BI 154 - Animal Biology
Description
Biology 154 (Animal Biology) is a comprehensive biodiversity survey of the animal-like protists and metazoan animals, incorporating broad and unifying biological and evolutionary concepts. Animal Biology stresses the classification, evolution, embryology, anatomy, physiology, and behavior of representative species of major phyla of unicellular animal-like protists and metazoan animals. This course is appropriate for anyone interested in the study of the biodiversity of animals.
Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 6
School: School of STEM
Department: Biological Sciences
Discipline: BI
Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20230221T10:48:41
Course Review & Revision Year: 2027-2028
Course Type:
Elective- Offering designed to expand learning opportunities for degree seeking students. May or may not be required for students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios
General Education Requirement: None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Solve biological problems in a logical, step-by-step manner.
- List (using the proper biological terminology) and describe (using examples) the major principles of evolution using zoological examples.
- Outline the evolutionary lineages relating the animal-like protists, the Mesozoa, the Porifera, the Cnidaria, the Platyhelminthes, the Nematoda, the Onychorphora, the Tardigrada, the Mollusca, the Annelida, the Arthropoda, the Echinodermata, the Hemichordata, the Urochordata, the Cephalochordata, and the Chordata, and other minor phyla.
- List the distinguishing characteristics, including the most significant evolutionary contributions, of the animal-like protists, the Mesozoa, the Porifera, the Cnidaria, the Platyhelminthes, the Nematoda, the Onychorphora, the Tardigrada, the Mollusca, the Annelida, the Arthropoda, the Echinodermata, the Hemichordata, the Urochordata, the Cephalochordata, and the Chordata, and other minor phyla.
- Describe (using examples from zoology) speciation and phylogeny as these topics pertain to the neosynthesis of evolutionary theory.
- List the distinguishing characteristics, including the most significant evolutionary contributions, of the aforementioned phyla.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the form (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the assigned structures of the representatives of the animal phyla studied in laboratory and lecture.
- Compare and contrast the principles of numerical taxonomy, phylogenetic systematics (cladistics) and classical systematics.
- Outline the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproductive strategies and their impact on anagenetic evolution.
- Outline in detail the five basic observations and three major inferences supporting Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.
- Delineate the controversy concerning the “rate” of evolution (e.g., gradualism and punctuated equilibrium).
- Outline the tenets of Island Biogeography and its effect on speciation.
- Describe (using examples from zoology) speciation and phylogeny as these topics pertain to the neosynthesis.
- Outline the currently accepted hypotheses for the evolution of the higher primates and the hominid line leading to the genus Homo in particular.
- Outline the basic features of animal ecology and behavior (e.g., population ecology, physiological ecology, biophysical ecology, etc).
- Identify ethical dilemmas associated with environmental, social, or cultural issues.
- Use well-designed search strategies to gather data and information.
Approved for Online Delivery?: No
Course Outline:
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE EVOLUTION OF ANIMALS
A. Biological Principles and the Science of Zoology
B. The Origin and Evolution of Life
1. Prebiotic Synthesis of Organic Molecules
2. The RNA World
3. Origin of Living Cellular Systems
4. Prokaryotes and the Age of Cyanobacteria
5. Appearance of the Eukaryotes
6. Endosymbiosis and Lateral Gene Transfer
C. Organic Evolution
1. Origins of Darwinian Evolutionary Theory
2. Pre-Darwinian Evolutionary Ideas
3. Darwin and the Voyage of the Beagle
4. Darwinian Evolutionary Theory
a. The Classical Evidence
b. Perpetual Change
c. The Fossil Record
d. The Geological Time Scale
