The content, assignments, and assessments for Biology for Majors II are aligned to the following learning outcomes. A full list of course learning outcomes can be viewed here: Biology for Majors II Learning Outcomes.
Module 1: Introduction to Biology
Define biology and apply its principles
- List the defining characteristics of biological life
- Identify the different kinds of cells that make up different kinds of organisms
- Describe classification and organizational tools biologists use, including modern taxonomy
- Describe biology as a science and identify the key components of scientific inquiry
Module 2: Viruses
Identify different viruses and the methods they use to infect humans
- Discuss the basics of virus discovery, evolution, and classification
- Describe a viral infection and explain what impact an infection has on its host
- Compare vaccinations and antiviral drugs as medical approaches to viruses
- Describe prions and viroids
Module 3: History of Life
Discuss the history of life on Earth
- Explain the theory of evolution
- Define species and identify how species form
- Discuss the ways populations evolve
- Read and analyze a phylogenetic tree that documents evolutionary relationships
Module 4: Prokaryotes
Identify the different kinds of prokaryotes and common bacteria that infect humans
- Discuss the diversity of prokaryotic cells
- Describe the structure of prokaryotic cells
- Identify the metabolic needs of prokaryotes
- Identify common bacterial diseases in humans
- Identify common prokaryotes that are beneficial to humans
Module 5: Protists
Discuss the organisms in Kingdom Protista
- Identify the common characteristics of protists
- Classify protists into unique categories
- Describe the role that protists play in the ecosystem
Module 6: Fungi
Discuss the organisms in Kingdom Fungi
- Identify the common characteristics of fungi
- Classify fungi into unique categories
- Describe the role that fungi play in the ecosystem
- Identify common fungal parasites and pathogens
Module 7: Plant Diversity
Differentiate between different types of plants
- Classify seedless plants
- Classify seed plants
Module 8: Plant Structure and Function
Discuss the structure and function of plants
- Identify basic common structures of plants
- Describe how water and solutes are transported in plants
- Identify common sensory systems and responses in plants
- Identify the key elements and processes in plant growth
- Discuss the common nutritional needs of plants
Module 9: Plant Reproduction
Differentiate between different types of plants
- Discuss the reproductive development and structure of plants
- Describe how plants reproduce asexually
- Describe how plants reproduce sexually
Module 10: Animal Diversity
Discuss the importance of animal diversity
- Discuss the evolutionary history of the animal kingdom
- Chart animal phylogeny
- Describe the various types of body plans that occur in animals
- Discuss the tissue structures found in animals
- Discuss methods and features of animal reproduction
- Discuss the importance of homeostasis in animals
Module 11: Invertebrates
Classify different types of invertebrates
- Identify the common characteristics of phylum Porifera
- Identify the common characteristics of phylum Cnidaria
- Identify the common characteristics of superphylum Lophotrochozoa
- Identify the common characteristics of superphylum Ecdysozoa
- Identify the common characteristics of superphylum Deuterostomia
Module 12: Vertebrates
Classify different types of vertebrates
- Identify the common characteristics of chordates
- Identify characteristics of fishes
- Identify characteristics of amphibians
- Identify characteristics of amniotes
- Identify characteristics of reptiles
- Identify characteristics of birds
- Identify characteristics of mammals
Module 13: Overview of Body Systems
Describe different body systems
- Discuss how different body systems interact with one another
- Describe the nervous, endocrine, reproductive, and sensory systems
- Describe the circulatory, immune, respiratory, and digestive systems
- Describe the muscular, skeletal, and integumentary systems
Module 14: The Nervous System
Describe the components and role of the nervous system
- Identify the two primary parts of the nervous system and describe the function and structure of neurons and glial cells
- Explain the way neurons communicate
- Identify the components of the central nervous system
- Identify the components of the peripheral nervous system
- Describe the symptoms, potential causes, and treatment of several examples of nervous system disorders
Module 15: The Endocrine System
Describe the components and role of the endocrine system
- Identify different types of hormones and explain the regulation of hormone production
- Describe the two types of hormone receptors
- Describe how hormones regulate body processes
- Describe the role of different glands in the endocrine system
Module 16: The Reproductive System
Describe the components and role of the reproductive system
- Describe advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction
- Describe human male and female reproductive anatomies
- Describe the roles of male and female reproductive hormones
- Discuss internal and external methods of fertilization
- Explain how the embryo forms from the zygote
- Explain fetal development during the three trimesters of gestation
Module 17: Sensory Systems
Describe the components and role of the sensory system
- Identify the general and special senses in humans
- Describe how somatosensation, the sense of touch, works
- Explain how taste and smell work together
- Trace the path of sound through the auditory system to the site of transduction of sound
- Trace the path of light through the eye to the point of the optic nerve
Module 18: The Circulatory System
Describe the components and role of the circulatory system
- Describe the organization of the vertebrate circulatory system
- Describe the structure and function of blood in the body
- Describe the structure of the heart and explain how cardiac muscle is different from other muscles
- Explain the structure of arteries, veins, and capillaries, and how blood flows through the body
Module 19: The Respiratory System
Describe the components and role of the respiratory system
- Describe the passage of air from the outside environment to the lungs
- Understand how gas pressure influences how gases move into and out of the body
- Describe how the structures of the respiratory system control the mechanics of breathing
- Explain how gases are transported in the body
Module 20: The Immune System
Describe the components and role of the immune system
- Explain immediate and induced innate immune responses
- Explain adaptive immunity
- Describe the structure and function of antibodies
Module 21: The Digestive System
Describe the components and role of the digestive system
- Compare and contrast different types of digestive systems
- Explain how energy is produced through diet and digestion
- Discuss the processes and regulations involved in digestion
Module 22: The Excretory System
Describe the components and role of the excretory system
- Explain why osmoregulation and osmotic balance are important body functions
- Describe the structure of the kidneys and the functions of the parts of the kidney
- Explain how different excretion systems function
Module 23: The Musculoskeletal System
Describe the components and role of the musculoskeletal system
- Discuss the different types of skeletal systems
- Discuss the structure and function of bones
- Classify the different types of joints on the basis of structure
- Explain the role of muscles in locomotion
Module 24: The Integumentary System
Describe the components and role of the integumentary system
- Describe the layers of the skin and the functions of each layer
- Identify the accessory structures of the skin
- Describe the different functions of the skin
- Identify different diseases, disorders, and injuries of the integumentary system
Module 25: Ecology of Living Things
Define the scope and components of ecology
- Identify the scope of ecology
- Distinguish between abiotic and biotic components of the environment
- Identify different biomes of our world
- Discuss the scope and study of population ecology
- Discuss the scope and study of community ecology
Module 26: Ecology and the Environment
Discuss the ecology as it relates to the environment
- Describe how organisms acquire energy
- Discuss the biogeochemical cycles of water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur
- Identify evidence of climate change
- Explain why conservation biology and biodiversity are important
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