Contacts

Director
Martha Haviland, Ph.D.

Director of Advising
Anne Carr-Schmid, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Academic Services
Cathie Alia

Biological Sciences

Undergraduate Quicklinks

Course Descriptions

01:119:150 Biology, Society, and Biomedical Issues

  • This introductory survey course will cover the basic concepts of human health and medicine from a biological perspective.
  • Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Credits: 3
  • Course URL: Canvas
  • Core Curriculum: NS, CCO

Prerequisites

None

Course Description:

This introductory survey course will cover the basic concepts of human health and medicine from a biological perspective. The course will be composed of lectures on biological concepts relating to biomedical issues and human health and in-class discussions/activities addressing how biology impacts society.

Topics may include:

  • Emerging Infectious Diseases and other Human Diseases
  • Human Physiology
  • Human Genetics, Genetic Testing and Gene Therapy
  • Genetically Modified Organisms
  • Stem Cells and Cloning
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Humans and the Environment

Course Syllabi

 Fall 2024 Syllabus

Course URL

Canvas

Course Satisfies SAS Core Curriculum Learning Goals

1. Contemporary Challenges: Analyze the relationship that science and technology have to a contemporary social issue.

2. Natural Sciences: Understand and apply basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences.

Course Satisfies Departmental Learning Goals

1.To acquire the appropriate factual and conceptual knowledge that provides students with a foundation to further their education and career in the areas of life science or health science. Students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge (ex. identify, define, explain…) of the concepts, practices and principles that comprise the biological sciences.

2.To develop critical thinking and problems solving skills appropriate to prepare students to evaluate, synthesize and generate knowledge that provides them with a competitive advantage to adapt to an evolving, global, and knowledge based society. Students will be able to demonstrate application of higher order thinking (ex. classify, diagnosis, evaluate, synthesize, hypothesize…). Students will develop an understanding of not only the connections within biology but also the connections between biology and other scientific disciplines. 

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

The final grade is comprised of lecture participation, group discussions, assignments and three exams.

The final course grade will be determined by the following criteria:

Concept Checks 15%

Group Discussions 10%

Reading Quizzes 5%

Assignments 25%

Hourly Exams (2) 25%

Final Exam 20%

Course Materials

Required Text:

Title: Human Biology (open source)

https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-human-biology/

Course Closed?

If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn  for the course under the Biological Sciences section on the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated on the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student. 

Faculty
Alexandra Walczak
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.