A listing of offered courses follows with prerequisites. Please note that some courses do have additional fees associated with them. The credit value of each course is represented by the number in brackets.
Undergraduate Course Offerings
BIO 110 considers the following topics in a broad, general survey for the nonmajor: the cellular nature and energy requirements of plants and animals; evolution; genetics; species interaction; ecology. BIO 111 emphasizes the relationship between structure and function of all the systems of the human body. The laboratory is correlated with the lecture. Credit toward a biology major or minor by permission only. Laboratory fee.
An introduction to plant and animal biology that focuses on four specific aspects of evolution—biochemical, physiological, cytological, and ecological—presented during two semesters. Each area is presented through small- group, intensive laboratory units employing modern research techniques. Formal lectures unify laboratory experiences. Prerequisite: Minimum of one year of high school chemistry. Corequisite: Either CH 110 and 111, or CH 114 and 136. Laboratory fee.
An exploration of various topics in biology selected to emphasize science as a way of knowing. Laboratory fee.
This course is an introduction to the physiological bases of behavior in normal psychological functioning. Topics include neuron structure and function, functional neuroanatomy, drugs and behavior, and the physiology of hunger, sex, sleep, emotion, reward / punishment, language, and learning and memory.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 or 102, and BIO 110 or 111.
A study of human tissues and organ systems. BIO 212: muscular, skeletal, nervous, and endocrine systems; skin and special senses. BIO 213: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems; blood and metabolism. Laboratory dissection and physiology experimentation are coordinated with lecture material. This course is for health science students and it is recommended that they be taken in order. Prerequisites or corequisites: CH 114 and 136, or CH 110-111. Laboratory fee.
Introduction to the study of ecosystems, including physical, chemical, and biological components. Emphasis on bioenergetics, succession, distribution of organisms, population dynamics, and speciation. Laboratory studies include use of the major techniques of field and laboratory research in ecology. Prerequisites: BIO 122 and BIO 123, or equivalent. (Writing-intensive course)
A study of the gene, its structure, control, and role in determining the chemical and physical characteristics of cells and individuals. Analysis of Mendelian ratios and chromosome maps. Prerequisites: CH 230, or CH 114 and 136. (Writing-intensive course)
Topics include simple statistical analysis of data derived from crossing fruit flies or other organisms, cell hybridization, extraction of plasmids from bacteria, transformation and induction of mutations in bacteria. Corequisite: BIO 272W. (Writing-intensive course) Laboratory fee.
Basic physiological processes of animals are presented. Topics include nervous systems, muscle function, circulation of blood, respiration, osmoregulation, and excretion. Laboratory investigations extend the lecture presentation. Prerequisites: CH 230-231; or CH 114 and 136; or at least 16 credits in biology, including BIO 352. Laboratory fee.
A detailed study of the cellular and humoral components of the immune system. The course surveys immunochemical methods and current theories of immunity. Topics include humoral immunity, cell-mediated immunity, cellular cooperation, hypersensitivity, transplantation, and cancer immunology. A series of immunochemical laboratory exercises reinforces basic concepts. Prerequisites: CH 230-231; or CH 114 and 136; or at least 16 credits in biology, including BIO 352. (Writing-intensive course)
The laboratory course provides the students with a survey of the major types of immunochemical methods and includes the development and evaluation of an antisera. Prerequisite or corequisite: Course in immunology or permission of instructor. Laboratory fee.
Detailed study of the structural and functional components of the cell, understood in terms of the molecular building blocks for each cellular component. Major concepts include evolution, chromosome structure, the cytoskeleton, membrane transport, the generation of cellular energy, vesicle trafficking, and cell cycle regulation. The laboratory makes extensive use of microscopy of live and fixed specimens, and includes some molecular biology. Prerequisites: BIO 122, or BIO 212 and BIO 213, depending on the major; and BIO 272W; and BIO 273W. Laboratory fee.
A theoretical and practical course investigating the techniques of seedage, cuttage, grafting, and budding. Principles governing the identification, propagation, and growth of annuals, biennials, and perennials cultured under greenhouse or indoor conditions are considered. Prerequisite: 8 credits of biology. Laboratory fee.
This seminar reviews literature of one topic of current interest in biology, critically analyzing research papers and discussing the contribution of that research to the overall understanding of a particular problem in biology. Prerequisite: Admission through departmental approval to the Honors program.
The Department of Biology maintains a number of affiliations with agencies able to offer students a perspective-broadening internship experience that provides an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts, to develop expertise in fields outside faculty research interests, to broaden professional contacts and explore career goals. This off-campus activity is under close faculty supervision and requires related reading and writing assignments. Students may not accumulate more than 15 credits of internship in biology. Prerequisite: A minimum of six courses in biology that are applicable toward the major. Specific courses may be required for particular internship experiences. An overall GPA of 2.7 is required for consideration into the program.
A detailed study of vertebrate anatomy emphasizing adaptive evolutionary structures. Laboratory work includes dissection of selected chordates to demonstrate these structures. Prerequisite: BIO 123. Laboratory fee.
Host-parasite relationships of representative bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoan pathogens are examined. An organ-system approach is used to survey pathogens, and this is correlated with laboratory materials. An introduction to immunology as a host defense mechanism and a diagnostic tool is included. Prerequisites: CH 110-111; or CH 114 and 136; and at least 12 credits in biology, including BIO 272W and BIO 273W. Laboratory fee.
The morphology, physiology, and genetics of microorganisms are examined. Experiences in the laboratory include sterile techniques, culture methods, identification procedures, and quantitative analysis of bacteria. Prerequisites: CH 110-111; or CH 114 and 136; and at least 12 credits in biology, including BIO 272W and BIO 273W. Laboratory fee.
This is a survey of cell chemistry, including energy generation, enzymology, biosynthetic and catabolic pathways, and the control of metabolism. Quantitative problems in biochemistry are given. Prerequisites: CH 230-231, or CH 114 and 136, and at least 16 credits in biology; chemistry majors: CH 230-231 and at least 16 credits in chemistry, with 8 credits of biology or equivalent recommended.
Biochemical techniques, including quantitative analysis, radioisotopes, chromatography, centrifugation, and enzyme purification and assays are presented in laboratory experiments. Corequisite: BIO 444 or permission of instructor. Laboratory fee.
This course covers the theory, development, and practice of basic technologies used in recombinant DNA studies. It provides laboratory experiences with vector DNA isolation, hybridplasmid formation, restriction mapping, clone selection, and gene expression. Recombinant DNA technologies in basic and applied biological sciences are discussed. Prerequisites: BIO 352, BIO 272W, BIO 273W, and CH 110-111 or CH 114. Laboratory fee.
These courses involve original, independent research in the biological sciences under the supervision of a faculty member in the department. Completion of them requires the submission of a written thesis and oral presentation of results. No more than 3 credits may be taken in any one semester, and no more than 3 credits may be taken during the junior year. Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors program and junior standing.
Independent study/research in a field of special interest under faculty supervision. Registration requires the signature of the sponsoring faculty member. Prerequisite: Departmental approval. Laboratory fee.
An exploration in depth of a modern topic in biological sciences. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Laboratory fee for BIO 497 and 498 only.
Paid work experience in a biological industry under supervision of the biology faculty. Regular reports and the completion of goals set by a learning contract are required. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Neuropharmacology explores the molecular mechanisms of action of drugs that modify nerve cell function and subsequently behavior. In addition to the fundamentals of pharmacology, emphasis is placed on the chemistry of the nerve cell and the techniques used to evaluate drug-induced changes in those cells. Selected neurotransmitter systems will be described in depth, and as time permits, the neurochemical basis for selected disease states such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia will be discussed. It is recommended that participants in this class have previous knowledge of physiological psychology or equivalent. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
An overview of the mammalian nervous system with particular attention to the human central nervous system (CNS), structure, and function. Techniques available to study CNS structure/function relationships will also be reviewed. Prerequisites: One year of introductory biological sciences and graduate standing, or permission of instructor.
