BITS PILANI, K K BIRLA GOA CAMPUS

INSTRUCTION DIVISION
First Semester 2019-2020
COURSE HANDOUT (PART II)
01-December-2021
In addition to part-I (General Handout for all courses) printed on page 1 of the timetable book, this portion gives
further specific details regarding the course.

Course No. : BIO F111

Course Title : GENERAL BIOLOGY
Instructor-in-charge : SUKANTA MONDAL
Team of Instructors : Meenal Kowshik, Indrani Talukdar, Kundan Kumar, Vijayashree Nayak, Malabika
Biswas, Arnab Banerjee, Raviprasad Aduri, Sandhya Mehrotra
1. Course Description:
Living systems and their properties; classification of organisms; biochemistry; biochemical pathways
operative in organisms; introductory genetics, evolution, ecology and environmental sciences; basic
plant and human physiological processes.

2. Scope and Objectives:

The course is aimed to provide a broad introduction to the major principles and topics in biology. The
relationship of the living organism with its environment at the molecular level is highlighted, in line with
modern research in biological sciences. Effort would be made to relate what is being taught in the
classroom with real- world applications, so that the student can appreciate the relevance and
interdisciplinary nature of biology. The course offers an opportunity to the students in all disciplines to
understand the beautiful working of Nature – undoubtedly the best architect till date – and to apply the
knowledge gained to solve challenging problems in science and/or engineering.

3. Text Book:
T1: Enger, E.D., Ross, F.C. and David B. Bailey. Concepts in Biology (BITS-Pilani Custom Edition). 14th
Edition. Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Ltd. New Delhi, India.

4. Reference Books:
R1: Raven, P H.,Johnson, GB., Losos, J.B.,Singer, SR., Biology , 7th Edition Tata McGraw Hill Ppublishing
Company Limited, 2005.
R2: Campbell, N.A., et. al. Essential Biology with Physiology (2nd edition). New Delhi: Pearson Education Inc.,
2009.

5. Suggested Reading
S1: Starr, Cecie. Biology: Concepts and Applications (6th edition). India: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2007.

6. Lecture Plan:

Learning Lecture
Lect.# Topics to be covered Chap.#
Objectives Instructor

Introduction to the Science and the scientific method; the

1-2 science of biology, levels of biological 1(T1)
study of life
organization
Organic chemistry of Building blocks; carbohydrates; proteins,
3-6 3(T1)
living things nucleic acids; lipids
Meenal Kowshik
Cell theory; prokaryotic and eukaryotic
Cell Structure and cells; cell membrane and membrane-
7-8 4(T1)
Function bound organelles; non-membranous
organelles;

Enzymes, co- How enzymes speed chemical reactions,

9-11 co-factors, co-enzymes, enzymatic 5(T1)
enzymes and energy
competitions, inhibition
 12 Central Dogma; Molecular Structures;
DNA and RNA – The
Duplex DNA & DNA Replication.
Molecular Basis of 8(T1)
13-15 Heredity Gene Expression: Transcription &
Translation, Mutation & Mutagenesis
Cell Cycle; The Stages of Mitosis,
16-17 Cell Division –
Abnormal Cell Division: Basis of Oncology Indrani Talukdar
Proliferation and 9(T1)
18 Reproduction Introduction; Mechanisms I & II; Crossing
over, Nondisjunction; Significance
Introduction; Tools: Vectors &
Techniques and Endonucleases, Gene Cloning &
19-21 Applications of Expression: Illustration (Dolly); 16 (R1)
Biotechnology Applications :Healthcare; Agriculture &
Industry

Biochemical Pathways Cellular respiration – three stages of

22-24 generating ATPs; process of fermentation, 6(T1)
– Cellular Respiration
Protein and fat metabolism
Biochemical Pathways Basics of Photosynthesis; light reactions; Kundan Kumar
25-28 7(T1)
– Photosynthesis Calvin cycle; autotrophs and heterotrophs
Mendelian genetics – laws of heredity;
29-31 Patterns of Inheritance extensions to Mendel’s laws; linkage; other 10(T1)
influences on phenotype
Role of heart in blood circulation,
Pulmonary and Systemic.
Human Physiology: Gas Exchange: Respiratory Anatomy,
32-34 Material exchange in Lung Function; 24(T1)
the body
Mechanical and Chemical processing of
food & Waste disposal: Digestive System;
Kidney structure & function
Kinds of nutrients & their functions, dietary
Nutrition reference intakes, basal metabolic rate,
35 25(T1)
(Food and diet) eating disorders and deficiency diseases,
nutrition for fitness and sports
Nervous system: Nerve impulse; Events at Vijayashree
the synapse & CNS organization. Nayak
Body’s control
36-38 26(T1)
mechanisms Endocrine System; Sensory input (Chem.+
Ear), Sensory input (Eye, Skin); Output
Coordination
Immune System; Defense Mechanisms
39-40 Body’s protection Humoral & Cell-mediated Immunity 26(T1)
mechanism
Vaccines, Blood typing, AIDS
Human sexuality and determinants;
Human Reproduction, gametogenesis; male and female
41-42 Sex and Sexuality; reproductive systems – hormonal controls; 27(T1)
Human development pregnancy and early human development;
contraception; abortion; changes in sexual
function with age

7. Portions for self-study:

Will be announced in class and Moodle, if any.
8. Evaluation Scheme:
Date and
# Evaluation component Duration Weight Remarks
Time
01/01/22
1 Quiz 1 (online)* 20 min 15 % Closed Book
14:00 – 17:00
15/01/22
2 Mid Term Test 90 min 30 % 09:00-10:30 Closed book
04/02/22
3 Quiz 2 (online)* 20 min 15 % Closed book
14:00-17:00
Closed
4 Comprehensive Examination 180 min 40 % 19/02/22 (FN) book/Open
Book**
* The quizzes will be for duration of 20-30 min. The precise timings for each batch will be announced
in the class/Quanta/Google Classroom.
** One may bring original class notes and (text and/or reference) book(s).

9. Chamber consultation hours:

Will be announced in the class.

10. Make-up Policy:

You may apply for make-up only if you miss any of the evaluation components due to serious medical
emergency for which a valid proof would have to be produced. However, the final decision would rest with
the instructor. Make-up for quizzes will not be given. Refer to Clause 4.07 of BITS Academic Regulations
for more details.

11. Notices: All course announcements will be through Quanta/Google Classroom/in class.

Instructor-in-charge,
BIO F111