3.7 Course Overviews: "B"
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BIOLOGY (BIOL)
Principles of Biology I
3 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
or
Paced Study
+
Home Lab
This is an introductory course in general biology. The course is designed entirely for home study with home laboratory exercises. Topics covered include chemical bases of life, cell structure, biological membranes, cellular metabolism, photosynthesis, cell reproduction, principles of heredity, molecular genetics, genetics of development, natural selection, population genetics, speciation, and evolution.
Prerequisite: none, but high school chemistry or biology is strongly recommended. This course is the prerequisite for BIOL 205 Principles of Biology II and BIOL 206 Biological Laboratories.
Principles of Biology II
3 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
+
Home Lab
+
Video Component
Principles of Biology II is a continuation of Principles of Biology I. The course is designed entirely for home study with some home laboratory exercises. Topics covered include: classification; viruses; the five biological kingdoms; monerans, protists, fungi, plants, and animals; tissues, organs, and organ systems of plants and animals; reproduction, growth, hormonal control, differentiation, transport, and gas exchange in plants and animals; and movement, digestion, metabolism, fluid balance, immune responses, senses, and neural control in animals.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204.
Biological Laboratories
3 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Paced Lab
This is a laboratory course with labs designed to cover the course content of BIOL 204 and BIOL 205. Collectively BIOL 204, BIOL 205, and BIOL 206 will prepare students for all upper-level biology courses. Topics covered include cellular organization, biological membranes, enzyme action, fermentation, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian genetics, human genetics, evolution and population genetics, and classification schemes. Kingdoms Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia are examined as well as structures and life processes of plants and animals.
Course availability is subject to a minimum number of enrolments. Refer to Athabasca University Web site (http://www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/sciences/labbiol.htm) or contact the science lab coordinator or course professor for dates and laboratory sites.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204.
Corequisite: BIOL 205.
Special instructional features: BIOL 206 is offered by paced lab format only. Students must attend ten days of laboratories offered in Athabasca and/or Edmonton. Potential students must discuss with the course professor any physical disability that they might have that may cause safety concerns in a laboratory setting.
Human Physiology
6 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
or
Paced Study
Human Physiology introduces all major elements of the human body from cellular structure and function through basic systems to integration, organization, and control mechanisms. Students will acquire an understanding of normal human physiology, physiological adaptations to special conditions, and some of the physiological factors in disease processes. This course has no lab activities and is especially appropriate for allied health professionals and students who require an introductory course in the biological sciences.
Prerequisite: none. Knowledge of basic chemistry, and anatomy or biology is recommended.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
6 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
or
Paced Study
Human Anatomy and Physiology is an introductory course describing structural and functional elements of the human body. It introduces students to essential themes in physiology and provides a thorough understanding of how the body functions. Emphasis is placed on ways in which the internal environment of the body attempts to maintain normality and how it overcomes imbalances during disease or malfunction.
The course covers five study units.
Unit 1 Organization of the Human Body: an introduction to cellular organization, structure, and function.
Unit 2 Principles of Support and Movement: analysis of the anatomy and physiology of skeletal and muscular systems.
Unit 3 Control Systems of the Human Body: significance of neural communication, the autonomic nervous system, hormones, and the endocrine system.
Unit 4 Maintenance of the Human Body: blood circulation, respiration, digestion, cell metabolism, and urinary system.
Unit 5 Reproduction and Continuity: anatomy and physiology of the human reproductive system.
The course is especially appropriate for nurses and allied health professionals, and students who require an introductory course in the biological sciences.
Prerequisite: none. Although this course assumes no prior knowledge of the human body, a basic understanding of biology and chemistry would be an asset to the student.
Precluded course: BIOL 235 cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for BIOL 230.
| BIOL 321 Available for a May 2000 start date |
2740 |
Wild Flowers
3 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
+
Paced Lab
Wild Flowers is the study of flowering plants and some of their nonflowering relatives such as ferns and conifers. Close attention is paid to reproductive structures, identification, classification, phylogenetic relationships, and plant habitats.
A very similar course is given in most Canadian universities under the title of Plant Taxonomy.
Prerequisite: at least 6 credits in introductory university-level biology and permission of the course professor.
Special instructional features: Wild Flowers is a field-oriented course where students study plants that grow wild in their neighbourhoods. Students must participate in an eight-day Wild Flowers workshop held at the Kananaskis Centre for Environmental Research (70 km west of Calgary). Please note that the board and lodging at the Kananaskis Centre (approximately $320) is in addition to the normal tuition.
Students must enrol for a May 1, 2000 start date and will have no option to extend. Course availability is subject to a minimum number of enrolments.
