COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Number:          Biology 1

Course Title:                    Contemporary Topics in Biology

I.                  EXPLORING LIFE  (5 meetings)

Topics            1.  The Concept of Life

2.      Manifestations of Life

3.      Life:  Structure, Function and Control

4.      Methods in the Study of Biology

II.                 REPRODUCTION  (5 meetings)

Topics            1.  Asexual and Sexual Reproduction; cloning

2.      Sex and Diversity of Life

3.      Reproductive Health and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

4.      Reproductive Technology

4.1    In vitro Fertilization

4.2    Artificial Insemination

4.3    Sperm Cryopreservation

4.4   Embryo Transfer

5.      Development and gene action, stem cells, aging

EXAM I   (1 meeting)

III.              GENETICS  (5 meetings)

Topics            1.  Laws of Inheritance

2.      Patterns of Inheritance

3.      Genome Projects:  Human and Fish

4.      Familial Diseases and Genetic Counseling

5.      Gene Technology

5.1      Gene Therapy

5.2      Genetically Modified Organisms

IV.             EVOLUTION  (5 meetings)

Topics            1.  Concept of species

2.      Mechanisms and Evidences of Evolution

3.      The Darwinian Theory:  Model for Explaining the History and Diversity of Life

4.      Scientific Creationism, Punctualism vs. Gradualism

5.      Human Evolution:  Biological and Cultural

6.      Evolution of Sex

EXAM II  (1 meeting)

V.               ECOLOGY  (5 meetings)

Topics            1.  Ecosystems:  Structure and Processes

2.      Anthropogenic Impact

3.      Sustainable Natural Resources:  Management and Bioremediation

4.      Biodiversity Conservation

4.1   Endangered species

VI.             OTHER CURRENT TOPICS  (5 meetings)

Topics            1.  Cancer biology

2.      Emerging pathogens and diseases

3.      Biological warfare

4.      Others

EXAM III  (1 meeting)