BI-102 Learning Objectives – Chapter 1: The Science of Biology
Fall '08
1.
Be able to name and describe any 4 of the 7 characteristics shared by all living
organisms.
2.
Be able to paraphrase and explain Dr. Tritt’s definition of life.
3.
Be able to explain what is meant by the phrase hierarchical nature of the biological
world.
4.
Be able to explain what emergent properties are.
5.
Be able to explain the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning.
6.
Be able to describe the process of hypothesis driven science.
7.
Be able to describe the fundamental attributes of a hypothesis.
8.
Be able to state the fundamental purpose of a well designed experiment.
9.
With respect to experiments, be able to explain what a variable is.
10.
With respect to experiments, be able to describe what is meant by the term control.
11.
Be able to describe what is typically done with the results of scientific experiments.
12.
Explain what models are and how they are used in medicine, science and
engineering.
13.
Be able to explain the relationship between scientific theories and “Truth.”
14.
Be able to describe the process by which Darwin reached his conclusions regarding
evolution by natural selection.
15.
Be able to describe a single modern type of evidence supporting Darwin’s
hypothesis that was not available to him.
16.
Be able to name and briefly describe any 3 of the 4 unifying themes of biology
mentioned in your textbook.
17.
Be able to name and briefly describe the currently recognized 3 domains and 5
kingdoms of life on Earth.