e. The Genetic Evidence
f. Evolutionary Trends
g. Common Descent
h. Homology and Phylogenetic Reconstruction
i. Ontongeny, Phylogeny, and “Recapitulation”
j. Paedomorphosis and Neoteny
k. Multiplication of Species
l. Allopatric, Sympatric, Parapatric Speciation
m. Adaptive Radiation
n. Gradualism and Phenotypic Gradualism
o. Punctuated Equilibrium
p. Natural Selection
q. Revisions of Darwin’s Theory
5. Neo-Darwinism: The Synthetic Theory
6. Genetic Equilibrium
a. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
b. Genetic Drift
c. Nonrandom Mating, and Migration
7. Genetic Variation with Population Quantitative Variation (Selective Pressures)
8. Macroevolution
a. Major Evolutionary Events
b. Speciation and Extinction
c. Mass Extinction
D. The Reproductive Process
1. Nature of the Reproductive Process
a. Asexual Reproduction
b. Sexual Reproduction
c. Hermaphroditism
d. Parthenogenesis
2. Sexual versus Asexual Reproduction
3. The Origin and Maturation of Germ Cells
4. Sex Determination
a. Gametogenesis Reproductive Pattern
b. Plans of Reproductive Systems
(1) Invertebrate Reproductive Systems
(2) Vertebrate Reproductive Systems
(3) Endocrine Events of Reproduction
(4) Hormonal Control
(5) Timing of Reproduction
E. Principles of Development
1. Early Concepts
a. Preformation Versus Epigenesis
2. Fertilization
a. Oocyte Maturation/Activation
b. Early Development Patterns of Cleavage
c. Distribution of Yolk
d. Cleavage Pattern
e. Inherited Patterns of Cleavage
f. Blastulation and Gastrulation
g. Formation of Germ Layers
h. Formation of the Coelom
3. Mechanisms of Development
4. Cytoplasmic Specification
5. Embryonic Induction
6. Gene Expression during Development
7. Homeotic Genes
8. Vertebrate Development
a. Common Vertebrate Heritage
b. Amniotes and the Amniotic Egg
c. The Mammalian Placenta
d. Early Mammalian Development
(1) Germination Pattern
(2) Development of Organs
(3) Organ Systems
9. Derivatives of Ectoderm:
a. Nervous System and Nerve Growth
10. Derivatives of Endoderm:
a. Digestive Tube and Survival of Gill Arches
11. Derivatives of Mesoderm:
a. Support, Movement, and Circulatory Systems
II. THE DIVERSITY OF ANIMAL LIFE
A. Architectural Pattern of an Animal
1. The Hierarchical Organization
a. Animal Complexity
b. Body Size and Metabolic Rate
2. Extracellular Components of Metazoa
3. Types of Tissues
4. Animal Body Plan
a. Animal Symmetry
b. Body Cavities
c. Coelom Formation
(1) Acoelomates
(2) Pseudocoelomates
(3) Eucoelomates
d. Metamerism and Cephalization
B. Classification and Phylogeny of Animals
1. Linnaeus and the Development of Classification
2. Taxonomic Characters
3. Phylogenetic Reconstruction
4. Sources of Phylogenetic Information
5. Theories of Systematics
a. Traditional Evolutionary Taxonomy
b. Phylogenetic Systematics (Cladistics)
c. Numerical Taxonomy
6. Current State of Animal Systematics
7. Species Concepts:
a. Criteria for Recognition of Species
(1) Typological Species Concept
(2) Biological Species Concept
(3) Evolutionary Species Concept
(4) Phylogenetic Species Concept
(5) Dynamism of Species Concept
8. Major Divisions of Life
9. Major Subdivisions of the Animal Kingdom
C. Protozoan Groups
1. Emergence of Eukaryotes
2. General Form and Function
3. Sexual and Asexual Reproduction
4. Introduction to origins of Clade
5. Opisthokonta/Unikonta and ancestral choanoflagellates
D. Origin of Metazoa
1. Phylum Placozoa
2. Phylum Porifera
a. Sponges Form and Function
b. Types of Canal Systems
(1) Asconoids, Syconoids, Leuconoids
c. Types and Differentiation of Cells
d. Types of Sponge Skeletal Features
e. Mechanics and Physiology of Reproduction
f. Regeneration and Somatic Embryogenesis
g. Classification of Porifera
(1) Class Calcarea (Calcispongiae)
(2) Class Hexactinellida (Hyalospongiae)
(3) Class Demospongiae
h. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Porifera
E. Radiate Animals: Phylum Cnidaria and Phylum Ctenophora
1. Phylum Cnidaria Form and Function
a. Nematocysts and Nerve Nets
b. Class Hydrozoa Body Plan
(1) Body Wall
(2) Cellular/Tissue Diversity
(3) Locomotion
(4) Feeding and Digestion
c. Hydroid Colonies and Freshwater Medusae
d. Class Scyphozoa
(1) Body Plan and Body Wall
(2) Cellular/Tissue Diversity
(3) Locomotion
(4) Feeding and Digestion
(5) Diversity: Colonial Forms and Coevolution
