BIO - Biology

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

A focused introductory look at the cellular processes of cell replication, transcription, translation, and genetics.  Designed to fill the gap between non-majors and majors for students transferring into Biology from other majors.  Prerequisite:  BIO 10043 Principles of Biology or instructor consent.

A course for biology majors and those interested in health care professions. This course investigates fundamental principles of biology with emphasis on cell structure and function, biochemistry, natural selection, bioenergetics, biosynthesis, the cell cycle, and genetics.

Introductory study of the evolutionary phylogeny, morphology, anatomy, and physiology of plants and related autotrophs.  Lab component incorporated with lecture.  Prerequisites: BIO 12043 General Biology I or BIO 10043 Principles of Biology & Lab, BIO 10063 Foundations of Cell Biology, or instructor consent.

Introductory study of the evolutionary phylogeny, morphology, anatomy, and physiology of both invertebrate and vertebrate animals with pertinent discussion of other heterotrophs including fungi and protists.  Lab component incorporated with lecture.  Prerequisites:  BIO 12043 General Biology I or BIO 10043 Principles of Biology & Lab,  BIO 10063 Foundations of Cell Biology, or consent of instructor.

Systems approach to introduce the anatomy of the human body addressing all organ systems but emphasizing skeletal, muscular, neural, circulatory, respiratory, and urinary systems.  Prerequisite:  BIO 10043 Principles of Biology and Lab or BIO 12043 General Biology I.

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.

A hybrid course for students entering fields of professional medicine and allied health. Students will learn terminology applicable to the organ systems of the human body and medical procedures. Language acquisition will be enhanced by learning interchangeable word-bytes. 

A stand-alone field ecology course focusing on common techniques, equipment, statistical design, and interpretations of plant and animal sampling. Prerequisite or concurrent requisite: BIO 30743 Ecology or instructor consent.

Course introduces students to microbiology with an emphasis on bacteria. Topics include prokaryote cell structure, metabolism, and growth; genetics and evolution, medical, industrial, and ecologically significant roles of bacteria. The lab develops skills in collection, aseptic culture, and bacterial identification via traditional staining methods and advanced molecular identification methods.  Prerequisites: BIO 10043 Principles of Biology & Lab or BIO 12043 General Biology I and Lab and at least sophomore standing.

Course builds on content found in Human Anatomy.  Systems approach used to introduce the physiology of the human body addressing all organ systems but emphasizing skeletal, muscular, neural, circulatory, respiratory, and urinary systems.  Prerequisite: BIO 20433 Human Anatomy & Lab.

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 the ecosystem-level processes  Prerequisites: BIO 22043 General Biology II or BIO 20013 Biology of Animals & Lab AND BIO 20003 Biology of Plants & Lab, MAT 20044 Introduction to Statistics, or instructor consent.

Course covers classical and modern genetics.  Topics include the cellular basis for genetic variability; mendelian and non-mendelian transmission; molecular mechanisms of information flow; gene linkage; population genetics and cancer.  Laboratory exercises focus on DNA isolation and analysis; biotechnology; proteomics and bioinformatics.  Prerequisites: BIO 10043 Principles of Biology & Lab; BIO 12043 General Biology I.

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

A detailed study of structure and function of eukaryotic cell organelles, membranes, transport and targeting mechanisms, cellular energetics, molecular genetics, and hormone actions. Specific functions of immune system cells, antibody properties and products, and cell communication strategies representative of differentiated cell-types. Hands-on experience in culture, isolation, and quantification techniques associated with cell biology and immunology, including but not limited to DNA and protein preparation, column and affinity chromatograhpy, electrophoresis and Western blotting, various immunological labeling and assay techniques, PCR and ELISA. Prerequisite: BIO 31243 Genetics and Lab

Co-requisite Lab for BIO 32100 Cell Biology & Immunology.

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 Inferential Statistics.

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

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 10043 Principles of Biology & Lab and. 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.

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.

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

A continuation of the capstone sequence for students seeking a BA in Biology.  Students perform an independent, rigorous literature review of their chosen topic as approved in the research methods course.  Project culminates in balanced original review manuscript and oral presentation.  Prerequisites:  Senior status and BIO 35523 Biology Research Methods.  BA students may opt to take BIO 49401 as an alternate.

Continuation of the capstone sequence for students seeking a BS in Biology.  Students carry out their independent research project approved in BIO 35523 Biology Research Methods.  Prerequisites:  Senior standing and BIO 35523 Biology Research Methods.

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. Cross-listed with REL 49923 IDS: Issues in Science and Religion and LAS 49923 IDS: Issues in Science and Religion.