LAB and COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to basic concepts and unifying principles of cell and molecular biology. Topics include cell and molecular biology, genetics, and energetics. Laboratory sessions are an integral part of the course.

This course is mostly about cell structure, genetics, and the structure and function of DNA. All of the major concepts of the course were tied together so that we really understood the importance of each cellular mechanism individually and its place in the cell cycle. Another major part of this course was learning the basics about different metabolic processes that take place in cells. Fermentation, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration were heavily covered, and we spent multiple weeks in the lab demonstrating these mechanisms. The lecture portion of the class is all individual work, so we were expected to use critical thinking on homework, Learn Smarts, exams, and quizzes. The lab is a large portion of the class, as well as a large portion of the grade. We were able to develop lab skills such as pipetting and working as a team, as everything done in the lab is completed in groups.