In-depth discussion of the activities of the cell and factors that influence these activities. Topics include transport of materials across membranes and from one cellular compartment to another, generation of biopotentials, cell movements, reproduction and respiration. Prerequisites: BIO 336 and graduate standing, or permission of instructor.
Laboratory course in which some activities of the cell are subjected to experimental examination. Experiments include use of radioisotopes and electronic equipment to follow the transport of solutes across membranes, measurement of bioelectric potentials, growth of cells in culture, and effects of hormones on cell behavior. Prerequisites or corequisites: BIO 532 and graduate standing, or permission of instructor. Laboratory fee.
A study of the mechanisms of action of the major physiological systems of the animal body. Emphasis is given to the circulatory, respiratory, renal, endocrine and reproductive systems. Prerequisites: BIO 336 and graduate standing, or permission of instructor.
The fundamentals of neurophysiology are presented from the cellular to the systems levels. Preliminary discussion of the ionic and pharmacological bases of nerve and synaptic function serves as a foundation to subsequent discussion of the specialized neuronal geometries and synaptic circuitries associated with a variety of sensory, motor, and central systems. A laboratory accompanies the course and covers extracellular and intracellular techniques in electrophysiology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. Laboratory fee.
This is a survey of cell chemistry, including energy generation, enzymology, biosynthetic and catabolic pathways, and the control of metabolism. Quantitative problems in biochemistry are given. Graduate students will be required to complete an oral or written presentation of a special topic as designated by the instructor. Prerequisites: BIO 352 and CH 230-231, or permission of instructor.
Biochemical techniques, including quantitative analysis, radioisotopes, chromatography, centrifugation, and enzyme purification and assays are presented in laboratory experiments. Graduate students will be required to complete a special and independent research project as designated by the instructor. Corequisite: BIO 544 or permission of instructor.
Study of basic tissue classes and their interrelationships in organ anatomy with detailed study of prepared slides; emphasis on mammalian tissues. Prerequisites: BIO 352 and graduate standing, or permission of instructor. Laboratory fee.
A study of the disease process from causation to pathogenesis. The first part of the course discusses topics in general pathology; the second provides an overview of systems pathology. The laboratory portion of the course concentrates on neuropathology and includes discussions and student presentations on selected neurological disorders, including the molecular basis of diseases in the nervous system. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Laboratory fee.
Individual research in a field of special interest under close faculty supervision. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and signature of faculty supervisor. Laboratory fee, if course is a laboratory course.
A graduate-level exploration of a modern topic in the biological sciences. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission of instructor. Laboratory fee, if course is a laboratory course.
Survey of the current literature of biology to develop student skills in analysis and criticism stressing the interdependence of all areas of scientific inquiry. The course will include evaluation of students’ oral and written presentations.
A clinical pathophysiologic conference emphasizing analytical techniques, quality control, and pathogenesis of disorders that are primarily diagnosed and managed through clinical assays in the biochemistry laboratory. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission of instructor.
Current topics in identification and isolation of microorganisms implicated in disease, as encountered in the clinical laboratory. The course presents a clinical, pathological conference approach to emphasize and reinforce critical concepts. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission of instructor.
An introduction to the principles of the neurological examination and the major categories of neurologic disease. Topics include disorders of mobility, pain, and other disorders of somatic sensation; disorders of the special senses; disorders of consciousness; derangements of intellect, language, and behavior due to focal and diffuse cerebral disease; anxiety and disorders of energy and mood; abnormalities of growth and development of the nervous system; and the neurology of aging. Prerequisites: BIO 520 and graduate standing, or permission of instructor.
An introduction to and review of those procedures, both invasive and noninvasive, that are diagnostic in evaluating a broad range of neurological syndromes. Prerequisites: BIO 520 and BIO 744.
These courses are for the performance of thesis research and for writing the thesis as required in the master’s degree program in the Department of Biology. Prerequisite: 24 credits of approved graduate courses.
