| General Biology |
Interim Update April 16, 2003
Exam type:
CLEP: 110 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes
Typical credits: 6 units
The CLEP Exam in General Biology is similar to a one year course taught at many colleges.NOTE: There is no on-line course that appears to relate directly to this exam. I have drawn from several online books and book outlines, courses, and exhibits that seem to reflect the content required on the CLEP. Featured faculty and their home pages can be found at the end of this page.
(I didn't promise you a rose garden. See disclaimer.) The topics in bold face are those The College Board indicates will be found on the exams. The percentages given after the main topic headings are only approximate. Always contact The College Board for the latest information.
Getting Started
Here is one way that you can begin. (If you haven't read a general step-by-step guide, this might be a good time. See also How to Budget Your Time)
Access to a good encyclopedia is a must: in book form, CD-ROM or online. You will gain familiarity with an overview of the course material and an introduction to concepts, key individuals and vocabularly specific to the Natural Sciences. The Columbia Encyclopedia is available free online.
Here are topics that you should definitely look up before you begin using other materials:
- Biology
- Botony
- Zoology
- Cell
- Reproduction
- Thermodynamics
- Enzymes
- Glycolosis
- Photosynthesis
- Genetics
- DNA
- Evolution
- Biological Diversity
- Ecology
- Population Biology
Using the Free University Project Study Guide
A) Read the Introductory Material suggested in the Study Guide.
B) Read the material in each unit in the Study Guide. In order to stay focussed, only follow those links within the lectures and outlines that seem to be directly related to the subject matter at hand. Take your own notes. If you print out the material, highlight key definitions and concepts for review. Add your own marginal notes.
C) Read corresponding material in a textbook of your choice.
Repeat the cycle. Periodically take time to review; do suggested exercises; take a practice CLEP exam and review areas of weakness.
Remember to keep your journal up to date.
(NOTE: This page was hit by a combination of profs dropping lectures, URL changes and other mischief. We are now trying correct broken links and find other sources of information.)The basic framework for the study guide is provided by the Online Biology Book produced by Prof. Michael J. Farabee, Estrella Mountain Community College. However these references do not contain all of the subjects covered - especially those in the section of Population Biology (which represents a third of the exam). Several other sources are used to cover that section, including online course material from the University of California, Irvine. Other major contributions come from The Biology Project of the University of Arizona, the MIT Hypertextbook, and several sets of of other lecture notes in outline form.
Additionally, several related courses with lecture notes in outline form are recommended for review purposes as they contain online tests.
Introduction
INTRODUCTION: THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY (Online Biology Book) GLOSSARY (Online Biology Book) Glossary (The Muesum of Paleontology) - large multivolume virtual glossary Chapter 1 The Science of Biology UNIT 1: Molecular & Cellular Biology 33%
Chemistry
CHEMISTRY I: ATOMS AND MOLECULES (Online Biology Book) CHEMISTRY II: WATER AND ORGANIC MOLECULES (Online Biology Book) Chemistry Review - MIT Hypertextbook Large Molecules - MIT Hypertextbook Chemistry Tutorial The Biology Project
Large Molecules Problem Set The Biology Project Acids and Bases Problems Set The Biology Project. Kimball's Biology Pages (Kimball)
Chemistry Chapter 2 The Chemical Basis of Life Cells
CELLS I: ORIGINS (Online Biology Book) CELLS II: CELLULAR ORGANIZATION (Online Biology Book) TRANSPORT IN AND OUT OF CELLS (Online Biology Book) Chapter 5 Cellular respiration
Studying Cells Tutorial - The Biology Project
Cell Biology - MIT Hypertextbook
Kimball's Biology Pages (Kimball)
Cell Biology Biochemistry Chapter 3 Cell - The Basic Unit of Life Cell Structure Review and Look Ahead
Cell Biology Course/Tutorial
Cell Division
CELL DIVISION: BINARY FISSION AND MITOSIS (Online Biology Book) CELL DIVISION: MEIOSIS AND SEXUAL REPRODUCTION (Online Biology Book) The Cell Cycle & Mitosis Tutorial - The Biology Project Chapter 6 Cell division
Cell Reproduction Laboratory Tutorials
While laboratory procedures do not appear to be covered by the CLEP exam you may find a review of them useful to your understanding of the subject.
