Biology
(BIOL)
100—Perspectives in Biology, 4 Cr.
Five hours lecture/lab per week.
Exploration of broad themes in the
natural sciences through a biological perspective. This course is intended for
elementary education majors and emphasizes how the concepts introduced in the
course can be incorporated into the classroom. Major concepts addressed include
ecosystems, evolution, characterization of life and life forms, overview of human
systems, cell biology, and the scientific process. This course will not be
applied to a biology major or minor.
104—Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 Cr.
Five hours lecture/lab per week.
Detailed consideration of the anatomy
and physiology of the human body; the cell as the basic unit of structure and
function; the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Restricted
to nursing and dietetics majors.
112—Science
Success, 1 Cr.
Designed for new students intending a
course of study in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, biopsychology, natural
science and/or one of the health science pre-professional programs such as
pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, or pre-pharmacy. The emphasis will be on
development of effective learning skills based on learning preferences and
development of student assessment iwebfolios.
Topics include reading for learning; working with study teams; using and
studying math; managing time; managing stress; coping with pressure and even
failure; setting goals; and talking with upper class students about adjusting
and career choices. Restricted to and required of every freshman biology,
biochemistry, biopsychology, chemistry, and natural science major. Graded
CR/NC. (Equivalent to CHEM 112.)
114—Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 Cr.
Five hours lecture/lab per week.
Continuation of Biology 104. Includes
the endocrine, respiratory, digestive, urinary, circulatory, and reproductive
systems. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 104. Restricted to nursing and
dietetics majors.
160—General Biology I, 4 Cr.
Three hours lecture and discussion/one
three-hour lab per week.
An introduction to biological science.
Includes an overview of macromolecules, cell biology, energetics, genetics, and
an evolutionary survey of vertebrates with a focus on mammalian body systems.
This is an introductory course for science majors.
161—General Biology II, 4 Cr.
Three hours lecture/discussion and one
three-hour laboratory per week.
An introduction to biological sciences.
Covers ecological concepts, conservation biology, and characterization of life
and life forms with a focus on evolutionary adaptations of organisms to their
environments. Includes an ecological and evolutionary survey of all biological
kingdoms. This is an introductory course for science majors.
201—Introduction to Biotechnology, 4
Cr.
3 hours lecture/three hours of lab per
week.
Students
will be introduced to biotechnology, including the ethical, human, and economic
impacts of these technologies. This course will cover basic concepts of genetic
engineering and biotechnology, ethical concerns of new genetic technologies and
public concerns. Topics to be discussed include: bioremediation, safety of
genetically engineered food products, transgenic plants and animals, cloning,
gene therapy, and genetic screening. The lab introduces students to basic
procedures used in biotechnology.
203—Human Biology for Social
Services, 4 Cr.
Three hours of lecture/two hours of lab
per week.
Basic principles of living systems with
particular emphasis on the biological factors affecting human behavior. In
addition to basic concepts of human biology, special topics will include
immunizations, sexually transmitted diseases, hereditary conditions and
diseases, and the biology of aging and development. This course is specifically
for students in social sciences. Prerequisites: one year of high school biology
and one year of high school chemistry highly recommended.
232—Experiences in Field Biology,
2–4 Cr.
An opportunity for students to be
exposed to major ecosystems in North or Central America. There will be
on-campus seminars to support this experience discussing the uniqueness of the
general ecology and culture of the area. Prerequisite: eight credits of BIOL,
CHEM, ESCI, ENVS, PHYS. May be repeated for credit with permission of
instructor.
250—Molecular and Cellular Basis of
Life, 4 Cr.
Three hours of lecture/three hours of
lab per week.
The
molecular basis of the structure and function of animal, plant, and prokaryotic
cells with emphasis on experimental analysis. Prerequisites: grade of C or
higher in 160, 161; grade of C or higher in four credits of CHEM or concurrent.
251—Ecology and Evolution, 4 Cr.
Six hours of lecture/lab/field work per
week.
Emphasis is on the study of
relationships between organisms and their environment and the investigation of
mechanisms that drive organic evolution. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in
160 or ENVS 101, 161; grade of C or higher in MATH 130 or 230 or concurrent.
Restricted to students with sophomore standing or higher.
296—Microbiology for Health
Professionals, 4 Cr.
Five hours of lecture/lab per week.
Characteristics of the eukaryotic, and
prokaryotic forms; cultivation of common microorganisms; principles of
chemotherapy; introduction of host-parasite relations including the immune
response; microorganisms of medical importance to humankind. Offered every
fall. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 114; four credits of CHEM.
301—Science, Technology, and Society,
3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
This upper level course will initially
cover concepts in genetics and molecular biology. Using this knowledge, the
students will explore the application of biotechnologies and their impact on
society. Course content will center on (but not limited to) DNA fingerprinting,
genetic manipulation of organisms, reproductive technologies, and the human
genome project. Biotechnology regulations and ethics will also be a component
of this course. Prerequisite: four credits of science.
303—Tropical Ecology, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
Travel to one of the world’s tropical
regions to experience and study tropical ecosystems firsthand. This course will
introduce you to the major ecological processes, the principal flora and fauna
and their evolutionary adaptations, and diverse ecosystems that constitute
major tropical regions of the world. Additionally, the complex issues
surrounding the conservation of biodiversity in these areas will be examined
and discussed. The course is divided into two parts. The first part includes
on-campus and on-line lectures, discussions, videos, and analysis of
peer-reviewed research papers to introduce students to the major ecosystems,
conservation issues, and biodiversity in tropical regions. The second part of
the course involves travel and study in a tropical region through guided hikes,
lectures, discussions, journal writings, and research projects to understand
the ecology and study the biodiversity of the region. Prerequisite: grade of C
or higher in 251 or concurrent. Permission of instructor required.
305—Survey of Biochemistry, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
Investigation of the molecules and
chemical reactions of life. Chemical principles are used to explore biology at
the molecular level with an emphasis on biochemical and physiological basis of
nutrition. Prerequisites: C or higher in 296 and CHEM 140; or C or higher in CHEM
240. May be repeated for credit. (Equivalent to CHEM 305.)
306—Medical Program Entrance Exam
Review, 2 Cr.
This course will assist students in preparation
for entrance exams for graduate medical programs such as the MCAD, DAT, OAT or
PCAT. An overview of the test process will be presented, as well as review of
major areas on the exam. Graded CR/NC. May be repeated for credit.
310—Limnology, 4 Cr.
Six hours of lecture/lab/field work per
week.
Study of inland aquatic ecosystems.
Consideration is given to physical and chemical features of lakes and streams
and to major groups of aquatic organisms and their interactions with each other
and the physical environment. Laboratory sessions emphasize field study of
local lakes and streams. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 251.
317—Plant Biology, 4 Cr.
Three hours of lecture/three hours of
lab per week.
This course will provide a broad,
integrated overview of plant biology. The general areas covered are: (1) plant
diversity, the basic biology and evolution of the major plant families (2)
structure, function, and development from the cell-molecular level to the whole
organism of vascular plants (3) ecology of plants including: adaptations to
their environment, plant-animal interactions, and ethnobotany. Prerequisite:
grade of C or higher in 251.
321—Conservation Biology, 4 Cr.
Six hours of lecture/discussion/lab per
week.
This course introduces the principles
of conservation biology with an emphasis on ecological processes operating at
population, community and ecosystem levels of organization. Threats to
biological diversity, ranging from species introductions to habitat destruction
will be discussed along with conservation solutions ranging from the design of
protected areas through conservation legislation. Laboratory sessions will
provide in-depth study into simulations of populations, how to gather data on
plant and animal species, and investigation of ecological processes affecting
conservation strategies. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 251.
