BIOL& 221 - Majors Ecology/Evolution

Credits: 5
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 44
Lab Hours: 22
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: Mendelian genetics, evolution, biodiversity of life forms, and ecology. First course of three-quarter series. For students intending to major in the sciences. Lab included.

Prerequisite: Both ENGL& 101 and CHEM& 161 with a grade of C or higher (or concurrent enrollment); and either placement into MATH& 141 OR co-enrollment with MATH& 141 OR completion of MATH& 141 with a grade of C or higher.
Distribution Requirements:

Natural Sciences Distribution Requirement

Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Develop a vocabulary of biological terms, which will enable communication (reading, writing, and speaking) about evolution, natural selection and ecology.
Explain the process of evolution by natural selection.
Discuss speciation (modes, rates, types), and the necessary steps and conditions required for occurrence their relationship to biodiversity.
Construct and score phylogenetic trees to determine parsimonious pathways.
Determine expected Mendelian ratios, sex-determination.
Recognize and discuss the roles of community members in the transfer of matter and energy through the ecosystem.
Explain the structure of DNA and its role in heredity and evolution.
Recognize and explain species interactions and their roles in population dynamics and natural selection.
Apply the principles of the Scientific method to design and experimental design in addressing a question.
Perform basic statistical operations (T-test, Chi-Square, Hardy-Weinberg, and ANOVA) in application to population genetics and ecology.

Course Contents

Experimental design, data interpretation
Basic probability
Reading and interpreting scientific graphs
Mendelian and chromosomal genetics
Population genetics, Hardy-Weinberg theorem
DNA structure and function
Natural selection and evolution
Phylogenetics
Speciation, biodiversity
Foundational ecological principles
Population structure and regulation

Instructional Units: 5.5