New and Updated Course Descriptions

BIO 155 - Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology

4 Credits

Principles of biology with an emphasis on cellular structure and function, and evolution. Topics will include cellular metabolism, molecular genetics, Mendelian genetics, natural selection and speciation. The laboratory features activities and experiments that reinforce the concepts presented in lecture. This course is one of two foundation courses in introductory biology for science majors or science-interested students. This course is chemistry-intensive and is best approached with a strong background in math and chemistry.

Prerequisite(s): Living Environment Regents Exam score of 80 or higher (or equivalent for students that did not attend New York State Public School), or a C or better in BIO 120, BIO 156, or BIO 148; and MCC level 8 mathematics placement, or a C or better in MTH 104.

New SUNY General Education:
SUNY - Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)

MCC General Education: MCC-CT - Critical Thinking (MCT), MCC-SCI - Scientific Reasoning (MSCI), MCC-TL - Technological Literacy (MTL)

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Formulate a hypothesis and identify the variables in a scientific experiment.
2. Concisely write experimental methods and results in correct scientific journal format.
3. Compare and contrast the structure and function of different organic macromolecules.
4. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
5. Explain the various mechanisms of molecular transport across the plasma membrane.
6. Summarize common metabolic processes such as cellular respiration, fermentation, or photosynthesis.
7. Summarize the events of the cell cycle.
8. Describe the sources of genetic variation in sexually-reproducing organisms.
9. Explain Mendel’s laws of segregation and independent assortment.
10. Distinguish various mechanisms of genetic inheritance such as complete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles, or sex linkage.
11. Describe the structure and replication of DNA.
12. Explain the processes involved in gene expression.
13. Discuss the role of natural selection in the evolutionary process.
14. Explain the mechanisms involved in speciation.
15. Demonstrate the correct way to use biological laboratory equipment (which may include a compound microscope, a spectrophotometer, or a micropipettor).

Course Offered Fall, Spring