Basic Biology

The general aim is to provide students in mathematics a set of concepts and key ideas in the main areas of biology that are essential in the formation of any professional. It is also intended that the students understand the importance of the application of the knowledge of mathematics in biology and how biology can offer to the mathematicians a vast field of research in many theoretical and applied facets. Finally, students will be prepared to observe and think in an informed way about the implications that the Biological Sciences have for their lives and to the world in which they live.

All classes, expository and interactive, will be face-to-face.
Expository Class Program

UNIT 1. ECOLOGY (9h)

1. ENVIRONMENT AND ORGANISMS. 1.5h. Ecology: definition. Hierarchical organization levels. Relations of organisms with the abiotic environment. Temperature as an example of a factor that produces an individual response. Ectothermic and endothermic organisms. Size and metabolic rate.
2. POPULATIONS: STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS. 1.5 h. Population concept. Population parameters. Tables of life. Survival curves. Population growth. Exponential and logistic growth models.
3. INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SPECIES. 1.5h. Interspecific competition. Lotka-Volterra model. Competitive exclusion, ecological niche, character displacement. Laboratory tests and proficiency in nature. Predation: concept and types. Lotka-Volterra model. Predation experiments in the laboratory and in nature.
4. THE COMMUNITY: STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS. 2h. Community concept. Structure. Specific composition. Key species Diversity: concept and measures. Factors that explain diversity. Factors that reduce diversity. Biodiversity and its multiple value. Ecological succession. Succession models and mechanisms. General trends during the succession.
5. THE ECOSYSTEM: FUNCTIONAL APPROACH. 1.5h. Ecosystem concept Primary production. Gross and net production. Limiting factors. Global patterns in primary productivity. Secondary production concept. Limiting factors. Energy flow and trophic structure. Thermodynamic laws. Consumer chain. Decomposer chain. Importance of the regeneration of the nutrients.
6. GLOBAL ECOLOGY. 1h. Relation human species-nature: global change. Global environmental problems: threats to the biodiversity. Preservation of the biodiversity. Environmental indicators. Sustainability and socio-ecological systems.
Block 2. INTRODUCTION TO LIFE (5 h)
7. Brief history of cytology and histology. Cell theory. Current cytology and histology and its relationship with other sciences. (1 hour).
8. Unity and diversity of cells. Organization of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The prokaryotic cell. The eukaryotic cell: nucleus, organelles, and their membranes. Cell evolution. Syncytium and plasmodium concept. Multicellularity. Weaving concept (1 h).
9. Chemical components of the cell. Water. Biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids (2 h).
10. Cell metabolism. Enzymatic catalysis. Reaction kinetics. Activated transporter molecules and polymer synthesis (1 h).
Block 3. FLOW OF GENETIC INFORMATION (5.5 h)
11. DNA and chromosomes. Chromosomes The double helix and inheritance. DNA replication, repair and recombination (2 h).
12. From DNA to RNA: transcription. Processing and types of RNA. Export (1.5 h).
13. From RNA to protein: translation. Genetic code. Transfer RNA and tRNA aminoacyltransferases. Ribosomes and ribosomal cycle (1 h).
14. Control of gene expression. Translation regulations. Folding, modification, regulation of protein function and degradation (1 h).
Block 4. CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS (6 h)
15. Plasma membrane and its organization. Lipids and membrane proteins and their properties. Transport of small molecules. Permeability. Passive diffusion. Dissemination facilitated. Ionic channels. Nervous signaling. Transporters Active transport. Diaphragm pumps (1.5).
16. Compartments and intracellular transport. Vesicular transport. Secretory and endocytic route (1 h).
17. Cytoskeleton and cell movement. Actin filaments. Microtubules Intermediate filaments (2 h).
18. Bioenergetics. Mitochondria (1.5 h).
Block 5. CELL DIVISION (2.5 h)
19. Eukaryotic cell cycle. Phases of the cell cycle. Regulation of the cell cycle. Mitosis. Stages of mitosis. Regulation of mitosis. Cytokinesis in animal and plant cells (1.5 h).
20. Meiosis. Phases of meiosis: first and second meiotic division. Biological importance of meiosis. Comparison between mitosis and meiosis (1 h).
Ecology Internship Program
Program of Practices of Ecology
1. Methodological aspects generals in ecological research.
2. The data matrix in ecology.
3. Elementary analysis of data.
4. Sampling of populations.
5. Introduction to the statistical proofs.
6. ANOVA and tables of contingency.
7. Linear regression, logistical and discreet regression.
8. Selection of models.
9. Techniques of classification.
10. Techniques of ordination.
11. Measures of diversity and wealth.

