Class General Biology

This course covers the basic concepts of biology and their direct applications in several areas of environmental engineering.

- History of life on earth
- Evolution and the tree of life: evolution and natural selection; population genetics; speciation and evolutionary trees
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Living beings: biological organization.
- Nuclear control of cell activity: nucleus structure, genetic information flow and cell cycle and their regulation
- Cell dynamics: molecules, cell structures, organites and physiology
- Photosynthesis. Light dependent reactions. The Calvin Cycle
- Plant biology: classification, anatomy and regulation of development
- Animal biology: classification, histology and regulation of development
- Behavioral Biology
- Biology in environmental engineering

Expository / interrogative method; development of works and challenges using bibliographic research and internet; individual / group work, case studies aim to apply and amplify acquired knowledge, reflection and discussion.

Active learning methodologies, namely: Case Study Analysis; Brainstorming; Role Play, Flipped Learning, Mind Maps, systemic thinking, favouring the 4 C's of Education (Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Creativity)

Azevedo, C. (1999) Biologia Celular e Molecular, Lidel - Edições Técnicas, Lisboa

Junqueira, L. C.; Carneiro, J. (2000) Biologia Celular e Molecular, 7ª ed., Guanabara Koogan SA.

Karp G (2004) Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments, 4th Ed.. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York.

Richau, J. (2012) Biologia: moléculas, células e processos. Universidade Lusófona, Lisboa.