Dec 07, 2024  
BC3 Academic Catalog: 2024-2025 
    
BC3 Academic Catalog: 2024-2025

BIOL 121 - Principles of Biology II

4 Credits: (3 lecture, 3 lab)

Course Description
This is the second course of a two course sequence intended for biology majors. It covers the principles of evolution and ecology as they apply to the unity and diversity of life on earth. Content areas will include mechanisms of evolution, an overview of biological diversity, plant and animal form and function and ecology. 

Note Spring semester only.

Prerequisite BIOL 120.


Text
Brooker, R. J., Widmaier, E. P., Graham, L. E., & Stiling, P. D. (2023).Biology w/Connect (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Objectives
The student will be able to:

A. Describe basic biological principles and concepts especially on the molecular and cellular level.

B. Describe the general structure and function of organisms from the standpoint of evolution.

C. Access biological information through library and electronic resources.

D. Collect and organize data in an experimental format.

E. Write a lab report in standard format.

F. Perform the basic techniques of the laboratory.

Content
A. Mechanisms of evolution - evolution as an organizing paradigm, comparison of Darwinian and non-Darwinian models, evolution in action.

B. Biological diversity - introduction to classification, taxonomy, characteristics of major groups.

C. Plants/Animals: Form/Function - adaptations/solutions to life on Earth by plants and animals.

D. Community and behavioral ecology.

Student Evaluation
Evaluation will be in the form of lecture exams, final, and a laboratory component that includes attendance, lab quizzes and laboratory reports.