The goal of the course is to make the student scientifically aware of questions in biology which have an impact on society and health. The relevance of biological science in devising solutions to world problems such as AIDS, cancer, heart disease, antibiotic resistence, overpopulation, and environmental degradation will be discussed. May 18 Chapter 2 Evolution. Darwin's observations and an idea that revolutionized scientific thought. Populations, not individuals, evolve.
Natural selection is a driving force for evolution and genetic variation provides the raw material.
May 22 Chapter 3 Mendelian Genetics. Mendel's discovery of inheritance patterns explains the source of variation in individuals. May 23 Chapter 3 Inheritance and human diseases. Simple organic compounds are the building blocks of the complex biological molecules that make up cells. Cell structure, function and processes.