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Course Syllabus

Course: BIOL 1050

Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Biology
Title: Human Biology

Semester Approved: Fall 2017
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2022
End Semester: Fall 2023

Catalog Description: Human Biology is the study of the human species at the levels of organization from the atomic through the biosphere. Emphasis is placed on the major organ systems, health issues, genetics, evolution, and man's interaction with the environment as related to the biology of humans and the quality of life. This course is for students whose major course of study is not in the sciences. This course will partially satisfy the Natural Science GE requirement (LS). While not required, it is recommended that Biol 1055 (Human Biology Lab) is taken concurrently.

General Education Requirements: Life Science (LS)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0

Corequisites: None


Justification: A basic knowledge and understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and health will have a major effect on the quality of life of those possessing it. This knowledge can also assist in interactions with the medical community as well as dealings with related issues such as diet, air quality, drugs, as well as their political activity on such issues. A course in human biology gives the student a look at biology from the human perspective, that is, how biology is directly related to everyday life. Other colleges and universities in Utah offering comparable courses are: University of Utah, BIOL 1030; Dixie State University, BIOL 1200; WSU ZOOL 1020.For the natural sciences, science is the systematic inquiry into natural phenomena organizing and condensing those observations into testable models and hypotheses, theories or laws. The success and credibility of science is anchored in the willingness of scientists to 1) expose their ideas and results to independent testing and replication by other scientists which requires the complete and open exchange of data, procedures, and materials; 2) abandon or modify accepted conclusions when confronted with more complete or reliable experimental evidence. Adherence to these principles provides a mechanism for self-correction that is the foundation of the credibility of science. (Adapted from a statement by the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society which was endorsed by the Executive Board of the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1999.) While properties of matter and energy in the physical sciences are common to life science, the emergent properties resulting from the complexities of life require additional study to amplify and clarify the scientific mechanisms of nature.

General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum will have a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world, with particular emphasis on American institutions, the social and behavioral sciences, the physical and life sciences, the humanities, the fine arts and personal wellness.  Students read the text throughout the course. Throughout the semester, students will complete homework assignments or study guide with multiple types of questions, including true/false, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank/short answer, and essay questions. Effectively completing the homework or study guide will require reading effectively, constructively, and critically. The homework, study guide, test questions, discussions, etc. are evaluated on synthesis and critical thinking processes.

2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read, retrieve, evaluate, interpret, and deliver information using a variety of traditional and electronic media. Students will complete the homework or study guide, including several short answer and essay questions, over the course of the semester that will be evaluated for skills in writing as well as in the areas of synthesis and critical thinking. The essay questions will be evaluated for clarity, information content, and persuasive presentation of content.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Through the study of these concepts students will examine key scientific hypotheses and theories which seek to explain natural phenomena in the light of the scientific method. Class discussions, short answer and essay questions, problem-solving exercises and other testing strategies and the final exam will offer students opportunities to display concept mastery. 

Concept mastery attained above will be further tested in students as they apply concepts to faculty-selected questions dealing with the natural world, and in a limited, illustrative fashion those that impinge on the human experience such as biodiversity, genetic engineering for food, fiber, medicines, environmental quality and pollution, human quality of life, climate change, etc. Course focus is not on issues but rather the application of scientific principles to assist in the resolution of problems exemplified by one or more issues. The students will demonstrate their awareness as to how such concepts lead to the development of solutions to these problems through class discussions, essay questions, problem-solving exercises, and library projects. 

Acquire knowledge by trained observation and experimentation. Covered and evaluated in Human Biology Lab 

Find, read, and understand assignments in textbooks, lab manuals, library journals, handouts, etc. Not all information available on the internet, or in written form, or spoken, is of equal validity. Peer-reviewed journals and respected reviews as well as constant questioning and research still remain the bulwark for evaluating the usefulness or credibility of scientific information. Students will read and discuss key scientific literature to gain skills necessary to discern credibility of sources of scientific information. Class discussion, essay questions on tests or library projects are the best vehicles to ascertain student skills. 


Content:
Course content will be covered through reading assignments in the textbooks, handouts, lecture, class discussion, and special project(s). Any topic not so covered remains the responsibility of the student to explore. Scientific Method; Chemistry; Cells; Simple development; Cancer; Simple Genetics; Central Dogma of Biology; Metabolism; Homeostasis; Human Evolution; Tissues; Organ systems; Ecology; Population Effects; Biodiversity

Key Performance Indicators:
tests and quizzes (70-90%) 

final exam (10-30%) 

homework, study guide, special projects, and/or reports (0-20%). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Sylvia S. Mader, Human Biology, current edition, McGraw Hill, New York, NY; Kathleen A. Ireland, Visualizing Human Biology, current edition, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.


Pedagogy Statement:


Maximum Class Size: 100
Optimum Class Size: 24