BIOL 120 Biology for Engineers

This course is designed for engineering majors; it provides an introduction to cellular and molecular biology concepts from a quantitative perspective and modern experimental techniques that provide the foundation for modern biotechnology and bioengineering. For Biology for Engineers Laboratory, see BIOL 121.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

ENES 100, MATH 143, or MATH 155. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 101 or CHEM 135

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Communicate biological concepts and terminology related to cells and biomolecules using appropriate
   symbols, notation, and vocabulary.
2. Perform quantitative analysis of biological processes, using both analytical and computational
   methods.
3. Analyze and interpret data from biological systems and/or bioengineering experimentation.
4. Identify the structure and components of each cell type, and understand their functions.
5. Explain the chemistry, structure, and function of biomolecules.
6. Describe selected experimental techniques in biology and the underlying concepts.
7. Describe the mechanisms involved in molecular biological processes, including enzyme catalysis,
   metabolic pathways, gene expressions, signal transduction, etc.

Course Objectives

1. Communicate biological concepts and terminology related to cells and biomolecules using appropriate
   symbols, notation, and vocabulary.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Final exam

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR1
2. Perform quantitative analysis of biological processes, using both analytical and computational
   methods.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Problem set

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR2
3. Analyze and interpret data from biological systems and/or bioengineering experimentation.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Case study

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR3
4. Identify the structure and components of each cell type, and understand their functions.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

5. Explain the chemistry, structure, and function of biomolecules.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

6. Describe selected experimental techniques in biology and the underlying concepts.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

7. Describe the mechanisms involved in molecular biological processes, including enzyme catalysis,
   metabolic pathways, gene expressions, signal transduction, etc.

   This objective is a course Goal Only