Biology 953

Prerequisite:  Grade of “C” or better in SC923 Biology or grade of “B” or better in SC922 Biology, Algebra I and 1 year of Chemistry. 

Course Description:   This course focuses on understanding the concepts of biology and how it is connected to student lives through humanities and other natural sciences.  Students will learn the processes of science, the life of the cell, cellular reproduction and genetics, and evolutionary concepts.  They will also determine evolutionary relationships between different species and why it matters today.  This course also emphasizes comparative anatomy of cat and human.  Students will learn about plant form and function and produce a leaf collection using the “Forest Trees of Illinois” and “Trees of Illinois” as a guide.  (May receive BIOL 101 or ZOOL 101 credit)

Course Goals:  The goal of this course is to expose each student to the foundation of biology and to understand our own human origins and relate it to real world examples.  Students will also be exposed to a variety of organisms and how their anatomy compares.  Students are graded on projects and the quality of their dissections, their ability to identify structures on the animals dissected, and the ability to identify anatomical structures.  A leaf collection with identification of type of leaf, leaf shapes/margins, common name, and scientific name. 

Click here to see Syllabus.
Click here for the leaf labels.