Learning Objectives


1. Students will understand how biology in particular, and science in general, relate to their lives.

2. Students will understand the scientific method and appreciate the role and value of research.

3. Students will understand evolution: how it occurs and how it explains the unity and diversity of life.

4. Students will demonstrate a broad, comprehensive knowledge of the main areas of biology  (including evolution, diversity, ecology, cell biology, and genetics) and the ability to apply this knowledge to address new questions.

5. Students will demonstrate a well-developed knowledge base from a range of upper division courses in more specialized areas of biology.  The selection of courses should cover different levels of biological organization.

6. Students will demonstrate the ability to critically search, read, and evaluate primary literature.

7. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills, both in writing and orally.

8. Students will be able to appreciate and use science as a way of thinking and problem solving, i.e., they will be able to make key observations, ask questions, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, collect and analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and explain and defend those conclusions to others.

9. Students will be familiar with appropriate quantitative tools and technology to test hypotheses that address biological questions.

10.  Students will develop a deep understanding of science and how it relates to societal challenges so that they can become leaders in science and their communities.