Course Title: Introduction to Biology

Course Code: ZOOL - 6141

Credit Hours: 3

Class: BS 1st (Section: A, B, C, D)

Department: College of Agriculture

Course aims:

This subject aims to yield students with a sense of practical relevance of biology to everyday life. This will make students comprehend life by understanding some of the molecular processes that occur in and around cells, to make students cognizant of biologic phenomenon (nature, body, etc.) on an evolutionary, ecological, behavioural, physiologic, tissue, cellular, and molecular level. In this subject students will examine how life is organized into hierarchical levels; how living organisms use and produce energy; how life grows, develops, and reproduces; how life responds to the environment to maintain internal stability; and how life evolves and adapts to the environment. Moreover, it will also enable them to investigate the biological molecules, homeostasis in vertebrates, and the influence of hormones on coordination and control systems of animal body. Upon completion of this subject students will be have an enhanced knowledge and appreciation of the basics of growth and development plants of animals and can develop cogent and critical arguments based on the course material.

Major areas of this subject include:

• Nature and scope of biology
• Branches of biology
• Biological molecules
• The cell
• Homeostasis
• Introduction to the central and peripheral nervous system
• Hormones
• Basics of growth and development

Course Requirements:

In order to successfully complete this course, you should regularly attend classes and prepare the given assignments. The quality of your work will be graded with regards to originality, the rationality of your opinions and the content relevancy. You are expected to use peer-reviewed literature resources to support your thoughts, ideas and opinions. Active participation in all class-based activities is mandatory for succeeding in this course.

Course Contents:   

• Introduction: Nature and scope of biology
• Branches of biology
• Relationship between biology and food science
• Biological molecules: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Nucleic acids, Water
• The cell: Structure and function of the cell
• Cell organelles
• Different types of cells
• Homeostasis: Osmoregulation
• Structure and functions of Nephron
• Thermoregulation
• Coordination and control: Structure and physiology of Neuron
• Introduction to the central and peripheral nervous system
• Hormones
• Basics of growth and development
• Embryonic and post embryonic development

Readings:

1. Michael, J., & Lenardo. (2013). Immune Homeoststis: Methods and protocols. New Jersey:
   Humama press.
2. Paradise, C. J., & Campbell, A. M. (2016). Organismal Homeostasis. New York: Momentum
   Press.

Timetable:

BS 1st (section: A & B)             

Monday: 12:10-01:00 PM

Thursday: 11:20 – 12:10 PM

Friday: 12:10-01:00 PM

BS 1st (section: C & D)   

Tuesday:      10:30-11:20 AM

Wednesday: 12:10-01:00 PM

Friday: 09:40-10:30 AM

Course Schedule:

Week 1: Introduction: Nature and scope of biology

Week 2:  Branches of biology

Week 3: Relationship between biology and food science

Week 4: Biological molecules: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Nucleic acids, Water

Week 5: The cell: Structure and function of the cell

Week 6: Cell organelles

Week 7: Different types of cells

Week 8: MID EXAMS

Week 9:  Homeostasis: Osmoregulation

Week 10: Structure and functions of Nephron

Week 11: Thermoregulation

Week 12: Coordination and control: Structure and physiology of Neuron

Week 13: Introduction to the central and peripheral nervous system

Week 14: Hormones

Week 15: Basics of growth and development

Week 16: Embryonic and post-embryonic development

Week 17: FINAL EXAMS