TRU Ol BIOL 1113 Introduction
Introduction
Welcome to the BIOL 1113 Open Course Manual.
This is the OER manual to support the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Open learning BIOL 1113 course.
Students are asked to use this OER Manual in combination with the BIOL 1113 moodle course. It is designed to act as a replacement for a course textbook. All content is approved for the BIOL 1113 course and is openly licensed (CC-BY) for you to access whenever you need it – including after the completion of the course.
OER Attributed To:
The content is adapted from numerous OER including:
An interactive introduction to organismal and molecular biology – https://openbooks.lib.msu.edu/isb202/front-matter/introduction/
Other Journal articles, YouTube videos, HHMI BioInteractive activities and various websites (Attributed throughout the course)
Case studies: Modelled after examples derived from the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Course Description
In Biology 1113, we begin at the cell and molecular level. Topics covered include how cells transform energy, the basis of the genetic code that dictates cell structure and function, and how cells divide and pass copies of this code to subsequent generations. We also examine some of the ways in which cellular requirements and mechanisms influence the function of the whole organism. Here, we will also look at simple patterns of inheritance and development. Most of the topics covered in this course will be referred to again, and elaborated on, in subsequent biology courses. You are not expected to become an expert on these complex subjects. You are, however, expected to acquire a basic understanding of the fundamental principles and to be able to describe these principles at an appropriate level of detail.
Major Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to :
1) Identify and characterize the common molecular elements of all life on the planet.
2) Identify, characterize and draw the basic biomolecules found in cells, relating form to function.
3) Describe how organisms transform energy via various metabolic processes.
4) Understand how genetic information encoded in genomes is transcribed and translated into regulatory nucleic acids, and structural and functional proteins.
5) Understand the molecular basis of inheritance in sexually reproducing organisms, and how this relates to evolution driven by natural selection.
6) Develop the principles of effective communication in science through concise, well-ordered arguments using a variety of media.
Course Outline
|
Topic |
UNIT 1 Foundation |
UNIT 2 Biomolecules |
UNIT 3 Cellular Metabolism |
UNIT 4 Genes and Heredity |
|
1 |
The Scientific Method |
Carbohydrates |
Anaerobic Respiration |
Nucleic Acids & DNA Replication |
|
2 |
Evolution/Phylogeny |
Lipids |
Aerobic Respiration |
Transcription & Translation |
|
3 |
Basic Chemistry |
Proteins |
Photosynthesis |
The Cell Cycle, Mitosis & Meiosis |
|
4 |
Cell Theory |
Enzymes |
Membranes and Transport |
Mendelian Genetics |