Laboratory Tutorials from BIOL 1114 notes from Oklahoma State. Cell Biology Laboratory Manual by Prof. William H. Heidcamp, Gustavus Adolphus College
Read the Intro of each section of the lab manual for an overview of the subject and preliminary lab procedures.BIO 102 Course Page (Farabee) Click on Online Lab Handouts. Thermodynamics
LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS (Online Biology Book) Energy
REACTIONS AND ENZYMES (Online Biology Book) Enzyme Biochemistry - MIT Hypertextbook ATP AND BIOLOGICAL ENERGY (Online Biology Book) Energy, Enzymes and Catalysis Problems Set - The Biology Project CELLULAR METABOLISM AND FERMENTATION (Online Biology Book) Glycolysis and the Krebs Cycle - MIT Hypertextbook Introduction to Glycolosis Home Page Jon Maher - University of Leeds Cell Respiration Photosynthesis
PHOTOSYNTHESIS (Online Biology Book) Photosynthesis Directory - MIT Hypertextbook Photosynthesis Problem Set 1 - The Biology Project Photosynthesis Problem Set 2 - The Biology Project Chapter 4 Photosynthesis Biological Diversity
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: CLASSIFICATION (Online Biology Book) BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: VIRUSES (Online Biology Book) BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: BACTERIA AND ARCHAEANS (Online Biology Book) BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: PROTISTS: STEM EUKARYOTES (Online Biology Book) Immunology - MIT Hypertextbook Kimball's Biology Pages (Kimball)
Diversity of Life Chapter 13 The Unity and Diversity of Life Chapter 14 Viruses Molecular Biology UNIT 2: Organismal Biology 33%
Plant
Chapter 15 Conquest of Land Plants
PLANTS AND THEIR STRUCTURE (Online Biology Book) PLANTS AND THEIR STRUCTURE II (Online Biology Book) FLOWERING PLANT REPRODUCTION: Flower Structure (Online Biology Book) FLOWERING PLANT REPRODUCTION: Fertilization and Fruits (Online Biology Book) PLANT HORMONES AND NUTRITION (Online Biology Book) Microorganisms Animal
ANIMAL CELLS AND TISSUES (Online Biology Book) ANIMAL ORGAN SYSTEMS AND HOMEOSTASIS (Online Biology Book) THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM (Online Biology Book) THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM (Online Biology Book) LYMPHATIC SYSTEM AND IMMUNITY (Online Biology Book) THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM (Online Biology Book) THE NERVOUS SYSTEM (Online Biology Book) THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (Online Biology Book) THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (Online Biology Book) THE MUSCULAR AND SKELETAL SYSTEMS (Online Biology Book) THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM (Online Biology Book) THE EXCRETORY SYSTEM (Online Biology Book) Chapter 16 Nutrition and Digestion Chapter 17 Respiration Chapter 18 Blood and Circulation Chapter 19 Excretion and Osmoregulation Chapter 20 Human Skeleton Chapter 21 Locomotion Chapter 22 Horomonal co-ordination Chapter 23 Nervous co-ordination Chapter 24 Reproduction Kimball's Biology Pages (Kimball)
Embryonic Develpment Genetics
INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS (Online Biology Book) Mendelian Genetics - MIT Hypertextbook GENE INTERACTIONS (Online Biology Book) DNA
DNA AND MOLECULAR GENETICS (Online Biology Book) DNA - Access Excellence Classic Collection
Problem sets Genetics - The Biology Project
Kimball's Biology Pages (Kimball)
DNA and RNA Genetics Chapter 7 Classical and Mendelian Genetics Chapter 8 Genes and Molecular Genetics
The Morgan Tutorial - Waksman Institute at Rutgers University.
Central Dogma - MIT Hypertextbook
HUMAN GENETICS (Online Biology Book) Problem sets Human Biology Genetics - The Biology Project The Tree of Life - University of Arizona PROTEIN SYNTHESIS (Online Biology Book) CONTROL OF GENE EXPRESSION (Online Biology Book) Prokaryotic Genetics and Gene Expression - MIT Hypertextbook Recombinant DNA - MIT Hypertextbook UNIT 3: Population Biology 33%
Ecology
Biology 111: Ecology"> (Fox) II. Population Ecology (Fox) III. Community Ecology (Fox)
Ecology - Population Ecology, Community Ecology, Ecosystems and the Biosphere (Pitocchelli}
Kimball's Biology Pages (Kimball)
Ecology Chapter 25 The Ecology and Environment Evolution
DEVELOPMENT OF EVOLUTIONARY THEORY (Online Biology Book) THE MODERN VIEW OF EVOLUTION (Online Biology Book) Kimball's Biology Pages (Kimball)
Evolution Chapter 11 Evolution of Life Evolution Human Evolution
HUMAN EVOLUTION (Online Biology Book) The Tree of Life (University of Arizona) "A multiauthored, distributed Internet project containing information about phylogeny and biodiversity." Chapter 12 Human Evolution Behavior
Animal Behavior Kimball's Biology Pages (Kimball)
Behavior Social Biology
Review and Test Links
BIOL 1114 Notes Homepage University of Oklahoma Learing Resource Center - Click on Review, Prentice-Hall Self Quizzes and Laboratory Tutorials in addition to specific topics. BioTech BioTech Resources Web Project Biology Serendip - Brynmawr See particularly Biology 103 BIO 102 Course Page (Farabee) Click on BIO 102 Unit Learning Objectives. Questions
Links to faculty home pages
NOTE: Please don't bug the professors. They have been generous enough just by taking
the time and effort to put their material on the Web. And please don't e-mail responses to their
tests. Such responses are limited to students actually enrolled in the class.
Related On-Line Texts - to come
Internet Resources
[Computer Center] [Student Union] [Outside Resources]