51³ÉÈËÁÔÆæ

Course Description

Summary

The organism sits at the heart of biological evolution. Judged on its form and performance, the organism is the ultimate object of natural selection, and thus understanding its development and function is key for understanding the evolution of life. In this course you will learn fundamentals across the levels of biological organization to understand how genetic information interacts with the external and internal environment to produce unique individuals. This course offers an integrative approach to understanding life by examining how organisms are constructed, from the microscopic building blocks of cells to the complex interplay of genetics, physiology, and behavior. With a focus that spans across the vast diversity of eukaryotic life, students will delve into the major taxonomic clades, unraveling the mysteries of their development, evolution, and ecological roles. This holistic approach is designed to introduce students to various fields of biology while highlighting their interconnectedness. This course will be accompanied by a hands-on laboratory section, which will include dissections, field work, handling living organisms, and hypothesis-driven experimentation. Students can expect to gain a thorough appreciation for the complexity of life, an understanding of the fundamental processes that shape organisms, and the practical skills necessary for scientific inquiry and experimentation.