Welcome to Module 1

Welcome to Week 1.

For this week, you will read Chapter 1 - Biology: Exploring Life. This chapter covers underlying biological themes, such as: 1. Why is biology the study of life? 2. What is the process of science? 3. Listing some unifying themes of biology.

You will complete Mastering homework, labs, and a Dynamic Study Module in your Mastering platform.

I have also included for you below, the "Module Learning Outcomes" which you can use as a study guide for your quizzes and exams. There are Chapter 1 PowerPoints in the Module. Your homework and lab assignments are rich with videos for your augmentation of the chapter content.

Please review the syllabus for the due dates and late penalty policy.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Dr. Burke

Module Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe seven properties common to all life. (CLO 1,2)

2. Compare the three domains of life. Distinguish between the subgroups of the domain Eukarya. (CLO 3)

3. Describe the levels of biological organization from the biosphere to molecules, noting the interrelationships between levels. (CLO 1,2)

4. Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data. (CLO 10)

5. Distinguish between a hypothesis and a scientific theory. (CLO 1,2)

6. Describe the structure of a controlled experiment with an example. (CLO 1, 10)

7. Explain why scientists have reconsidered the classification of red pandas. (CLO 1,2, 10)

8. Explain how science is repetitive, nonlinear, and collaborative. (CLO 1,2)

9. Compare the goals of science and technology. Explain why an understanding of science is essential to our lives. (CLO 1,2)

10. Describe the process and products of natural selection. (CLO 1, 2)

11. Compare natural selection to artificial selection. (CLO 1)

12. Explain how evolution affects the lives of all humans. (CLO 1,2)

13. Explain how DNA determines an organism’s structures and functions. (CLO 6, 7)

14. Describe the relationship between structure and function, noting several examples. (CLO 1,2)

15. Compare the dynamics of nutrients and energy in an ecosystem. (CLO 4)

16. Explain how systems biology is used to understand biological systems. (CLO 1)

(CLO = Course Learning Outcome)

To Do

Please read/watch all of the module learning materials (readings, presentations, videos, etc.) and complete all assignments/assessments listed below. If you have questions, please contact the course instructor or ask in the Questions About This Course forum.

Readings and Presentations:

Assignments/Assessments:

Complete all Mastering assignments for this week per the syllabus.

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