May 17, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)

BIO 1110 - Cell Biology and Genetics

3 lecture hours 2 lab hours 4 credits
Course Description
The objective of this course is to introduce students to cell biology and genetics. Topics include chemical bonds, macromolecules, cell structure and function, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, cell signaling, cellular reproduction, genetics, evolution, diversity of life, and ecology. In the laboratory, students must demonstrate proficiency in the scientific process and will gain proficiency in basic laboratory techniques, experimental design, data recording, and scientific report writing.  (prereq: none)
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Describe the general structure and correlate the chemical properties of atoms and molecules
  • Describe the structure and functional properties of the macromolecules found in living matter
  • List the structural components of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and explain their function
  • List the types of transport processes occurring across the cell membranes and the energy sources for them
  • Explain cellular respiration and photosynthesis processes
  • Explain the mechanisms of intercellular communication
  • Identify the enzyme’s structural domains important for the chemical kinetics
  • Describe the mechanisms of energy storage, transfer, release, and use in cellular processes
  • Describe the processes of mitosis and meiosis and conditions under which they occur
  • Describe the uncontrolled cell growth that leads to cancer
  • Define the genetics terms and solve traditional genetic problems
  • Describe the processes of transcription and translation, including their regulation, and discuss their effect on the cell function
  • Explain how changes in genetic material can occur
  • Describe the major techniques involved in gene technology and describe specific uses of each technique
  • Explain the importance of evolution
  • Explain the diversity of life including viruses, prokaryotes and eukaryotes
  • Describe ecological principles
  • Design and perform a scientific experiment including hypothesis generation and testing
  • Identify potential experimental procedural errors
  • Explain the use of statistical tests to interpret laboratory data
  • Write scientific reports in standardized format

Prerequisites by Topic
  • None

Course Topics
  • The nature of molecules
  • The chemical building blocks of life
  • Cell structure
  • Membrane
  • Energy and metabolism
  • How cell harvest energy
  • Photosynthesis
  • Cell communication
  • How cells divide
  • Cancer biology
  • Sexual reproduction and meiosis
  • Patterns of inheritance
  • Mapping of chromosomes
  • DNA: the genetic material
  • Genes and how they work
  • Control of gene expression
  • Biotechnology
  • Evolution
  • Genome evolution
  • Diversity of life: origin, viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes
  • Ecology of individuals and populations
  • Dynamics of ecology
  • Collecting and analyzing experimental data
  • Designing experimental procedures
  • Understanding and using experimental controls
  • Communicating scientific results in writing scientific reports
  • Practicing laboratory safety

Laboratory Topics
  • Determinants of heart rate
  • Microscopy
  • Osmosis and diffusion
  • Mitochondria
  • Photosynthesis
  • Enzymatic activity
  • DNA structure, transcription, and translation
  • Epigenetics
  • Genetics

Coordinator
Dr. Eryn L. Hassemer



Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)