Introduction to Organismal Biology: Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

This course, BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology, provides a comprehensive foundation in the physiology and anatomy of plants and animals, with a focus on flowering plants and multicellular animals. The curriculum emphasizes the strategies organisms use to address physiological challenges, integrating concepts from cell biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. The course structure includes lectures, laboratory exercises, quizzes, and exams, fostering active participation and critical thinking.

Major Themes and Core Concepts

Five Major Ideas

• Hierarchical Organization: Life forms exhibit hierarchical levels of organization, each with emergent properties not present at simpler levels.

• Structure-Function Correlation: There is a direct relationship between the structure and function at all biological levels.

• Physical and Chemical Laws: The structure and function of organisms are governed by the laws of physics and chemistry.

• Conserved Mechanisms: Organisms utilize similar mechanisms to perform diverse functions.

• Work and Gradients: Organisms perform work to create favorable gradients, enabling essential life functions.

Four Overarching Core Concepts

• Division of Labor: Multicellular organisms assign specific functions to specialized structures, a result of evolutionary adaptations.

• Material and Energy Exchange: The exchange of materials and energy is fundamental to the energy budget of all living things, with distinctions between autotrophs and heterotrophs.

• Internal Transport: Movement of solutions within multicellular organisms is essential for transporting nutrients, wastes, and chemical signals, supporting specialized tissue and organ functions.

• Sensing and Response: Organisms must sense and respond to environmental changes to maintain homeostasis and function.

Learning Goals and Competencies

Content Goals

• Understand and apply fundamental biological principles in ecology, genetics, evolution, cell and molecular biology, and organismal biology.

• Explain and apply knowledge of the form and physiological function of multicellular organisms (plants and animals).

Competency Goals

• Scientific Process: Interpret data, draw conclusions, design and conduct experiments, and examine hypotheses.

• Quantitative Reasoning: Develop and interpret graphs, and use mathematical equations to explain biological phenomena.

• Modeling and Simulation: Use models and simulations to understand biological processes.

• Interdisciplinary Integration: Apply physical and chemical principles to biological systems.

• Communication and Collaboration: Discuss biological processes using precise terminology, participate in teams, and prepare scientific reports.

Course Structure and Assessment

Lecture and Laboratory Components

• Lectures focus on active participation, group activities, and critical discussion of assigned readings.

• Laboratories reinforce concepts through hands-on experiments, data analysis, and collaborative work.

Assessment Overview

Component	Points	Percentage of Grade
Class Exams (3)	105	~32%
Final Exam	55	~17%
Pre-class Quizzes	40	~12%
Participation	40	~12%
Laboratory Assignments & Exams	90 (converted)	~27%
Total	330	100%

Note: Laboratory points are converted to ensure the class represents 70% of the final grade.

Grading Scale

Percentage	Grade
95 - 100%	A
90 - 94.9%	A-
87 - 89.9%	B+
84 - 86.9%	B
80 - 83.9%	B-
77 - 79.9%	C+
74 - 76.9%	C
70 - 73.9%	C-
67 - 69.9%	D+
64 - 66.9%	D
60 - 63.9%	D-
Below 60%	F

Course Topics and Schedule

Key Topics by Week

• Introduction; Animal and Plant Body Form (Ch. 7, 28, 30, 34, 39)

• Plant Body Organization and Growth (Primary and Secondary Growth)

• Form and Function in Multicellular Animals

• Animal and Plant Nutrition (Ch. 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 36, 41)

• Homeostasis, Thermoregulation, and Respiration

• Animal Nutrition: Digestion and Absorption

• Internal Transport in Plants and Animals (Ch. 2, 6, 35, 42, 40)

• Plant Nutrition and Water Relations

• Reproduction in Animals and Plants

• Sensing and Responding to the Environment (Ch. 11, 37, 43, 44, 46)

Exams are scheduled after major topic blocks, with a cumulative final exam emphasizing the last set of chapters.

Student Responsibilities and Academic Integrity

• Active participation in lectures and labs is required for success.

• Pre-reading assigned chapters and completing pre-lab assignments is mandatory.

• Intellectual honesty is strictly enforced; plagiarism and unauthorized use of AI tools are prohibited.

• Inclusiveness and respect for diversity are core values of the course environment.

Support and Resources

• Disability Access Center for accommodations

• Career Services for resume and cover letter feedback

• Student Health and Counseling Centers for wellness support

• University Police and Student Life for safety and crisis support

• Resources for LGBTQ+ students, undocumented students, and survivors of sexual violence

Summary Table: Major Course Themes and Related Chapters

Theme	Representative Chapters
Body Form and Function	Ch. 7, 28, 30, 34, 39
Nutrition	Ch. 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 36, 41
Internal Transport	Ch. 2, 6, 35, 40, 42
Sensing and Response	Ch. 11, 37, 43, 44, 46
Reproduction	Ch. 38, 47 (implied in lab schedule)

Example: Structure-Function Correlation in Biology

• Definition: The concept that the shape and composition of biological structures are directly related to their function.

• Example: The elongated shape of nerve cells (neurons) facilitates rapid transmission of electrical signals over long distances in animals.

• Application: In plants, the arrangement of vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) supports efficient transport of water, minerals, and sugars.

Additional Info

• This syllabus aligns with foundational chapters in college biology, including cell structure, metabolism, genetics, physiology, and ecology.

• Students are expected to integrate knowledge across these domains and apply quantitative and experimental skills.