BIOL 101 Notes: Chapter 1 Overview and Course Policies

Course Details

• BIOL 101 – Concepts in Biology
• Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Eaton, Ph.D., Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology
• Institution: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T)
• Course code: BIOL 101
• Resource domain: ncat.edu (course pages and resources)

Daily Affirmation

• Text emphasizes self-belief and perseverance:
  • Pledge of greatness and relentless pursuit of dreams
  • Value the contribution you bring to the world and the belief that potential is limitless
  • Commitment to self: you are capable, you are enough, you will overcome hurdles
  • The passion for helping others is described as a superpower
  • Commitment to the journey due to strength, intelligence, and resilience to realize aspirations

Important Course Information

• MH Connect Resources for NCAT Students & Instructors
  • How Students Register for McGraw Hill Connect (Video):
    https://www.mheducation.com/highered/support/connect/first-day-of-class/ia-blackboard-ltia.html
  • Student Support Website: https://www.mheducation.com/highered/support/student/connect.html
  • Live Chat/Phone Support Contact Info: https://mh.my.site.com/CXG/s/ContactUs
• AI use policy: Use of AI will NOT be permitted in the course
• Attendance: Lecture & Lab Attendance = Graded/Mandatory
• Emphasis on McGraw Hill assignments (Connect)

The Science of Life (Chapter 1)

• Chapter title: "The Science of Life"
• Key topics introduced visually: terms such as Genome, Cell, Antibody, Organism, Genetic, Biology
• The slide emphasizes that biology is the science studying life and living systems
• Stock imagery and captioning reinforce core concepts like DNA/genetic material, cells, antibodies, and organisms

Chapter 1 – The Science of Life (Key Concepts)

• Biology unifies much of natural science
• Living systems are among the most complex chemical systems on Earth
• Life is constrained by the properties of chemistry and physics
• Science is becoming more interdisciplinary, incorporating multiple fields
• Life defies a single, simple definition; it is a broad, integrative concept

Characteristics of All Living Organisms

• Cellular organization
• Ordered complexity
• Sensitivity to environment
• Growth, development, and reproduction
• Energy utilization
• Homeostasis
• Evolutionary adaptation
• Notes: Each characteristic contributes to the definition and functioning of living systems; together they differentiate living from non-living matter

Hierarchical Organization of Living Systems

• Living systems exhibit hierarchical organization, spanning multiple scales
• Levels include:
  • Cellular level: atoms, molecules, organelles, cells
  • Organismal level: tissues, organs, organ systems
• Cell is the basic unit of life (Cell Theory)
• Organization progresses from small-scale components to complex, integrated systems

Cellular Level Hierarchical Organization (Visual/Scale Context)

• Cellular Level components: Atoms → Molecule → Macromolecule → Organelle → Cell
• Organismal Level components: Tissue → Organ → Organism
• Scale references shown on the slide:
  • Organelle size around 0.2\,\mu\mathrm{m}
  • Tissue scale roughly 100\,\mu\mathrm{m}
• These scale cues illustrate how structures increase in complexity from subcellular to tissue levels

Organismal Level Hierarchical Organization

• Organ system
• Organ
• Organism
• Emphasizes how tissues and organs coordinate to form whole living beings

Syllabus Review (Updates)

• Use of AI will NOT be permitted in the course
• Lecture & Lab Attendance are graded and mandatory
• Pay attention to McGraw Hill assignments

Blackboard & Connect Assignments (Course Workflow)

• All tasks accessed/submitted in Blackboard (LMS)
• Chapter 1
  • Connect Tutorial
  • Chapter 1 Smartbook
  • Chapter 1 Chapter Assignment
• Chapter 4
  • Smartbook
  • Chapter Assignment
• Chapter 5
  • Smartbook
  • Chapter Assignment
• Smartbook = Pre-Lecture Assignment
• Chapter Assignment = Post-Lecture Assignment
• Assignments for Ch. 1, 4, & 5 have a common deadline:
  • Friday, August 29, 2025, 11:59 pm
• Homework 12 (likely associated with these chapters)

Quick Reference: Key Dates and Resources

• Important links for Connect resources and support are provided in the course materials (see above)
• Ensure Blackboard submissions are on time to avoid penalties

Questions

• A dedicated slide indicates there is a space for questions (page 13 shows “QUESTIONS!”)
• Use this section to seek clarifications from instructors or TAs as needed

Connections and Practical Context

• The content sets foundational concepts for Biology by outlining the scope of life as studied in biology, the scale of biological organization, and the interdisciplinary nature of modern science

• The emphasis on AI policy and attendance highlights practical, ethical, and logistical dimensions of learning in a digital-era biology course

• The Connect/Smartbook framework illustrates how modern biology courses blend reading, interactive software, and structured assessments to reinforce learning

• Notation of the scales provides a tangible sense of the sizes of biological structures, supporting a foundational understanding of cellular biology, anatomy, and physiology

0.2\,\mu\mathrm{m} and 100\,\mu\mathrm{m} are used to contrast organelle size with tissue scale, respectively, providing a sense of scale across the cellular to tissue continuum.