BIOLOGY COURSES

BIO 101. TOPICS IN GENERAL BIOLOGY  3 sh

This topical approach to the foundational concepts of biology examines theories and issues in biology as they relate to varying special topics selected by the instructor. To satisfy the general studies laboratory science requirement, BIO 102 should be taken concurrently. No credit to students with prior credit for BIO 111. No credit toward biology major or minor. Offered fall and spring.

BIO 102. GENERAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY  1 sh

This two-hour laboratory provides experiences to complement selected foundational concepts from BIO 101. To satisfy the general studies laboratory science requirement, BIO 101 and 102 should be taken concurrently. No credit to students with prior credit for BIO 113. No credit toward biology major or minor. Offered fall and spring.

BIO 103.  REINVENTING LIFE 4 sh
Can humans responsibly direct evolution? Reinventing Life explores how human activities are rapidly changing life and what this means for the future. Basic concepts are linked with the cutting-edge science of environmental manipulations, stem cells, genetic engineering, synthetic biology and bioethics. Laboratory included. No credit toward biology major or minor. Satisfies General Studies laboratory science requirement. Offered fall and spring.

BIO 105. CURRENT ISSUES IN BIOLOGY  4 sh

Designed for nonscience majors, this course focuses on reading, interpreting and evaluating facts behind biological issues and exploring the implications for science and human society. Students conduct library research, present oral reports, discuss and write papers on these issues. No credit toward biology major or minor. Satisfies General Studies nonlaboratory science requirement. Offered winter.

BIO 111. INTRODUCTORY CELL BIOLOGY  3 sh

In this introduction to organization and function at the cellular level, topics of study include basic cell chemistry and structure, transport, energetics and reproduction. Required for biology majors/minors. Corequisite: BIO 113. Offered fall and spring.

BIO 112. INTRODUCTORY POPULATION BIOLOGY  3 sh

Topics of study in this introduction to organization and function at the population level include reproduction and transmission genetics, patterns and mechanics of evolutionary change and basic concepts of ecology. Required for biology majors/minors. Corequisite: BIO 114. Offered fall and spring.

BIO 113. CELL BIOLOGY LABORATORY  1 sh

Students have three hours of laboratory experience per week with topics complementing concurrent study in BIO 111. Required for biology majors/minors. Corequisite: BIO 111. Offered fall and spring.

BIO 114. POPULATION BIOLOGY LABORATORY  1 sh

Students have three hours of laboratory experience per week with topics complementing concurrent study in BIO 112. Required for biology majors/minors. Corequisite: BIO 112. Offered fall and spring.

BIO 161. HUMAN ANATOMY  4 sh

This course builds a basic foundation in regional human anatomy. Lectures emphasize macroscopic and some microscopic studies of the human body. Special emphasis will be placed on musculoskeletal and neuromuscular anatomy. Laboratory involves progressive anatomical dissections of human cadavers, use of human anatomy instructional software and examination of osteological models. Three class hours, 1 laboratory per week. No credit toward BIO major/minor. Offered fall and spring.

BIO 162. HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY  4 sh

This study of human physiology emphasizes skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, heart, blood, respiratory, digestive and urinary aspects. Three class hours, one laboratory per week. No credit toward biology major or minor. Offered fall and spring.

BIO 181. BIOLOGY LABORATORY TECHNIQUES  2 sh

Skills taught in this training course for prospective laboratory assistants include laboratory procedures, materials preparation and grading procedures. Offered spring.

BIO 215. DIVERSITY OF LIFE  4 sh

This course examines the basic concepts of biological form and function, based on evolutionary relationships and diversity. Students investigate the natural history of local species and their role in community dynamics. Laboratory experiences emphasize field investigations, including sampling techniques, species identification and data analysis. Satisfies the General Studies lab science requirement. This course can be used for the major in Environmental Studies and the Elementary Education concentration in Society and Environment, as well as a minor in Biology. No credit toward the Biology major. Prerequisites: ENS 111/113 or BIO 112/114. (BIO 215 is cross-listed with ENS 215). Offered spring.

BIO 261. INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR  2 sh

Students learn to use primary information sources and gain practice in manual and computer information retrieval, read and interpret research and review papers, write abstracts and present scientific information orally. Recommended for sophomore year. Offered fall.

