Course Overview

General Biology II (BIO196) is a continuation of General Biology I, designed for students pursuing degrees in biological sciences and related fields. The course covers major concepts in evolution, diversity of life, and introductory ecology, preparing students for advanced studies in biology and health sciences.

Course Topics

• Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View

• The Origin of Species

• Tracing Phylogeny: Macroevolution

• Early Earth and the Origin of Life

• Viruses

• Prokaryotes and the Origins of Metabolic Diversity

• Origin of Eukaryotic Diversity

• Plant Diversity I: The Colonization of Land

• Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants

• Fungi

• Introduction to Animal Evolution

• Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe Darwin's contribution to the Theory of Evolution

• Explain the role of natural selection in evolution

• Illustrate how populations evolve

• Define a biological species and demonstrate how population genetics accounts for speciation

• Describe how macroevolution traces phylogeny and how systematics connects biological diversity to phylogeny

• Summarize theories on the origins of life and metabolic diversity

• Describe viruses and their relationship to cellular life forms

• Summarize the evolutionary history of prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity

• Describe the evolution of plants and the colonization of land

• Describe the morphology, diversity, and life cycles of fungi

• Outline the evolution of animal diversity

• Explain the structure and nature of ecosystems and human impacts on them

Course Structure and Requirements

• Hybrid format: Online lectures, assignments, and lab simulations; in-person labs and exams

• Textbook: Campbell Biology, 13th Edition (Reece et al.)

• Online platforms: Canvas LMS, Mastering Biology, SimBio SimUText

• Weekly time commitment: 15–20 hours

• Assignments include online labs, in-class labs, field journal, and formal lab reports

• Exams are held on campus during scheduled lab sessions

Major Units and Related Chapters

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory work is an essential component of the course, reinforcing concepts from lectures and readings. Labs include both online simulations and in-person experiments.

• SimBio Labs: Darwinian Snails, Sickle-Cell Alleles, Genetic Drift, Keystone Predators

• In-class Labs: Drosophila genetics, Chromosome smears, Human Microbe Symbionts

• Online Labs: The Day the Mesozoic Died, Phylogeny & Lizard Evolution, Trophic Cascade

• Field Journal: Weekly observations of local organisms or biological activities

Grading Breakdown

Key Concepts and Definitions

Descent with Modification and Evolution

Evolution is the process by which species change over time through mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection explains how advantageous traits become more common in populations.

• Natural Selection: The differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype.

• Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

• Phylogeny: The evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms.

Macroevolution and Systematics

Macroevolution refers to large-scale evolutionary changes that occur over long periods, such as the emergence of new species and higher taxonomic groups. Systematics is the scientific study of the diversity and relationships among organisms, often visualized as phylogenetic trees.

• Taxonomy: The science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms.

• Cladistics: A method of classification based on common ancestry.

Origins of Life and Metabolic Diversity

The origin of life on Earth is hypothesized to have begun with simple molecules forming complex organic compounds, eventually leading to self-replicating systems. Metabolic diversity among prokaryotes includes various modes of energy acquisition, such as photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, and heterotrophy.

Viruses and Prokaryotes

Viruses are non-cellular infectious agents that require host cells to replicate. Prokaryotes, including Bacteria and Archaea, are unicellular organisms without a nucleus, exhibiting remarkable metabolic diversity and ecological roles.

Eukaryotic Diversity and Plant Evolution

Eukaryotes are organisms with membrane-bound nuclei and organelles. The evolution of plants involved the colonization of land, development of vascular tissues, seeds, and flowers, leading to the vast diversity of modern plant life.

Fungi and Animal Evolution

Fungi are a kingdom of heterotrophic organisms with chitinous cell walls, playing key roles as decomposers. Animal evolution traces the emergence of multicellularity, tissues, and complex body plans.

Ecology and the Biosphere

Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. The biosphere encompasses all ecosystems on Earth, with humans having significant impacts on natural systems.

Course Policies and Student Responsibilities

• Adherence to deadlines for assignments and lab reports

• Academic integrity: No plagiarism or cheating

• Lab safety: Compliance with all safety regulations and instructor instructions

• Accessibility: Students with documented disabilities should contact Disability Support Services for accommodations

Important Resources

• Mastering Biology (Pearson): Online assignments and activities

• SimBio SimUText: Interactive lab simulations

• Canvas LMS: Course materials, grades, and announcements

Sample Laboratory Schedule

Exam Schedule

Lab Safety Agreement

Students must read, understand, and agree to all laboratory safety regulations as outlined in the syllabus, lab manual, and supplemental handouts. Violations may result in removal from the lab and a zero for the exercise, with repeated offenses leading to dismissal from the course.

Images

Note: Images are included only when directly relevant to the course content.

Example: The cuttlefish (Family: Sepiidae) is an example of animal diversity and adaptation, relevant to the study of evolution and animal morphology.