Hawaii Pacific University
BIOL 1000 Introductory Biology Section ____
Semester and year, meeting times
Instructor: Name, contact information and other relevant information about the instructor.
Course description: An introductory survey of the major areas of the biological sciences designed to
equip students with information enabling them to make rational, informed decisions about biologically
relevant issues. The course includes topics such as cell structure and function, metabolism, mitosis and
meiosis, protein synthesis, evolution, animal diversity, anatomy and physiology, ecology, and
conservation biology.
Course prerequisite: High school biology recommended.
General Education Requirement: This course is classified under the Global Systems Theme and meets
the requirement for a course in Global Systems A: Natural Systems.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes and the Five Themes: HPU’s general education
curriculum is focused around five themes. This course emphasizes the Global Systems Theme and
provides students with opportunities to achieve the following related general education student
learning outcomes.
Students will utilize various systems approaches or theories to comprehend natural global
processes The primary approach used in this course and in all of science is the Scientific
Method. Students will learn the key steps of the process of science, discovery and hypothesis
testing. Upon establishing that science is based on evidence derived from observation and
thoughtful experimental design, key biological theories will be presented as the basis for the
course content. These include evolution, the cell theory, and DNA as the molecule of heredity
and the driving force for life.
Students will integrate knowledge and understanding from various disciplines in the analysis
of global systems. Students will need to apply basic concepts from biology, chemistry, physics
and oceanography in order to understand key issues relevant to global themes in biology,
from cell and organism homeostasis to global climate change. There will also be opportunity
for students to apply the concepts of areas outside of natural sciences to issues related to
biological systems, such as economics, psychology, or political science.
Students will comprehend the global impact of biological . . . systems. The conceptual
foundation of this outcome is specifically laid out during the ecology and evolution sections .
Of particular significance is the discussion of how major epochs are dominated by particular
life forms that can drive planetary cycles. Links to global cycles and the ongoing impact will
continue to be emphasized throughout the course as cell respiration, molecular biology, and
human organ systems are examined.
Students will understand the importance of global environmental systems and the
interactions between humans and the environment. Living systems interact with their
environment and are interdependent with other systems. Conservation biology is a branch of
biological science devoted to study of the current biodiversity crisis, and is an important topic
in this course. Human impacts including habitat destruction, overexploitation, and introduced
species, as well as human threats to the entire biosphere such as global climate change. Living
systems are complex and highly organized, and they require energy and matter from the
environment to maintain this organization. The interdependence of all living things and the
environment in which it lives, from the molecular to the ecosystem perspective is a key theme
of the course.
Note: Purple text shows places where specific course information must be filled in. Red text contains
explanatory notes to the instructor which should be deleted before using the syllabus. Blue explanations
above should be rephrased by the individual instructor to reflect the specific approach in that section of
the course. Course specific outcomes below are an example and may also be rephrased or modified by
the instructor.
Course-Specific Student Learning Outcomes for BIOL 1000 Introductory Biology
Except where noted, learning outcomes will be practiced during in-class activities and homework
assignments, and assessed by examinations.
The student will be able to:
1. Describe the scientific method, and in a given scenario, be able to judge whether it is applied
appropriately.
2. Name several characteristics of living organisms in general and will be able to classify them
according to their proper domain, such as archaea, bacteria, and eukarya.
3. Explain the key points of important biological concepts, including cell theory, evolution,
heredity, and the structural model of DNA:
a. Explain that the cell is the basic unit of life and that it possesses all of the properties of
living things
b. Explain how mutation and selection are instruments of evolutionary processes and give
examples that demonstrate evolution as an ongoing process
c. Apply principles of Mendelian genetics to describe heritable traits, and relate genotype
to phenotype.
d. Relate the principles of Mendelian inheritance to the processes of meiosis that generate
variability in sexually reproducing organisms
e. Describe the key processes, transcription and translation, that allow the flow of genetic
information from DNA to RNA to protein.
f. Examine the impact of molecular biology on modern society by summarizing examples
from current media (assessed by written biology article summaries)
4. List the basic components of a healthy diet and relate dietary macromolecules to cellular
processes such as cell respiration, cell reproduction, enzyme activity and protein synthesis.
5. Identify components of and describe the functions of major organ systems of the human body.
6. Define biodiversity and explain how it relates to ecosystem and human health
7. Evaluate various lines of evidence presented in current media, summarize arguments, then
assess how humans affect biodiversity by mechanisms such as global warming, introduction of
invasive species, and habitat destruction. (assessed by written biology article summaries)
8. Research, prepare, and deliver a presentation about a current biological topic of particular
interest. (assessed by student presentation)
For the rest of these required syllabus items see the details in the faculty handbook. Delete this note
once the syllabus is complete. For online courses there are some additional requirements given at this
link.
Texts List textbooks with ISBN’s and include this language as well
All textbook information (pricing, ISBN #, and e-books) for this course can be found on the HPU
Bookstore website: hpu.edu/bookstore.
If you have any questions regarding textbooks, please contact the HPU Bookstore at:
Phone:
808-544-9347
Or e-mail:
jyokota@hpu.edu
mmiyahira@hpu.edu
Assignments and mode of evaluation
Summary of important dates and deadlines (if the schedule is a separate document and due dates are
not given with the description of the assignments).
Class rules and policies (including regarding attendance, late work and academic dishonesty)
Schedule of events (may be attached separately)