BIO 271. SPECIAL TOPICS SEMINAR  2-4 sh

Study focuses on one biological topic per seminar in this nonlaboratory discussion course for biology majors. Topics are determined by student and faculty interest. Must have instructor’s consent. Offered winter.

BIO 316. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY  4 sh

This course examines the changes that occur at the cellular and subcellular level as a single-cell zygote develops into a multi-cellular organism. Topics include fertilization, blastula formation, gastrulation and organogenesis. Three class hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 221; CHM 111, 112, 113, 114 or CHM 115/116. Offered spring of even-numbered years.

BIO 318. COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION  4 sh

This course is an evolutionary approach to the form and function of vertebrates. Students will investigate a diversity of traits and follow the evolutionary changes of these traits from the earliest vertebrates to mammals. The primary focus is on the move from aquatic to terrestrial habitats, the evolution of flight and the evolution of endothermy. Students will compare changes in form and function of the major organ systems through laboratory dissection of the jawless fish, shark, amphibian and mammal. Prerequisites: BIO 112, 114, 221. Offered fall of even-numbered years.

BIO 321. MICROBIOLOGY  4 sh

In a general survey of microorganisms, study emphasizes bacteria, their cytophysiological characteristics and classification, viruses, microbial diseases and immunity, and the role of microorganisms in human affairs. Three class hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 111, 113; CHM 111, 112, 113, 114 or CHM 115/116. Junior standing or consent of instructor. Offered spring of even-numbered years.

BIO 325. HUMAN HISTOLOGY  4 sh

Students survey human body tissues (especially of the cardiovascular, alimentary, respiratory, urinary and reproductive systems), stressing tissue identification and the relationship of microanatomy to physiology of the human body. Three class hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 111, 113. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.

BIO 331. THE BIOLOGY OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOR 4 sh
This course examines why animals behave the way they do. Specific topics include the
causation, development, function and evolution of behavior in wild and captive animals. Three class hours and one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 112, 114 and 231 or consent of instructor.

BIO 335. FIELD BIOLOGY  4 sh

In this field-oriented course, restricted to selected natural taxa, environments or biological phenomena, in-depth field study may include identification, classification, life histories and relationships among organisms. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Offered winter and/or summer.

BIO 341. BOTANY 4 sh
This survey of the plant kingdom (emphasizing vascular plants) includes general morphology, anatomy, physiology of metabolism and growth, economic importance and identifi cation. Three class hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIO 231. Offered fall.

BIO 342.  AQUATIC BIOLOGY: THE STUDY OF INLAND WATERS  4 sh
Aquatic Biology considers the chemical, physical and biological properties of freshwater ecosystems including streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Topics include the geomorphology of inland waters, thermal stratification, nutrient cycles, community metabolism, plankton community dynamics, seasonal succession and eutrophication resulting from human activities. Weekly laboratory meetings provide hands-on experience with the field techniques of freshwater scientists. Prerequisites for biology major: BIO 231; CHM 111, 112, 113, 114 or CHM 115/116. Prerequisites for environmental studies major: BIO 112, 114, 215; CHM 111,112, 113, 114 or CHM 115/116. Offered spring of even-numbered years.

BIO 343. CLINICAL ANATOMY  4 sh

This course uses the regional approach to build a strong foundation in human anatomy. Lectures emphasize structure, basic clinical concepts and some functional and mechanical relationships at the gross anatomical level. Laboratory includes dissection of human cadavers, use of human anatomy instructional software, examination of osteological models and applications of basic radiology. Three class hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 231 and 245. Offered fall. 

BIO 344. EVOLUTION  4 sh

In this course students investigate the causes, rates and implications of evolutionary change in biological systems. Evolution by natural selection is the unifying theory of biology linking phenomena that occur at many different levels of biological organization. Thus, natural selection is studied in depth. Other topics include speciation, rates of molecular change, causes of mass extinctions and sexual selection. Three lecture hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 112 and BIO 114. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.

BIO 345. GENETICS  4 sh

Students are introduced to Mendelian and molecular principles of genetics and the applications of these principles to the modern world. Three class hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 111, 112, 113, 114; CHM 111, 112, 113, 114 or CHM 115/116. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.

