HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BIO 202 – Biodiversity
Course Information
EFFECTIVE DATE
Fall 2010
DATE SUBMITTED
December, 2009
COURSE NUMBER
BIO 202
COURSE TITLE
Biodiversity
PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITES
BIO 120 and BIO 121
DIVISION
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
BUDGET ORG
NUMBER
1142
SUBJECT
BIO
INITIATOR
Tamalene Imbierowicz
DIVISION LEADER
Deborah Wrobel
NUMBER OF CREDITS
3
TOTAL INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS
45 lecture hours
RECOMMENDED CLASS SIZE
32
START-UP COST
$2325
COURSE FEE
0
Course Description
BIO 202 Biodiversity (3 credits) This course introduces the science major to the diversity,
structure and function of organisms and the processes that generate diversity, emphasizing
phylogeny and the evolution of major groups of organisms. Prerequisite: BIO 120 and BIO 121.
Student Learning Objectives Linked to Relevant Academic Outcomes
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate through the building and interpretation of phylogenetic trees how
scientists infer evolutionary patterns from biological data.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Science and Technology,
Critical Thinking, Communication)
2. Discuss how natural selection and adaptation to changing environments lead to the
origin of the major groups of organisms.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Science and Technology,
Communication)
3. Explain how genetics and developmental pathways have provided variation in
biological form for evolution to act upon.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Science and Technology,
Critical Thinking, Communication)
4. Compare and contrast examples of organismal diversification around the themes of
growth, development, and physiological processes.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Science and Technology,
Critical Thinking, Communication)
5. Identify and locate appropriate types of information for review, evaluate the
information, and use the information effectively, ethically, and legally.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Information Literacy,
Communication Critical Thinking )
Course Outline
I. INTRODUCTION TO BIODIVERSITY
A. Tree of Life
B. Evolution and Unity and Diversity of Life
II. SPECIATION AND SPECIES CONCEPT
A. Processes of Speciation
B. Species Concepts
III. CONSTRUCTING AND INTERPRETING PHYLOGENY
A. Estimating Phylogeny
B. Homology and Homoplasy
IV. PROKARYOTIC DIVERSITY
A. Phylogeny of Prokaryotes
B. Bacteria
C. Archaea
V. EUKARYOTIC DIVERSITY - PROTISTS
A. Protist Diversity
B. Paraphylogeny of Protists
VI. EUKARYOTIC DIVERSITY – FUNGI
A. Phylogeny of Fungi
B. Fungal Diversity
VII.
EUKARYOTIC DIVERSITY - PLANTS
A. Phylogeny of Plants
B. Plant Diversity & Adaptations to Life on Land
C. Comparing Transport in Plants and Animals
D. Comparison of Reproduction in Seed Plants and Amniotes
VIII.
EUKARYOTIC DIVERSITY - ANIMAL
A. Phylogeny of Animals
B. Diversity of Sponges and Cnidarians
C. Protostome Development
D. Deuterostome Development
Instructional Method(s)
To achieve student learning objectives, instruction includes: lecture, case studies, field trips,
films, computer simulations, and student discussions.
Assessment Method(s)
To assess student learning objectives, assessment methods include: Examinations and quizzes,
case study analysis, discussions, graded activities and assignments.
Textual Material(s)
Title: Biological Science, Volume 2 Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology, 3rd edition
Author: Freeman, Scott
Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall
Date: 2008