Biology 3401 Course Goals and Objectives

Successful students in Biology 3401 will achieve the following course outcomes:

  1. Students will integrate facts and concepts related to the following overarching themes to analyze biological phenomena:
  • Interaction and Bio-complexity 
  • Biological Diversity & Unity 
  • Evolution & Heredity 
  • Structure and function 
  • Scientific inquiry 
  • Science/technology and society 
  • Fundamental interconnectedness of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology
  1. Students will analyze biological phenomena through the integration of overarching biological themes (listed under #1 above) with quantitative skills by:
  • explaining basic concepts of statistics and probability.
  • applying methods needed to analyze and critically evaluate statistical arguments.
  • recognizing the importance of statistical ideas.
  • evaluating the social and ethical implications of data collection and analysis, especially in relation to human subjects.
  1. Students will analyze biological phenomena through the integration of overarching biological themes (listed under #1 above) with:
  • concepts from the physical sciences,
  • concepts from the chemical sciences, 
  1. Students will develop a critical appreciation of the relationship between technologies and their context though:
  • Critically describing the relationships between technology and society in historical and cultural contexts.
  • Recognizing how technologies emerge and change.
  • Evaluating the social and ethical implications of technology.
  1. Students demonstrate critical thinking and scientific logic in the analysis of natural phenomena and the ethics behind the human involvement in these phenomena. 
  2. Students will identify the components of a scientific study and analyze the validity of the methods and results by 
  • Using credible and relevant sources of information, 
  • evaluating assumptions, 
  • considering alternative viewpoints or hypotheses to express ideas and develop arguments.
  1. Students will reflectively use scientific communication for a specific purpose, context, and audience using an appropriate genre and modality.   
  2. Students will reflect on how to adapt persuasive communication and research strategies to new contexts and evaluate the social and ethical implications of those strategies.
  3. Students will reflect on the role of Biology in society, business, industry, and health fields. 
  4. Students will become self-directed learners by which they can independently study biological content and procedures.