| Course Code and Title
| BIOL 101
Biology for Non-Science Majors
|
| Course Description
| The course introduces basic concepts of biology including molecular biology, genetics, basics of human anatomy and physiology, evolution, ecology and modern biotechnology for non-science majors. The overview aims to develop in students critical thinking and scientific reasoning applied to biology in their everyday life and in the different fields of their main study areas. Many new discoveries are the result of integrated knowledge, and understanding the basis of life is a bonus for future professionals. Students will be part of study groups that will work on an integrated project to be presented on a panel as part of the final exam.
Throughout the semester, students learn how to:
1. describe fundamental scientific principles and the close relationship among cell, human body and ecosystem;
2. analyse how science relates to current problems in the modern world, technology and society;
3. develop critical, analytical and scientific reasoning and communicative skills, interconnecting science with other disciplines;
cCritically analyse primary scientific literature;
4. Relate and discuss a science investigation of an assigned topic in a study group;
5. design a structured presentation of the topic to be discussed in front of a panel.
Prerequisite: none
Course size and learning time.
| Course Size in ECTS/(h)
| Learning Time (h)
| | Class hours
| Directed Learning
| Self-study
| Preparation for Assessment
| | 6 (150)
| 45
| 25
| 55
| 25
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| Course LOs
| By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:
1. describe fundamental scientific principles and their close relationships among cells, human body, and the ecosystem;
2. analyze how science relates to current problems in the modern world, technology and society;
3. develop critical, analytical and scientific reasoning and communicative skills interconnecting science with other disciplines
4. develop primary scientific literature analysis skills;
5. relate and discuss a science investigation of an assigned topic in a study group;
6. design a structured presentation of the topic to be discussed in front of a panel.
Tabulated CLOs and PLOs.
| CLOs
| PLOs
| | 1
| 2
| 3
| 4
| 5
| 6
| 7
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| •
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| •
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| | 3
| •
| •
| •
| •
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| •
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| | 4
| •
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| •
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| | 5
| •
| •
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| •
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| •
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| | 6
| •
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| 2. Progression
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| The structure of the B.Sc. in Biological Sciences program is organized in a way that students will receive extensive education in the three program pillars focusing on delivering (1) the NU core curriculum, (2) the disciplinary core curriculum of natural sciences, mathematics and biological sciences, and (3) electives in biological science and any other subjects that students wish to explore. Students will be taught modules of each of the first two pillars in the first three academic years, starting with fundamental courses in biology, natural sciences, communication, humanities, social sciences and entrepreneurship leading to advanced and specific topics, with theoretical and practical research-oriented experiences during the third and fourth year. The fourth year of the program is designed to promote a deeper understanding of specific areas in the biological sciences through specialized courses utilizing research integrated teaching as well as to explore other subject areas of interest to the students. Students who are eligible for a Honors thesis will develop and conduct their individual research project starting from the Summer term of the thirds academic year and defend their thesis by the end of the eight semester of the fourth year. Throughout the program, students will be exposed to a variety of teaching and active learning approaches, including problem solving and team-based learning sessions, practical demonstrations, workshops, and hands-on training in several technological approaches during laboratories. Overall, the B.Sc. in Biological Sciences program is designed to enable intellectual challenges, promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as practical expertise in techniques and technologies. By the end of the program, students will have gained solid biological science knowledge and practical experience built upon a broad academic experience with disciplinary thinking and skills through shared experiences.
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| 3. Program Completion Requirements
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| To progress towards degree-granting the students shall fulfill the following requirements:
1. Complete the minimum required coursework of 240 ECTS (NU core, disciplinary core electives) in the program. All B.Sc. students are required to achieve continuously, during the B.Sc. degree program, a CGPA and semester GPA of 2.00 (C) or higher to satisfy the criteria of Good Academic Standing and maintain their normal status in the program. Failing to maintain the required CGPA or semester GPA condition may place the student on academic probation. t At the end of one semester of academic probation, students are subject to dismissal from NU if they have not achieved the necessary conditions as stated above to return to Good Academic Standing. In exceptional cases the School’s Dean may recommend to extend academic probation for a second semester based on evidence of improvement, overall academic progress, the student’s potential to return to Good Academic Standing and eventually to graduate on time. Under no circumstances may a student be on academic probation more than two consecutive semesters or for more than three semesters in total. It is expected that most B.Sc. students will complete the program within four years, however, it is possible to extend to a fifth-year if they are unable to meet graduation requirements by the end of the last semester of their final year and are expected to be able to complete their degree with one additional year of study.
According to the NU grading scale, a grade of D or D+ is considered unsatisfactory. Therefore, all students are expected to graduate with at least satisfactory grades (C- or above) in all the classes in their major.
Students who opted to enroll in BIOL 490 Honors Thesis Research and BIOL 491 Honors Thesis must successfully,
1.1. complete the progress review as part of BIOL 490 Honors Thesis Research at the end of the Summer term and Fall semester of the third and fourth year, respectively, in the form of a progress report;
1.2. conduct the necessary research towards the completion of BIOL 490 Honors Thesis Research;
1.3. write the Honors Thesis (BIOL 491) according to the Department’s B.Sc. Thesis Format and Style Guidelines;
1.4. obtain approval of the Honors Thesis the supervisor and advisory committee;
1.5. pass the thesis defense.
Students who declared a Minor in Biological Sciences must have successfully completed at least eight Minor-required courses (36 ECTS) and two Minor-elective courses (minimum 12 ECTS).
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2020-10-10
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