Course Specification
Programme Title: Bachelors of Biosystems Technology in Agriculture Technology and
Entrepreneurship
Faculty / Department offering the Programme: Faculty of Technology
Department Responsible for the Course: Department of Biosystems Technology
Course Name: General Biology
Course Code: BST 11011
Year / Level of study: First Year First Semester
Number of Credits : 2
Notional Hours: 100
Pre-requisite: N/A
Course Aim:
This course introduces the principles and concepts of biology. Emphasis is on basic biological
chemistry, cell structure and function, metabolism and energy transformation, genetics, evolution,
classification, and other related topics
Objectives:
In this course students will try to understand life by understanding some of the molecular processes
that occur in and around cells. In order to understand the complex processes that occur in cells
students will study the functions of individual parts of cells. The foundation of this approach is to
achieve a basic understanding of the biological molecules that are found in and around cells. Using
this information, the structures and functions of the plasma membrane, endomembrane system,
cytoskeleton, mitochondria and chloroplast are studied. Included in this is a consideration of the
structure and function of enzymes. In the last half of the course students will investigate the genetic
material of cells and viruses and the processes by which this genetic material is expressed and passed
from one generation to the next. Further the course will provide fundamental knowledge on origin of
species and evolution of living organisms.
Course ILOs:
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to;
1. State the major characteristics of science, including that it is a particular way of knowing that
seeks natural causes for phenomena and depends on observations that can be confirmed;
that it is evidence-based and ideas can change in response to new evidence; how it, and
biology in particular, have affected humanity Level 1,2
2. Explain the difference between scientific vs. non-scientific ideas, and evaluate secondary
sources of scientific information for evidence-based credibility and scientific accuracy Level
1,2
3. Describe levels of organization and related functions in plants and animals, identify the
characteristics and basic needs of living organisms and ecosystems and explain the processes
of growth and development in individuals and populations. Level 3
4. Illustrate and explain the fundamental concepts and theories associated with the properties
of life, biological molecules, cells, genetics, populations and ecology, and evolution Level 3
5. Present accurate calculation and symbolic operations, and explain how such calculations and
operations are used in either introductory biology or in interpreting information in related
fields.- Level 4
6. Design and critically assess the scientific investigations they perform and demonstrate critical
thinking skills.-Level 4
Course Contents:
Introduction to living organisms: Characteristics of life, the five kingdoms. Chemical composition of
cells, Organization of matter; Bonding between atoms, Water and its properties. Acids, bases, and
salts, Biological molecules Cell structure and function Cell theory. Comparison of prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells, Comparison of autotrophs and heterotrophs Composition and function of cell
structures . Cell membranes and membranous organelles . Comparison of plant and animal cells.
Cellular transport, Structure of cell membrane. Diffusion and osmosis. Facilitated and active transport
. Pinocytosis and phagocytosis . Bioenergetics . Metabolism . Enzymes. Energy and ATP. Hydrogen
and electron carriers Cellular respiration . Fermentation and anaerobic respiration . Aerobic respiration
Photosynthesis, Nature of light . Pigments . Chloroplast structure. Light dependent reactions . Light
independent reactions Cellular reproduction . Prokaryotic cell reproduction . Eukaryotic cell
reproduction . Stages of mitosis . Stages of meiosis Genetics . Mendelian genetics . Incomplete
dominance. Sex linkage. Mutations and genetic change Protein synthesis . Structure of DNA and its
replication. Structure of RNA and the genetic code . Protein synthesis . Chemical basis of mutation
Origin of life and evolution . Formation of earth . Origin of heterotrophs and autotrophs . Rise of
eukaryotes . Origin of multicellularity . Natural selection . Variation and speciation.
Teaching Learning Methods:
Abbreviations of Teaching learning Methods
InL-Lectures with audio visual aids (traditional / interactive)
LD-Laboratory demonstrations / Practical
FD-Field practical demonstrations and exercises
FV-Field visits / Educational excursions
PB-Problem based learning
EL- Experiential learning
CS-Case studies
SD-Self-directed studies
RP-Research projects
TL-Tutorials
SN-Seminars
DC-Discussions
WS-Workshops
WBL-Internet / Web based / Computer-Assisted learning/LMS
WE-Work experience at a monitored placement
Course Plan
Lecture
/week
No.