Laboratory Program of Cell Biology
Management of the light microscope. Cell diversity (2 h).

Seminars
Topics related to the contents specified in the Theory Program will be discussed, which will serve as the basis for a guided discussion and for the resolution of questions and problems on the subject matter.

Teaching Innovation
Students can voluntarily participate in a teaching innovation activity of the "Learning and Services" program called "Face to Fire" based on learning by performing a service for society.

Basic bibliography
Biology 2e by OpenStax: https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e?Book%20details
Concepts of Biology by OpenStax: https://openstax.org/details/books/concepts-biology
COOPER, G.M.. 2021. La Célula, 8ª Edición, Marbán.
Ecología con números: http://www.ecologiaconnumeros.uab.es/
Escolástico León, C., & Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (España). 2013. Ecología I. Introducción, organismos y poblaciones. Ecología (Ed. digital.). Madrid: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia.
Escolástico León, C., & Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (España). 2013.Ecología II. Comunidades y ecosistemas. Ecología (Ed. digital.). Madrid: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia.
Smith, R.L.; Smith, T.M. 2002. Ecología. Pearson Educación S.A. Addison Wesley Longman.Madrid.

Additional bibliography
ALBERTS B. et al., 2011. Introducción a la Biología Celular, 3ª Edición, Editorial Medica Panamericana.
BEGON, M., HARPER, J.L. & TOWNSEND, C.R. 1999. Ecología. Individuos, poblaciones y comunidades (3a ed.). Omega. Barcelona.
DONOVAN, T. M. & C. WELDEN. 2002. Spreadsheet exercises in ecology and evolution. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Sunderland, MA, USA.
KREBS, C.J. 1986. Ecología. Análisis experimental de la distribución y abundancia. Pirámide. Madrid.
KREBS, C.J. 2001. Ecology: the experimental analysis of distribution and abundance (5 th Ed). Benjamín Cummings Addison Wesley longman. Inc. New York.
LODISH et al., 2007. Biología Celular y Molecular, 5ª Edición, Editorial Medica Panamericana,
MARGALEF, R. 1992 a. Ecología. Omega. Barcelona.
MARGALEF, R. 1992 b. Planeta azul, Planeta verde. Prensa Científica. Barcelona.
McNAUGHTON, S.J. Y WOLF, L.L. 1984. Ecología general. Ediciones Omega S.A. Barcelona.
NIKLAS, K.J. Plant Allometry. 1994. The Scaling of Form and Process. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA.
PIÑOL, J., MARTÍNEZ-VILALTA, J. 2006. Ecología con Números. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
RAVEN et al., 2008. The Science of Biology, 7/e Edition, McGraw-Hill.
REISS, M.J. 1991. The allometry of Growth and Reproduction. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K.
RICKLEFS, R.E. 1990 (3ª edición). Ecology. Freeman and company. New York.
RICKLEFS, R.E. 1998. Invitación a la Ecología. La economía de la Naturaleza. Ed. Médica Panamericana. Buenos Aires, Madrid.
SMITH, R.L.; SMITH, T.M. 1990 (4ª edición). Elements of Ecology. Addison Wesley Longman, San Francisco.STRYER et al., 2014.
TERRADAS J. 2001. Ecología de la vegetación. Omega. Barcelona.
Enlace de interese para buscas biomédicas en revistas, libros, bases de datos de proteínas, xenes, xenoma, etc: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez
Biology 2e by OpenStax: https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e?Book%20details
Concepts of Biology by OpenStax: https://openstax.org/details/books/concepts-biology
Ecología con números: http://www.ecologiaconnumeros.uab.es/
Ecología I. Introducción, organismos y poblaciones. Escolástico León, C., & Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (España). (2013). Ecología (Ed. digital.). Madrid: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia.
Ecología II. Comunidades y ecosistemas. Escolástico León, C., & Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (España). (2013). Ecología (Ed. digital.). Madrid: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia.
Ecología. Smith, R.L.; Smith, T.M. 2002. Pearson Educación S.A. Addison Wesley Longman.Madrid.
Complementary bibliography
ALBERTS B. et al., 201

To learn about the impact of Biology in the mathematics and vice versa.
To understand the importance of the application of mathematics in Biology and how Biology can offer to the mathematicians a vast field of research in many theoretical and applied facets.
To Know and understand the basic principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology, the Biology of organisms and systems, Genetics and Ecology.

