Biology | Courses

For current class offerings, times, and additional information, visit the Office of the Registrar.

 

Biology Class Descriptions

Course Level: Undergraduate

Great Experiments in Biology 5:1 (4)

The core of biology is the scientific experiment. This course, through lecture and laboratory, focuses on some classic experiments that introduce students to the modern study of biology and scientific method. Experiments include the molecular basis of mutation, separation of complex biologically important molecules, and the construction of demographic tables. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: completion of the University Mathematics Requirement, or concurrent enrollment in MATH-170 or MATH-211 or STAT-202.

Course Level: Undergraduate

General Biology I 5:1 (4)

An in-depth introduction and exploration of the study of life from atoms, molecules, and organelles to the cellular levels of organization. Emphasis on cell structure and function, energetics and metabolism, the gene, molecular genetics, and evolution. The laboratory component introduces the scientific method and experimentation through the study of microbes, plants and animals. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: completion of the University Mathematics Requirement or concurrent enrollment in MATH-170 or MATH-211 or MATH-221. Note: this course is recommended for science majors, or pre-medical or honors students only.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Structure and Function of the Human Body 5:2 (3)

The human organism as a paradigm for biological organization. The relationship between structure and function of organ systems. Disease processes in the context of normal physiology; social concerns from a biological perspective. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite for General Education credit: BIO-100 or BIO-110 or PSYC-115.

Course Level: Undergraduate

General Biology II 5:2 (4)

An exploration of the origins of planet Earth and life. Emphasis on the organismal and higher levels of biological organization. The diversity of life through a survey of the three domains, various kingdoms and their phylogenetic relationships. The form and function of plants and animals. A consideration of the interrelationships between organisms and environment. The laboratory component explores the diversity of life at the organismal and higher levels of biological organization. Studies include form and function of plants and animals, dissection of the rat, and selected systems. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite for General Education credit: BIO-100 or BIO-110 or PSYC-115. Note: this course is recommended for science majors, or pre-medical or honors students only.

Course Level: Undergraduate

The Case for Evolution 5:2 (3)

What is evolution, how and why does it occur, and what does it tell us about the world around us? This course reviews the process of evolution from the initial organic soup that existed some four billion years ago to the relatively recent emergence of humans. It investigates why species change over time, both in their individual characteristics and their relative abundance, and examines how cultural and technological advances are influencing the current and future biological evolution of humans. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite for General Education credit: BIO-100 or BIO-110 or PSYC-115.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Oceanography 5:2 (3)

The study of the sea from a global perspective. Emphasis on chemical and physical oceanography as it affects life in the seas and the world economies. Includes origin of the oceans, basic navigation, marine geography, plate tectonics, heat budgets, climatology, meteorology, winds, currents, waves, tides, productivity, and fisheries. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite for General Education credit: BIO-100 or BIO-110 or CHEM-100 or CHEM-110 or PHYS-100 or PHYS-105 or PHYS-110 or PSYC-115.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Cell Biology with Laboratory (4)

Integrated study of structure and function of eucaryotic cells, emphasizing their ultrastructure, biochemistry, and physiology. Lab consists of biological buffers, protein and DNA analysis, histology and enzyme kinetics. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: BIO-210 and CHEM-210.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Introduction to Ecology (3)

Fundamental principles of ecology, with emphasis on the interaction of organisms and their environment at the level of individuals, populations, and communities, including energy flow through and nutrient cycling within ecosystems. Application of ecological principles to current environmental issues. Usually offered alternate springs. Prerequisite: BIO-210; calculus or statistics course is highly recommended.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Marine Biology (3)

Biology of marine organisms from a global perspective. Influence of geology, geography, currents, tides, waves, winds, salinity, and other parameters on the distribution of marine organisms. Plankton, nekton, infauna, epifauna, rocky shores, coral reefs, estuarines, beaches, and other environments. Marine ecology. Exercises using living and preserved marine invertebrates and fishes. Weekend field trips may be required. Usually offered alternate springs. Prerequisite: BIO-210, or BIO-240 and permission of the instructor.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Marine Mammals (3)

An introduction to marine mammal ecology, social organization, behavior, acoustic communication, and conservation. The course focuses on marine mammals in U.S. waters, including bottlenose dolphin, right whale, gray whale, and West Indian manatee. Current periodical literature and text readings are the basis for discussions. Usually offered alternate springs. Prerequisite: BIO-100 or BIO-110 and BIO-210 or BIO-220.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Genetics with Laboratory (5)

Basic genetic principles as revealed by classical and modern research methods. Patterns of gene transmission; gene structure, function, interactions, and mutation; chromosomal aberrations; nonchromosomal inheritance; biochemical genetics; and population genetics. Experiments illustrating basic genetic concepts, using materials from corn, drosophila, and humans. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: BIO-300 or permission of instructor.

