This course is the second in a series of two biology courses and follows Biology 1 for Health Studies Majors. In Biology 2, students study biology at the organism, population and ecosystem level of organization. Topics covered include evolution, biodiversity, plant and animal structure and function, and ecology. This course includes a virtual laboratory component which compliments topics covered in the assigned readings.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Describe evolution as the mechanism for speciation.
2. Describe biological diversity and distinguish among viruses, prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants and animals.
3. Describe plant structure and function.
4. Describe animal structure and function.
5. Describe ecology and the four levels of ecological research.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.

Week 1: Unit 1 – Evolution

Week 2: Unit 2 – Diversity: Viruses and Prokaryotes

Week 3: Unit 3 – Diversity: Protists and Fungi

Week 4: Unit 4 – Diversity: Plants

Week 5: Unit 5 – Diversity: Animals

Week 6: Unit 6 – Plant Structure and Function

Week 7: Unit 7 – Animal Structure and Function

Week 8: Unit 8 – Ecology

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Evolution

● Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
● Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
● Complete and submit the Written Assignment
● Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: Diversity: Viruses and Prokaryotes

● Peer-assess Unit #1 Written Assignment
● Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
● Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
● Make entries to the Learning Journal
● Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: Diversity: Protists and Fungi

● Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
● Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
● Complete and submit the Written Assignment
● Take the Self-Quiz
● Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 4: Diversity: Plants

● Peer-assess Unit #3 Written Assignment
● Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
● Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
● Make entries to the Learning Journal
● Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: Diversity: Animals

● Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
● Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
● Make entries to the Learning Journal
● Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: Plant Structure and Function

Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
● Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
● Make entries to the Learning Journal
● Take the Self-Quiz
● Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 7: Animal Structure and Function

● Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
● Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
● Complete and submit the Written Assignment
● Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Ecology

● Peer-assess Unit #7 Written Assignment
● Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
● Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
● Take the Self-Quiz
● Complete and submit the Course Evaluation

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

● Review the course and take the Review Quiz; it will not be included in the final grade
● Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
● The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor