MASTER COURSE OUTLINE
Big Bend Community College
Date: March 2008
DEPT: BIOL&
NO: 223
(Formerly: BIO 123)
COURSE TITLE: Majors Organismal Phys
CIP Code:
Intent Code:
Program Code:
26.0101
11
N/A
Distribution Designation: Math/Science Lab.
CREDITS:
Total Contact Hours Per Qtr:
Lecture Hours Per Qtr:
Lab Hours Per Qtr:
Other Hours Per Qtr:
5
71.5
38.5
33
PREPARED BY: Kathleen Duvall
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The third quarter in a three-quarter general biology series, this series is
designed for life-science majors, pre-professional students, and for students intending to take
advanced courses in the biological sciences. Topics of study include: animal and plant anatomy,
physiology, and development. Related investigations take place in a three-hour lab period each
week.
PREREQUISITE(S): Successful completion of BIOL& 222 with a 2.0 or better or instructor’s
permission, and successful completion of either CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161 with a 2.0 or better.
TEXT: A recent edition of a majors biology text such as Life: The Science of Biology, Seventh
Edition, by Purves, Sadava, Orians, and Heller, W. H. Freeman and Company, 2004.
COURSE GOALS:
To help students gain the prerequisite knowledge required in advanced
biological science courses. To provide lab experiences that reinforce general biology concepts, that
promote problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and that develop laboratory skills necessary for
future upper-level biology courses.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
BIO 123
Describe the processes of development; further, define and explain cell differentiation, cell
determination, organ development, and body segmentation, discussing the role of differential
gene expression within these processes.
Define and explain the animal developmental processes of fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation,
and neuralation, also describing human development.
Discuss the role evolution plays in shaping animal and plant development.
Describe and explain the structure and functions of the vegetative plant organs: stems, roots,
and leaves, including the structure and functions of meristems and tissue systems.
Explain how water and dissolved food substances are transported throughout the plant.
List and discuss the mineral nutrient needs of plants, describing soil makeup and nitrogen
fixation.
Define and describe both the asexual and sexual reproduction of flowering plants; diagram and
explain the life cycle of a typical flowering plant.
Name the major plant hormones and describe their effects on plants; also discuss how
flowering is controlled and how plants respond to environmental stresses such as pathogens,
herbivores, drought, water saturation, salinity, and temperature extremes.
Describe how animals regulate their internal environment, especially temperature regulation.
List and discuss the actions of animal hormones, especially the major human hormones.
Page 1 of 3
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Define and describe both the asexual and sexual reproduction of animals, including the human
reproductive system.
Explain how neurons generate and conduct nerve impulses throughout nervous systems, and
also describe how sensory systems detect external stimuli.
Describe the structures and functions of the mammalian nervous system; name and describe the
parts of the brain as well as how neuronal networks process information.
Describe the structure of muscle tissue; explain muscle contraction. In addition, describe bone
tissue, and compare and contrast exoskeletons and endoskeletons.
Describe the various animal adaptations for respiratory gas exchange, and especially explain
gas exchange in human lungs, and how blood transports respiratory gases.
Describe and explain animal circulatory systems with an emphasis on the human heart and
vascular system.
Describe and discuss the digestive and excretory systems of animals, especially vertebrate and
mammalian systems.
Describe and discuss the effects that genes and hormones have on animal behavior.
COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE:
Development
Differential Gene Expression and Cell Differentiation, Cell Determination, Organ
Development, and Body Segmentation
Animal Development – Fertilization, Cleavage, Gastrulation, and Neurulation, Human
Development
Regulatory Genes, Morphology Change, Plant Development, and Environmental Influences
The Biology of Flowering Plants
Plant Cells, Tissues, Tissue Systems, and Organs – Stems, Roots, and Leaves
Water and Substance Transport in Plants – Functioning of the Xylem and Phloem
Plant Nutrition – Mineral Nutrients, Soils, and Nitrogen Fixation
Regulation of Plant Growth – Plant Hormones and Their Affects
Asexual and Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants, Control of Flowering
Plant Responses to Environmental Challenges
The Biology of Animals
Physiology, Homeostasis, and Temperature Regulation
Animal Hormones, Hormone and Insects, Vertebrate Endocrine System, Hormones and Signal
Transduction
Asexual and Sexual Reproduction in Animals, Human Reproduction
Neurons and Nervous Systems, Sensory Cells and Sensory Systems
The Mammalian Nervous System – Structure, Function, Information Flow and Processing,
Neuronal Networks, and Higher Brain Functions
Cell Movement, Muscle Contraction, and Skeletal Systems
Gas Exchange in Animals, Human Lungs, Blood Gas Transport, Regulating Breathing
Circulatory Systems – Vertebrate Systems, Human Heart, Vascular System, Blood, Regulation
of Circulation
Nutrition, Digestion, and Absorption – Digestive System, Liver
Salt and Water Balance and Nitrogen Excretion – Invertebrate, Vertebrate, and Mammalian
Excretory Systems, Kidney Function
Animal Behavior, Hormone and Genetic Effects on Behavior, Communication, Biological
Rhythms, Orientation, and Navigation, Human Behavior
EVALUATION METHODS/GRADING PROCEDURES:
BIO 123
Page 2 of 3
Lecture Exams and Final Exam
Homework, Project, and Quizzes
Lab Reports, Lab Mid-Term, and Lab Final
60%
15%
25%
The grade scale may be adjusted as the instructor deems necessary but usually approximates:
100 - 96%
4.0
76 - 70%
2.4 - 2.0
95 - 90%
3.9 - 3.5
69 - 64%
1.9 - 1.5
89 - 84%
3.4 - 3.0
63 - 57%
1.4 - 0.7
83 - 77%
2.9 - 2.5
56 - 0%
0.0
Lab is an essential part of this class and is required for credit. Students missing more than two labs or
missing the mandatory lab final will not be given credit for this course. The lab final exam is a
practical exam in which students rotate through stations that each contain two questions and usually
present a hands-on exhibit. Diagrams, models, 35mm slides, and microscope slides are all commonly
used. Lab exam question types include identification, analysis, and prediction of results.
PLANNED TEACHING METHODS/LEARNING STRATEGIES:
X Lecture
X Laboratory
Supervised Clinical
X Small Group Discussion
X Audiovisual
Individualized Instruction
X Special Project
Other (List)
Division Chair Approval
BIO 123
Page 3 of 3