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Yang Yang

Students are welcome to participate in the study of "Introduction to Modern Biology". In this semester, we will learn basic and cutting-edge knowledge related to life. This course first explains the basic theories of biology according to a layer-by-layer framework: at the molecular and cellular level, we will learn about cell structure, growth, division, and cell communication; at the individual level, we will learn about heredity and development Principle; at the population level, you will understand biological evolution, that is, the gradual change of the entire population between generations, which ultimately led to the variety of organisms we see today through natural selection; at the level of biological communities and ecosystems, you will learn about ecology Science, the study of how organisms interact with each other and with their environment. This course will also specifically explore the products of evolution---organisms, focusing on their structure and function, which is the most interesting and important part for most students. Biology is a rapidly developing discipline, which is not only reflected in the discovery and understanding of more and more biological phenomena, but also in the application of new biological technologies and the intersection of disciplines. Therefore, this course pays special attention to understanding the latest advances in modern biology including gene therapy, stem cell research, recombinant DNA, biochips and other frontiers. Moreover, the cross-application of biology with physics, chemistry, mathematics, computers, psychology and other disciplines will be discussed. Biology is also an experimental science. We will introduce some classic, interesting, and even controversial biological experiments and their designs. We hope that students can develop critical thinking while learning. The classroom teaching of this course pursues easy-to-understand, close connection between macro and micro, and combination of basics and applications to help students deepen their understanding of the basic concepts and principles of life sciences and guide students to establish a correct scientific attitude. This introductory course includes the fundamental principles of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Biological function at the molecular level is particularly emphasized and covers the structure and regulation of genes, as well as, the structure and synthesis of proteins, how these molecules are integrated into cells, and how these cells are integrated into multicellular systems and organisms. In addition, each version of the subject has its own distinctive material. All these knowledge are applied to more advanced subjects, like immunology, neurobiology, endocrinology and human behavior. This course also focuses on the exploration of current research in cell biology, immunology, neurobiology, genomics, and molecular medicine.

What's inside

Learning objective

In this semester, we will learn basic and cutting-edge knowledge related to life. this course first explains the basic theories of biology according to a layer-by-layer framework: at the molecular and cellular level, we will learn about cell structure, growth, division, and cell communication; at the individual level, we will learn about heredity and development principle; at the population level, you will understand biological evolution, that is, the gradual change of the entire population between generations, which ultimately led to the variety of organisms we see today through natural selection; at the level of biological communities and ecosystems, you will learn about ecology science, the study of how organisms interact with each other and with their environment. this course will also specifically explore the products of evolution---organisms, focusing on their structure and function, which is the most interesting and important part for most students.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores organisms, their structure and function, which is a key element in biology
Develops a foundation in genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology, essential for understanding advanced biology
Demonstrates the application of biological knowledge in fields like immunology, neurobiology, and medicine
Provides a comprehensive study of modern biology, suitable for both beginners and those seeking a refresher
Emphasizes the molecular level of biological function, crucial for understanding cellular processes
Introduces classic and controversial biological experiments to foster critical thinking

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Reviews summary

现代生物学入门:全面深入且引人入胜

学员们说,这门“现代生物学导论”课程内容极其丰富且全面从分子到生态系统层面均有涉猎。学生们普遍认为老师的讲解深入浅出,使复杂的生物学知识变得通俗易懂且生动有趣。课程结构清晰,逻辑严谨,并特别关注最新的科研进展和前沿技术,让学习者感受到学科的活力与发展。尽管部分学员提到信息量较大,节奏较快,对零基础学习者可能略有挑战,且作为导论课在特定深度上有所取舍,但整体而言,这门课程被认为提供了坚实的生物学基础,并有效培养了批判性思维能力
作为导论课,在广度上优秀,深度上有所取舍。
"但相对来说,深度可能就没那么足,某些章节如果能再细致讲解一下就好了。"
"课程内容很充实,但是有些部分讲得不够详细,感觉只是泛泛而谈。"
"我意识到对于想深入了解特定领域的人来说,可能需要额外补充材料。"
课程融入最新进展,鼓励学生批判性思考。
"特别是对现代生物学前沿的介绍,让我受益匪浅..."
"...课程中穿插的最新科研进展,让我感到生物学这门学科的活力。"
"实验部分的介绍很经典,启发了批判性思维。"
"绝对是顶级水平的生物学入门课程...实验设计部分尤其精彩,培养了我的批判性思维能力。"
教师授课方式吸引人,复杂概念化繁为简。
"...讲解深入浅出,老师的授课方式也很吸引人。"
"非常棒的生物学入门课!...把复杂的生物学知识讲得通俗易懂。"
"老师的讲课方式非常生动有趣,把枯燥的理论知识变得鲜活起来。"
课程内容极为丰富,覆盖生物学多维度。
"这门课程内容非常丰富,从分子层面到生态系统层面都有涉猎,讲解深入浅出..."
"课程知识点覆盖很广,对于非生物背景的我来说,确实是很好的入门。"
"这门课提供了坚实的生物学基础,从细胞到生态系统,知识体系非常完整。"
"作为一门导论课,它覆盖了生物学的主要领域,非常全面,很适合概览。"
建议增加习题或互动环节以巩固学习。
"唯一的建议是,如果能有更多的习题或小测验来巩固学习效果就更好了。"
"我希望可以增加一些互动环节,让学习过程更具参与感。"
内容密集,需投入更多精力消化吸收。
"内容很多,感觉有点赶。老师讲得很快,如果没有一点生物基础,跟上节奏会有点吃力。"
"对于初学者来说,信息量有点大,但只要花时间消化,收益是巨大的。"
"我发现课程节奏很快,有时感觉需要更多时间来完全掌握概念。"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Modern Biology | 现代生物学导论 with these activities:
Explore interactive tutorials on Khan Academy
Supplement your learning with engaging and interactive tutorials.
Show steps
  • Visit the Khan Academy website or app.
  • Search for biology-related topics or concepts.
  • Watch the video tutorials and follow along with the interactive exercises.
  • Take notes and ask questions if needed.
Join a study group or participate in online forums
Engage with peers to discuss concepts, ask questions, and share insights.
Show steps
  • Identify classmates or online communities interested in biology.
  • Organize regular study sessions or join discussions on platforms like Piazza or Reddit.
  • Actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and provide answers.
  • Collaborate on projects or assignments.
Create a mind map or concept diagram of a biological process
Enhance your understanding and retention by visually representing biological concepts.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific biological process or concept.
  • Identify the key elements and relationships involved.
  • Use a mind mapping tool or draw a concept diagram to organize the information.
  • Add details, examples, and connections to make the diagram comprehensive.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Contribute to open-source educational resources on GitHub
Engage with the biology community by contributing to open-source educational materials.
Browse courses on GitHub
Show steps
  • Find open-source biology projects on GitHub.
  • Identify areas where you can contribute, such as writing documentation, fixing bugs, or adding new content.
  • Submit pull requests with your contributions.
  • Review and respond to feedback from the project maintainers.
Volunteer at a local science museum or nature center
Gain practical experience and share your knowledge of biology with others.
Show steps
  • Identify local science museums or nature centers that offer volunteer opportunities.
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer roles.
  • Attend training sessions and learn about the specific responsibilities.
  • Engage with visitors, answer questions, and lead educational activities.
Develop a presentation on a current research topic in biology
Enhance your communication and research skills by presenting a topic of interest.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific research topic that aligns with your interests.
  • Conduct thorough research and gather relevant information.
  • Create a clear and engaging presentation that summarizes your findings.
  • Practice your presentation and incorporate visual aids.
  • Present your research to your classmates or a wider audience.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Modern Biology | 现代生物学导论 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Evolutionary Biologist
An Evolutionary Biologist studies the history of life on Earth and how species change over time. This course would be very helpful to one in this career to help understand the principles of genetics and heredity.
Cytologist
A Cytologist studies the structure and function of cells. This course would be very helpful to one in this career to help understand cells, cell division, and cell communication.
Molecular Biologist
A Molecular Biologist studies the structure and function of molecules, such as DNA and RNA. This course would be very helpful to one in this career to help understand the structure and regulation of genes.
Geneticist
A Geneticist studies genes and heredity. This course would be very helpful to one in this career to help understand heredity and the development of principles.
Pathologist
A Pathologist studies the causes and effects of disease. This course would be very helpful to one in this career to help understand the molecular and cellular level of organisms.
Ecologist
An Ecologist studies the interactions between organisms and their environment. The course helps build a foundation for this work by detailing evolution and the level of biological communities and ecosystems.
Botanist
A Botanist studies plants and their importance to the environment. The course helps build a foundation for this work by detailing cell structure, heredity, and evolution. This course would be useful for understanding the structure and function of plants.
Zoologist
A Zoologist studies animals and their behavior. This course may be helpful to this professional to learn more about the structure and function of organisms.
Neuroscientist
A Neuroscientist studies the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. This course may be helpful to this professional to learn more about cells and how they communicate.
Physiologist
A Physiologist studies the functions of living organisms and their component parts. This course may be helpful to learn more about cell structure and function, as well as heredity and evolution.
Microbiologist
A Microbiologist studies microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This course may be helpful for learning about the organisms that cause disease and how to prevent their spread.
Biomedical Engineer
A Biomedical Engineer researches and develops solutions to make medical procedures better. This course may be helpful to this professional to learn more about genes, cells, and the structure of organisms. The course should provide a solid foundation for understanding biological processes. To enter this career field, the course helps teach one the technical writing skills needed to apply biological principles to engineering problems and work on cross-functional teams.
Pharmacologist
A Pharmacologist studies the effects of drugs on the body. This course may be helpful to this professional to learn more about the molecular and cellular level of organisms.
Epidemiologist
An Epidemiologist investigates patterns and causes of disease to prevent future outbreaks. This course may be helpful for learning how organisms work, interact with each other, and evolve.
Physician
A Physician treats diseases and injuries. This course would be useful for understanding the molecular and cellular level of organisms.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Modern Biology | 现代生物学导论.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of molecular biology, covering topics from the structure of DNA to the regulation of gene expression.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of biochemistry, covering topics from the structure of proteins to the regulation of metabolism.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of cell and molecular biology, covering topics from the structure of cells to the regulation of gene expression.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of developmental biology, covering topics from the molecular to the organismal level.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of ecology, covering topics from the molecular to the ecosystem level.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of evolution, covering topics from the molecular to the population level.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of microbiology, covering topics from the molecular to the population level.

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