BIO 348. BIOTECHNOLOGY  4 sh

Students explore how biological systems are utilized in scientific research. In collaboration with their peers, students will apply the techniques of molecular biology (restriction digestion, transformation, DNA hybridization, PCR, etc.) to investigate a research question. Emphasis will be placed on protocol design, solution preparation and critical analysis of research data. Additionally, the social context of biotechnology will be investigated as students explore the risks and rewards in this expanding field. Two laboratory periods, one class hours per week. Prerequisite: BIO 345 or 322. Offered spring of odd-numbered years

BIO 350.  GENERAL ECOLOGY  4 sh
Students explore ecological principles at population, community and ecosystem levels in
this study of the interrelationships of organisms with their biotic and abiotic environments.
Three lecture hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites for biology major: BIO 231.
Prerequisites for environmental studies major: BIO 112, 114, 215. Offered fall.


BIO 351. BIOCHEMISTRY  3 sh

In this survey of biochemistry as it relates to the physiology of organisms, study includes biochemical methodology, buffers, proteins (structure, function and synthesis), enzymes, bioenergetics, anabolism and catabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and metabolic regulation. Three class hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: CHM 211, 212, 213, 214. (BIO 351 is cross-listed with CHM 351.) Offered fall of odd-numbered years.

BIO 352. BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY  1 sh

Experiments in this study of laboratory techniques and principles of biochemistry as it relates to the physiology of organisms include biochemical methodology, buffers, proteins (structure, function and synthesis), enzymes, bioenergetics, anabolism and catabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and metabolic regulation. Corequisite: BIO 351. (BIO 352 is cross-listed with CHM 352.) Offered fall of odd-numbered years.

BIO 353. ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY  3 sh

Topics chosen to complement BIO 351 include a detailed study of primary and intermediary metabolism: sytheses and degradation of lipids, amino acids and nucleotides; metabolic coordination; signal transduction; molecular motors; and the role of cyctochrome c. The use of selected case studies from medical schools will be integrated into the study of metabolism. The course will also include a student-led discussion of selected articles from the primary literature in biochemistry. Prerequisites: BIO 351-2. (BIO 353 is cross-listed with CHM 353) Offered spring of even years.

BIO 354. ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY  1 sh

This laboratory investigates the analysis of selected proteins and other biomolecules by NMR as well as the methods used in BIO 352. Experiments involving the study of dynamic processes inside living cells (metabolism) will be included. Prerequisites: BIO 351-2. Corequisite: BIO 354 (BIO 354 is cross-listed with CHM 354) Offered spring of even years.

BIO 371. SPECIAL TOPICS SEMINAR  2-4 sh

Each seminar – a nonlaboratory discussion course for biology majors – focuses on one biological topic determined by faculty interest. Offered winter.

BIO 442.  PLANT PHYSIOLOGY  4 sh
Topics in this study of the life processes of plants include photosynthesis, mineral nutrients, movement of materials, plant growth substances and senescence. Three class hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 231; CHM 211, 212, 213, 214 or permission. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.

BIO 445.  ADVANCED GENETICS  4 sh
Advanced problem solving in prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetics. The focus is on the
applications of advanced concepts in transmission, molecular and population genetics
to problem solving in the modern world. Three class hours, one laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: BIO 245; CHM 211, 212, 213, 214. Offered fall of even-numbered years.

BIO 452. GENERAL ECOLOGY  4 sh

Students explore ecological principles at population, community and ecosystem levels in this study of the interrelationships of organisms with their biotic and abiotic environments. Three lecture hours, one laboratory per week. Prerequisites for biology major: BIO 221, 222. Prerequisites for environmental studies major: BIO 112, 114, 215. Junior standing or consent of instructor. Offered fall.

BIO 462. SENIOR SEMINAR  2 sh

This course provides students with the opportunity to conduct both individual and group literature research projects of their own choosing based on recently published scientific papers. Students participate in group discussions of the current literature, research and write a scientific review paper, and develop a formal oral presentation. Recommended for senior year. Offered fall.

BIO 471. SPECIAL TOPICS SEMINAR  2-4 sh

Each seminar – a nonlaboratory discussion course for biology majors – focuses on one biological topic determined by student and faculty interest. Must have instructor’s consent.

BIO 481. INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGY  1-4 sh

Advanced-level work experience in a biological field is offered on an individual basis when suitable opportunities can be arranged. Prerequisite: permission of department.

BIO 499. RESEARCH  1-4 sh

Students from all levels conduct laboratory and/or field research under the direction of the biology faculty. Maximum eight semester hours total credit. Prerequisite: permission of the biology faculty.