Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

This course has been changed from the previous catalog, the changed field(s) are highlighted in red:

 Course Title:   Majors Ecology/Evolution

 Title Abbreviation:   MAJORS ECOLOGY/EVOLUTION

 Department:    BIOL&

 Course #:    221

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    n/a

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2021


 Course Description  

Mendelian genetics, evolution, biodiversity of life forms, and ecology. First course of three-quarter series. For students intending to major in the sciences. Lab included.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Both ENGL& 101 and CHEM& 161 with a grade of "C" or higher (or concurrent enrollment); and either placement into MATH& 141 OR co-enrollment with MATH& 141 OR completion of MATH& 141 with a grade of "C" or higher.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Natural Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
UW 180
WWU 204

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Develop a vocabulary of biological terms, which will enable communication (reading, writing, and speaking) about evolution, natural selection and ecology.
  2. Explain the process of evolution by natural selection
  3. Discuss speciation (modes, rates, types), and the necessary steps and conditions required for occurrence their relationship to biodiversity
  4. Construct and score phylogenetic trees to determine parsimonious pathways
  5. Determine expected Mendelian ratios, sex-determination
  6. Recognize and discuss the roles of community members in the transfer of matter and energy through the ecosystem
  7. Explain the structure of DNA and its role in heredity and evolution
  8. Recognize and explain species interactions and their roles in population dynamics and natural selection
  9. Apply the principles of the Scientific method to design and experimental design in addressing a question
  10. Perform basic statistical operations (T-test, Chi-Square, Hardy-Weinberg, and ANOVA) in application to population genetics and ecology

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Experimental design, data interpretation,
  2. Basic probability
  3. Reading and interpreting scientific graphs
  4. Mendelian and chromosomal genetics
  5. Population genetics, Hardy-Weinberg theorem
  6. DNA structure and function
  7. Natural selection and evolution
  8. Phylogenetics
  9. Speciation, biodiversity
  10. Foundational ecological principles
  11. Population structure and regulation