The objective of this course to give students a broad and comprehensive background in biology, and thus to prepare them for entry into biology-oriented programs in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. The course includes an introduction to cell biology, genetics, structure and function of microbes, animals and plants. Growth and development of animals and plants will be covered in more detail. Evolution of plant and animal diseases as well as the biotechnological applications will be introduced. The course provides a solid basis for more advanced studies in all areas modern biology.
Discovering Life (NS 201)
2025 Fall
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences(NS)
3
6
Selim Çetiner cetiner@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
--
Formal lecture
Interactive,Learner centered
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| Programs\Type | Required | Core Elective | Area Elective |
| Entrepreneurship Minor | * | ||
| Materials Science and Nano Engineering | * | ||
| Materials Science and Nano Engineering (Previous Name: Materials Science and Engineering) | * | ||
| Microelectronics | * | ||
| Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering | * | ||
| Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering (Pre. Name: Biological Sciences and Bioengineering) | * | ||
| Telecommunications | * |
CONTENT
OBJECTIVE
This is an introductory undergraduate course which surveys most areas of cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and immunology. This course is highly recommended for students planning to study molecular biology, genetics and bioengineering.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Understand the evolutionary principles controlling biological phenomenon,
- Formulate Hypotheses and design experiments to test this hypothesis
- Know the structure of cells
- Understand the significance of the polymerase chain reaction
- Understand how DNA sequencing is performed
- Identify the various parts of a gene and calculate the sequence of protein, given a gene sequence
- Describe the processes of DNA replication, RNA transcription and protein translation and identify the enzymes that catalyze these biological reactions
- Think of all biological phenomenon as chemical reactions
- Understand the principles of the central dogma of molecular biology
- Differentiate between the different fields of bioinformatics, genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 5
2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 5
3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 5
4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 5
5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 5
1. Possess sufficient knowledge of mathematics, science, fundamental engineering, computational methods and program-specific engineering topics; use theoretical and applied knowledge of these areas in complex engineering problems. 3
2. Identify, define, formulate and solve complex engineering problems while considering the UN Sustainable Development Goals; choose and apply suitable analysis, design, estimation/prediction and modeling methods for this purpose. 1
3. Develop, choose and use modern techniques and tools that are needed for analysis and solution of complex problems faced in engineering applications; use information technologies effectively. 1
4. Have the ability to design a complex system, process, instrument or a product under realistic constraints and conditions, with the goal of fulfilling creative current and future requirements. 4
5. Use research methods, including conducting literature reviews, designing experiments, performing experiments, collecting data, analyzing results, and interpreting results, to investigate complex engineering problems or discipline-specific research topics. 3
6. Possess knowledge of business practices such as project management, risk management, change management, and economic feasibility analysis; awareness on entrepreneurship and innovation. 2
7. Possess knowledge of impact of engineering solutions on society, health and safety, the economy, sustainability, and the environment within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; awareness on legal outcomes of engineering solutions; awareness of acting impartially and inclusively without any form of discrimination; act in accordance with ethical principles, possessing knowledge of professional and ethical responsibilities. 3
8. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on technical subjects, considering the diverse characteristics of the target audience (such as education, language, and profession). 4
Update Date:
ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA
| Percentage (%) | |
| Final | 60 |
| Midterm | 40 |
RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS
| Textbook |
Life The Science of Biology 11th Ed. Sadava, Hillis, Heller, Hacker ISBN 9781319010164 Note this book will also be used for NS216 |
| Readings |
Reading and homework on: |