Department of Biology
Biology Course Descriptions

BIOL 100. LIFE SCIENCE FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS (4)

Open only to students pursuing curricula in elementary and early education. Develops skills of observation and manipulation in laboratory and out-of-door settings. Stresses application of scientific method as applied to living things. Basic concepts of biology introduced to K-8 grade levels.

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BIOL 101. GENERAL BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE (4)

Not for biology majors. With BIOL 102, satisfies general education requirement. Integrated approach to the biology of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Half of the course is centered around environmental principles, and the other half is centered around organismic homeostatic (regulatory) principles. Laboratory topics and sequence integrated with lecture.

Not for biology majors. With BIOL 101, satisfies general education requirement. Integrated approach to the biology of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Half of the course is centered around reproductive principles, and the other half is centered around cell physiology. Laboratory topics and sequence integrated with lecture.

This course is part of the sequence of courses required for students pursuing some field in biology. It is a required course for all students seeking a teaching field in biology, chemistry, or general science. The emphasis is on physiological and field approaches involving the use of plants to illustrate general principles of biology. Attention is given to the morphological framework within which the physiological activities occur. The activities in plants are related to the patterns in which they impinge upon the economy of nature.

The study of general principles of biology that are either distinctive for the animal kingdom or readily illustrated with zoological materials. Emphasizes the process of living, whole organism integrated with those principles of histology, morphology, and phylogeny that are required for a balanced understanding of physiology, development, and behavior. This is a required course for all students seeking a teaching field in biology, chemistry, or general science.

One course in a two course sequence that considers the anatomy and physiology of the human organism. In a lecture format, the cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems are studied in this course. Students taking this course should possess a high school level understanding of biology and chemistry.

One course in a two course sequence that considers the anatomy and physiology of the human organism. In a lecture format, the nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems are studied in this course. Students taking this course should possess a his school level understanding of biology and chemistry. This course may be taken before BIOL 225.

A laboratory course in human anatomy and physiology to be taken with or following BIOL 225.

A laboratory course in human anatomy and physiology to be taken concurrently with or following BIOL 226.

BIOL 301. EVOLUTION (3 Credits) AND 301L EVOLUTION LAB (1 Credit)

The evidence for the theory of evolution will be surveyed. Descriptions of how genes change, function and become inherited will be tied to Darwin's theory of natural selection at the physiological and ecological levels. Biology majors are required to co-register for BIOL 301L Evolution Laboratory. Prerequisites: BIOL 208 and BIOL 209, or BIOL 101 and BIOL 102.

The laboratory course is the companion course for BIOL 301. Biology majorst taking BIOL 301 are required to co-register for BIOL 301L. Exercises and experiments will demonstrate gene variation, natural selection, changes in gene frequency, and fossil evidence supporting the theory of evolution. Prerequisites: BIOL 208 and BIOL 209 or BIOL 101 and BIOL 102.

Part of the required curriculum in nursing and a recommended elective for any biology student. The course will emphasize the impact of microbial activity on human health and disease, including the conditions contributing to microbial increase, spread and virulence, conditions contributing to the body responses leading to resistance and immunity, and methods of interceding in the usual etiology for the purpose of bringing about informed control. The non medical aspects of microbiology also will be considered, in regard to the basic activities in interacting biological systems, and as experimental subjects for the discovery of basic biological principles such as intermediary metabolism and the genetic code. Prerequisites: One semester of a college level biology course and one semester of a college level chemistry course.

A sophomore-level lecture and laboratory course in which eukaryotic cells are considered as the basic structure and functional units of biological organization. Selected cell structures and activities are discussed from the cytological, ultrastructural, and metabolic points of view. Laboratory work is sequenced with lecture. Topics emphasized are bioenergetics, macromolecular and transport synthesis, regulation of cellular activities, and internal organization of cells. Prerequisites: BIOL 208; BIOL 209, or BIOL 225 and BIOL 226; CHEM 207, 207L, 209, 209L, or their equivalents.

A study of the morphology, life history, host range, and physiology of plant pathogenic fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses, and a study of the symptoms, pathological anatomy, physiological responses, economic importance, and control measures of the more important plant diseases. Prerequisite: BIOL 208

A field-oriented study emphasizing living organisms in their natural habitats, their cycles, and interaction with humans, other organisms, and the physical environment, Collection, culture, and identification of the major orders of the parasitic and free living freshwater and temperate terrestrial invertebrate phyla. Prerequisites: BIOL 208, BIOL 209.

First eight weeks of first semester. Field work in the identification of grasses, fall flowers, and woody plants. Designed to illustrate the principles of nomenclature and descriptive morphology. Prerequisite: BIOL 208.

Second eight weeks of second semester. field work in the identification of ferns and spring flowering plants. Designed to illustrate the principle and applications of scientific nomenclature and descriptive morphology. Prerequisite: BIOL 208.

A comparative study of organs and systems or representative forms of chordates keeping in mind the evolutionary development and relationships of these forms. Concepts on embryology are applied to an understanding of the adult organism. Laboratory work is concerned with a detailed dissection and comparative study of the amphioxus, necturus, dogfish, and cat. Prerequisite: BIOL 209 or equivalent.

