6 ECTS credits
155 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1015242ANR for all students in the 1st semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.
This course includes the following five modules:
Module 1: The Basis of Life.
This module covers the basic properties of Life, universal themes and major milestones in the History of Life on Earth (such as the origin of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, photosynthesis, mitosis, meiosis and sexual life cycles, multicellularity and land colonization). These milestones are used as a guideline throughout the course.
Module 2: The Chemistry of Life.
2.1. Water: the liquid of Life.
Explains which properties of water are so essential for Life.
2.2. Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life.
Provides an overview of the important organic molecules, macromolecules and polymers, their structures and their functions in organisms.
Module 3: Biology of the cell.
3.1. Cell structures and their functions.
Provides an overview of the structure of the eukaryotic cell, the organelles and other structures, their functions and differences from the prokaryotic cell.
3.2. Cell division and asexual reproduction.
Walks through the process of cell division and mitosis, the structures, functions and evolution involved.
3.3. Meiosis and sexual reproduction.
Covers sexual life cycles involving meiosis and fertilization, the process of meiosis, and the evolution of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes.
Module 4: Heredity.
4.1. Mendel's Laws.
Review Mendel's research and the formulation of Mendel's laws.
4.2. Non-Mendelian inheritance.
Discusses important genetic patterns that deviate from Mendel's laws.
Module 5: The Diversity of Life.
5.1. Introduction to prokaryotes.
Provides an overview of the origin of Life, the evolution and diversity of bacteria and Archaea, their adaptations and their ecological and medical importance.
5.2. The Evolution of Eukaryotes.
Provides an overview of the origin of the eukaryotic cell, the importance of endosymbiosis, the diversity and evolution of protists, and their ecological importance.
5.3. Introduction to Plants.
Provides an overview of the origin, evolution and diversity of plants, their adaptations to terrestrial life and their ecological importance.
5.4. Introduction to Animals.
Provides an overview of the origin, evolution and diversity of animals, their adaptations to increasing ecological complexity and life on land, and evolution and development of different body plans.
Study material
- The PowerPoint slides of the HOC (available as a PDF via Canvas): contain all the subject matter to be known.
- Video recordings of each HOC (available through Canvas).
- Handbook (not required but strongly recommended): Biology A Global Approach – 12th Edition, Global Edition + Dutch Glossary for Biology: A Global Approach (2021).
Authors: N. A. Campbell, L. A. Urry, M. L. Cain, S. A. Wasserman, P. V. Minorsky, R. b. Orr
Publisher: Pearson Education Limited (www.pearsonglobaleditions.com)
Print ISBN: 9781292341637
eBook ISBN: 9781292341699
Cost price (online): about 58.49 EUR
The course largely follows the textbook Biology A Global Approach (see above). This handbook is in English and easy to purchase through well-known online stores. Older versions (10th and 11th editions) can also be found second-hand and are practically identical except for a few details and layout.
After completing the course Algemene Biologie (General Biology) the student has:
- Insight into the basic properties of Life, the different levels of organization and their relationships.
- An overview of the history of Life with important milestones.
- Basic knowledge of the chemistry of Life, the importance of water, carbon, macromolecules and polymers.
- Basic knowledge of cells and organelles, their functions and interactions and the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- Insight into the process of cell division and the structures involved, into the difference between mitosis and meiosis and into the evolutionary importance of sexual reproduction.
- Insight into the basic principles of heredity, Mendel's laws and the many exceptions to these laws.
- Insight into the diversity of prokaryotes, protists, plants and animals, their fundamental characteristics, their ecological importance and their origin and evolution.
- Acquired practical skills related to microscopy, Mendelian genetics and interpreting structures and processes in an evolutionary framework.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 30% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Calculation of the final grade:
HOC: 70% (Exam)
WPO: 30% (participation and reports during semester)
The written exam of the theoretical (HOC) part consists of 20 questions that can include open questions, closed questions and multiple choice questions. The questions cover all modules of the course and test insight as well as knowledge. A document with the specific learning objectives for each module is made available via Canvas.
Participation in the practicals (WPO) is compulsory. Incomplete participation in the practicals will lead to a reduction of the mark for this part, depending on the percentage of absences from the practicals. An unauthorized absence or 3 or more practicals automatically leads to a 0/20 for the WPO part. There is no possibility for a second examination period for the WPO part. The score for the WPO part, resulting from the permanent evaluation during the academic year, is taken over from the first examination period in the second examination period.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Philosophy and Moral Sciences: default (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Biology: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Chemistry: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Profile Cell and Gene Biotechnology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Profile Chemistry and Bioprocess Technology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Bioengineering Sciences: Initial track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Computer Science: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Mathematics and Data Science: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)