
         a. Carbon
         b. Nitrogen
         c. Water
   D. Conservation ecology
      1. Causes of biodiversity loss
      2. Human-driven climate change
      3. Remediation and conservation strategies
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: December 12, 2023

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.