CloseHelpPrint
Kies de Nederlandse taal
Course module: UCSCIBIO01
UCSCIBIO01
That's Life: Biology Today
Course info
Course codeUCSCIBIO01
EC7.5
Course goals
After completing this course students are able to:
  • discuss the origin of life, the evolution of biodiversity, and the common principles and concepts underlying the existence and functioning of all living organisms.
  • connect fields of biology, and relate the biological sciences to a number of contemporary social issues. 
  • appreciate the prominent role that Biology plays in our world, and analyze current and future developments in this rapidly advancing field of science.
Content
This course is designed for students in the Humanities or Social Sciences with no previous education in biology. It centers around three major themes: the basics of life, genes and evolution, and essential body functions. Studying these issues allows students to gain knowledge and understanding of a wide variety of fundamental biological principles and concepts. These include: characteristics and basic units of life, biodiversity, molecular basis of inheritance and genetics, origin of life and evolution, proliferation and differentiation of cells, principles of development and cancer, metabolism and energy, nutrition and health, nervous system and behaviour, biological defence and communication, and reproduction and ageing.
Throughout the semester, we read and discuss Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything. It details the author’s fascinating quest to understand how we developed to become what we are by reviewing the past from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization. Additionally, this popular science book bridges the gap between the different natural sciences, as well as between the natural sciences and the humanities and social sciences.

Format
Each of the course’s main themes—the basics of life, genes and evolution, and essential body functios—is covered in a module of intensive study. In preparation for class, students read and study chapters from the textbook and share problems on Workspace. Classes include workshops and interactive lectures, review and problem solving, oral presentations, and discussions. Students complete a written test after each module. Additionally, students summarize, present and discuss an item from the news relevant for the subject matter of the class.
With regard to Bryson’s work, students write an opinioned essay about the book and discuss this in class before writing a second essay in which they show their fascination with a Science topic they encountered in their own life.
CloseHelpPrint
Kies de Nederlandse taal