Mechanisms of inheritance, the nature of genes, and genetic systems are examined in relation to the capacities of living systems for continuity, self-regulation, and adaptive change. Molecular, cellular, and organismal reproduction are considered as processes of information storage, transfer, and generation. The evolution of the gene concept is traced from its origin as mathematical abstraction, through progressive definition as a unit of nuclear structure and function, to final characterization as nucleic acid. Prerequisites: BIOL 208, BIOL 209, BIOL 305.

Elective in biology intended to stimulate an interest in nature or in areas of biology having public interest or political significance. Bird life, local flora, economic botany, psychopharmacology, and biological energy resources are representative topics. Persons interested in a specific topic should contact the department chair.

A junior level course taken after the student has completed introductory courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Statistics is recommended prior to the course. The lectures will address the history/background of science and special properties of the scientific process and the basic abilities required to conduct scientific inquiry. Emphasis will be given to the universality of the scientific approach to problem coving rather than to specific methodologies. Topics included are literature review, experimental design, data analysis, scientific communication, and research ethics. The course also is intended to prepare the students for the Research Internship Program required of all biology majors. During the course students will be given an application form for the internship program. Completed forms will be reviewed by the faculty and students will be assigned to either an internship (BIOL 425), biological research (BIOL 415), or alternative study (BIOL 415). Prerequisites: BIOL 208, BIOL 209, BIOL 305, BIOL 344.

A laboratory course designed to introduce the student to the study of immunological processes and the methods used to initiate, describe, differentiate, and measure such processes. Attention is given to the biological basis of immunity, the natures of the humoral and cell mediated immune responses, the chemical and biological features of immunoglobulins, in vivo and in vitro antigen antibody interactions, and immunologic diseases. Prerequisities: BIOL 305,CHEM 207 CHEM 207L, CHEM 209, CHEM 209L.

Concentrates upon mechanisms and principles involved in cellular differentiation and integration that accompany development of organisms from single cells into complex, multicellular structures. Beginning with relatively simple organism and progressing to more complex example of higher plant and animal development processes, the student is exposed to both descriptive information and experimental investigative techniques. Prerequisites: BIOL 208, BIOL 209, BIOL 305, BIOL 344.

Primarily a laboratory study of the chemical, physical, and biological activities of seed plants. Photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, senescence, dormancy, photoperiodism, translocation, and endogenous rhythms will be studied, including the role of hormones, auxins, phytochromes, pigment systems, energy transport systems, and enzymes in regulating the physiological processes of plants. The modern roles of plant physiology in energy production, industrial resources, and agricultural productivity are discussed. Prerequisites: BIOL 208 and a specific course or permission of instructor.

Detailed study of selected topics, e.g. muscle contraction, circulation, excretion, to demonstrate diverse ways in which different kinds of animals meet their functional requirements. Prerequisites: BIOL 208 and BIOL 209 or equivalent and CHEM 207, CHEM 207L, CHEM 209, CHEM 209L.

Recommended for juniors and seniors pursuing at least a minor program in biology. This course emphasizes library research and oral presentation of subjects of interest and importance in the various fields of biology. Permission of the biology staff.

BIOL 415. BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH (3-6)

Students are given an opportunity to work on a research problem usually after a core course or a seminar in which the student has already done some preliminary work. This work is done under the direction of the biology staff. Permission of department chair.

An advanced level course on techniques and theory of modern genetics and biotechnology. The course is designed to expose students to modern biochemical genetics, gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and mechanisms for the rearrangement and exchange of genetic material. Prerequisite: BIOL 208, BIOL 209, BIOL 305, or BIOL 344.

BIOL 418. VIROLOGY (4)

A senior-level lecture and laboratory course in which the nature of viruses and their interactions with prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and organisms are presented. The emphasis is on animal viruses but bacterial and plant viruses will be covered. The first section of the course treats viral structure, viral replication, and viral effects at the cellular and organismic level. The second section discusses viral virulence, the disease states produced by animal viruses in their hosts, antiviral therapies, mechanisms of viral immunity, and viral epidemiology. Laboratory exercises will be sequenced with lectures and include development of animal cell cultures, demonstration of viral cytopathic effect, determination of viral titer, viral neutralization assays, immunological detection of virus, and analysis of viral structural components. Laboratory exercises will employ bacterial, insect, plant, and animal cells as viral hosts. Prerequisites: BIOL 305, BIOL 344, CHEM 315, CHEM 316, CHEM 315L, CHEM 316L, and permission of instructor.

This course emphasizes principles at the population, community, and ecosystem levels of organization. Representative topics include energy flow, biogechemical cycles, population regulation, types of ecosystems. consideration given to society's relationship to its environment. Prerequisites: BIOL 208 and BIOL 209 or equivalent, BIOL 305, BIOL 344, BIOL 394.

This course awards academic credit for a Biology Department approved work experience in a field, laboratory, clinic, or other professional setting so that a student may gain practical knowledge in pure or applied research in biology. A student wishing to enroll in this course must submit a written proposal (following departmental and/or agency guidelines that can be obtained from the chair of the Biology department) to the chair of the Biology Department or his or her appointed representative before the end of the 12th week of the semester proceeding the internship. All proposals must be approved by a majority of the faculty members of the Biology Department. Prerequisite: BIOL 394.

Elective for student's who have had upper-division biology courses. Intended to diversify or specialize a student's training beyond the regular curriculum, taking advantage of a local person's particular interest or skill, or of a faculty member's interest or skill. The course will be pursued in a less formal but no less intensive fashion than the regular courses. Interested students should present specific proposal to the department chair.