Introductory Microbiology
3 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
+
Paced Lab
or
Independent Lab
This course provides an introduction to microorganisms and the microbial world. It is an intermediate level course, dealing with the structure, biochemistry and physiology of bacteria, algae, protozoa, and viruses. Study of classification of microorganisms through microscopy, stain techniques, and biochemical and genetic analyses is discussed. An appreciation of the positive and negative consequences of microbial interactions with their host and environment is emphasized. Current issues in microbiology are considered throughout the course.
There is a compulsory laboratory component of BIOL 325 that introduces the student to basic techniques in microbiology such as microscopy, stain techniques, and differential tests. By working through selected experiments, the student will develop an understanding of the underlying theoretical principles of this course.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204, BIOL 205, BIOL 206; CHEM 217, CHEM 218.
Special instructional features: The laboratory component for BIOL 325 requires students to attend a minimum of five consecutive days (40 hours), or four weekends, of laboratory work. Credit will not be given for this course if the student has not completed the required laboratory work with Athabasca University. The laboratory sessions are scheduled for five consecutive days (at a site to be determined during the spring or summer) or two weekends in Calgary or Edmonton. Contact the course professor for additional information on laboratory timetables. It is strongly recommended that students apply for their laboratory practicum approximately halfway through the course.
Note: The laboratory portion of this science course may be taken independently for reduced credit. See page 17, Independent Lab, for details.
Human Genetics
3 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
The desire to understand ourselves is the strongest reason for studying human genetics. A large part of what we are, what we do, and what we pass on to our progeny can be traced to our genes.
Knowledge of genetics has increased enormously in recent years. We can now avert the damaging effects of some defective genes enabling many persons with abnormalities to lead healthy, normal lives. No two human beings are exactly alike; even identical twins differ. Our genes are responsible for our heritable differences and similarities. Human Genetics helps us understand how heritable characteristics are passed to our progeny, and it examines hereditary aspects of syndromes, congenital defects, sex-linked diseases, blood groups, twins, genetic counselling, genetic engineering, and the genetic variation in human populations.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204 and BIOL 205.
| BIOL 345 Available fall 1999 with first lab in summer 2000 |
3202 |
Introductory Ecology
3 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
+
Home Lab
+
Paced Lab
or
Independent Lab
Ecology, as a branch of biology, is the study of the interactions of organisms with their environments. This course covers experimentation and models, relationships between organisms and their abiotic environments, ecosystems, energetics, biogeochemical cycles, biomes, population ecology, various symbiotic relationships, and community ecology.
A basic ecology course, such as this one, is fundamental to understanding biological relationships in all aquatic and terrestrial regions as well as solving human environmental problems such as waste handling, pollution, pests, overpopulation, and extinctions. Thus this course will be useful for people working in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and human health as well as those who deal with wastes and those concerned with environmental protection and toxins.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204 and 205.
Special instructional features: The laboratory component of this course consists of some home labs and six days of in-person laboratory and field work held in the summer. See the Athabasca University Web site (http://www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/science/labbiol.htm) or contact the lab instructor or course professor for scheduled dates and places.
Cell Biology
3 - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
This course examines the general principles of cell biology, such as cellular structure and function, bioenergetics, molecular genetics, motility, cell regulation, and intercellular signalling. The molecular basis of a disease will be studied in detail. Cell Biology provides a basis for understanding the impact of drugs, environmental toxins, and medical technology on the health and survival of organisms. Knowledge of cell function is essential to develop a career in genetic engineering, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental toxicology, medicine, and biomedical research.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204, BIOL 205, and BIOL 206.
Special instructional features: Students can communicate with the course professor by electronic mail. Tutorial assistance from the instructor requires access to a Macintosh or IBM-PC compatible computer and a modem. Electronic mail instruction and communications software will be provided in the course materials. Students who do not have access to a microcomputer may use the computers at the Athabasca University learning centres. Contact the learning centres for more information about computer locations.
Biology Projects
3 each - Science
- Method of Delivery:
Home Study
or
Independent Lab
Biology Projects is based on a contracted study arrangement between each student and an approved supervisor. Students improve their skills to choose and define problems; obtain information from libraries, field work, or experiments; organize facts and ideas; and report ideas and conclusions in written form.
This course is for senior-level students who wish to carry out projects in biology or to obtain formal recognition of biology-related skills and training they have received on the job (e.g., agriculture, forestry, fisheries). Projects can only be done on work planned; they cannot be done on work already completed. A student may do one 3-credit project (BIOL 495) or two 3-credit projects (BIOL 495 and BIOL 496).
Before registering, the student must submit an acceptable project proposal. Further information and a project proposal form may be obtained from the course professor. These courses are excluded from the challenge for credit policy.
Prerequisite: At least 12 credits (at least 3 at senior level) in biology and permission from the course professor .
Special instructional features: The course may involve library, field, or lab work as agreed to by the student and the supervisor. Students are expected to obtain and pay for all materials used in the projects.
In the event of a discrepancy between the informal web site version and the printed 1999-2000 Calendar, the latter alone is to be regarded as the authoritative and legally binding source.
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