Biology

BIO-designated courses qualify as Natural Science or Liberal Arts electives. BIO150, BIO160, BIO435,

and BIO498 may not be used to fulfill the general education science elective requirement.

 

BIO 120

Concepts of Biology - 3 Credits

This survey course assists students in understanding the basic and unifying principles of life. Students focus on a

wide variety of topics including structure and function, organization, diversity, biochemistry, evolution, behavior, ecology, and population dynamics.

 

BIO 121

Human Biology - Health and Disease - 3 Credits

This one-semester course focuses on the human systems (integument, nervous, muscular, skeletal, digestive, circulatory, excretory, respiratory, reproductive, endocrine, and immune). Students learn about normal structure and function, and then they apply these concepts and principles to a study of major abnormalities in each system (skin cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, palsy, seizure activity, acromegaly, Addison’s Disease, etc.).

 

BIO 133

General Biology I - 4 Credits

General Biology I is designed for both the major and non-major college student and provides a foundation for

all other biology courses. Discussions will focus on the nature of science in general, bimolecular, origin of life,

cells and their components, energy and metabolism, photosynthesis, cell reproduction and division, inheritance,

taxonomy, viruses, bacteria, protists, vascular and non-vascular plants, and a survey of the animal kingdom (excluding

vertebrates). Inquiry based study in the concurrent laboratory component will provide hands-on application of appropriate lecture material.

Laboratory fee required.

 

BIO 134

General Biology II - 4 Credits

General Biology II is designed for both the major and non-major college student and provides a continuation of the foundation established in BIO133. Discussions will focus on DNA, gene structure, function and expression, biotechnology, developmental biology, evolution, population genetics and dynamics, species interactions,

biological communities, and vertebrate anatomy and physiology. Inquiry based study in the concurrent laboratory

component will provide hands-on application of appropriate lecture material.

Laboratory fee required.

Prerequisite: BIO133.

 

BIO 150

Nutrition - 3 Credits

This course presents a scientific study of the basic principles of nutrition. Nutrient requirements, diet, biochemistry,

diseases, and socio-economic concepts are stressed. Special emphasis is placed on changes throughout the

human life cycle.

 

BIO 160

Medical and Scientific Terminology - 2 Credits

An essential part of learning biology or almost any other science is the mastery of the terminology used. This task may

be made easier if one becomes more aware of the meaning and derivation of the word elements (parts) that form

these technical terms. By becoming familiar with the word elements, technical terms become easier to remember, and newly encountered words are easier to understand. Students in this course learn (in both group and individual competitions) to establish a personal database of these word elements so that they can more accurately understand novel scientific and medical terminology.

 

BIO 180

Introduction to Forensic Science - 3 Credits

This course begins with a basic overview of forensic science from the “science” viewpoint. Scientific principles

and practices will be applied to specific examples within the following: drug analysis, paternity, DNA fingerprinting,

hair/fiber analysis, blood identification, microscopy, spectrophotometry, and chromatography.

Cross listed with ENV180. Prerequisite: BIO133 or ENV120 and permission of the instructor.

 

BIO 181

Forensic Science Laboratory - 2 Credits

Students will have the opportunity to learn about several forensic techniques and increase their skill at each technique

in a hands-on format. Each student will perform experiments and analyze evidence with techniques including, but not limited to, the following: density determination, measurement and accuracy, statistical analysis, microscopy, hair and fiber analysis, fingerprint analysis, impression lifting and analysis, DNA fingerprinting and gel electrophoresis, thin

layer chromatography, light spectrophotometry, glass fragment analysis, soils, ballistics, spatter patterns, and gas

chromatography.

Prerequisite or Co-requisite: BIO/ENV180 or CHM106 or BIO134 or permission of the instructor.

 

BIO 201

Anatomy and Physiology I - 4 Credits

This is a study of the organization of the human body from the atomic level to the entire individual. The focus of

this course includes biochemistry, cytology, histology, and the following: integument, skeletal, muscular, and

nervous systems. The laboratory portion of this course will allow students to learn structures and relationships in a self-paced fashion.

Laboratory fee required.

 

BIO 202

Anatomy and Physiology II - 4 Credits

This is a continuation of the study of the organization of the human body from the atomic level to the entire individual. The focus of this course includes the following: endocrine, reproductive, immune, digestive, urinary, cardio-vascular, excretory, and respiratory systems. The laboratory portion of this course will allow students to learn structures and

relationships in a self-paced fashion.

Laboratory fee required. Prerequisites: One of the following BIO120, BIO121, BIO133, or BIO201.

 

BIO 220

Microbiology - 4 Credits

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms. The focus of this course will be on bacteria, yeast and viruses. Discussion will concentrate on the role of microbial communities that live in and around humans, their metabolism, growth, and reproduction as well as their position in the food web and species interactions. Special attention will be given to microbes used for food production. The laboratory portion of this course will focus on standard microbiological techniques and use of these techniques in a student designed experiment.

Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: BIO134, CHM105 or permission of the instructor.