e. Class Cubozoa
(1) Body Plan and Body Wall
(2) Cellular/Tissue Diversity
(3) Locomotion
(4) Feeding and Digestion
(5) Diversity: Metamorphic groups
f. Class Anthozoa
(1) Body Plan and Body Wall
(2) Cellular/Tissue Diversity
(3) Locomotion
(4) Feeding and Digestion
(5) Diversity
(a) Sea Anemones and Hexacorallia
(b) Zoantharian Corals and Octocorallia
(c) Alcyonarian Corals
(i) Description of Coral Reefs
(ii) Formation of Coral Reefs
2. Phylum Ctenophora
a. Basal Animal Clade
b. Class Tentaculata
(1) Body Plan and Body Wall
(2) Cellular/Tissue Diversity
(3) Locomotion
(4) Feeding and Digestion
(5) Diversity
3. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Radiate Animals
F. Acoelomate Bilateral Animals
1. Phylum Platyhelminthes
2. Phylum Nemertea
3. Phylum Gnathostomulida
a. Position in Animal Kingdom
b. Biological Contribution
4. Phylum Platyhelminthes
a. Form and Function
b. Nutrition and Digestion
c. Excretion and Osmoregulation
d. Nervous System and Sense Organs
e. Reproduction and Regeneration
f. Diversity
g. Economic/Medical Importance
h. Class Turbellaria
i. Class Trematoda
(1) Subclass Digenea
j. Clade Monogenea
k. Class Cestoda
5. Phylum Nemertea (Rhynchocoela)
a. Locomotion
b. Feeding and Digestion
c. Circulation
d. Excretion and Respiration
e. Nervous System
f. Reproduction and Development Regeneration
6. Phylum Gnathostomulida
7. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Acoelomate Bilateria
G. Pseudocoelomate Animals
1. Characteristics of Pseudocoelomates
a. Position in Animal Kingdom
b. Biological Contribution
2. Phylum Rotifera
a. Form and Function
b. Internal Features
c. Reproduction and Nuclear Contancy
3. Phylum Gastrotricha
a. Form and Function
4. Phylum Kinorhyncha
a. Form and Function
5. Phylum Nematoda
a. Form and Function
b. Nematode Endopararasites and Coevolution
6. Phylum Nematomorpha
a. Form and Function
7. Phylum Entoprocta
a. Form and Function
8. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Pseudeocoelomate Animals
H. Molluscs
1. Phylum Mollusca
a. Position in Animal Kingdom
b. Biological Contribution
c. Characteristics of the Phylum Mollusca
(1) Form and Function
(2) Radula and Foot Visceral Mass
(3) Mantle and Mantle Cavity
(4) Shell Reproduction and Life History
d. Class Caudofoveata
e. Class Solenogastres
f. Class Monoplacophora
g. Class Polyplacophora
h. Class Scaphopoda
i. Class Gastropoda
(1) Torsion and Coiling
(2) Internal Form and Function
(3) Major Groups of Gastropods
(a) Prosobranchs and Opisthobranchs
(b) Pulmonates
j. Class Bivalvia (Pelecypoda)
(1) Form and Function
(2) Body and Mantle
(3) Locomotion
(4) Gas Exchange and Respiration
(5) Feeding
(6) Internal Structure and Function
(7) Reproduction and Development
k. Class Cephalopoda
(1) Form and Function
(2) Locomotion
(3) Respiration and Circulation
(4) Nervous and Sensory Systems
(5) Communication
(6) Reproduction
(7) Major Groups of Cephalopods
l. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Mollusca
I. Segmented Worms (Phylum Annelida)
1. Position in Animal Kingdom
2. Biological Contribution
3. Characteristics of Phylum Annelida
a. Body Plan
b. Diversity
(1) Class Polychaeta
(a) Form and Function
(b) Nutrition
(c) Circulation and Respiration
(d) Excretion
(e) Nervous System and Sense Organ
(f) Reproduction and Development
(2) Class Oligochaeta
(a) Form and Function
(b) Nutrition
(c) Circulation and Respiration
(d) Excretion
(e) Nervous System and Senses
(f) Organ Systems
(g) General Behavior
(h) Reproduction and Development
(i) Freshwater Oligochaetes
(3) Class Hirudinea
(a) Form and Function
(b) Nutrition and Micropredation and Evolution
(c) Circulation and Respiration
(d) Excretion
(e) Nervous System and Special Sense Organs
(f) General Behavior
(g) Reproduction and Development
(h) Evolutionary Significance of Metamerism
4. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Annelida
J. Arthropods
1. Position in Animal Kingdom
2. Biological Contribution
3. Characteristics of Arthropoda
a. Arthropodization
b. Diversity and Abundance
c. Exoskeleton and Sclerotization
d. Molting Process and Ecdysis
e. Segmentation and Tagmatization
f. Serial Homology of Appendages
g. Tracheal Systems and Independent Evolution
h. Senory Organs and Complex Behaviors
i. Coevolutionary Relationships
j. Metamorphosis
