Introduction to Biology

The module aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of the science of Biology and the basic structures and functions of cells. At the end of the module, the student will have acquired the following skills:

1. To understand the basic principles and issues of biology, the origin of life and the evolution of species, and the relationships between species based on scientific research
2. To understand the importance of cells as fundamental Units of Life
3. To understand the importance of the chemical framework of life based on the Chemical Composition of Cells and the importance of the structure and function of important molecules such as water but also of large biological molecules for the molecular diversity of life
4. To be able to identify by navigating the cell all the cellular organelles and molecular complexes from which the basic functions of cells originate
5. To understand the importance of the structure and function of membranes and membrane transport both for the cell as well as for the subcellular organelles and intracellular compartments, as well as in cellular communication and signaling
6. To understand the basic points of metabolism and the role of subcellular organelles such as mitochondria for cellular respiration and chloroplasts for photosynthesis
7. To understand and describe the molecular and cellular basis of inheritance and gene expression and their regulation
8. To understand and describe basic concepts of the cell cycle and cell division (Mitosis)
9. To understand and describe basic concepts of Reduction and sexual biological cycles per type of organism-cell and issues of sexual reproduction and genetics
10. To understand and describe how the concept of the gene and the chromosomal basis of inheritance emerged from Mendel’s experiments and observations
11. To understands how modern genetics can be applied as an experimental tool with knowledge of the rational use of viruses, plasmid DNA and modern DNA techniques for biotechnological and medical applications
12. To understand how the evolution of species is related to the evolution of genes and genomes
13. To recognize the importance of biology in everyday life in the 21st century.