BIOL 103 6391 Introduction to Biology 2 BIOL 103 Spring
2025
Adelphi · Syllabus ·
BIOL 103 6391 Introduction to Biology
BIOL-103
Spring 2022 Section 6391 4 Credits 01/12/2022 to 03/08/2022
Faculty Contact
Mobolaji Okulate
Course Description
(Not open to students majoring in Biotechnology or Laboratory Management or to students who have completed BIOL 101
or BIOL
102. Fulfills the laboratory science requirement.) An introduction to the structure and function of living organisms. The
aim is to apply the scientific method and use scientific and quantitative reasoning to make informed decisions about
experimental results in the biological sciences. Topics include the chemical foundations of life, cell biology,
genetics, evolution, ecosystems, and interdependence of living organisms. Discussion also covers the importance of
the scientific method to biological inquiry and the impact of biological knowledge and technology on human societies.
Laboratory activities emphasize the scientific method. Students may receive credit for only one of the following: BIOL
101 - BIOL 102, BIOL 103, BIOL 105, or BSCI 105.
Course Introduction
This course is an introductory course in biology, the study of life, in which we will explore unifying themes and
concepts, including biodiversity, the principles of evolution that underlie biodiversity, and the criteria that serve to
characterize life and living systems. We will also study concepts underlying the organization and interrelationships of
living organisms through experiments based on the scientific method. Further discussion will also include how the
scientific method and technological advances have led to the significant body of knowledge that now exists in biology
as well as in all other scientific disciplines.
Living organisms are built from a very specific set of building blocks-atoms, molecules, and cells. We will begin with a
study of these building blocks and their importance to living things. Next, we will examine the ways in which these
building blocks interact to provide the energy living things need to develop, grow, move, work, and respond. The power
and elegance of DNA and genes will be discussed, as well as their role in inheritance, human diseases, biodiversity, and
evolution.
We will look at plants and animals to understand how atoms, molecules, and cells work together in balanced, interrelated
systems that are critical to the health and well-being of living organisms. We will also look at the way in which living
things interact with one another and with the nonliving parts of their environment. These interactions play a major role in
the overall health of populations, ecosystems, and planet Earth.
In the laboratory portion of the course, we will apply the scientific method to scientific experiments, as well as to
everyday questions and problems. Upon this foundation, the molecular and cellular processes common to all living
organisms will be studied. We will then investigate scientific classification in the context of the importance of DNA to
individual living organisms and to species of organisms as a whole. Finally, we will examine the interdependence of
1 of
,living organisms with each other and the environment, especially with respect to the impact of human populations on
the environment and other organisms.
Course Outcomes
After completing this course, you should be able to
recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations
2 of
, weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific
method
use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions,
develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions
Course
Materials
Click to access your course materials information (http://webapps.umgc.edu/UgcmBook/BPage.cfm? C=BIOL
%20103&S=6391&Sem=2222)
Class
Guidelines
Contacting your Faculty Member
You can use the Instant Messages feature within the classroom to send a message to your faculty member, or you can
use email. See the Overview section under Content to find the contact information for your faculty member.
Classroom Navigation
Are you new to UMGC and need help navigating the LEO classroom? Check out the Online Classroom Overview: For
Undergraduate and Graduate Courses video on the Learning Experience Online (https://www.umgc.edu/current-
students/learning- resources/leo/index.cfm) website.
Course Materials
You will use a number of different materials in this class:
a free online textbook: Open Stax Concepts of Biology
access to the Table Top Science virtual labs software (see details
below) optional resource: Course Modules located under Content,
Course Resources
Table Top Science Virtual Lab Software
In this course, you will be expected to complete online lab activities. Each lab activity is designed to enable the student
to employ aspects of the scientific method in order to verify or explore the basic principles of biological science.
Required Lab Software
This course uses Biological Science Lab Activities from TableTop Science (www.tabletopscience.com TTS code:
UMUCBIOSCI). You are required to use this software package to complete your lab activities.
