Courses

BIOL 1101 General Biology I. (3) Fall
This is the beginning biology course for non-majors. General Biology deals with the phenomenon of life as is manifested in all types of living organisms. The origin of life, chemistry of life, cellular and tissue organization, metabolism, cell division, genetics, and gene action are among topics covered.
Prerequisite: none Co-requisite: BIOL 1101L is a co-requisite for students in the CORE curriculum (enrolled before Fall 2018). BIOL 1101L is not required for students in the Ethos curriculum (students enrolling in Fall 2018 and beyond).

BIOL 1101 L General Biology I Laboratory. (1) Fall
This laboratory course is designed to complement and to provide experiential learning for General Biology I. Note: This course is required for students in the CORE curriculum (enrolled before Fall 2018); BIOL 1101L is not required for students in the Ethos curriculum (students enrolling in Fall 2018 and beyond).
Prerequisite: none Co-requisite: BIOL 1101

BIOL 1102 General Biology II. (3) Spring
This course is a continuation of General Biology I. General Biology deals with the phenomenon of life as is manifested in all types of living organisms. Evolution, diversity of life, ecology and the functioning of the organ systems are among topics covered.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1101 Co-requisite: BIOL 1102 L

BIOL 1102 L General Biology II Laboratory. (1) Spring
This laboratory course is designed to complement and provide experiential learning for General Biology II and is a continuation of General Biology I Laboratory.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1101 Co-requisite: BIOL 1102

BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I. (3) Fall
An introductory biology course for science majors that includes biological chemistry, cell structure and function, energy transfer, cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis, Mendelian and molecular genetics.
Prerequisite: MATH 1101 placement or higher Co-requisite: BIOL 1107L

BIOL 1107 L Principles of Biology I Laboratory. (1) Fall
Laboratory experience for science majors to accompany topics from BIOL 1107. This course focuses on the scientific method, data acquisition, manipulation and analysis, and presentation of results.
Prerequisite: MATH 1101 placement or higher Co-requisite: BIOL 1107

BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II. (3) Spring
A continuation of introductory biology for science majors. Topics include evolution, biodiversity, physiology, and ecology.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1107 Co-requisite: BIOL 1108L

BIOL 1108 L Principles of Biology II Laboratory. (1) Spring
Laboratory experience for science majors to accompany topics from BIOL 1108. This course focuses on the scientific method, data acquisition, manipulation and analysis, and presentation of results.
Prerequisite: BIOL 1107 Co-requisite: BIOL 1108

BIOL 2148 Human Anatomy and Physiology I. (4) Fall
A study of the structure and function of the human body. Designed for pre-nursing majors.
Prerequisite: none

BIOL 2149 Human Anatomy and Physiology II. (4) Spring
A continuation of Human Anatomy and Physiology I.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2148

BIOL 3320 Medical Microbiology. (4) Spring
A study of human disease caused by pathogenic microbes and helminthes. Designed for prehealth professions majors. Laboratory activities focus on bacteria as model organisms.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2148 and 2149 (may be concurrent) or permission of instructor

BIOL 3321 Microbiology. (4)
A study of the morphology, physiology, classification, ecology, and economics of microbial forms, especially bacteria and fungi.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L

BIOL 3322 Immunology. (4) Spring (even years)
A study of the fundamentals of immunology. Topics will include tissues and control of the immune system, including dynamics of B cell and T cell activation and function, inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Laboratory experiences include antigen-antibody interactions in gels, on membranes and in tissues, as well as complement-mediated cell lysis.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107L, 1108, 1108L

BIOL 3334 General Ecology. (4) Spring (even years)
An introduction to the basic principles and concepts of ecology with emphasis on environmental sampling, analysis and characterization.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L

BIOL 3335 General Zoology. (4) Spring (odd years)
A phylogenetic approach to the Animal kingdom following cladistic principles. Emphasis will be placed upon representative animal groups and the position of Animalia within the domains of life. Studies of local faunae will be highlighted.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L

BIOL 3340 Conservation Biology. (4) Fall (even years)
An introduction to the principles and practices involved in the management of endangered species, communities and ecosystems. We will investigate how species natural history, ecology and population dynamics interact with human activities to impact the loss of species diversity.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1108/ 1108L.

BIOL 3336 General Botany. (4) Fall (odd years)
A phylogenetic and ecological survey of the kingdom Plantae. The focus will be on the general anatomy and physiology of plants as well as the natural history and ecology of plants. Lab work will be field based and strongly oriented toward the local florae.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L

BIOL 3351 Vertebrate Embryology. (4) Fall (even years)
A study of the embryological development of representative vertebrates, with laboratory emphasis upon the frog and chick.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L or BIOL 2148 and 2149

BIOL 3353 Fundamentals of Evolutionary Theory. (4) Fall (even years)
A balanced survey of the present-day concepts of evolution with emphasis on human evolution/paleoanthropology.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L or BIOL 2148 and 2149

BIOL 3360 Histology. (4) Fall (odd years)
A study of the microscopic features of mammalian cells, tissues, and organs. Lectures correlate cell structure with tissue function. Laboratory experiences include the microscopic identification of tissues and organs at the cellular level.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L or BIOL 2148, and 2148L

BIOL 3370 Toxicology. (4) Fall (even years)
An introduction to the basic principles of toxicology. Topics include the cellular sites of action of toxicants, their physiological absorption, distribution and excretion and their effects on tissues and in an ecosystem. The lab applies these principles by students’ implementation and analysis of data of an original research project.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L

BIOL 3372 Molecular Biology. (4) Spring (taught in rotation with 3376; generally odd years)
A molecular study of genes, their expression, the control of their expression, and the gene products that result. The lab uses molecular techniques to study questions involving genes and their gene products.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1101 and enrolled in CHEM 1102 Recommended: BIOL 3370 or BIOL 3373 or BIOL 3374 and CHEM 3201 and 3202

BIOL 3373 Genetics. (4) Fall
This course includes topics in both classical and molecular genetics. Topics of study may include but are not limited to Mendelian and non-Mendelian transmission of genes, sex-linked traits, chromosomal genetics and genomes, DNA structure, replication, mutation and repair, gene expression and its regulation, recombinant DNA technology, cancer, and population genetics. The laboratory will evaluate wild-type and mutant model organisms using classical and/or molecular genetic approaches as well as pursue research questions in genetics using model organisms and other systems.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L

BIOL 3374 Cell Physiology. (4) Spring (odd years)
An advanced study of the structure and functions of the eukaryotic cell. Topics include the structure and function of macromolecules, the plasma membrane, intracellular trafficking and cell signaling. The lab uses techniques to microscopically identify organelles and cells, examine the role of enzymes and identify specific proteins involved in cell death.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L

BIOL 3376 Virology. (4) Spring (taught in rotation with 3372, generally even years)
This introduction to virology will focus on animal viruses that are important for basic science and human and animal diseases. The topics in this course may include viral taxonomy, structure, entry/exit, replication, quantitation, genetics, pathogenesis, and virus-host interaction. The laboratory will study nonpathogenic model viral systems.
Prerequisites: BIOL 3321 or BIOL 3322 or BIOL 3370 or BIOL 3372 or BIOL 3373 or BIOL 3374 or permission of instructor

BIOL 3384 Neurobiology. (4) Spring
An integrated study of the human nervous system correlating neuroanatomy and neurophysiology with fundamentals of clinical neurology.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107, 1107 L, 1108, and 1108 L or BIOL 2148 and 1149

BIOL 4470 Senior Seminar. (1) Spring
Senior seminar is a thematic capstone course that is a broad, integrative experience in biology. The course promotes independent thinking, develops analytical skills, and provides practice in group discussion and in written and oral presentation. This course is required of all biology majors. Seniors enroll in BIOL 4470 in their last spring semester of enrollment.
Prerequisites: senior standing, biology major

BIOL 4495 Independent Study. (1-4) on demand
Although not required as part of the biology major, this course provides an opportunity for students, on an individual basis, to pursue in-depth research of a particular biology topic, question, or problem. Up to 4 hours of BIOL 4495 may be counted toward the major.
Prerequisites: consent of the instructor, the department chair, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA)

BIOL 4496 Internship. (1-3) on demand
An opportunity for students to gain added experience and insight in approved off-campus settings. The internship cannot be counted as one of the courses required for the major or minor in biology.
Prerequisites: consent of the supervising instructor, department chair, and the Career Development Center