| Learning Goals |
Learning Objectives |
| Students will... |
Students will be able to... |
| Understand the process of science |
- Design a scientific experiment with statistical foresight
- Assess the ethics of a proposed study
- Conduct an experiment following standard protocols
- Recognize the importance of safety protocols
- Culture, grow, or prepare specimens for study
- Collect data via quantitative and qualitative observations and measurements
- Interpret the results of an experiment |
| Know how science is communicated |
- Evaluate primary literature in biology
- Interpret visual representations of data
- Summarize the discoveries of scientific research |
| Know how to communicate scientific findings |
- Orally present findings to others in formal and informal settings
- Construct a written document in a scientific style including proper citation of sources
- Prepare visual representations of data
- Access and utilize scientific databases |
| Know how to work collaboratively |
- Conduct an experiment or gather data from the field as part of a group
- Participate in group discussions
- Formulate hypotheses in conjunction with others
- Record protocols and observations
- Provide constructive feedback to group members
- Accept feedback from group members |
| Understand how genetic information is transmitted and regulated |
- Describe how information is transferred from DNA to RNA, and from RNA to protein
- Explain some of the exceptions to the ‘central dogma’ described above
- Describe how information in DNA is transmitted during cell division
- Describe how cells maintain the integrity of their genetic information
- Explain how information is passed from parent to offspring, by both Mendelian and non-Mendelian mechanisms
- Explain how phenotypes and genotypes are related, including how this relationship is influenced by environmental factors
- Identify the levels at which gene expression can be regulated
- Explain how transcription of genes is regulated
- Explain how protein activity is regulated by intracellular and extra-cellular signaling molecules |
| Understand that a structure’s physical and chemical characteristics influence its interactions with other structures and therefore its function |
- Identify the chemical structures and physical characteristics of the molecules of life, including carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and amino acids
- Explain how the structure of DNA is important for its information storage and transmission functions
- Explain how protein structure is influenced by the chemical characteristics of amino acids and the cellular environment
- Explain how protein function is related to structure, and how function can be regulated through reversible alterations of structure e. g. phosphorylation
- Explain how membrane structure allows for compartmentalization in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and how this compartmentalization contributes to cellular functions
- Explain how the structure of a cell – its shape, and polarity—relates to its function |
| Understand that energy can be changed from one form to another, and that chemical energy can be used by cells to drive energetically demanding activities necessary for life |
- Compare and contrast biologically relevant forms of energy (e. g. kinetic energy vs. potential energy, energy stored in bonds vs. potential energy of concentration gradients)
- Identify biomolecules that are commonly used to store and transfer energy in cells
- Explain how enzymes alter the energetics of biochemical reactions
- Differentiate between catabolic pathways that break down molecules in cells, and anabolic pathways that form biological molecules
- Describe the basic mechanisms of cellular metabolic function, including cellular respiration and photosynthesis |
| Understand the process of, and evidence for, evolution |
- Distinguish between the mechanisms of evolutionary change
- Evaluate how mechanisms of evolution lead to speciation and the diversity of life
- Examine how the classification of organisms reflects their evolutionary history
- Assess how stochastic events and abiotic factors have influenced the history of life on Earth
- Explain the connection between genetic inheritance and evolution |
| Understand the basic principles of ecology |
- Evaluate the importance of species interactions and trophic relationships for shaping population growth and community structure
- Identify and assess through field exercises several measures that describe an ecosystem (e.g., biodiversity, productivity, trophic dynamics)
- Explain how plant and animal communities change through time (e.g., succession) following natural environmental disturbances
- Assess how human activities affect the distribution and abundance of species and how ecosystems function |
| Understand organismal structure and function |
- Assess the environmental challenges faced by organisms and the adaptations they have to address them
- Evaluate the structural, physiological, and/or biochemical adaptations of organisms
- Appraise how the structure of an adaption and/or molecule reflects its function |
| Understand how to pursue a career in the biological sciences |
- Appraise their technical and interpersonal skills and qualities
- Effectively search for and locate pertinent internships and jobs
- Assess their qualifications in relation to an internship and/or job description
- Prepare job application materials including a resume and cover letter
- Conduct a mock interview |