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.
Four 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. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 104 or 160, PHYS 250 and 270 or 260 and 270.
Six hours of lecture/discussion/lab per week. This course focuses on the mechanisms and evolution of animal behavior, including proximate and ultimate explanations of behavior. Topics studied include foraging; antipredator defenses; mating systems and sexual selection; social behavior; communication; parental care; kin selection and recognition; learning; and territoriality. Laboratory exercises will complement topics in lectures and emphasize the observation, statistical analysis and interpretation of behavior in a variety of animal species.
Three hours of lecture/three hours of lab per week. This course covers essential concepts of human physiology and is intended for students who have a general interest in human biology and/or the health-related professions. It includes fundamental concepts of molecular, cellular, and systems physiology leading to a greater understanding of how the human body functions and maintains homeostasis.
Three hours of lecture/four hours of lab per week. This course will explore the roles of essential biological molecules and seeks to analyze the structures, properties, and functions of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids while providing a biological application of general and organic chemistry principles. Students will explore the structure of proteins, their function, their binding properties and the methodologies for the purification and characterization of proteins.
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. Offered spring of odd numbered years. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 250; 251 highly recommended.
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. (Equivalent to CHEM 305.)
This course will assist students in preparation for entrance exams for graduate and medical programs such as the MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, 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.
One hour lecture per week. Introduction to diverse careers in the sciences, including healthcare professions. This includes learning about graduate school, pre-professional programs (like medical school), and area businesses/organizations that hire scientists. Students will participate in job shadowing experiences, spend time learning about application processes (of all types), and complete an individual assessment of what is required to achieve career goals. Restricted to students with sophomore or junior standing. (Equal to CHEM-212.)
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, coastal and mountainous regions of Central and South America. Additionally, the issues surrounding the conservation of biodiversity in these areas will be examined and discussed. The course is divided into three parts.