Course Syllabus
👋🏽 Welcome to BIOL 103: Introduction to Biology & Evolution
Hi! I'm Dr. Brooke Bullard, and I will be your instructor for this course. I am excited to work with each of you this semester and continue learning with you as well. This course will survey biology and diversity of organisms and examine the basic principles governing evolution of organisms and interactions between organisms and the environment.
👩🏻🏫 About Your Professor
My name is Dr. Brooke Bullard. I received my PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. I taught a wide variety of classes during my doctoral studies, including Biology and Anatomy. I am so excited to be your professor this semester. I am incredibly passionate about Biology, and hopefully you will share that same passion! But even if you don't, we will still have a great semester, and I am excited to see each one of you grow and learn.
📝 What You'll Learn in This Course
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of fundamental biological and chemical principles, including the structure and function of biological systems from molecular building blocks to cellular structures.
- Examine the hierarchical organization of living systems, from molecular structures to multicellular organisms, and interpret key molecular and cellular processes such as gene regulation, protein synthesis, and cellular integration.
- Synthesize concepts across various biological fields to understand and appreciate the diversity and interconnectedness of life on Earth, incorporating both classical and contemporary perspectives in biology.
- Acquire foundational knowledge of molecular biology while comparing and contrasting different cell types, including plant, animal, and bacterial cells.
- Critically evaluate evolutionary principles, including natural selection and the progression of evolutionary thought, while developing an appreciation for the complexity and diversity of life forms.
- Develop critical thinking to analyze biological phenomena and communicate scientific information effectively in written, oral, and digital formats.
📌 Important Reminders for Success
- Particiation: Regular engagement in class, discussions, and activities is essential.
- Assignments: Due dates are listed in Canvas and in the Course Syllabus.
- Communication: Use Canvas Inbox to reach me with questions.
📚 Textbook
Great News! Our textbook for this class is available for free online!
Biology 2e from OpenStax, ISBN 978-1-947172-51-7
You have several options to obtain this book:
You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.
📄 Full Syllabus
Your full, detailed course syllabus includes the course schedule, grading breakdown, assignment descriptions, and university policies. Please download and save a copy for offline access.
Course Summary:
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