BT201

BT 201 Biology (Biology for Engineers) 2L:1T:0P 3 credits
Module 1. (2 hours)- Introduction

Objective: To convey that Biology is as important a scientific discipline as Mathematics,
Physics and Chemistry.
Bring out the fundamental differences between science and engineering by drawing a
comparison between eye and camera, Bird flying and aircraft. Mention the most exciting
aspect of biology as an independent scientific discipline. Why we need to study biology?
Discuss how biological observations of 18th Century that lead to major discoveries. Examples
from Brownian motion and the origin of thermodynamics by referring to the original
observation of Robert Brown and Julius Mayor. These examples will highlight the
fundamental importance of observations in any scientific inquiry.
Module 2. (3 hours)- Classification
Objective: To convey that classification per se is not what biology is all about. The
underlying criterion, such as morphological, biochemical or ecological be
highlighted.
Hierarchy of life forms at phenomenological level. A common thread weaves this hierarchy
classification. Discuss classification based on (a) cellularity- Unicellular or multicellular (b)
ultrastructure- prokaryotes or eucaryotes. (c) energy and Carbon utilization -Autotrophs,
heterotrophs, lithotropes (d) Ammonia excretion – aminotelic, uricoteliec, ureotelic (e)
Habitata- acquatic or terrestrial (e) Molecular taxonomy- three major kingdoms of life. A
given organism can come under different category based on classification. Model organisms
for the study of biology come from different groups. E.coli, S.cerevisiae, D. Melanogaster, C.
elegance, A. Thaliana, M. musculus.
Module 3. (4 hours)-Genetics
Objective: To convey that “Genetics is to biology what Newton’s laws are to Physical
Sciences”
Mendel’s laws, Concept of segregation and independent assortment. Concept of allele. Gene
mapping, Gene interaction, Epistasis. Meiosis and Mitosis be taught as a part of genetics.
Emphasis to be give not to the mechanics of cell division nor the phases but how genetic
material passes from parent to offspring. Concepts of recessiveness and dominance. Concept
of mapping of phenotype to genes. Discuss about the single gene disorders in humans.
Discuss the concept of complementation using human genetics.
Module 4. (4 hours)-Biomolecules
Objective: To convey that all forms of life has the same building blocks and yet the
manifestations are as diverse as one can imagine
Molecules of life. In this context discuss monomeric units and polymeric structures. Discuss
about sugars, starch and cellulose. Amino acids and proteins. Nucleotides and DNA/RNA.
Two carbon units and lipids.
Module 5. (4 Hours). Enzymes
Objective: To convey that without catalysis life would not have existed on earth
Enzymology: How to monitor enzyme catalyzed reactions. How does an enzyme catalyse
reactions. Enzyme classification. Mechanism of enzyme action. Discuss at least two
examples. Enzyme kinetics and kinetic parameters. Why should we know these parameters to
understand biology? RNA catalysis.
Module 6. (4 hours)- Information Transfer
Objective: The molecular basis of coding and decoding genetic information is universal.
Molecular basis of information transfer. DNA as a genetic material. Hierarchy of DNA
structure- from single stranded to double helix to nucleosomes. Concept of genetic code.
Universality and degeneracy of genetic code. Define gene in terms of complementation and
recombination.
Module 7. (5 hours). Macromolecular analysis
Objective: How to analyses biological processes at the reductionistic level
Proteins- structure and function. Hierarch in protein structure. Primary secondary, tertiary and
quaternary structure. Proteins as enzymes, transporters, receptors and structural elements.
Module 8. (4 hours)- Metabolism

Objective: The fundamental principles of energy transactions are the same in physical and
biological world.
Thermodynamics as applied to biological systems. Exothermic and endothermic versus
endergonic and exergoinc reactions. Concept of Keq and its relation to standard free energy.
Spontaneity. ATP as an energy currency. This should include the breakdown of glucose to
CO2 + H2O (Glycolysis and Krebs cycle) and synthesis of glucose from CO2 and H2O
(Photosynthesis). Energy yielding and energy consuming reactions. Concept of Energy
Charge.
Module 9. (3 hours)- Microbiology

Concept of single celled organisms. Concept of species and strains. Identification and
classification of microorganisms. Microscopy. Ecological aspects of single celled organisms.
Sterilization and media compositions. Growth kinetics.
References:
1. Biology: A global approach: Campbell, N. A.; Reece, J. B.; Urry, Lisa; Cain, M, L.;
Wasserman, S. A.; Minorsky, P. V.; Jackson, R. B. Pearson Education Ltd
2. Outlines of Biochemistry, Conn, E.E; Stumpf, P.K; Bruening, G; Doi, R.H., John Wiley
and Sons
3. Principles of Biochemistry (V Edition), By Nelson, D. L.; and Cox, M. M.W.H. Freeman
and Company
4. Molecular Genetics (Second edition), Stent, G. S.; and Calender, R.W.H. Freeman and
company, Distributed by Satish Kumar Jain for CBS Publisher
5. Microbiology, Prescott, L.M J.P. Harley and C.A. Klein 1995, 2nd edition Wm, C.
Brown Publishers
Expected Course Outcomes:

After studying the course, the student are expected be able to:
• Describe how biological observations of 18th Century that lead to major discoveries;
• Convey that classification per se is not what biology is all about but highlight the
underlying criteria, such as morphological, biochemical and ecological;
• Highlight the concepts of recessiveness and dominance during the passage of genetic
material from parent to offspring;
• Convey that all forms of life have the same building blocks and yet the manifestations
are as diverse as one can imagine;
• Classify enzymes and distinguish between different mechanisms of enzyme action;
• Identify DNA as a genetic material in the molecular basis of information transfer;
• Analyse biological processes at the reductionistic level;
• Apply thermodynamic principles to biological systems;
• Identify and classify microorganisms.

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BT 201 Biology (Biology for Engineers) 2L:1T:0P 3 credits

Module 1. (2 hours)- Introduction

Module 8. (4 hours)- Metabolism

Module 9. (3 hours)- Microbiology

Expected Course Outcomes:

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