BIO3: Integrated Organismal Biology (4 Units)

Overview

Building on BIO1 and BIO2, this course explores how multicellular organisms solve life’s challenges through diverse physiological, morphological, and behavioral strategies. 4 units: 3 lecture, 1 discussion.

Topical Description and Schedule

Key Topics

Students examine evolution of multicellularity, cell communication, tissue and organ organization, and responses to environmental challenges.

Special Focus
  • Highlights functional innovations across the tree of life without a systematic survey of diversity.
  • Students gain insights into organismal evolution and diversification.
Discussion and Labs
  • Small-group discussions reinforce lecture material.
  • Future CURE labs will complement structured experiences in BIO1L and BIO2L.

BIO3 Lecture and Discussion Topics

  • The Scientific Method and applications to biology at the organismal level: How do we know what we know in biology?
  • Aggregation and complex multicellularity: How do cells aggregate and how do multicellular organisms develop specialized cells and tissues, and why?
  • Cell Signaling: How do cells receive, process, and respond to information?
  • Homeostasis: How do organisms use feedback mechanisms to regulate and maintain optimal conditions?
  • Sensing the environment: How do organisms sense, transduce, and respond behaviorally and physiologically to a variety of external or internal signals?
  • Resource Acquisition: How do multicellular organisms acquire resources and deliver them throughout the organism, and remove wastes and toxins?
  • Immunity: How do organisms protect themselves from pathogens?
  • Reproduction:  How does a multicellular organism replicate itself?
  • Integration: How are genetic and molecular changes within the organism linked to population and ecosystem level responses to environmental change?