Lesson
No.
Relate
d
ILO/s
Lesson Title /
description
Face-to-face sessions
Lecture
Independen
Leaning
Practical
Hrs
Method
Hrs
Method
Hrs
Metho
1.
1
1,6
Introduction to
living organisms:
Characteristics of
life, Classification
of living
organisms
1
InL,
WBL
2
LD
2
WBL,
2.
2
1,6
Chemical
composition of
cells,
Organization of
matter, Bonding
between atoms,
Water and its
properties. Acids,
bases, and salts.
Biological
molecules III.
2
InL,
WBL
2
LD
3
WBL
3.
3
1,6
Cell structure and 2
function Cell
theory.
Comparison of
prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells .
Comparison of
autotrophs and
heterotrophs
Comparison of
plant and animal
cells.
InL,
WBL
2
LD
5
WBL
4.
3
2,6
Cellular
transport.
Structure of cell
membrane.
InL,
WBL
2
LD
3
WBL,
2
Diffusion and
osmosis.
Facilitated and
active transport.
Pinocytosis and
phagocytosis.
5.
4
2,6
Bioenergetics.
2
Metabolism.
Enzymes. Energy
and
ATP.
Hydrogen
and
electron carriers.
InL,
WBL
2
LD
2
WBL,
SD
6.
4
3,6
Cellular
1
respiration
Fermentation and
anaerobic
respiration.
InL,
WBL
2
LD
5
WBL,
7.
4
3,6
Aerobic
2
respiration
Photosynthesis,
Nature of light.
Pigments.
Chloroplast
structure.
InL,
WBL
2
LD
4
WBL,
8.
Course review&
Mid exam
2
9.
4
3,4.6
Light dependent 1
reactions. Light
independent
reactions
InL, SD
2
LD
10.
5
3,4,6
Cellular
reproduction.
Prokaryotic cell
reproduction.
1
InL, SD
2
LD
11.
5
5,6
Eukaryotic cell
reproduction.
2
InL, SD
2
LD
2
WBL
WBL
2
WBL
Stages of mitosis.
Stages of meiosis
12.
6
5,6
Genetics.
Mendelian
genetics.
Incomplete
dominance. Sex
linkage.
Mutations and
genetic change.
Chemical basis of
mutation
2
InL, PB
2
LD
4
WBL
13.
7
5,6
Origin of life and
evolution.
Formation of
earth. Origin of
heterotrophs and
autotrophs.
1
InL
2
LD
4
WBL
14.
7
5,6
Rise of
eukaryotes.
Origin of
multicellularity.
Natural selection.
Variation and
speciation.
1
InL, PB
2
LD
4
WBL
Course review
1
2
3
20
30
45
15.
Total
Assessment Strategy: Formative Assessments – 35%, Summative Assessments – 65%. The
details of 35%and 65% could be specified.
Type of Assessment
Summative Assessments (65%)
Formative Assessments (35%)
Assessment method
ILOs assessed
STE
(Final written exam)
1. OBT
2. Practical spot exam (10%)
3. Structured Essay Questions (10%)
4. Practical Exam-Lab-(10%)
ILO-1, ILO-2, ILO-3, ILO
ILO-6
ILO-1, ILO-2, ILO-3
ILO-4, ILO-5
ILO-4, ILO-5
5. Journal Writing (5%)
ILO-6
Transport Requirements: Vehicle requirements could be specified here
Recommended Text / books: All books, journal articles, web sites relevant to the course
could be stated here
1. P. H. Raven, G. B. Johnson, J. B. Losos, K. A. Mason and S. R. Singer. , 2011. Biology
(10th ed.) William C. Brown Publishers
2. D. S. Vodopich and R. Moore 2011 Biology Laboratory Manual (10th ed.) by. Wm. C.
Brown Pub.
3. David L. Schultz, 2006, Biology 155 Laboratory Supplement
Elizabeth Martin and Robert Hine, 2008, A Dictionary of Biology (6 ed.),Oxford University
Press, Print ISBN-13:9780199204625