BIOL 240MHonors Biology: Function and Development of Organisms

4 credits · Biology · Penn State

Honors study of development and physiological processes at the organismic level. ( BIOL 220W , BIOL 230W , and BIOL 240W each carry only 1 credit of "writing"; all three courses must be taken to meet the writing requirement.) This course provides an understanding of the major unifying principles as they apply to the study of the development and physiological mechanisms utilized by organisms from both animals and plants. In lecture a comparative approach will be taken in the examination of reproduction, development, and physiology primarily at the organismal level. In laboratory, experimental investigations of both animal and plant systems will reinforce the concepts covered in lecture. Through the lab, students are expected to become proficient in the interpretation and presentation of experimental results through written and oral reports.Taken together with the other core courses in the biology curriculum ( BIOL 110 , BIOL 220 , BIOL 230W ) , BIOL 240M will help students to integrate concepts ranging from molecular and cellular events through principles governing entire populations and ecosystems. Further, BIOL 240M provides the foundation on which students further their study of animal physiology and development - two of the largest options in the biology majors curriculum. Through this class, and the other core course, students will develop skills integral to the General Education mission.Evaluation methods in the lecture part of the course include two to three "mid-term" exams and a comprehensive final exam. Evaluation methods in the lab portion of the course include in-class quizzes, one or more formal lab reports on experiments or data analysis conducted in lab sessions, and short write-ups of existing data sets or relevant ecological issues. The Honor's version of the course will differ in a number of ways from the parent BIOL 240W course. First, there are more opportunities to discuss current applications of the information. In addition, a unique project (either in lab and/or in lecture) will allow students to explore a specific area of the course in more detail (e.g., students choose a topic in the current literature and present a paper along with its significance to the class). Where appropriate, students will be exposed to current research in specific areas. The evaluation for the course will be modified from that of the parent course in accordance with the changes in assignments.