COURSE OUTLINE: BS1001

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successfully completing this course, you should be able to:

1. Distinguish between the components of the scientific method (observation, hypothesis-setting, experimental testing, conclusion)
2. Define the characteristics unique to living things and the properties of water and carbon that have impact on them
3. Map various biological components to the appropriate level of complexity e.g. molecules, cells, tissues, organs
4. Name the 11 main human organ systems, their major components, and their general functions
5. Recognize biological molecules in the categories of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins and lipids
6. Recognize features that are common in cells, and those that distinguish a eukaryotic cell from a prokaryotic cell, an animal cell from a plant cell
7. Describe the flow of information from DNA to polypeptide as outlined in the central dogma
8. Recognize the need for gene regulation and the levels at which such controls occur
9. Define mutation types and explain how they can be generated
10. Outline the process of DNA replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
11. Distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction in unicellular organisms and in macroorganisms
12. Outline the concept of Mendelian inheritance and how molecular genetics is layered upon it
13. Describe the theory of evolution and concepts related to terms such as adaptation and natural selection
14. Outline the general process of gene cloning, Polymerase Chain Reaction, generating transgenic animals and reproductive cloning
15. Outline the stages in extracellular and cellular metablism and cellular respiration
16. Distinguish between autotroph and heterotroph and sub-categories of each
17. Recognize key molecules in metabolic integration and cellular signal transduction process
18. Identify how advances in biology such as holistic (-omic) approach impacts on personalized medicine and interfacing with other disciplines

Course Content

Introduction to biological scaffolds: basic chemistry, biological diversity, human body

Macromolecules in living systems: carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, lipids

Cells: Common features, prokaryotic, eukaryotic

Genetic basis of life: central dogma, gene regulation, mutations

Continuity of life: DNA replication, cell division (prokaryotes, eukaryotes), asexual and sexual reproduction, reproduction in macroorganisms

Genetic diversity (Mendelian and molecular genetics), evolution, molecular biotechnology (genetic engineering)

Metabolism (bioenergetics, extracellular metabolism, cellular metabolism, cellular respiration, metabolic integration)

Current advances in biology: the era of -omics (genomic, transcriptomic etc), personalized medicine, biology collaborating with other disciplines

Assessment

Formative Feedback

Online courseware feedback: As you answer the quizzes embedded in the courseware, you will immediately be informed whether your answer was correct or incorrect. Along with this information, you will also be provided with an explanation of why your answers were incorrect. This will help you to achieve all learning outcomes, 1 to 18.

Whole class analysis of mid-term quiz: You will be provided with an overview of how the class performed with respect to each question, and the ones found to be challenging for more than 40% of the class will be highlighted, and the explanation provided. This will help you to achieve learning outcomes 1 to 9.

Whole class analysis of final exam: You will be provided with an overview of how the class performed with respect to each question, and the ones found to be challenging for more than 40% of the class will be highlighted, and the explanation provided. This will help you to achieve all learning outcomes, 1 to 18.

Learning and Teaching Approach

Reading and References

Essentials of the Living World, 4th edition, George B Johnson
Chapters 1-16, 23-31; ISBN-13: 978-0073525471

Biology, 12th edition, Sylvia S Mader and Michael Windelspecht
Chapters 1, 3, 6, 8, 14, 18, 27, 31, 33, 37, 41; ISBN-13: 978-1259296482

Course Policies and Student Responsibilities

1. This course is delivered entirely online.

2. You are expected to go through each package of online courseware (released weekly) within 2 weeks of its release. An on-time completion bonus mark will be awarded (regardless of your performance) if the online quizzes are finished within the 2-week deadline. However, each unit will remain accessible should you choose to complete it later.

3. Any queries you have about the online lessons should be addressed to the course coordinator by email.

4. If you need to consult with the course coordinator face-to-face, you may do so during the consultation sessions as stipulated in the course details.

5. You are expected to sit for the written assessments conducted for the mid-term quiz and the final examination.

Academic Integrity

Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of your work as a student relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and to the NTU Honour Code, a set of values shared by the whole university community. Truth, Trust and Justice are at the core of NTU’s shared values.

As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding and applying the principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not knowing what is involved in maintaining academic integrity does not excuse academic dishonesty. You need to actively equip yourself with strategies to avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic fraud, collusion and cheating. If you are uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you should go to the Academic Integrity website for more information. Consult your instructor(s) if you need any clarification about the requirements of academic integrity in the course.

Course Instructors

Planned Weekly Schedule

Appendix 2: Intended Affective Outcomes

As a result of this course, it is expected you will develop the following "big picture" attributes:

Appreciate the complex molecular, cellular, tissue and body systems that work together to form the basis of life

Appreciate the contribution of biology to our understanding of the world's biodiversity.

Be aware of the benefits and dangers of genetic engineering of food crops and animals.

Understand how advances in biotechnology may revolutionize medicine

Effectively communicate basic biology to peers and society.