This course is organized around a unifying theme which regards the possession of an intrinsic program as the central property of organisms. This program, lodged in the DNA sequence of chromosomes, is a set of instructions that directs the building of form, regulates function, and produces evolution through its historical change. Thus, we may trace a thread of unity through all the diverse subjects of biology, from molecule to ecosystem, by concentrating on the unique feature that separates life from non living matter- the possession of an internal program. Scientifically literate people should be able to participate in discussions of contemporary scientific issues, apply scientific information in personal decision making, and locate valid scientific information when they need it. These components of scientific literacy in turn require that people be able to understand and evaluate publically disseminated information in science and technology, distinguish science from pseudoscience, and interpret graphic displays of scientific information.
Intellectual performance can be of many different types.
One or more of these types may be called for dependent on the given topic and your level of preparedness. The rapid exponential growth of scientific and technical knowledge has forced us to shift attention from information content to information selection. Facts will not be ignored but used as instruments for the achievement of intellectual growth.