Limnology

Six hours of lecture/lab/field work per week. Study of inland aquatic ecosystems. Consideration is given to physical and chemical features of lakes and streams and to major groups of aquatic organisms and their interactions with each other and the physical environment. Laboratory sessions emphasize field study of local lakes and streams. Offered fall of even numbered years. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 251 or grade of C or higher in 161 and ENVS 101. MATH 130 or 230 recommended.

Plant Biology

Three hours of lecture/three hours of lab per week. This course will provide a broad, integrated overview of plant biology. The general areas covered are: (1) plant diversity, the basic biology and evolution of the major plant families (2) structure, function, and development from the cell-molecular level to the whole organism of vascular plants (3) ecology of plants including: adaptations to their environment, plant-animal interactions, and ethnobotany. Prerequisite: C or higher in BIOL 251.

Conservation Biology

Six hours of lecture/discussion/lab per week. This course introduces the principles of conservation biology with an emphasis on ecological processes operating at population, community and ecosystem levels of organization. Threats to biological diversity, ranging from species introductions to habitat destruction will be discussed along with conservation solutions ranging from the design of protected areas through conservation legislation. Laboratory sessions will provide in-depth study into simulations of populations, how to gather data on plant and animal species, and investigation of ecological processes affecting conservation strategies. Offered fall of odd numbered years. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 251 or grade of C or higher in 161 and ENVS 101. MATH 130 or 230 recommended.

Biomechanics

Four hours lecture/discussion per week The course provides an overview of musculoskeletal anatomy, the mechanical properties and structural behavior of biological tissues, and biodynamics. Specific course topics will include structure and function relationships in tissues and organs; application of stress and strain analysis to biological tissues; analysis of forces in human function and movement; energy and power in human activity; introduction to modeling viscoelasticity of tissues. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 104 or 160, PHYS 250 and 270 or 260 and 270 are recommended. (Equivalent to SPSL 338)

Special Topics

Courses on topics of interest to biology students offered on the basis of need, interest, or timeliness. Prerequisites as determined by the instructor. Restricted to students with freshman or sophomore standing. May be repeated for credit. For specific section description, click to the Section Details in VitNet.

Experiential Learning: Internship

Introductory internship experience. Internship sites are usually off campus, generally part-time, and often without pay. This introductory level experience provides the opportunity for freshmen and sophomores to gain internship experience in an area not directly related to their major, explore career options, and earn academic credit for the experience. See the office of Career Services three to six months prior to the time an internship is planned. Requires a 2.0 GPA. Students must register for credit prior to the start date of the internship. Restricted to students with freshman or sophomore standing. Graded CR/NC.

Independent Study

Independent reading and/or research under the guidance of a biology faculty member. Refer to the academic policy section for independent study policy. Independent study contract is required. May be repeated for credit.

Microbiology for Health Professionals

Five hours of lecture/lab per week. Characteristics of the eukaryotic, and prokaryotic forms; cultivation of common microorganisms; principles of microbial control and chemotherapy; introduction of host-parasite relations including the immune response; microorganisms of medical importance to humankind. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 114; four credits of CHEM.

Tropical Ecology

Three hours lecture per week. Travel to one of the worlds tropical regions to experience and study tropical ecosystems firsthand. This course will introduce you to the major ecological processes, the principal flora and fauna and their evolutionary adaptations, and diverse ecosystems that constitute major tropical regions of the world. Additionally, the complex issues surrounding the conservation of biodiversity in these areas will be examined and discussed. The course is divided into two parts. The first part includes on-campus and on-line lectures, discussions, videos, and analysis of peer-reviewed research papers to introduce students to the major ecosystems, conservation issues, and biodiversity in tropical regions. The second part of the course involves travel and study in a tropical region through guided hikes, lectures, discussions, journal writings, and research projects to understand the ecology and study the biodiversity of the region. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 251 or concurrent. Permission of instructor required.

Survey of Biochemistry

Three hours lecture per week. Investigation of the molecules and chemical reactions of life. Chemical principles are used to explore biology at the molecular level with an emphasis on biochemical and physiological basis of nutrition. Prerequisites: C or higher in 296 and CHEM 140; or C or higher in CHEM 240. (Equivalent to CHEM 305.)

Subscribe to BIOL