BIOL - Biology

BIOL 1125. Contemporary Issues in Biology Non-Lab (3-0-3) An examination of two or three current topics in biology. Topics will include at least one medically-related and one environmentally-related issue and may draw from the fields of cell biology, physiology, systematics, and ecology. Course may be repeated for credit when offered with a different topic.

BIOL 1215. Principles of Biology (3-2-4) Exploration of the scientific paradigm as applied for human understanding of the living cell, molecular genetics, population genetics, organic evolution, and ecology. Students will be expected to be computer literate. Includes inquiry-based laboratory. Laboratory work or field trips may necessitate attendance at times other than those scheduled.  (Course fee required.)

BIOL 1216. Human Biology (3-3-4) A survey of the principles of biology employing the human organism as a representative species. (Course fee required. Course may not be used to satisfy Area D of the core curriculum.)

BIOL 1225. Contemporary Issues in Biology with Lab (3-2-4) An examination of two or three current topics in biology. Topics will include at least one medically-related and one environmentally-related issue and may draw from the fields of cell biology, physiology, systematics, and ecology. Includes a laboratory experience; laboratory work or field trips may necessitate attendance at times other than those scheduled. Course may be repeated for credit with a different title. (Course fee required.) 

BIOL 2221. Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (3-2-4)Prerequisites: CHEM 1151 and CHEM 1151L or CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L. Survey of general biological principles, including some biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics, and providing a detailed study of human integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.(Course fee required. Course may not be used to satisfy Area D of the core curriculum.)

BIOL 2222. Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (3-2-4)Prerequisite: BIOL 2221 with grade of "C" or better. A detailed study of human endocrine, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, urinary, and reproductive systems along with a survey of human developmental biology. (Course fee required. Course may not be used to satisfy Area D of the core curriculum.)

BIOL 2225. Microbiology for the Health Sciences (3-2-4)Prerequisites: CHEM 1151 and CHEM 1151L. The study of microorganisms (microbes) which cause diseases (bacteria, fungi, and "viruses") and of the processes of infection, immunity, and chemotherapy. Illustrations of the need to understand infectious organisms and animal defense mechanism will be included. (Course fee required. Course may not be used to satisfy Area D of the core curriculum.)

BIOL 2285. Research Methods in Biology (1-3-2)Prerequisites: ENGL 1101 and MATH 1127, both with a grade of C or better. Review and practice of computer technology applications to data management and analysis, word processing and graphics, along with uses of electronic mail. Library skills and writing style for the Life Sciences will also be considered, along with consideration of the philosophy of scientific methodology, experimental design of research, and preparation of research proposals. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 3215. Cell Biology (3-3-4)Prerequisites: BIOL 2285 and CHEM 1212 both with a grade of C or better. Study of the morphology and function of cellular structures in multicellular organisms. Emphasis is placed on the structure, function, and unifying nature of cell membrane systems, cellular energetics, motility and transport intercellular interactions, cellular communication, and cell division. Laboratory experiences introduce basic cytological study techniques. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 3216. Genetics (3-3-4)Prerequisites: CHEM 1212 with a grade of C or better. Co-requisite: BIOL 3215. An introduction to genetic analysis. Topics include simple Mendelian inheritance, extensions of Mendelian inheritance, linkage, genetic mapping, quantitative inheritance, population genetics, prokaryotic genetics, and molecular genetics. Laboratory assignments will require more than the scheduled time periods. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 3217. Ecology (3-4-4)Prerequisite: BIOL 3215 and BIOL 3216 both with a grade of C or better. A laboratory and field-oriented course dealing with the distribution of living organisms as mediated by the interaction between living things and the environment an exploration of adaptations, population dynamics, and community organization and function, laboratory and field work will require time beyond the scheduled periods. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 3218. Biosystematics (3-4-4)Prerequisite: BIOL 3215 and BIOL 3216, both with a grade of C or better. A focus on the products of organic evolution. Topics considered include explanation for biodiversity; approaches used by biologists to describe, classify, catalogue, and determine the evolutionary relationships among organisms, and the skills used to investigate these topics. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 4391. Research Proposal (0-4-1)Prerequisites: BIOL 2285, BIOL 3215 and BIOL 3216 both with a grade of C or better; Prerequisite or Co-requisites: BIOL 3217 and BIOL 3218, and permission of the Department chair. Preparation for undergraduate research in biology by selecting a research topic, conducting a literature search, arranging for a faculty mentor, and completing a written research proposal. The research proposal must be approved by a faculty mentor and department head before permission to enroll in BIOL 4292 is permitted. The grade for this course will be deferred until BIOL 4392 and BIOL 4393 have been completed. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 4392. Undergraduate Research (0-6-2)Prerequisite: BIOL 4391 with a grade of C or better and permission of the Department chair. In association with a faculty mentor the student will execute the research plan designed in BIOL 4391. Students may use participation in undergraduate research experiences or internships which involve appropriate research work. Such off campus experiences must be approved in advance, by a faculty mentor and the department head. The grade for this course will be deferred until BIOL 4393 has been completed.  (Course fee required.)

BIOL 4393. Research Presentation (0-6-2)Prerequisite: BIOL 4392 with a grade of C or better and permission of the Department chair. Each student will analyze self-generated research data and prepare both written and oral presentations of the work. Where appropriate, students will be encouraged to make presentations at regional, professional meetings or submit work to a scientific journal for publication. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 4698. Internship (1-3)Prerequisite: Junior standing and permission from the Department chair. Academic credit may be earned for approved biological work experiences, either as a volunteer or through employment. An internship experience must be approved in advance. Successful completion requires a written evaluation from a supervisor and an oral presentation to faculty and students. (S/U grading.)

BIOL 4795. Capstone Senior Seminar (0-2-1)Prerequisites: BIOL 3215, BIOL 3216, BIOL 3217, all with a grade of C or better and BIOL 3218. Students and faculty participate in formal discussions of assigned readings. Organic evolution will provide the organizing framework for discussions. Students may enroll more than once as space allows. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 5515. Selected Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology ({0-3}-{0-6}-3)Prerequisites: BIOL 3215 and BIOL 3216, both with a grade of C or better. An opportunity to study in depth one of many specialized fields in cellular and molecular biology. The specific topic will vary by semester and instructor. Topics include, but are not limited to histology, developmental biology, advanced cell biology, cytological toxicology, and histotechniques. Course may be repeated for credit when topic differs. Laboratory experiences, when included will introduce the student to basic cytological study techniques for that specific field. Lecture and lab hours vary with topic, and laboratory work may extend beyond scheduled hours. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 5525. Selected Topics in Organismic Biology ({0-3}-{0-6}-3)Prerequisites: BIOL 3218 with a grade of C or better. An opportunity to study one of the fields encompassed by organismic biology. The specific topic will vary by semester and instructor. Topics will be related to knowledge and investigation of the structure, function, and adaptations of groups of living organisms. Topics include, but are not limited to: morphology, physiology, physiology or taxonomy of various groups of organisms. Lecture and lab hours vary with topic, and laboratory work may extend beyond scheduled hours. Course may be taken twice for credit by undergraduate students. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 5535. Selected Topics in Ecological and Evolutionary Biology ({0-3}-{0-6}-3)Prerequisites: BIOL 3217 and BIOL 3218, both with a grade of C or better. An opportunity to study one of the fields encompassed by ecological or evolutionary biology. The specific topic will vary by semester and instructor. Topics will be related to knowledge and investigation of the distribution, abundance and adaptations of living organisms as mediated by the environment and natural selection. Topics include but are not limited to aquatic ecology, biogeography, organic evolution, applied ecology, and toxicology. Lecture and lab hours vary with topic, and laboratory work may extend beyond scheduled hours. Course may be taken twice for credit by undergraduate students. (Course fee required.)

BIOL 5899. Independent Study (1-3)Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission from Department chair. An opportunity to study a biological topic or carry out a research project in an area of interest. A proposal must be submitted to the department head by the midpoint of the semester prior to the one in which the study is to be undertaken. The proposal must be approved and a faculty mentor identified before registration. Assessment of this study will include a public presentation. (Course fee required.)