4. Subphylum Chelicerata
a. Class Merostomata
(1) Subclass Eurypterida
(2) Subclass Xiphosurida
b. Class Pycnogonida
c. Class Arachnida
(1) Order Araneae
(2) Order Scorpionida
(3) Order Opiliones
(4) Order Acari
5. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Arthropoda
K. Aquatic Mandibulates
1. Phylum Arthropoda
a. Subphylum Crustacea
(1) Form and Function
(2) External Features
(3) Evolution of the Hemocoel
(4) Serial Homology of Appendages
(5) Respiratory System
(6) Circulatory System
(7) Excretory System
(8) Nervous and Sensory Systems
(9) Reproduction and Reproductive Strategies
(10) Life Cycles
(11) Endocrine Function
(12) Hormonal Control of Molting and Ecdysis
b. Survey of Crustacean
(1) Class Remipedia
(2) Class Cephalocarida
(3) Class Branchiopoda
(4) Class Maxillopoda
(a) Subclass Ostracoda
(b) Subclass Copepoda
(c) Subclass Cirripedia (Sacculina)
(5) Class Malacostraca
(a) Order Isopoda
(b) Order Amphipoda
(c) Order Decapoda
c. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Aquatic Mandibulates
L. Terrestrial Mandibulates
1. Phylum Arthropoda
a. “Uniramian” Forms (Classes Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Pauropoda, Symphyla, Insecta)
(1) Form and Function
(2) External Features and Hemocoel
(3) Serial Homology of Appendages
(4) Respiratory System
(5) Circulatory System
(6) Excretory System
(7) Nervous and Sensory Systems
(8) Reproduction
(9) Life Cycles
(10) Endocrine Function
(11) Hormonal Control of Molting and Ecdysis
(12) Classification and Diversity
(a) Class Chilopoda
(b) Class Diplopoda
(c) Class Pauropoda
(d) Class Symphyla
(e) Class Insecta
(i) Distribution and Abundance
(ii) Medical and Economic Importance
(iii) Adaptability
(a) External Form and Function
(b) Locomotion and Flight Mechanics
(c) Internal Form and Function
(d) Nutrition and Evolution of Mouthparts
(e) Circulation
(f) Gas Exchange System
(g) Excretion and Water Balance
(h) Nervous System and Sense Organs
(i) Neuromuscular Coordination
(j) Reproductive Strategies
(k) Metamorphosis and Growth
(l) Physiology of Metamorphosis
(m) Diapause
(n) Defense
(o) Mimicry Complexes and Coevolution
(p) Behavior and Communication
(q) Eusociality and Coevolution
(r) Insects and Human Wellfare
(i) Harmful and Useful Inects
(ii) Control of Insects
b. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Terrestrial Mandibulates
c. “Paranotal Lobes” and Thermoregulatory Theory of the Evolution of Flight
d. Mechanics of flight (gliding, flapping, hovering)
M. Lesser Protostomes (Phylums Sipuncula, Pentastomida, Onychophora, Tardigrada)
1. Biological Contribution
2. Position in Animal Kingdom
3. Characteristics of Lesser Protostomes
a. Phylum Sipuncula
b. Phylum Pentastomida
c. Phylum Onychophora
(1) Form and Function
(2) Internal Features
d. Phylum Tardigrada
(1) Form and Function
(2) Internal Features
5. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Lesser Protostomes
N. Lophophorate Animals (Phylums Phoronida, Ectoprocta (Bryozoa), Brachiopoda)
1. Biological Contribution
2. Position in Animal Kingdom
3. Characteristics of Lesser Protostomes and Lophorates
a. Phylum Phoronida
b. Phylum Ectoprocta (Bryozoa)
c. Phylum Brachiopoda
5. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Lophophorate Animals
O. Echinoderms (Phylum Echinodermata)
1. Biological Contribution
2. Position in Animal Kingdom
3. Characteristics of Echinoderms
a. Class Asteroidea
(1) Form and Function
(2) External Features
(3) Endoskeleton
(4) Coelom
(5) Excretion and Respiration
(6) Water-Vascular System
(7) Feeding and Digestive System
(8) Hemal System
(9) Nervous and Sensory Systems
(10) Reproductive System
(11) Regeneration and Autotomy Development
b. Class Ophiuroidea
(1) Form and Function
c. Class Echinoidea
(1) Form and Function
d. Class Holothuroidea
(1) Form and Function
e. Class Crinoidea
(1) Form and Function
f. Class Concentricycloidea
4. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Echinoderms
P. Chaetognaths and Hemichordates
1. Biological Contribution
2. Position in Animal Kingdom
3. Characteristics of Chaetognaths and Hemichordates
a. Phylum Chaetognatha
(1) Form and Function
(2) Internal Features
b. Phylum Hemichordata
c. Class Enteropneusta
(1) Form and Function
(2) Branchial System
(3) Feeding and Digestive System
(4) Circulatory and Excretory Systems
(5) Nervous and Senory Systems
(6) Reproductive System and Development
d. Class Pterobranchia
4. Phylogeny and Radiation of Chaetognaths and Hemichordates
Q. Chordates
1. Protochordates and Ancestry of Earliest Vertebrates
2. Biological Contribution
3. Position in Animal Kingdom
4. Characteristics of Chordates
a. Systematics of Chordates
b. Five Chordate Hallmarks
(1) Notochord
(2) Dorsal Hollow Tubular Nerve Cord
(3) Endostyle or Thyroid glands (T3 and T4 Thyroxines hormones)
(4) Pharyngeal Pouches and Slits
(5) Postanal Tail
c. Ancestry and Evolution
d. Subphylum Urochordata (Tunicata)
(1) Form and Function
(2) Internal Features
e. Subphylum Cephalochordata
(1) Position of “Amphioxus”
f. Subphylum Vertebrata (Craniata)
(1) Adaptations of Vertebrate Evolution
(a) Endoskeleton
(b) Pharynx and Efficient Respiration
(2) Cephalization and Advanced Nervous System
(a) Paired limbs
(b) Ancestral Forms
(3) Garstangs Hypothesis
(4) Neoteny/Paedomorphosis
(5) Ammocoete Larva of Lampreys
(6) Earliest Vertebrates: Jawless Ostracoderms
(7) Early Jawed Vertebrates and Evolution of Jaws
(8) Evolution of Modern Fishes and Tetrapods
5. Phylogeny and Adaptive Radiation of Chordates
R: Chordates: Fishes
1. Ancestry and Relationships of major groups of fishes
2. Living Jawless Fishes (Class Myxini and Petromyzontida)
3. Class Chondrichthyes
a. Subclass Elasmobranchii
b. Subclass Holocephali
4 Clade Osteichthyes: Bony Fishes
a. Origin, Evolution, and Diversity
1. Class Actinopterygii
2. Class Sarcopterygii
5. Structural and Functional Adaptations of Fishes
1. Locomotion in water
2. Neutral Buoyancy and the Swim Bladder
3. Hearing and Weberian Ossicles
4. Respiration/Ventilation
5. Osmotic Regulation
6. Migration and homing Salmon
7. Reproduction and Growth
S. Chordates: Early Tetrapods and Modern Amphibians
1. Adapative Radiation from Water to Land
2. Ontogeny and Phylogeny Related to Radiation
3. Devonion Origin of Tetrapods
a. Early Diversification of Tetrapods
b. Modern Amphibians
1. Caecilians:Order Gymnophiona (Apoda)
2. Salamanders/Newts: Order Urodela (Caudata)
3. Frogs and Toads: Order Anura (Salientia)
c. Habitats and Distribution
T. Chordates: Amniote Origins and Nonavian Reptiles
1. Origin and Early Evolution of Amniotes
a. Adaptations of Amniotes
b. Changes in Traditional Classification of Reptiles
2. Characteristics and Natural History of Reptilian Groups
a. Testudines (Chelonia): Turtles
b. Squamata: Lizards and Snakes
1. Lacertilia: Lizards
2. Serpentes: Snakes
c. Sphenbodonta: Tuataras
d. Dinosauria: Saurischians and Ornithiscians
e. Crocodilia: Crocodiles, Alligators, Caimans, and Gharials
3. Ecology, Distribution, Ontogeny, Physiology, Behavior
U. Chordates: Aves (Birds)
1. Origin and Relationships to Nonavian Reptiles
2. Cladistic Relationships within Archosauria and Theropods
3. Ancestral Clades (e.g., Sinosauropteryx, Archeopteryx)
4. Structural and Function Adaptations for Flight
a. Feathers (types, origin, and development)
b. Process of molting
c. Skeletal System
d. Comparison of Skeleton of Archeopteryx and Modern Aves
e. Muscular System
f. Food, Feeding, Digestion, and Excretion
g. Circulation and Respiration
h. Nervous and Sensory Systems
5. Flight
a. Bird Wing as a Lift Device
b. Wing Dynamics for Flapping and Soaring Flight
c. Migration and Navigation Systems
d. Social Behavior and Reproduction
6. Mating, Reproduction, and Care of Young
7. Bird Populations, Density, and Conservation
8. Representative of Bird Orders
V. Chordates: Mammals
1. Origin and Evolution of Mammals
2. Pelycosaurs, Therapsids, and Cynodonts
3. Monotremes, Marsupials, Eutherians
4. Structural and Functional Adaptations of Mammals
a. Hair
b. Horns and Antlers
c. Glands
5. Food and Feeding Specialization
a. Body Weight and Food Consumption
6. Migration
7. Flight and Echolocation
8. Reproductive Patterns and Strategies
9. Territory and Home Ranges
10. Humans and Mammals
11. Evolutionary Diversification of Primates
a. Human Evolution
b. ”First” Humans and Origin of Bipedalism
c. Early Homo and Tool-Making
d. Migration out of Africa
e. Speciation within the Hominoidea
a. ”Species” in the genus Homo
b. Modern humans and hybridization of ancesral species
12. Representatives of Mammalian Orders
Mandatory CLO Competency Assessment Measures:
A portion of the final exam must be comprehensive.
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None
Instructional Strategies:
NOTE: THE FOLLOWING ARE DERIVED FROM COMBINED LECTURE AND LABORATORY COMPONENTS:
Lecture: 20-40%
Facilitated Discussion: 20-40%
Mediated Instruction: 10-20%
Group Work (e.g.,dissection): 30-40%
Other (Collection, Reports, Research Papers, Tests): 10-40%
Mandatory Course Components:
Bonus/extra credit may not exceed 2 percent of the total possible points in this course. Unit and final exams in a lecture, online or laboratory course may not be administered in a take-home or online format but shall be administered in the classroom or in a supervised assessment facility (e.g., GRCC Assessment/Testing Center) that verifies student identity with a photo identification.
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corerequisite(s): None
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with IRW: IRW 99
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 6
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), 18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details: Master of Science degree in the biological sciences or an M.S. degree in a related field with at least 18 semester credit hours in the biological sciences.
General Room Request: 333 Calkins
Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
Equivalent Courses: None
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Courses is a Requirement:
None
Course Fees: $25.00
People Soft Course ID Number: 100784
Course CIP Code: 26.0101
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Departments?: NA
Corporate Articulation Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Companies?: NA
Essential Abilities/Technical Standards:
The faculty of the Grand Rapids Cmmunity College Biological Sciences Department has specified essential abilities critical to the success of students in its courses. Students must demonstrate these esssential abilities to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities with or without reasonable accommodations.
1. Essential judgment skills include the following: The ability to identify, assess, and comprehend scientific observations of the natural world for the purpose of problem solving and coming to reasoned conclusions that include distinguishing between correlation and causation.
2. Essential physical/neurological functions include the following: The ability to use the senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell to make accurate observations, good judgments, and conclusions based on fact regarding the world of biological sciences. Students must be able to meet physical expectations in order to safely engage in the practice of learning the biological sciences, especially under laboratory and field settings. Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include but are not limited to observation (e.g., listening, understanding relationships), writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations. The following courses may entail significant physical challenges that must be overcome in order to accomplish the goals of these courses:
Courses at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and BI 215: In these courses the outdoor learning environment is sometimes difficult to navigate; it may not be easily accessible or barrier-free.
Essential communication skills include the following: The ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, and all other members of the Biological Sciences Department. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.
Essential emotional coping skills include the following: The ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of science learning and investigation as determined by professional standards of practice.
Essential intellectual/conceptual skills include the following: The ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate observations and data and to engage competently in the safe practice of learning biology.
Other essential behavioral attributes include the following: The ability to work collaboratively in group learning activities in lecture class and as a team member in both laboratory class and in a field setting.
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