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.

Emphasizes the skills and concepts required to be successful in research immersion in biology core courses. Designed for students that are transferring into the biology curriculum.

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.

An introduction to evolutionary and ecological processes and the diversity of life that these processes have generated.

An introduction to evolutionary and ecological processes and the diversity of life through inquiry based laboratory exercises.

A follow-up to Biological Statistics I introducing hypothesis testing, and the use and interpretation of statistical analyses such as the T Test and analysis of variance.

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.

Descriptive chemical and experimental analysis of principles of development.

Fundamental concepts of mechanisms employed by various animal groups to satisfy functional requirements for living. Physiological differences and similarities. Four hours if taken with lab.

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.

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.

Selected topics in biological sciences. May be repeated under different topics. Repeatable to a maximum of six hours.

Selected coursework in biology. May be repeated under different topics for a total of 8 credit hours.

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.

Designed to prepare students to write and present their graduate thesis proposal. The instructor will work with students to develop the appropriate timeline and give a general outline of relevant information for a thesis proposal and instruction on developing and giving presentations. Students will also be directed to the CITI site to complete an ethics training module. The student will work with the thesis advisor to develop and edit the thesis proposal. The course will serve as a mechanism to organize proposal development and presentation. Ultimate responsibility for student grade and confirmation of completion of the work will reside with the faculty advisor who will report to the instructor of record. It is intended that students will present their written proposal to their chosen thesis committee and present their thesis proposal orally to the committee and department at the end of the semester they are enrolled in this course.

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.

A comprehensive description of ecosystem form and function with focus on biogeochemistry, food webs, and energy transformations within natural systems. Emphasis on application of ecosystem principles to sustainable land management and current issues such as global change and nitrogen deposition. Understanding of the complex nature of the systems emphasized through use of primary literature, small group discussion and individual projects. Cross-listed as BIO 420.

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 assignments of relevant topics in biological sciences.

Provides an understanding of how hormones regulate physiological systems and their role in endocrine disorders. Expert guest lectures from those in the field will provide supplementary content related to advanced topics. Cross-listed with BIO 482. For cross-listed undergraduate/graduate courses, the graduate level courses will have additional academic requirements beyond those of the undergraduate course. Students that have credit for BIO 382 or BIO482 may not enroll in BIO 582.

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.