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BIO152

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Cell and Molecular Biology

BiologyScience, Tech, Engr & Math
OverviewGoals, Topics, and ObjectivesAssessment, Requirements, and OutcomesRegister for this Course

Core Course Topics

  1. Scientific inquiry and biological themes

    1. The science of biology

    2. Scientific reasoning

    3. Scientific method

    4. Themes and concepts of biology

  2. Chemistry

    1. Basic chemistry related to biological systems

    2. Importance of water

    3. Macromolecules of life

  3. Cells: The building blocks of life

    1. The study of cells: microscopy and cell fractionation

    2. Cell theory

    3. Prokaryotic cells

    4. Eukaryotic cells

    5. Cell structure and organelles

    6. Membrane structure and function

  4. Energy transformations in living organisms

    1. Chemistry and physics of life: thermodynamics, enzymes, and metabolism

    2. ATP: the energy currency of life

    3. Cellular respiration and fermentation

    4. Photosynthesis

  5. Cell physiology

    1. Cell communication

    2. Feedback controls in cell physiology

    3. Cell division

    4. Cell cycle

    5. Cell cycle control

    6. Cancer and the cell cycle

  6. DNA, RNA and Protein

    1. DNA structure and function

    2. DNA replication

    3. The genetic code

    4. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription

    5. RNA processing in eukaryotes

    6. Ribosomes and protein synthesis

    7. Regulation of gene expression

    8. Cancer and gene expression

    9. Development and gene expression

  7. Biotechnology

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Design, plan, and carry out a valid biological experiment, record and analyze data, and present results and conclusions.

Explain and apply the scientific method. Explain the role of inductive and deductive reasoning in the scientific process.

Demonstrate proficiency in standard biological laboratory skills, in keeping with laboratory safety guidelines.

Apply the themes of biology, including evolution, to explain and interpret natural phenomena.

Explain how chemical principles underlie biological processes.

Explain how the cell is the fundamental unit of life, describing the basic structures, functions, and processes of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Describe the structure of biological membranes, and explain their role in transport, signaling, and energy transformations.

Describe mitotic cell division and the cell cycle, explaining cell cycle control mechanisms in normal and cancer cells.

Explain how genes encode the genetic information of the cell, how they are regulated, and how they contribute to the mechanism of protein synthesis.

Explain how genetic information is conserved, modified, and passed on from one organism to another.

Explain how living organisms require the transfer and transformation of energy and matter.

Explain how interactions are essential in biological systems, emphasizing cell signaling and feedback regulation.

Explain how biotechnology is the application of biological processes to solve problems relevant to everyday life.

Communicate biological concepts in written form using scientific terminology.

Evaluate, analyze, and interpret scientific information using critical thinking.

Demonstrate professional behavior in all aspects of the course.