Course
Description

Designed for nonmajors. Humans as biological organisms: our origins, ecology, and inheritance; and functioning of our body systems.

Methods of Course Instruction

• Analyze biological phenomena using a scientific approach based on hypothesis testing with evidence (not opinions and beliefs), and develop logical critical thinking skills. 

• Apply this knowledge in evaluating social issues and problems that have a biological dimension.

• Describe the cellular and molecular basis of physiological homeostasis and how disease transpires to upset this balance and how the body copes with such challenges

• Know how humans extract useful energy & nutrients from food; evaluate the current controversy over what is the best diet; also, what causes obesity, malnutrition, anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

• Explain how a medical exam reveals how well the organ systems are working and which organs can be replaced with transplanted organs, and current state of the art of organ transplanting & stem cells, too.

• Know all of the organ systems, structure and function, of the human body:  skin, musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, endocrine, immune & lymphatic, reproductive, etc.

• Explain the cellular, anatomical and physiological basis of reproduction; also, know the various sexually transmitted diseases and how to prevent their occurrence.

• Understand how genetics and human inheritance works and the nature of genetic manipulation to fix inherited defects, etc.  Critically evaluate the current embryonic stem cell debate.

• Explain the concept of the ecological carrying capacity and what this means to human population, now and in the future.  Understand the value of biodiversity and food webs to optimizing human health.

• Understand the mechanisms and predictions of the evolution of life on earth by the process of natural selection and other factors, and be able to explain why “creation myths” and the current “intelligent design” argument are fraudulent and pseudoscience and why they don’t belong in a science classroom.

Several weekly assignments to be dropped in Blackboard mailbox
Four midterms & the final exam (format:  multiple-choice, short answer & labeling diagrams)

Materials

Required

“Visualizing Human Biology” by K. A. Ireland and D. J. Tenenbaum. Wiley Press, ISBN: 978-0-471-68932-4

Additional or Optional Materials
These will be downloadable from Blackboard

Note: The books for the course are in stock at College Bookstore, (740) 594-3505. Click here for online ordering.

Exams
Requirements

5 exams - No proctoring required

How are exams to be taken: Online during a 48 hour period starting with the date.

Dates of Exams
Exam 1 Unit 1                           November 30th  
Exam 2 Unit 6                           December 7th
Exam 3 Unit 2                           December 14th
Exam 4 Unit 4                           December 21st  
Exam 5 Units 3 & 5                  December 28th