Biology (BIOL) 204
Principles of Biology I (Revision 2)

This version of BIOL 204 closed March 25, 2003. To current version.

Delivery modes: Individualized study with a home lab; Grouped study
Credits: 3 - Science
Prerequisite: None. Senior-level high school biology or chemistry is strongly recommended but not required.
Centre: Centre for Science
Challenge for Credit: BIOL 204 has a Challenge for Credit option
Learn more online: BIOL 204 home page

>> Overview | Outline | Evaluation | Course Materials | Special Instructional Features
>> Course Fees | Course Availability


Overview

BIOL 204 is a preparatory course in general biology and the first of three introductory biology courses that will prepare students for all second-year biology courses. This course is designed for home study, supplemented with home labs. Topics covered include chemical basis of life, cell structure, biological membranes, cellular structure, cellular metabolism, photosynthesis, cell reproduction, principles of heredity, molecular genetics, genetics of development, natural selection, population genetics, speciation, and evolution.

Outline

  • Part I: The Organization of Life
    • Chapter 1 A View of Life
    • Chapter 2 Atoms and Molecules: The Chemical Basis of Life
    • Home Lab 2 Physical and Chemical Properties of Water
    • Chapter 3 The Chemistry of Life: Organic Compounds
    • Home Lab 3 Isomers and Simple Food Tests
    • Chapter 4 Cellular Organization
    • Home Lab 4 Sectioning and Microscopy
    • Chapter 5 Biological Membranes
    • Home Lab 5 Diffusion and Osmosis
  • Part II: Energy Transfer Through Living Systems
    • Chapter 6 The Energy of Life
    • Home Lab 6 Enzymes
    • Chapter 7 Energy-releasing Pathways and Biosynthesis
    • Home Lab 7 Fermentation
    • Chapter 8 Photosynthesis: Capturing Energy
    • Home Lab 8 Carbon Fixation
  • Part III: The Continuity of Life: Genetics
    • Chapter 9 Chromosomes, Mitosis and Meiosis
    • Home Lab 9 Mitosis and Meiosis
    • Chapter 10 The Basic Principles of Heredity
    • Home Lab 10 Genetics
    • Chapter 11 DNA: The Carrier of Genetic Information
    • Home Lab 11 DNA
    • Chapter 12 RNA and Protein Synthesis: The Expression of Genetic Information
    • Home Lab 12 Protein Synthesis
    • Chapter 13 Gene Regulation: The Control of Gene Expression
    • Chapter 14 Genetic Engineering
    • Home Lab 14 DNA and Gene Regulation
    • Chapter 15 Human Genetics
    • Home Lab 15 Human Genetics
    • Chapter 16 Genes and Development
  • Part IV: Evolution
    • Chapter 17 Evolution: Mechanism and Evidence
    • Home Lab 17 Evolution
    • Chapter 18 Population Genetics
    • Home Lab 18 Population Genetics
    • Chapter 19 Speciation and Macroevolution
    • Chapter 20 The Origin and Evolutionary History of Life
    • Chapter 21 The Evolution of Primates

Evaluation

To receive credit for BIOL 204, students must achieve a course composite grade of at least "D" (50 percent); a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination; and obtain an average of at least 50 percent on the assignments. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Assignment 1
(Chapters 1-5 and home lab activities)		 Assignment 2
(Chapters 6-8 and home lab activities)		 Assignment 3
(Chapters 9-16 and home lab activities)		 Assignment 4
(Chapters 17-21 and home lab activities)		 Final Exam
(Chapters 1-21 and home lab activities)		 Total
10% 10% 10% 10% 60% 100%

Course Materials

Textbooks

Solomon, E. P., L. R. Berg, D. W. Martin, and C. Villee. 1993. Biology, 3d ed. Saunders College Publishing.

Daniel, R. S., S. C. Daniel, and R. L. Taylor. 1993. Study Guide to accompany Biology, 3d ed. Saunders College Publishing.

Other material

The course materials also include a student manual, a home lab manual, an assignment booklet, and a home lab kit.

Special Instructional Features

The home lab kit supplies many of the materials used for the home labs. The student will, however, have to supplement the home lab kit with some common kitchen items or supplies. Students may also borrow materials from Athabasca University Library.

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice.
Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

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This page was updated by G. Zahara