Courses

The Department of Biology offers over 30 courses covering many areas of interest in biology. The goal of the course catalog is to provide students the oppurtunity to study broadly in biology as well as to prepare the student for life-long investigation in biology. Toward that end, many courses provide electronic materials to supplement classroom instruction. Course tiltes link to those electronic resources. Some course materials are freely available but most are reserved for current student use only. Links to materials not available off campus are designated "intranet only."

An introduction to fundamental biological concepts, including biomolecules, cells, energetics, metabolism, classical/molecular genetics, and vertebrate systems. Three lectures and one lab per week.

Fall semester only, 4 hours.

A continuation in fundamental biological concepts with an emphasis on the diversity of life, including classification, survey of organisms, animal behavior, population genetics, natural history, and ecology.  Three lectures and one lab per week.  Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or permission.

Spring semester only, 4 hours.

A study of responses of living systems to a changing environment in relation to selected ecosystems, with emphasis on the interrelations of individual, population, community, and habitat.  Three lectures and one lab per week.  Prerequisites: BIOL 102 or permission.

Fall semester only, 4 hours.

A study of the organization and physiology of living cells with emphasis on chemical aspects, the roles of membranes, energy and growth considerations, molecular genetics, cellular relationships and specializations, immunology, and other medical implications. The laboratory emphasizes clinical/research approaches and skills. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 101 and CHEM 101.

Spring semester only, 4 hours.

A study of classical and molecular aspects of genetics with emphasis on biochemical mechanisms of inheritance, genetic change, human disease, and development. Topics progress from Mendelism to modern DNA science and include the history of genetics, cytogenetics, gene actions, and gene controls. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 101.

Spring semester only, 4 hours.

A study of organism development during all temporal phases of its life cycle. Embryological development is compared across several model systems. Topics include fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, neurulation, and organogenesis. Particular attention is given to the common molecular aspects of differentiation and morphogenesis and to the techniques used to investigate these problems. Selected topics in post-embryologic development are also covered. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 234.

Fall semester only, 4 hours.

A study of plants in relation to their habitats, featuring aspects of plant geography and taxonomy in the lecture portion and methods of plant identification, collection, and preservation in the lab portion with emphasis on local flora. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 102 or permission.

Fall semester only, 4 hours.

A holistic study of the human body integrating anatomy, histology, and physiology. The course explores structure/function principles and has special importance as preparation for health-related careers. Topics are organized according to body system and include skin, skeletal, articulatory, muscular, circulatory, and immune systems. Three lectures and one lab per week.  Prerequisite: BIOL 234.

Fall semester only, 4 hours.

A holistic study of the human body integrating anatomy, histology, and physiology. The course is a continuation of Biology 311 and has special importance as preparation for health-related careers. Topics include nervous, endocrine, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 234.

Spring semester only, 4 hours.

A comparative study of representative vertabrates with emphasis on population dynamics, biodiversity, morphological adaptation, wildlife conservation, and resource management. The laboratory involves field identifications and the observation of aging and morphological adaptations of representative vertebrates. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 102 or permission.

Spring semester only, 4 hours.

Involves the study of diversity of photosynthetic organisms with an emphasis on plant structure, function, reproduction, development and ecology. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 102 or permission.

Spring semester only, 4 hours.

Students who have displayed aptitude in biology investigate assigned research problems using web resources and report weekly to the class. A research proposal written according to professional guidelines is required. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

Spring semester only, 1 hour.

Junior students with special aptitude in biology investigate assigned research problems under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

Fall-Spring sequence, 1 hour each semester.

Junior students with special aptitude in molecular genetics investigate assigned problems in DNA research. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

Fall-Spring sequence, 1 hour each semester.

A course permitting students with special interests and needs to examine topics not included in regular course offerings or in greater depth than possible in regular courses. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

Semester course, 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours.

A course taken on campus and required as orientation for off-campus BIOL 392. Credit received after completion of BIOL 392. Application and committee selection are required.

