Biology

General characterization

Prerequisites

There are no prior requirements to attend this course

Bibliography

- Life. The Science of Biology. Sadava, Hillis, Heller e Berenbaum. 12ª edição 2020. Sinauer Associates Inc. USA

Teaching method

General Teaching Model

• Theoretical classes will be based on content presentations with thematic PowerPoint slides by the professor. A textbook will be followed, with chapters identified in the first class, which should be reviewed before each lesson.
• Practical classes will involve laboratory experiments, exercises, and computer simulations designed to deepen the concepts covered in theoretical lessons. Scientific articles related to Biology will also be analyzed.

Active Learning Methods

• Active Learning methods aim to directly engage students in the learning process, encouraging problem-solving, autonomy, critical thinking, investigative skills, discussion, and collaboration with peers.
• The professor’s PowerPoint presentations will include links to animations and videos illustrating complex concepts.
• In practical classes, students will be organized into groups with autonomy in carrying out the proposed activities. These groups will also have the freedom to choose a scientific article to explore throughout the semester and present orally in the final class. All students in the class will participate in evaluating their peers’ oral presentations.

Evaluation method

Final Grade = Theoretical Component (50%) + Practical Component (50%)

Theoretical Component:

• Assessed through two tests, each worth 50%, or by a final exam.

Practical Component:

• Two tests taken alongside the theoretical tests, with equal weight. Together, these tests account for 80% of the practical grade.
• Oral presentation of a scientific article (20%).
• Practical exercises completed in class may increase or decrease the final grade.
• Peers will participate in evaluating the oral presentation, contributing ¼ of the presentation grade.
• The BioBlitz results will grant a bonus of 1 point in the practical component for the top 5 groups that correctly identify the most species.
• Practical component grades can be carried over to the following year in case of course failure.

Mandatory Attendance in Practical Classes:

• Up to 1/3 of practical classes may be missed if justified by force majeure.
• Exceeding this limit results in automatic course failure.

Grade Improvement via Exam:

• The grade improvement exam includes both theoretical and practical components.
• The practical exam result will be combined with the oral presentation and BioBlitz scores.
• Grade improvement is only valid if the overall score of both components (theoretical and practical) increases.

Subject matter

Theoretical Component:

Origin of life; History of life on Earth
Heredity; DNA; Gene expression
Evolution; Speciation; Phylogenies
Metabolism; Photosynthesis; Cell division
Cell structure; Cell membrane; Prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Evolution of biodiversity: Protists
Evolution of biodiversity: Fungi and Algae
Evolution of biodiversity: Animalia – Protostomes and Deuterostomes
Evolution of biodiversity: Plants
Animal development
Physiology – Plant physiology: Nutrition and transport
Physiology – Animal physiology: Homeostasis, gas exchange, osmoregulation, and thermoregulation


Practical Component:

Taxonomy of major groups (observation of biological collections)
Biodiversity inventory (field trip to Avencas Beach)
Mendelian genetics exercises
Population dynamics and evolution exercises
Use of bibliography search tools and selection of a scientific article for presentation
Experiments on cell membrane function
Bacterial classification using Gram staining technique
Organism identification using molecular genetics techniques
Embryonic development in fish (Gambusia holbrooki)
Plant physiology: Identification of photosynthetic pigments using TLC
Animal physiology: Assessment of alcohol and caffeine effects on Daphnia heart rate
Scientific article presentation

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: