BIO - Biology

Introduces major biological processes occurring in animals and plants and basic concepts underlying the biology field. Includes corresponding lab.

Introductory course for biology majors which studies the intricacies of living systems and research as process. Topics include scientific methodology, experimental design, data acquisition/manipulation, and presentation of findings. Students examine processes across the following levels of organization: molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organisms.

Two 2-hour labs per week.Corequisite: Bio 20043 Organismic Biology.

Integrated study of the structure and function of plants and animals with special attention paid to the phylogenic origins and relationships of taxonomic groups.Prerequisites: BIO 10043 Principles of Biology.

Two 2-hour labs per week that verify and supplement lecture material. Corequisite: BIO 20343 Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Studies function and anatomy of each system of the human body, including immunology. Prerequisite: BIO 10043 Principles of Biology. Corequisite: BIO 20342 Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab.

Covers fundamental principles of nutrition. Discusses nutritional requirements of the human for the major segments of the life-span. Interrelationship of various nutrients also discussed. 

A continuation of BIO 12043. Topics include the study of the mechanisms of evolution, geologic history, phylogeny, organismal diversity, ecology, and behavior.

An interdisciplinary course culminating with a mandatory field-experience in Ireland. Students study the geologic, floral, and faunal histories of Ireland, as well as various perceptions and depictions of nature in Irish culture, from the perspective of Irish writers. This course provides an opportunity for inquiry-based examination of a foreign culture. Cross listed with ENG 30003.

Emphasizes skills in collection, culture and identification of bacteria using common staining methods and culture media. Corequisite: BIO 30243 Microbiology.

Introduces microbiology with an emphasis on bacteria. Topics include prokaryote cell structure, metabolism and growth; medically significant bacteria, including epidemiology, pathogenicity and control; and ecological/industrial roles of bacteria. Prerequisites: BIO 10043 Principles of Biology and at least sophomore standing.

Examines relationship between human population and environment. Topics include: population growth, use and misuse of essential natural resources and pollution. Explores interaction of environmental aspects of human ecology with social, economic and political systems. Prerequisite: At least sophomore standing.

Introduces relationships between organisms and their environment, including role of natural selection, population and community ecology, and ecosystem-level processes. Emphasizes simulation and experimentation in testing of ecological hypotheses and use of microcomputers as a tool in data collection, analysis and presentation. Field trips required. Prerequisite: BIO 20043 Organismic Biology. Includes corresponding lab.

Non-laboratory course covering classical and modern genetics and discussion of selected readings on contemporary genetic issues.Prerequisite: BIO 10043 Principles of Biology.

Emphasis of the course is identification, life history strategy and habitat requirements of vertebrate species within the major physiographic provinces of the state.

Study of the common plants and animals of the Southwest, including their distribution, adaptation, behavior and ecology.

Lecture course involving a detailed study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cell organelles, including membrane structure and function, transport and targeting mechanisms, cellular energetics, molecular genetics, and hormone actions. Specific functions of immune system cells, their antibody products, and cell communication strategies are representative of one differented cell-type. Prerequisite: BIO 30243 Microbiology.

Corequisite Lab for BIO 32100 Cell Biology & Immunology

Provides participants with knowledge to integrate water- related activities in the classroom. Provides K-12 curriculum over ninety broad-based water resource activities over all disciplines.

An examination of a variety of literary works from several genres, focusing on the portrayal of physical environments and the connections between these environments and human spheres of influence. This course will explore how human beings relate to the natural world, and how that relation influences the way we read texts and the world around us, Authors to be studied might include Leopold, Thoreau, Defoe, the Brontes, Wordsworth, Merwin, Snyder and Kingsolver. Crosslisted with ENG 33523, LAS 33523.

Course participants will meet weekly in a seminar setting to explore the relationships within rainforest ecosystems. Course includes a field experience in an Amazonian Rainforest, led by experienced field guides. Credit awarded is variable. Students participating in the seminar and field experience will earn 2 credits. Students choosing to develop an in-depth seminar presentation in addition to the seminar and field experience will earn 3 credits.

Course examines hunger as a complex issue of sustainable human development.  Topics to be covered include root causes and consequences of both domestic and global hunger, as well as current responses and potential solutions.  Course also focuses on helping students develop a skill set for global citizenship that includes opportunities for advocacy, leadership, and critical thinking. Course cross listed with course LAS 35200.

Interdisciplinary course combining communication studies, biology, and business management and their application to disaster response. Topics include causes of disasters and their effects on the environment, economy, communities, and businesses. Course includes simulated disaster exercise and possible American Red Cross disaster relief certification. Cross listed with LAS 35206 and COM 35206.

Course provides students with the tools necessary to plan, conduct, and present faculty-supervised, individual research. Students will perform literature reviews, submit a research proposal for a senior research project, learn to establish sound experimental methodologies, manage and analyze data, and to present findings in both written and oral venues. Prerequisite: Mat 32044 Statistics.

Students explore a particular area of interest through selected readings, assignments, lectures or field experiences.

Focuses on development of speaking and writing skills within the discipline while reading and leading seminars on both mass media and refereed journal articles that address current issues in biology. Guidance in writing a significant review paper in the style of life-science journals. Also addresses career opportunities, resume writing, interview skills, and placement test preparations. Should be taken in the junior year. Prerequisites: BIO 10043 Principles of Biology, BIO 20043 Organismic Biology, Junior standing, and consent of the instructor.

Introduces the structure of biomolecules. Topics include: protein, carbohydrates, lipid structure and metabolism, enzyme kinetics, photosynthesis and protein synthesis.

Comparative study of the functional anatomy of major vertebrate groups. Covers three perspectives: Organisms remote past (phylogeny), its recent past or stages of early development (ontogeny), and present (morphology). Laboratories involve detailed dissection of the lamprey eel (Petromyzon), the mud puppy (Necturus), and dogfish shark (Squalus), an advanced vertebrate, the cat (Felis cattus) and selected mammalian organs. Lab integrated with lecture. Prerequisites: BIO 10042 Principles of Biology Lab and BIO 10043 Principles of Biology, and BIO 20042 Organismic Biology Lab and BIO 20043 Organismic Biology. Includes corresponding lab.

A comparative study of animal physiology as adaptation. Topics include thermal regulation, osmoregulation,digestion, circulation, respiration, excretion, sensation, movement and energy metabolism in vertebrates and invertebrates.

Practical experience in the major area of study, arranged individually and taken after the completion of the major course work.

Explores scientific methodology, religious methodology and the relationship between these domains of inquiry. Brief survey of the historical relationship between science and religion (e.g., Christianity and the rise of western scientific method, the Galileo affair, etc.) and contemporary controversial issues such as Big Bang and evolution. Crosslisted with REL 41523, LAS 41523.

Participate as assistants in off-campus clinical or lab settings in some area of professional medicine or biology. Specific examples of acceptable programs include pharmacy labs, veterinary or human medicine clinics, and research labs in universities and private companies. Requirements include a written report on specific disease or research study and journal writing.

Introduction to biological basis of animal behavior with emphasis on adaptive significance of behavioral phenomena. Topics include: genetic basis of behavior, perceptual and effectual systems, ethology, neurophysiology, learning, animal communication, sexual behavior and the social systems. Prerequisites: BIO 20043 Organismic Biology and consent of instructor.

Study of developmental processes in living organisms. Utilizes comparative view of developmental patterns generated by cellular, chemical, and genetic control mechanisms. Lectures focus primarily on human development and address common developmental defects. Includes corresponding lab.

Directed-study course for students entering fields of professional medicine. Learn terminology applicable to the organ systems of the human body. Language acquisition will be enhanced by learning interchangeable word-bytes.

Integrative study and review of major concepts and principles of biology.

Students conduct an individualized research project under faculty supervision. Results are submitted in the form of a final report and departmental seminar. Students will also take a written comprehensive exam over the curriculum. Prerequisite: BIO 35523 Research Methods.

Capstone course that guides student in development of an integrative project that demonstrates achievement of learning outcomes in the biology major.