BIOL 1020
Introductory Biology I: Cells, Genetics, and Evolution

BIOL 1020 is a fully online distance education course that introduces students to the language, concepts and practice of biology. The course is available in the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters, for a duration of approximately 13 weeks. The course is highly structured with students submitting work each week, receiving regular feedback, and having access to TAs and the instructors on a day-to-day basis. Midterm and final exams are conducted on campus. Online and offline lab activities that develop students' observation, communication and problem solving skills and their understanding and use of the scientific method are included.

BIOL 1020 deals with structures and processes that are common to all organisms, from ancient types of bacteria to humans and seed-bearing plants. Topics include cell structure and function, energy production, cell division, mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian genetics, chromosomes and heredity, DNA structure and replication, transcription and translation, DNA technology, evolution, systematics and phylogeny, and origins of prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity.

This course is appropriate for students planning to major in Biology or Marine Biology, in which case BIOL 1021 (or BIOL 1011) must also be taken. It is also appropriate for non-majors wishing to gain an understanding of the science underlying topical issues such as cloning, genetic engineering, cancer, and AIDS.

INSTRUCTORS: J. Van Dommelen (MSc) and G. Gass (PhD)

FORMAT: Online (Brightspace by Desire2Learn)

TEXTBOOK (see Preparing For the Course for more information):

• Reece JB, Urry LA, Cain ML, Wasserman SA, Minorsky PV, Jackson RB, Rawle F, Durnford D, Moyes C, Walde S, Wilson K. 2014. Campbell Biology. Canadian Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.

Note that this is the same book that is used in BIOL 1010/11 (the face-to-face courses). It may be purchased in person or online at the Dalhousie Bookstore.

TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE: See Preparing For the Course

Exclusions: BIOL 1010.03, SCIE 15XX, BIOA 1002.03

BIOL 1021
Introductory Biology II: Organismal Biology and Ecology

BIOL 1021 is a fully online distance education course that introduces students to the language, concepts and practice of biology. The course is available in the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters, for a duration of approximately 13 weeks. The course is highly structured with students submitting work each week, receiving regular feedback, and having access to TAs and the instructors on a day-to-day basis. Midterm and final exams are conducted on campus. Online and offline lab activities that develop students' observation, communication and problem solving skills and their understanding and use of the scientific method are included.

BIOL 1021 is concerned with features that characterize whole organisms, and with ecological relationships. Topics include plants and fungi: life cycles, structure and function, photosynthesis; animals: structure and function, physiology and development; Ecology: processes at the population, community and the biosphere levels of organization.

This course is appropriate for students planning to major in Biology or Marine Biology, in which case BIOL 1020 (or BIOL 1010) must also be taken. It is also appropriate for non-majors with interests in plants, animals and ecology. Commonly, BIOL 1020 (or BIOL 1010) is taken before BIOL 1021, however the classes can be taken in any order (BIOL 1020 is NOT a prerequisite for BIOL 1021).

INSTRUCTORS: J. Van Dommelen (MSc) and G. Gass (PhD)

FORMAT: Online (Brightspace by Desire2Learn)

TEXTBOOK (see Preparing for the Course for more information):

• Reece JB, Urry LA, Cain ML, Wasserman SA, Minorsky PV, Jackson RB, Rawle F, Durnford D, Moyes C, Walde S, Wilson K. 2014. Campbell Biology. Canadian Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.

Note that this is the same book that is used in BIOL 1010/11 (the face-to-face courses). It may be purchased in person or online at Dalhousie Bookstore.

TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE: See Preparing For the Course

Exclusions: BIOL 1011.03, SCIE 15XX, BIOA 1003.03

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