INTRO TO BIO

Branches of Biology
• Molecular Biology or Biochemistry
- Biological process at the molecular and chemical level (DNA, RNA, Proteins)
• Microbiology
- Study of the structure and function of single-celled organisms (Viruses, Bacteria,
Fungi, Protesta, Monera)
• Neurobiology
- Study of the nervous system, different functions of the nervous system (Using
Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, Medical, and Computational Approach)
• Paleontology
- Study of fossils
• Botany
- Study of plants
• Zoology
- Study of animals
• Bionics
- Study of living systems so that the knowledge gained can be applied to the
design
• Biochemical Engineering
- Includes fermentation, application of engineering principles to microscopic
biological systems that are used to create new product synthesis
• Human-factors Engineering
- Application of engineering physiology, and psychology to optimization of the
human-machine relationship (GMA Plants - principally oil seed rape, contain four
added genes from bacteria that naturally produce a biodegradable plastic)
• Environmental Health Engineering
- Application to control the environment for the health, comfort and safety of
human beings (Example. Nature (ocean) and other atmosphere)
• Genetic Engineering
- Artificial manipulation, modification, and recombination of deoxyribonucleic acid
or other nucleic acid molecules in order to modify an organism (Health Insulin,
Human Growth Hormone, Hepatitis B Vaccine)
• Medical Engineering
- Concerns the application of engineering principles to medical problems
• Agricultural Engineering
- Includes the application of engineering principles to the problems of biological
production and to the external environment operations and environment that
influence the production
Forensic Science
 - Application to answer science questions related to law
Forensic Scientist (Biologist, Chemist, Biochemist)
- Provide scientific evidence use in courts
- Job involves examining trace materials associated with crimes(Murder,
Detoxication, Rape, Assault, Robbery, Drugs)
- Analyze other biological evidence left at crime scene(Blood, Fingerprints, Hair,
Body Fluids, DNA)
Scientific Inquiry
- Best approach we have to understanding the natural world and predicting natural
phenomena
- Methods of Scientific Inquiry
~ Experiments
~ Forming a Hypothesis
~ Experimental Design
~ Experimental Variables
~ Interpreting Results
~ Gathering Data
Methods of Logical Thinking
- Inductive Reasoning
~ Results may be incorrect
~ Analyzes trends or relationship in data to arrive at a general conclusion
- Deductive Reasoning
~ Definite results or results are always correct
~ Begins from a general principle and law that applies it to a specific
circumstance to predict safety results
Example:
1. Last week your best friend discovered a new restaurant that he really loves, he has
eaten 5 times already. In describing the restaurant to you, he says "everything is
delicious"
2. Driving on an icy road is dangerous. The roads are icy today. Therefore, driving will
be dangerous today.

Application of Biology to Engineering Field

Chemical Engg

Computer Science and Engg

Electrical Engg

Physics
 Mathematics and Statistics
BIOENGINEERING
Chemistry and Biochemistry

Biology/Neurobiology

Mechanical Engg

Materials and Science Engg