324—Topics in Biopsychology, 2–4 Cr.
This course focuses on a limited topic
in biopsychology in an in-depth manner. The specific topic will vary from year
to year. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher. Permission of
instructor required. May be repeated for credit.
338—Biomechanics,
3 Cr.
Three hours lecture/discussion per week
The course provides an overview of
musculoskeletal anatomy, the mechanical properties and structural behavior of
biological tissues, and biodynamics. Specific course topics will include
structure and function relationships in tissues and organs; application of
stress and strain analysis to biological tissues; analysis of forces in human
function and movement; energy and power in human activity; introduction to
modeling viscoelasticity of tissues. Finally, the course will include the
beginning stages of a biomechanical design project. Prerequisite: grade of C or
higher in 482, PHYS 250 and 270 or 260 and 270. (Equivalent to PHYS 338.)
340—Animal Behavior, 4 Cr.
Six hours of lecture/discussion/lab per
week.
This course focuses on the mechanisms
and evolution of animal behavior, including neural, hormonal, and genetic
substrates of behavior; foraging; antipredator defenses; mating systems and
sexual selection; social behavior; communication; parental care; kin selection
and recognition; and territoriality. Laboratory exercises will complement
topics in lectures and emphasize the observation, description and
quantification of behavior in a variety of animal species. Prerequisite: grade
of C or higher in 251.
347—Human Physiology, 4 Cr.
Three hours of lecture/two hours of lab
per week.
This is a basic course covering
essential concepts of human physiology intended for students who have a general
interest in human biology or the health-related professions. It includes
fundamental concepts of molecular, cellular, and systems physiology to
understand how the human body functions and maintains a steady state. The
various topics include: elementary cell biology; skeletal movement and muscles;
the nervous, endocrine and sensory systems; and body
maintenance—blood/cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system,
digestive system, urinary system/electrolyte balance, reproductive system.
Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 250 or 251. Restricted to students with
junior standing or higher.
348—Evolutionary Medicine, 3 Cr.
Three hours of lecture per week.
The field of Darwinian Medicine
examines how evolutionary principles can provide insight into human health and
the treatment of human disease. This relatively new focus on the study of
medicine emphasizes the roles that natural selection, adaptation, and phylogeny
play in human health to better understand and treat human diseases. In this
course we will explore why certain diseases reflect the imbalance between
current life conditions and those that shaped our evolutionary history. We will
seek to provide ultimate (or evolutionary) answers to why humans are vulnerable
to certain diseases or conditions in contrast to more traditional medical
approaches that focus on the proximate (or immediate) causes of diseases. In
addition, we will examine how the evolutionary process shapes and modifies
pathogens in the framework of human disease. Within this context, we will
explore topics such as antibiotic resistance, disease virulence, obesity,
diabetes, aging, back and knee pain, pregnancy, and morning sickness. This course
may not be used toward to fulfill requirements for the biology major.
Prerequisite: four credits of BIOL or ENVS.
353—Introduction to Neuroscience, 3
Cr.
Neuroscience is the study of how the
central nervous system regulates behavior and mental processing. It emphasizes
the biological structures and functions of the brain and nervous system in
health and disease. This course is an introduction to the mammalian nervous
system. Topics include: basic mechanisms in cellular neurophysiology,
electrophysiology and chemistry of nerve signals, mechanisms in integration,
simple nervous pathways, physiological mechanisms determining reflex action,
emotions, locomotion, motor skills, thinking language, effects of drugs,
internal secretions, and neural lesions on behavior. Prerequisites: four
credits of BIOL (numbered 200 or higher); four credits CHEM. Restricted to
students with junior standing or higher.
Classroom experience in biology in a middle school setting.
Students will design a curriculum and teach a unit in biology, including
laboratory activities, under the supervision of a teacher in the community.
Prerequisites: EDUC 323, 12 credits of science courses. May be repeated for
credit.
370—Biochemistry, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
Investigation of the molecules and
chemical reactions of life. Chemical principles are used to explore biology at
the molecular level. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 250; grade of C or
higher in CHEM 340. (Equivalent to CHEM 370.)
371—Biochemical Techniques, 2 Cr.
One hour lecture/three hours lab per
week.
Presents methodology and
instrumentation used to isolate and analyze biological molecules. Techniques
include centrifugation, chromatography, electrophoresis, spectroscopy, and
bacterial transformation. Prerequisite: 370 or concurrent. (Equivalent to CHEM
371.)
376—General Microbiology, 4 Cr.
Three hours lecture/three hours lab per
week.
This course is designed for biology
majors and will include an overview of bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal
structure and function as well as microbial physiology and ecology. Laboratory
exercises will include isolation of microbes and current molecular techniques
used in state-of the-art microbiology laboratory settings. Prerequisite: grade
of C or higher in 250; 251 highly recommended.
381—Comparative Bioinformatics, 3
Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
Computational methods for study of
biological sequence in data comparative biology and evolution. Analysis of
genome content and organization. Techniques for searching sequence databases,
pairwise and multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic methods, and methods for
pattern recognition and functional inference from sequence date. Prerequisite:
grade of C or higher in 250; 251 highly recommended.
397—Introduction to Research, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture/discussion per
week.
The
major goal of the course is to write and present a research proposal by
identifying a problem, completing a literature review of that topic, and
designing an experiment. The student will also learn the methods and
expectations for appropriate behavior in the conduct of scientific research:
developing a question, conducting a literature search, developing a
bibliography, understanding the fundamentals of safety in a research setting,
ethical behavior, plagiarism, and writing and presenting a research proposal.
Prerequisite: C or higher in 250 or 251. Restricted to students with junior
standing or higher.
402—Biology Curriculum Project, 1
Cr.
426—Immunology, 4 Cr.
Six hours lecture/lab per week.
Basic principles and theories of immune
mechanisms. Antibody production, antibody-antigen reactions, hypersensitivity,
cellular immunity, tumor immunology. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 250;
251 highly recommended.
430—Molecular Genetics, 4 Cr.
Six hours lecture/lab per week.
This course describes the molecular
basis of inheritance in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Classical genetic
theory, control of gene expression, chromosome structure and evolution,
population genetics and applications of DNA technology. Prerequisites: 250;
grade of C or higher in CHEM 120; 251 and CHEM 340 highly recommended.
450—Biology of Cancer, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
Basic biological concepts of cancer
including: molecular biology of cancer, cancer metastasis, cancer and the
immune system, cancer prevention, cancer detection and treatment, current
cancer research. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 250; 251 highly
recommended.
482—Human Anatomy, 4 Cr.
Three hours of lecture and lab per
week.
Human Anatomy is a junior/senior level,
course that provides an introduction to human gross anatomy. The major body
systems will be covered during lecture. Lab will focus on anatomical structure
with the cat as our model. Additionally, human models and bones will be used to
achieve an understanding of human structure. The overall goal is to provide the
base of knowledge necessary for further education in health related-fields.
Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 250 or 251. Restricted to students with
junior standing or higher.
498—Directed Research Experience,
1–4 Cr.
A student-driven research experience
under the supervision of a faculty mentor or an internship director. Two
credits will be the standard credits given for this course. Research contracts
will be required for everyone who registers, with fewer or additional credits
given depending on the approved project and time commitment. Prerequisite: C or
higher in 397 and the signature of the division chairperson. May be repeated
for credit to a maximum of six credits.
499—Senior Seminar, 1 Cr.
One hour of lecture/discussion per
week. This course will focus on the effective dissemination of research results
including completion of a formal written research paper and oral presentation.
Invited guest speakers will expose students to research presentations and
innovative ideas in science. Additionally, this course will include a portfolio
review for each student. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 498. Restricted
to students with senior standing.