 

BIO 225

Zoology - 4 Credits

Zoology is the study of the anatomy, physiology, evolution and ecology of members of the animal kingdom. In this course, students will survey members of the major invertebrate and vertebrate animal phyla and in an

evolutionary context. Special attention will be paid to the anatomical features of each major animal phyla and their

classes. The laboratory portion of this course will involve observation and dissection of representative members

from most of the animal phyla.

Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: BIO134 or permission of the instructor.

 

BIO 226

Botany - 3 Credits

Botany is a study of vascular and nonvascular plants. In this course, students will focus on the macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of vascular and non-vascular plants as well as the physiology and ecology of representative

species from the major plant phyla (divisions).

Prerequisite: BIO134.

 

BIO 250

General Physiology - 3 Credits

General Physiology is the study of how creatures function and what factors affect those functions. Topics of discussion include basic biochemistry, homeostasis, communication, energy production, equilibrium, electrical signals, locomotion, reproduction, and transport and gas exchange.

Prerequisite: BIO134.

 

BIO 260

Ecology - 3 Credits

Ecology is the study of how living creatures interact with the living and non-living components of their environment. Topics in this course include population dynamics, energy flow, biological and geochemical cycles, decomposition, community structure and composition, plant and animal defenses, pest management, and environmental factors that may disrupt the global or local community.

Prerequisite: BIO134.

 

BIO 280

Forensic Science II - 3 Credits

This course is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of several aspects of forensic science

including crime scene processing, evidence collection, chain of evidence (with associated paperwork), motor

vehicle accidents, blood spatter, and ballistics. Students will be asked to analyze evidence, participate in case 144 studies, and utilize databases for both ballistics and blood spatter.

Cross listed with ENV280. Prerequisites: BIO180, BIO181 or Permission of instructor.

 

BIO 290

Chemistry and Physics in Forensics - 3 Credits

To analyze many crimes, one needs to have a good understanding of both chemistry and physics. Students will learn about the fundamentals of organic and inorganic chemistry (titration, precipitation, color metric tests) and apply them to forensic uses. Students will also apply the basic physical principles (one dimensional and two dimensional analysis, kinematics, motion and gravitation, work and energy, momentum, rotational motion, solids and fluids, and heat and

thermodynamics).

Cross listed with ENV290. Prerequisites: MAT130, BIO180, or PHY110 and CHM105, or Permission of instructor.

 

BIO 301

Cell Biology - 4 Credits

This is a study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell anatomy and physiology. Topics include cell communication, responses to environmental change, metabolic processes, and cell culture systems. Laboratory activities

will promote the development of culture technique and hands-on learning to support the principles discussed in lecture.

Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: BIO134, CHM105, CHM106 or permission of the instructor.

 

BIO 305

Endocrinology - 3 Credits

Chemical messengers participate in communication, regulation, and development of living organisms. A general survey of these messengers, their sites of production, and mechanisms of action will be discussed. While the major emphasis of this course will be on animal systems and their physiological responses, hormones and biochemical communication

in plants will also be discussed.

Prerequisite: BIO134, CHM105.

 

BIO 306

Genetics - 3 Credits

Genetics is not only the study of inheritance patterns, but also the study of chromosomal structure, mutational

events, population genetics, and molecular genetics. During the course of the semester, students will have the

opportunity to learn—in correct historical time line—about the development of this discipline and the basic principles that are used in many other areas of biology.

Prerequisite: BIO134, CHM105, or permission of the instructor.

 

BIO 307

Experiments in Molecular Biology - 3 Credits

Experiments in Molecular Genetics is a laboratory course that builds on the theoretical knowledge established in previous courses. In this course, students engage in hands-on learning in the areas of molecular biology and biotechnology. Laboratory activities will include restriction digests, PCR, DNA Sequencing, Northern, Southern, and

Western Blots, DNA Finger Printing, cloning and use of expression vectors, ELISA, and immunoblots.

Prerequisite: BIO134, CHM105, CHM106 or permission of the instructor.

 

BIO 310

Embryology - 3 Credits

When comparing members of the animal kingdom, individual species may appear to be very different. The developmental stages of vertebrates and invertebrates including changes in morphology, physiological alterations,

genetic regulation, and evolutionary relationships do, however, provide a link that connects members of the animal kingdom. While this link may no longer be visible in the adult form, it is clear during embryological development. These connections can provide meaningful information to help understand adult anatomy, physiology and evolutionary relationships.

Prerequisite: BIO134, CHM105.

 

BIO 320

Evolution- 3 Credits

In recent years, evolution has come to be the unifying theme for all biological disciplines. This course will focus on

the basic evolutionary principles including, but not limited to: speciation, natural selection, molecular clocks, adaptation, mimicry, co-evolution, origin of life, and evidence in support of evolution. Students will be expected to draw upon information obtained from lecture, texts, and primary articles.

Prerequisite: BIO134 and CHM105 or permission of the instructor.

 

BIO 435/498

Independent Study/Internship 1-- 4 Credits

Students engage in independent research in either a laboratory or field setting. Students may also elect to complete a literature review. Results of this work are presented at the end of the semester. Application, proposal submission and registration policies should be discussed with the faculty mentor prior to registration.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

You must speak with your academic advisor as well as the Career Services Office before registering. Click here for more information.