CX2. Gather and interpret data, information and relevant results, draw conclusions and issue reasoned reports on scientific, technological or other areas requiring the use of mathematical tools problems.
CX3. Apply both the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired as the ability of analysis and abstraction in the definition and formulation of problems in finding solutions in both academic and professional contexts.
CX5. Study and learn independently, to organize time and resources, new knowledge and techniques in any scientific or technological discipline.
CE7. Propose, analyze, evaluate and interpret simple models of real situations, using the most appropriate mathematical tools for the purposes pursued.
CT2. Optimally manage working time and organizing available resources, establishing priorities, alternative paths and identifying logical errors in decision-making.
CT5. Read scientific texts both in own language and in other relevant in science, especially English.

Teaching Methodology shall conform to the general methodological indications, which establishes that blackboard classes will basically consist of lessons taught by the teacher, dedicated to the exposition of the theoretic contents and to the resolution of exercises. Sometimes the model will be close to the master lesson and others (especially in reduced groups) will be greater involvement of the student, rewarding a more active and personalized pedagogy. Computer/laboratory classes will allow the acquisition of practical skills and will serve to illustrate the theoretical-practical contents, through the interactive checking or the programming. All the tasks of the student (study, works, computer programs, readings, expositions, exercises, practices…) will be oriented by the teacher in the tutorial sessions in reduced groups and through the Virtual Campus. Individualized/reduced group tutoring will be provided to discuss specific questions concerning to tasks or to solve any remaining doubt.

An important teaching resource with a view to achieving the educational objectives will be made available to students a multimedia material (texts, transparencies, videos, spreadsheets, etc) for what the support given by the platform of the virtual USC will be used. The individualized attention to the student in the tutorials will allow personalizing the teaching. The level of the theoretical classes will be affordable for the students with an average academic and intellectual preparation. Students below average shall be subject of tutorial attention, while students above average will satisfy their wishes of greater knowledge with access to more specialized resources and bibliography.

First and second chance

The qualification of the students will be done by means of:
. Continuous Assessment, which will contribute 40% toward the final qualification. Continuous assessment will be done by means of submitted work, peer evaluation system (co-evaluation) and participation of student in classes, seminars, tutorials and other activities. Students will be able to increase their continuous assessment mark in each of the parts of the subject (ecology and cell biology) by up to 0.5 points by carrying out other activities that the teaching staff will offer through the USC Virtual Campus.
. Completion of a final exam that will contribute in a 60 % to the final qualification.
Pass the subject requires a minimum of 4.5 points over 10 in the final exam. Final qualification shall be that of the final exam if it is greater than that considering the qualification of the continuous assessment.

The assessment of the continuous evaluation will be valid during a course but the one of realization, if so it requests it the student. For cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for the evaluation of students' academic performance and the review of qualifications will apply.
The tests of continuous assessment and the final exam will be the same for all the student groups.

PRESENCE WORK IN THE CLASS (HOURS)
Expositive classes (28)
Interactive seminar classes (14)
Interactive laboratory classes (14)
Tutoring in small groups (2)
Total hours of presence work in the classroom (58)

PERSONAL WORK OF THE STUDENT (HOURS)
Autonomous Individual Study or in group (48)
Writing of exercises, conclusions or other works (25)
Recommended readings, activities in library or similar (9)
Preparation of oral presentations, discussions or similar (8)
Total hours of personal work of the student (90)
Exam (2h)
Total hours: 150

It is recommended the attendance and active participation in the classes and scheduled seminars. It is important to resolve at the moment the doubts that may arise as well as review and complete the notes of classes after these. Tutorials provide an excellent opportunity to improve learning and to resolve doubts. The study of the subject will be facilitated by the consultation of the material that will be available to students in the web page of the USC Virtual. Also important is the reading of the literature recommended for each item.