Link to Details: UMGC- Required Lab Software for BIOL 102 and BIOL 103
Lab Software Technology Requirements
An active email address is necessary for registration and sign-in purposes
Internet access and a modern web browser are required
Internet access is needed for sign-in and proper functioning of lab activities
Recommended Modern Browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari — Microsoft browsers are not
recommended at this time
Ability to open/edit/save lab Activity Form documents (.docx file format)
Examples of compatible software include: Microsoft Word, Pages, and LibreOffice (a free and open-source
office suite)
Laptop, desktop, or tablet computer ‐ smart- phone screens will most likely be too small for useful work
3 of
, Use of Turnitin in this Course
This course uses Turnitin, a software tool embedded in the online classroom to support the development and
assessment of academic writing, including ensuring the authenticity of student work through a Similarity Report that
highlights any matching areas in
4 of
2025
Adelphi · Syllabus ·
BIOL 103 6391 Introduction to Biology
BIOL-103
Spring 2022 Section 6391 4 Credits 01/12/2022 to 03/08/2022
Faculty Contact
Mobolaji Okulate
Course Description
(Not open to students majoring in Biotechnology or Laboratory Management or to students who have completed BIOL 101
or BIOL
102. Fulfills the laboratory science requirement.) An introduction to the structure and function of living organisms. The
aim is to apply the scientific method and use scientific and quantitative reasoning to make informed decisions about
experimental results in the biological sciences. Topics include the chemical foundations of life, cell biology,
genetics, evolution, ecosystems, and interdependence of living organisms. Discussion also covers the importance of
the scientific method to biological inquiry and the impact of biological knowledge and technology on human societies.
Laboratory activities emphasize the scientific method. Students may receive credit for only one of the following: BIOL
101 - BIOL 102, BIOL 103, BIOL 105, or BSCI 105.
Course Introduction
This course is an introductory course in biology, the study of life, in which we will explore unifying themes and
concepts, including biodiversity, the principles of evolution that underlie biodiversity, and the criteria that serve to
characterize life and living systems. We will also study concepts underlying the organization and interrelationships of
living organisms through experiments based on the scientific method. Further discussion will also include how the
scientific method and technological advances have led to the significant body of knowledge that now exists in biology
as well as in all other scientific disciplines.
Living organisms are built from a very specific set of building blocks-atoms, molecules, and cells. We will begin with a
study of these building blocks and their importance to living things. Next, we will examine the ways in which these
building blocks interact to provide the energy living things need to develop, grow, move, work, and respond. The power
and elegance of DNA and genes will be discussed, as well as their role in inheritance, human diseases, biodiversity, and
evolution.
We will look at plants and animals to understand how atoms, molecules, and cells work together in balanced, interrelated
systems that are critical to the health and well-being of living organisms. We will also look at the way in which living
things interact with one another and with the nonliving parts of their environment. These interactions play a major role in
the overall health of populations, ecosystems, and planet Earth.
In the laboratory portion of the course, we will apply the scientific method to scientific experiments, as well as to
everyday questions and problems. Upon this foundation, the molecular and cellular processes common to all living
organisms will be studied. We will then investigate scientific classification in the context of the importance of DNA to
individual living organisms and to species of organisms as a whole. Finally, we will examine the interdependence of
1 of
,living organisms with each other and the environment, especially with respect to the impact of human populations on
the environment and other organisms.
Course Outcomes
After completing this course, you should be able to
recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations
2 of
, weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific
method
use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions,
develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions
Course
Materials
Click to access your course materials information (http://webapps.umgc.edu/UgcmBook/BPage.cfm? C=BIOL
%20103&S=6391&Sem=2222)
Class
Guidelines
Contacting your Faculty Member
You can use the Instant Messages feature within the classroom to send a message to your faculty member, or you can
use email. See the Overview section under Content to find the contact information for your faculty member.
Classroom Navigation
Are you new to UMGC and need help navigating the LEO classroom? Check out the Online Classroom Overview: For
Undergraduate and Graduate Courses video on the Learning Experience Online (https://www.umgc.edu/current-
students/learning- resources/leo/index.cfm) website.
Course Materials
You will use a number of different materials in this class:
a free online textbook: Open Stax Concepts of Biology
access to the Table Top Science virtual labs software (see details
below) optional resource: Course Modules located under Content,
Course Resources
Table Top Science Virtual Lab Software
In this course, you will be expected to complete online lab activities. Each lab activity is designed to enable the student
to employ aspects of the scientific method in order to verify or explore the basic principles of biological science.
Required Lab Software
This course uses Biological Science Lab Activities from TableTop Science (www.tabletopscience.com TTS code:
UMUCBIOSCI). You are required to use this software package to complete your lab activities.
Link to Details: UMGC- Required Lab Software for BIOL 102 and BIOL 103
Lab Software Technology Requirements
An active email address is necessary for registration and sign-in purposes
Internet access and a modern web browser are required
Internet access is needed for sign-in and proper functioning of lab activities
Recommended Modern Browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari — Microsoft browsers are not
recommended at this time
Ability to open/edit/save lab Activity Form documents (.docx file format)
Examples of compatible software include: Microsoft Word, Pages, and LibreOffice (a free and open-source
office suite)
Laptop, desktop, or tablet computer ‐ smart- phone screens will most likely be too small for useful work
3 of
, Use of Turnitin in this Course
This course uses Turnitin, a software tool embedded in the online classroom to support the development and
assessment of academic writing, including ensuring the authenticity of student work through a Similarity Report that
highlights any matching areas in
4 of