Spring semester only, 1 hour.

Involves clinical experience supervised by a faculty member and assisted by medical staff at a medically underserved domestic or foreign location. Prerequisite: BIOL 391 and permission of instuctor.

Summer course, 2 or 3 hours.

A course exploring the language of medicine. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

January intersession only, 2 hours.

A comparative study of the behavior patterns exhibited by vertebrate and invertebrate organisms, with field and lab experiments on the physiological and environmental factors affecting individual and group behavior. Emphasis is on the role of behavior in the regulation and evolution of animal populations, and on the biological factors affecting learning. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: Biology 101.

Spring semester only, 4 hours.

An introduction to microorganisms, primarily bacteria, encompassing considerations of taxonomy, structure, physiology, ecology, genetics, immunology and disease. The course has importance for a variety of careers including areas of healthcare, environment, education, biotechnology and research. Two lectures and two labs per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 101 and CHEM 101.

Fall semester only, 4 hours.

A study of insects emphasizing life history, morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology, medical relevance and pest management. Laboratories require field trips and a taxonomical collection, but also include physiological investigations by biochemical means. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 102 or permission.

Fall semester only, 4 hours.

A study of freshwater and marine ecosystems, including the impact of pollution on aquatic environments, water chemistry, taxonomy of aquatic organisms, fisheries and the management of aquatic systems. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 231.

Fall semester only, 4 hours.

Human anatomy and physiology is the study of the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. The discussion-oriented course emphasizes fundamental physiological principles and pathophysiology. This is a continuation of BIOL 312 and is designed to meet the needs of students seeking preparation for health-related careers and science education. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 311 and BIOL 312.

Fall semester only, 3 hours.

An in-depth study of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the human body with concentration on the cellular and systematic aspects of metabolism and homeostasis. Principles from chemistry, physics and mathematics are applied to enable understanding of anatomical frameworks and mechanisms of action in the context of clinical settings. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 311 or 312, CHEM 241 and PHYS 121.

Spring semester only, 4 hours.

Senior students with special aptitude in biology investigate assigned problems under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Not to be taken concurrently with BIOL 499. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

Fall-Spring sequence, 1 or 2 hours each semester.

Senior students with special aptitude in molecular genetics investigate assigned problems in DNA research. Not to be taken concurrently with BIOL 497. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

Fall-Spring sequence, 1 or 2 hours each semester.

Selected students may participate in individual field experiences in research, medical or other approved settings, under supervision of professional staff. Grade is dependent upon written evaluation by cooperating institution and student's submission of written report to the Department of Biology. Prerequisites: minimum 16 hours of biology and permission of the department.

Summer or semester course, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours.

This seminar will provide reinforcement of the concepts and methods of environmental education; the development, organization, coordination of the environmental learning sequence for K-12; exploration of training in curricula in environmental education; and discussions of issues leading to increased understanding of the interrelatedness of areas of prior study such as environmental science, economics, sociology, political instituitions processes, and technology in relation to environmental management.

Spring semester only, 1 hours.

Limited to junior or senior majors in the department accepted into teacher certification programs. Involves instruction, Project WET training, research using library/web resources, student presentation, and experience in preparing and conducting effective learning experiences in biology.

Spring semester only, 1 hours.

Required of all majors in the Department of Biology execpt for those in teacher certification programs. Involves in-depth research using library/web resources and oral presentation of an approved topic selected by the student.

Semester course, 1 hour.

Seniors who have shown special aptitude in molecular genetics may undertake supervised DNA research. Public presentation of findings is encouraged. Not to be taken concurrently with BIOL 475 or 476. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

Fall-Spring sequence, 1 or 2 hours each semester.

Seniors who have shown special aptitude in biology may undertake supervised biological research. Public presentation of findings is encouraged. Not to be taken concurrently with BIOL 473 or 474. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

Fall-Spring sequence, 1 or 2 hours each semester.