Course Descriptions

Laboratory courses require special expenses for materials and equipment in addition to regular registration fees.

BIOL 101
BIOLOGY FOR NON-MAJORS (3+3) 4 credits
An introduction to biological principles common to the study of all living organisms with particular emphasis on the human species. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Satisfies the Natural Science Core Curriculum; $25 lab fee.

BIOL 122
DESERT PLANTS (2+3) 3 credits
Study of typical desert plant communities, along with the identification of more common species. Additional topics include morphological and physiological adaptations to aridity, and the nature, origin, and occurrence of arid environments.

BIOL 189
FUNDAMENTALS OF LIFE SCIENCE (3+3) 4 credits
Survey of contemporary biology: includes structure, function, interactions and evolutionary origins of living systems. For biology majors and others who require biology as part of their professional career preparation. Satisfies the Natural Sciences Core Curriculum. Recommended Pre-requisite(s): MATH 124; $25 lab fee.

BIOL 196
PRINCIPLES OF MODERN BIOLOGY I (3+3) 4 credits
For biology majors. Includes a study of the basic features of living systems, including the chemical and physical structure of cells, classification of living organisms, and principles of genetics, ecology and evolution. Recommended Pre-requisite: MATH 124; $25 lab fee.

BIOL 197
PRINCIPLES OF MODERN BIOLOGY II (3+3) 4 credits
Organismic biology in an evolutionary context including biodiversity, structure and function, reproduction and physiology of major groups of organisms, from viruses to mammals. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196; (Formerly BIOL 191) ; $25 lab fee.

BIOL 223
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (3+3) 4 credits
Review of the basic organization of human cells and tissues and the structure and function of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 189. ; $25 lab fee.

BIOL 224
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (3+3) 4 credits
Structure and function of the human digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, urogenital, reproductive, and endocrine systems. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 223 ; $25 lab fee.

BIOL 251
GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (3+3) 4 credits
Morphology, physiology, classification and culture techniques of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 189 and CHEM 110 or BIOL 196 and CHEM 121; $25 lab fee.

BIOL 300
PRINCIPLES OF GENETICS (3+3) 4 credits
Biological basis of heredity and variations among higher and lower organisms using modern and classical concepts of structure, function and organization of the genetic material. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196 and 197, CHEM 121, 122, 241, and MATH 128; $25 lab fee.

BIOL 305
INTRODUCTION TO CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (3+0) 3 credits
Fundamental issues in conservation biology including biodiversity, invasive and endangered species, reserve design, and environmental legislation to provide a scientific examination of the biological issues underpinning conservation. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196 and 197.

BIOL 341
PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY (3+0) 3 credits
Fundamental of ecology of levels of population, community and ecosystem. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196 and 197.

BIOL 405
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3+0) 3 credits
Introductory molecular biology. Study of genes and their activities at the molecular level, including transcription, translation, DNA replication and recombination. Concepts of molecular biology presented along with experimental strategies and data that led to these concepts. Course offered odd Spring semesters.  Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, 197, 300, CHEM 121, 122, 241, 242, 474 and MATH 128. (Formerly BIOL 407).

BIOL 409
VIROLOGY (3+0) 3 credits
Systematic examination of animal, plant, and bacterial viruses including their structure and genome organization, their reproduction and assembly, and their effects on host organisms. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, 197, 300, CHEM 121, 122, 241, and MATH 128. (Formerly BIOL 410).

BIOL 414
ENDOCRINOLOGY (3+0) 3 credits
(Same as CHEM 478) Survey of the structure and function of vertebrate endocrine systems, with emphasis on the biochemical basis of hormone action and the role of cell communication in endocrine physiology. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, CHEM 121, 122, 241, 242.  Recommended: CHEM 474

BIOL 415
EVOLUTION (3+0) 3 credits
Pattern and process in the evolution of life on earth. Course offered odd spring semesters.  Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, 197, 251, 300, CHEM 121, 122, 241, and MATH 128.

BIOL 447
COMPARATIVE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY (3+3) 4 credits
Animal function from a comparative perspective with emphasis on vertebrates. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, 197, CHEM 121, 122, 241, and MATH 128. $25 lab fee.

BIOL 453
IMMUNOLOGY (3+0) 3 credits
Study of the immune response, cell-mediated and humoral. Topics include the diversity of antibodies and antigen receptors, evolution of immunity, cell-cell interactions, importance of major histocompatibility complex immune regulation, and immunity to microorganisms. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, 197, 251, 300, CHEM 121, 122, 241, and MATH 128.

BIOL 460
MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY (3+3) 4 credits
Exploration of the major aspects of microbial physiology, including structure and growth of bacteria, generation of ATP and intermediary metabolism, synthesis of macromolecules and cellular components, and coordination of intracellular, activities. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, 197, 251, 300, CHEM 121, 122, 241 and MATH 128; $25 lab fee.

BIOL 470
TOPICS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY (3+0) 3 credits
Applications may include bioremediation, food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, vaccine development, water treatment, or genetic engineering. Presentation and discussion of current literature. Topics published in the class schedule. Maximum of two different topics may be selected for a total of six credits. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, 197, 251, CHEM 121, 122, 241, and MATH 128.

BIOL 473
ADVANCED TOPICS IN CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3+0) 3 credits
Discussion of current literature on a specific topic in cell and molecular biology. Topics published in the class schedule. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, 197, 300, CHEM 121, 122, 241, and MATH 128.

BIOL 475
NEUROBIOLOGY (3+0) 3 credits
Introduction to the neurosciences, emphasizing cellular, molecular, and physiological aspects. Establishes a foundation of cellular neurobiology and moves on to selected topics in the organization, function, and development of neural systems. Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 196, BIOL 197.

BIOL 491
INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-3 credits
Independent study in selected topics. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits.

BIOL 493
UNDERGRADUATE SEMINAR (1+0) 1 credit
Preparation and presentation of seminars on topics of current interest in biology. Topic changes by semester; see class schedule. May be repeated to a maximum of three credits. Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor.

BIOL 499
INSTRUCTION IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 1-2 credits
Significant involvement in instruction of courses in biological sciences. May include laboratory preparation, instruction, and grading. May be repeated to a maximum of two credits. S/F grading only. Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor.