Course Descriptions

BIO 120 - Essentials of Life Science

4 Credits

An introduction to selected principles of the biological sciences explored through current topics in biology. Areas of study will include the organization of life, cell structure and function, DNA structure and heredity, biodiversity, evolution, and ecology. This course is designed for the career or non-science student.

New SUNY General Education: SUNY - Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)

Retiring SUNY General Education: SUNY-NS - Natural Sciences (SNSC)

MCC General Education: MCC-CT - Critical Thinking (MCT), MCC-SCI - Scientific Reasoning (MSCI)

Course Learning Outcomes
1. List the general characteristics of living organisms.
2. Describe the levels of organization in biological systems.
3. Identify and describe the general steps in the scientific method.
4. Identify and describe the major groups of biological molecules.
5. Differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
6. Describe the process of cell division.
7. Explain Mendelian genetics and other laws of inheritance.
8. Explain the role of DNA and RNA in protein synthesis, which may include the nature of mutations and their role in genetic variation.
9. Describe the diversity of ecosystems, which may include the interaction of organisms within those systems.
10. Describe the fundamental importance of evolution as a unifying concept in biology.
11. Discuss the importance of biodiversity, which may include a survey of the kingdoms with specific organisms from each.

Course Offered Fall, Spring

Use links below to see if this course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Intersession 2025
Spring Semester 2025