PLSCI 1415

Foundations of Plant and Agricultural Biology

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

This course provides foundational knowledge and skills for success in plant and animal science majors. The course focuses on key biological concepts across the following themes: molecules of life, cells, genetics, evolution, and biological diversity. We will study these topics primarily through the lens of the plant and agricultural sciences. You will develop and refine your scientific thinking, information literacy, question formulation, and data analysis skills as we engage with these topics. Most classes combine lectures with interactive practice and application. Activities include both individual and group work, plus a project to explore your academic interests at Cornell.

Distribution Requirements (BIO-AG, BSC-AG)

Last 4 Terms Offered (None)

Learning Outcomes

• Explain core biological principles including the chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, membrane transport, and cellular energy transformations.
• Analyze the storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information, including DNA structure, gene expression, chromosome behavior in mitosis and meiosis, and patterns of Mendelian inheritance.
• Evaluate mechanisms of genetic variation and evolution, including mutations, population genetics, and phylogenetic relationships, and relate biological structure to function in plants and animals.
• Apply the scientific process to biological questions by locating and evaluating scientific information, interpreting quantitative data and visualizations, and constructing evidence-based explanations.
• Explain how your disciplinary or scholarly interests connect to real-world practice and describe how you engaged with communities related to those interests.

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