BIOCHEMISTRY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BIOCH 405 Biochemistry (4)

Introductory course in the fundamentals of biological chemistry including a study of all phases of metabolism; problem solving in acid-base equilibria and buffers; and an introduction to the fundamentals of energetics of biochemical reactions and enzyme kinetics. Lecture and lab. Prerequisites: CHEM 201-202. (Spring)

BIOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BIOL 110 Introduction to Biology I (4)

Designed to provide a broad background in biology as preparation for further studies in the discipline. Familiarizes the student with the major levels and unifying principles of biological organization. Topics covered include cellular and subcellular structure and function, metabolic processes, and genetics. Lecture and lab. (Fall)

BIOL 111 Introduction to Biology II (4)

A continuation of Introduction to Biology I. Topics covered include evolution, biodiversity and ecology. Lecture and lab. Prerequisite: BIOL 110. (Spring)

BIOL 201 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4)

A comparative study of the body structure of the vertebrate animals. Dissection of selected vertebrate species. Lecture and lab. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111. (Fall)

BIOL 204 Ecology (4)

Examines the principles of population and community ecology and explores the interactions affecting the distribution and abundance of organisms. The laboratory component focuses on learning basic ecological methods and applying these methods to design and implement in-depth studies of selected ecological problems. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111 or permission of instructor. (Fall, odd years)

BIOL 205 Biostatistics (4)

An introduction to experimental design and statistical analysis in Bilogy, Chemestry and Environmental Science. Students will also gain familiarity with graphing and statistical software. Topics include probability distributions, hypothesis testing, one- and two-sample tests, ANOVA, linear correlation, regression, contingency tables and non-parametric tests. Lecture only. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111 or CHEM 101-102. (As needed)

BIOL 225 Introduction to Environmental Science (4)

An introductory survey of the interdisciplinary field of environmental science, studying the biological, chemical and physical principles of ecosystem structure and function in order to understand and appreciate human impacts on natural systems. Topics include human population growth, preservation of biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, resource management, climate change, energy use and pollution. The laboratory will emphasize research techniques in environmental science and methods for environmental monitoring. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111 or GSCI 102 with permission of instructor. (Fall, even years)

BIOL 250 Animal Behavior (4)

An exploration of the interactions of animals with their environment and with other animals, within the framework of evolution and natural selection. Topics such as foraging behavior, learning and memory, navigation, anti-predator behavior, social behavior and communication will be studied in a wide range of animal taxa. Methodological approaches to observational and experimental studies of behavior both in the lab and in the field will be emphasized. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111. (Spring, even years)  

BIOL 300 Microbiology (4)

A fundamental course that examines microorganisms, their role in human disease and application in molecular biology. In this combined lab and lecture course, students will investigate growth, reproductive, metabolic and structural characteristics of bacteria and viruses. They will also study the classification of microbes and develop an understanding of their potential to cause human disease. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111, CHEM 101-102. (Spring)

BIOL 303 General Physiology (4)

A study of the functions common to protoplasm: cellular, biochemical and physical aspects of digestion, circulation, respiration, excretion and irritability. Lectures focus on how the human body meets changing demands while maintaining the internal constancy necessary for the functioning of cells and organs. Laboratory exercises expose students to a variety of instruments while illustrating basic physiological principles. Lecture and lab. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111, CHEM 101. (Spring)

BIOL 305 Histology (4)

A study of vertebrate tissue, including cytology and microscopical study of animal tissues. Lecture and lab. Prerequisite: BIOL 201. (As needed)

BIOL 306 Genetics (4)

A study of the principles and mechanisms of heredity. Laboratory introduces techniques in three areas of genetics—molecular genetics, functional genomics and transmission genetics—and includes elementary statistical methods and experiments with model organisms such as yeast, E. coli and Drosophila. Lecture and lab. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111, CHEM 201 (or concurrent). (Fall)

BIOL 315 Immunology (4)

A fundamental course dealing with the theoretical aspects of the immune response as well as applied and clinical considerations. Lecture and lab. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111 and CHEM 101-102. (Fall, odd years)

BIOL 330 Developmental Biology (4)

An introductory course in the study of the principles of embryonic development. Investigation of both invertebrate and vertebrate developmental patterns will form the basis for understanding mammalian development. Special attention will be paid to the molecular aspects of body axis and pattern specification. Prerequisites: BIOL 201 and CHEM 202 (or concurrent); BIOL 306 strongly recommended. (As needed)

BIOL 333 Literature for Biologists (1)

An introduction to the methods and practice of searching and evaluating biological literature, students will explore an area of modern biological research in depth using the primary literature, and present their findings in a poster session. Lecture only. Required for junior biology majors. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111. (Fall and spring, every year)

BIOL 335 Pathophysiology (4)

Explores human disease from a physiological perspective, studying diagnosis, cause and therapy. Designed as a capstone course for those interested in medicine, dentistry or any medical profession. Lecture and lab. Prerequisite: BIOL 303. (Fall, even years)

 BIOL 340 Conservation Biology (3)

Current and historical concepts in the field of conservation biology and wildlife management will be introduced and discussed. Students will learn about dynamics of small populations, the plight of endangered species, causes of extinction, and historical developments in conservation. Methods of conservation and preservation to protect species and habitat will be analyzed. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111 or GSCI 102 with permission of instructor. (Spring, even years)

BIOL 400 Toxicology (4)

A discussion of drugs and poisons, the chemicals that affect living systems. Students will study how such chemicals produce their effects, as well as the mechanisms of exposure and metabolism of biologically active chemicals, particularly those that result in chronic illness. Topics include pharmacology (study of medicines), physiology of toxicant effects and detoxication, and ecotoxicology (the behavior of toxicants in the environment). Lecture and lab. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111 and CHEM 202 (or concurrent). (As needed)

BIOL 406 Evolution (4)

A study of evolutionary theory and the evolutionary history of life. Topics include the historical development of evolutionary theory, mechanisms of evolutionary change, population genetics and phylogenetics. Hypothesis testing and research techniques in evolutionary biology will also be explored. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111, CHEM 201-202 (or concurrent). Junior or senior standing required. BIOL 306 is recommended but not required. (Spring, odd years)

BIOL 410 Seminar (1)

Study in depth of a topic of current interest. At each meeting one student presents a specific aspect of the topic to the group. All students are expected to read original literature and participate in discussion following the presentation. Required of all senior biology majors. BIOL 450 and BIHP 471 may be substituted for BIOL 410 with the permission of the department chair. (Fall and spring, even years)

BIOL 398 Independent Study (1-3)

Student selects a topic for study and surveys the literature, performs laboratory investigations or other activities and submits a written report. Permission of instructor, department chair and dean for academic affairs. (As needed)

BIOL 420 Molecular and Cellular Biology (4)

Examines the molecular and cellular processes that enable cells to have certain structural and functional roles within an organism. Both microbial and animal cells will be studied with respect to chemical composition, function of organelles, cell division, gene expression and cellular interactions. The lab emphasizes techniques such as tissue culture, cellular transformation, DNA isolation and characterization, protein synthesis and recombinant DNA technology. Lecture and lab. Prerequisites: BIOL 110-111 and CHEM 201. (Fall, even years)

BIOL 450 Undergraduate Research Experience (1-4)

An independent research project planned and executed by the student in conjunction with a faculty mentor; generally allied with the faculty mentor’s own research. (Fall and spring, even years)

BIOL 480 Internship (1-4)

Opportunities to gain practical experience in an off-campus program. The nature of the work experience and the number of credits must be approved in advance by the department chair.