Principles of Biology II – Distance is a distance course that introduces some of the unifying principles of Biology. The course focuses on evolution and the biological diversity to which it leads. After a brief introduction to the naming and classification of organisms (systematics), we explore the diversity of life through a survey of the major groups of single celled organisms, plants, animals and fungi. We then identify some of the mechanisms of evolution and how these mechanisms can lead to the emergence of new species. Finally, we introduce some important concepts of ecology by examining the nature of populations, communities and ecosystems.
Prerequisite: Biology 11 or 12 with a C+ or better, Chemistry 11 or CHEM 050