BIO-364

BIOLOGY

Course Level: Undergraduate

Evolution (3)

This course covers the mechanisms of evolutionary change from genes to societies and how natural selection interacts with genetic and population processes such that organisms tend to become adapted to their environment and biological diversity increases. Through readings, discussions, and lectures, students explore the evidence for evolution, as well as current theories for the mechanisms that cause evolutionary change. Includes principles of inheritance, the origin of genetic variation, adaptation through natural selection, random processes in evolution, the origin of species, and the role of macroevolutionary processes in shaping current patterns of biodiversity. Prerequisite: BIO-110, BIO-210, and BIO-356.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Independent Reading Course in Biology (1-6)

Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Cooperative Education Field Experience (3-9)

Prerequisite: permission of department chair and Cooperative Education office.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Biology of Plants with Laboratory (4)

An in-depth survey of plant structure and function, with emphasis on photosynthesis, development, physiology, and evolution. Usually offered alternate springs. Prerequisite: BIO-210 and CHEM-210.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Invertebrate Zoology with Laboratory (4)

Structure, evolution, and physiology of invertebrate animals, including protozoans. Emphasis on helminths and other parasites, medically significant arthropods, and taxa of significance in aquatic biology. Laboratory emphasizes variety of taxa over types. Usually offered alternate falls. Prerequisite: BIO-210.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Vertebrate Anatomy with Laboratory (4)

Examination of the function, development, and evolutionary history of anatomical structures within vertebrates. Lectures and laboratory work include systematic and comparative analysis of different vertebrate species. Laboratory illustrates anatomical features in lower and higher vertebrates. Usually offered alternate falls. Prerequisite: BIO-210 and BIO-300, or permission of instructor.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Vertebrate Physiology with Laboratory (4)

Properties and physiology of vertebrate organ systems are explored. Laboratory illustrates selected physiological principles and encourages scientific inquiry. Usually offered alternate falls. Prerequisite: BIO-300 or permission of instructor.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Microbiology with Laboratory (4)

Introductory survey of the protists (with emphasis on bacteria): their morphology, physiology, metabolism, growth, and destruction, and their role in human welfare as agents of disease and environmental change. Laboratory techniques of straining, cultivation, isolation, and identification of microbes, with emphasis on bacteria. Experiments on physiology, metabolism, and physical-chemical effects on growth and death of microbes. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: BIO-300 and CHEM-310.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Independent Study Project in Biology (1-6)

Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Internship (1-4)

Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Senior Honors Thesis I (3)

Student designed original laboratory or field research project. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: senior standing, permission of department and University Honors program.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Senior Honors Thesis II (3)

Completion of student designed original laboratory or field research project. Results both written as scientific paper(s) and presented in departmental seminar. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: BIO-497.

Course Level: Undergraduate

Senior Seminar in Biology (3)

This seminar, required of all senior biology majors, challenges students to examine unifying principles of biology. Different subjects are presented in discussions, through faculty and guest speakers, readings, and individual student presentations. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: senior biology majors.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Advanced General Microbiology (3)

Structure and functional anatomy of procaryotic cell walls and membranes; bacterial phototrophs, autotrophs, heterotrophs, their main pathways of degradative and synthetic metabolism; mechanisms of procaryotic genetic exchange; and regulation of gene expression. Prerequisite: BIO-440.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Mechanisms of Pathogenesis (3)

Infectious diseases of humans with emphasis on bacterial pathogens and the biology of the causative agents. Host-pathogens and the biology of causative agents. Host-parasite relationships, pathogenesis, immunology, and epidemiology are studied. Usually offered alternate falls (odd years). Prerequisite: BIO-440 or graduate standing.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Introduction to Neurobiology (3)

A general introduction to basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, with discussions of current issues in neuroscience. Intended for advanced undergraduates in biology or psychology pursuing a natural-science curriculum, and for graduate students in biology and psychology. Usually offered alternate springs (even years). Prerequisite: BIO-300 or graduate standing or permission of instructor.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Topics in Marine Zoology with Laboratory (3)

Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. An advanced marine zoology course dealing with ecology, evolution, systematics, morphology, and physiology of major taxonomic groups of marine organisms in particular ecosystems. Examples include fishes and fisheries science, marine birds, crustaceans, planktons, coral reefs, and marine mammals. Lectures are augmented by interactive laboratories, field observations, and research projects. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: BIO-340 or equivalent.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Cellular Immunology (3)

Current concepts of the immune response at the cellular level. Structure and function of the T-lymphocyte, B-lymphocyte, macrophages, and ancillary cells. Theories of antibody diversity and the cellular basis of immunoglobulin formation. Cellular aspects of immunologic tolerance, hypersensitivity, surveillance, and clinical immunology. Review of the current literature. Usually offered alternate falls (odd years). Prerequisite: BIO-300 or graduate standing.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Developmental Biology (3)

The descriptive morphology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology of the developmental processes in a variety of organisms. Usually offered alternate falls (even years). Prerequisite: BIO-300, undergraduates must take BIO-551 concurrently.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Developmental Biology Laboratory (1)

Training in embryo manipulation and study of prepared microscopic slides in order to illustrate developmental concepts. Usually offered alternate falls (even years). Prerequisite: BIO-300 and concurrent registration in BIO-550.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Biogeography (3)

This course emphasizes four persistent themes in biogeography: classifying geographic regions based on their biota; reconstructing the history of biota; explaining the differences in numbers as well as types of species among geographic areas; and explaining geographic variation in the characteristics of individuals and populations of closely-related species. Usually offered alternate springs. Prerequisite: BIO-110 and BIO-210.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Field Methods (3)

Biological, chemical, and physical analysis of freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Students participate in weekend field trips to conduct group projects and learn skills for geographic survey, chemical and physical examinations of habitat quality, field sampling techniques of flora and fauna, taxonomic identification, statistical and data analysis, and presentation of results. Usually offered alternate falls. Prerequisite: BIO-423 and MATH-221 or STAT-202, or graduate standing in biology or environmental science, or permission of instructor.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Evolutionary Mechanisms (3)

The genetic composition of populations and the theory and principles of natural selection. Species formation and differentiation in Darwinian and neo-Darwinian theory. Evolution above the species level and current evolutionary concepts (such as sociobiology and catastrophe theory) are also considered. Usually offered alternate falls (odd years). Prerequisite: BIO-356.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Evolutionary Ecology (3)

The ecology of organisms is made clear in the context of evolution and the study of evolution is greatly enriched by an understanding of the ecological circumstances in which evolution occurs. This course focuses on the interface between the two and the mathematical models involved. Prerequisite: BIO-423 and MATH-221.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Molecular Biology (3)

An in-depth study of gene structure and expression. Concepts are described and illustrated further with examples and discussion of classic and current papers from the scientific literature. Includes DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, regulation of gene expression in procaryotes and eucaryotes, nucleic acid structure, RNA processing, DNA binding proteins and transcription factors, oncogenes, transformation, mutations, DNA repair and recombination. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: BIO-356, CHEM-560 is recommended.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Independent Reading Course in Biology (1-6)

Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.

Course Level: Graduate

Topics in Developmental Biology (1-4)

Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Current research topics such as nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions, cell surface in development, developmental aspects of carcinogenesis, and gene expression in development. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Course Level: Undergraduate/Graduate

Topics in Evolutionary Biology (1-4)

Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic. Current research topics such as molecular evolution, biochemical approaches to evolution, mathematical modeling of evolutionary processes, and the interaction of genetics, developmental biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Course Level: Graduate

Independent Study Project in Biology (1-6)

Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.

Course Level: Graduate

Internship (1-6)

Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.

Course Level: Graduate

Cooperative Education Field Experience (3-6)

Prerequisite: permission of department chair and Cooperative Education office.

Course Level: Graduate

Research Methodology in Biology (3)

Basic scientific research skills necessary for experimental design, data analysis, literature critiques, and disseminating results. Includes techniques for literature research, scientific writing including thesis proposal preparation, the use of statistical packages, and the preparation of an oral presentation for a thesis defense, seminar, or professional meeting. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: graduate standing in biology.

Course Level: Graduate

Biology Literature Research (1-6)

Students conduct a literature search on some aspect of the biological sciences under the direction of their guidance committee, culminating in the submission of a review paper. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: M.A. candidate in biology.

Course Level: Graduate

Master's Thesis Research (1-6)

Prerequisite: M.S. candidate in biology.