Schedule of Classes

Explores the science behind disease including the underlying biology, impact on students daily lives, and accuracy of media coverage.

Introduces the concept of sex as it relates to reproduction, gender, and evolution. Focus will include impact on students' daily lives, and accuracy of media coverage.

Introduces the concept of biological molecules and discusses the role of these molecules in the genetics and cell biology of the organism.

Emphasizes the concept of biological molecules and discusses the role of these molecules in the genetics and cell biology of the organism though inquiry based laboratory exercises.

Introduces Biology majors to critical concepts in biological sciences on broad topics such as hypothesis testing, ethics in science, and use of humans and animals in research. Exposes students to faculty research in the Department of Biology, as well as provides exposure to invited research seminars.

An inquiry-based approach will be used to expose students to the skills necessary to integrate biological concepts across key content in sub-cellular and cellular biology.

Students that are invited to participate in this program will examine the unique and integrated nature of sub-organismal, organismal and supra-organismal sub-disciplines of the field of biology through discussions and demonstrations of the scientific method and experimental approaches used across breadth of biology. In the second semester students will continue discussion as a group and will begin to explore hands on research through research experiences with faculty mentors in their research lab.

A comprehensive survey of human physiology and pathophysiology of the major organ systems of the body from a molecular and cellular perspective. To provide students with a combined understanding of all organ systems of the body and their integration in supporting homeostasis while providing insight into the disease process and how it disrupts normal physiology.

Covers anatomical positions and gross anatomy of skeletal muscles, selected nerves, soft anatomy (including the digestive, respiratory, urogenital, excretory, and endocrine systems), systemic, pulmonary, and cardiac circulation, the hepatic portal system, and heart anatomy. Dissected specimens and human models are used.

Basic functions and related anatomy of a variety of organisms at various levels of organization. With laboratory.

Introduction to statistics including basic skills for summarizing data, basic probability theory and probability distributions necessary to understand and evaluate variation in environmental systems.

Individual reading and research projects for qualified underclassmen. Repeatable up to 3 semester hours. Pass/Fail.

Introduction to the fundamental principles of how the environment functions and how people interact with their environment. The emphasis will be on populations, resource use, pollution, disease and land-use and the associated ethical, economic and political concerns. The course is designed to integrate an understanding of the way in which people interact with their environment and use resources, the consequences of this interaction and mechanisms by which the impacts can be mitigated and sustainable systems achieved.

Strengthens the understanding of Mendelian genetics and introduces the topic of non-Mendelian genetics. Modern molecular genetics concepts of DNA replication, transcription, and translation, primarily in prokaryotes, will be included. An introduction to molecular genetic techniques will be provided. The laboratory will include experiments designed to characterize genetic crosses through phenotypic as well as molecular approaches in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

The genetics laboratory will provide a demonstration of Mendelian genetics as well as an introduction into molecular genetic techniques through guided experiments as well as group research projects. Laboratory exercises will demonstrate DNA cloning, sequencing, restriction digestion and the polymerase chain reaction. Additional experiments demonstrating other aspects of genetics, gene regulation and molecular biology will be employed.

Supervised research for qualified students in special areas of biology. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours.

Distinguishing features of microorganisms: structure, function, and their underlying basis, genetics. Microbial growth and death. Phylogeny of microbes and horizontal gene transfer. Infectious diseases and immunity. Exploitation of microbes by humans. Lab mandatory. Cross-listed as BIO 506.

Development and evolution of animal behavior in individuals and social groups from various phyla. Cross-listed as BIO 519.

Conservation biology is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on the preservation of biological diversity. Class work emphasizes conservation values and ethics, patterns of biodiversity, threats to biodiversity, and management strategies at the population, species, and ecosystem levels. Active learning activities include discussions of case studies, stakeholder meetings, field trips to observe local conservation issues and work, and guest presentations by conservation professionals. Cross-listed as BIO 550.

Immune response to foreign challenges. Immunologically important molecules and cells; their formation, generation of diversity, and interaction within specialized tissues to mount and regulate an immune response. Contemporary and classical tools and strategies for investigating immunity and their application to other fields. Anomalous immune responses and resultant diseases. Lab optional. Cross-listed as BIO 568. Course is not open to those students with BIO 396 credit.

Individual assignments of relevant topics in biological sciences.

Provides an understanding of how hormones control the physiological systems of the body. Lectures will include definitions of hormones and hormone types, regulation of hormones and their receptors, classes of hormones, signal transduction and regulation of intracellular messengers, growth factor receptors, and nuclear receptors. Additional lecture topics will include growth hormones, prolactin, neurotrophic factors, hematopoietic growth factors and cytokines. Cross-listed with BIO 582. Students that have credit for BIO382 or BIO582 may not enroll in BIO 482

Individual research for qualified students in special areas of biology.

Students will apply the skills and knowledge developed in the Biology major to complete collaborative projects with guidance from a team of faculty. Required for all Biology majors.

Comprehensive discussion of selected topics of current interest in microbiology, including microbial genetics, microbial growth, environmental microbiology, infectious diseases and immunity, and the exploitation of microorganisms by humans. Laboratory experiments will demonstrate and further explore techniques and ideas discussed in lecture. Students will discuss and critically analyze primary research literature that is complementary to topics discussed in lecture. Lab mandatory. Cross-listed as BIO 406.

Advanced content encompassing a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate species with emphasis on comprehension of primary literature and research. Cross-listed as BIO 419.

Advanced content on the preservation of biodiversity. In-depth examination of selected conservation issues utilizing case studies, field trips, discussions, primary literature, and student presentations. Cross-listed as BIO 450.

Interaction between foreign antigen, antigen presenting cells, B lymphocytes, and T lymphocytes to mount immune responses. Molecules responsible for immune interactions. Random generation of the diversity of the immune response, its associated problems, and natural solutions through selection and energy. Lab required. Cross-listed as BIO 468.

Individual research for qualified students in special areas of biology.

Readings in an area of interest to the student.

Research in an area of interest to the student.

Research and thesis preparation. Repeatable to a maximum of six hours of credit.