BIO - Biology

An interdisciplinary study concerned with the historical, ecological, social, political and economic ramifications of the global environmental crisis. Addresses issues such as demographics, energy, pollution, natural resources and environmental policy. Satisfies general distribution requirements. Is not applicable toward a biology or marine science major or minor. Lecture only.

This course is a survey of topics in biological sciences for students not majoring in biological or chemical sciences. It is structured in a lecture/discussion format to allow flexibility in pursuit of contemporary topics in biology. Satisfies a portion of the natural science component of the general distribution requirements but is not applicable toward a biology or marine science major or minor. Lecture only.

Explores the question, "How did species of plants and animals end up where they are?" The course focuses on the ways that millions of years of geological, oceanographic and climatic processes have directed the evolution of the earth's inhabitants. Topics include the general features of the earth's major biomes, the unique biotic features of the earth's major geographic regions, and the ways in which the study of biogeography has played an important role in the history of science. This course also examines the ways that our own species has been affected by, and continues to influence, the distribution of the planet's species. Satisfies general distribution requirements. Lecture only.

Explores topics such as the value of biological diversity, threats to biodiversity, strategies employed to protect endangered species and habitats, and sustainable development. How the process of science is applied to the conservation of endangered species and habitats is the central theme of the course. Case studies focus on regions of the planet that have been designated as biodiversity hotspots. Satisfies a portion of the natural science component of the baccalaureate experience requirements but is not applicable toward a biology or marine science major or minor. Lecture only.

An experiential learning course focused on sustainability issues and solutions in urban areas around the world. Main topics include water, waste, energy, transportation and food. Includes cross-cultural comparison of lifestyles and resource usage, and site visits to relevant local facilities are included. Satisfies general distribution requirements. Lecture only.

Focuses on diseases and the organisms that cause them. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsia and disease-causing protozoan. Additionally, the course focuses on infectious disease caused by medical and surgical practices and accidental injuries. Lecture only.

Examines the diversity in the plant and animal phyla, emphasizing taxonomy, ecology, behavior, evolution and reproduction. Must be completed with a grade of "C" or better to count toward biology lower-core requirements.

A study of cellular biology, emphasizing cell structure, metabolism, control mechanisms and genetic systems of plants and animals. Must be completed with a grade of "C" or better to count toward biology lower-core requirements.

Examines relationships between species and their environment. Students explore the contributions of abiotic and biotic factors to limitations in numbers and distributions of organisms. A strong emphasis is placed upon classical ecological issues such as production dynamics, predator-prey interactions, and competition and life history strategies in marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.

Focuses on recent advances concerning the evolution and adaptive significance of behavior from a comparative point of view. Topics include the genetic basis of behavior, the nervous system and integration of behavior, innate behaviors versus learning and memory, social behavior, mating, predator-prey relationships and the biological bases of aggression, territoriality and communication. This course also addresses some of the above topics as they pertain specifically to marine animals. This course may be used as an electives for the biology, marine science-biology or environmental science majors. Lecture only.

A study of the structure, physiology, life histories and group relationships of invertebrate animals.

A study of the structure, ecology, behavior and taxonomy of the major vertebrate classes.

A study of the interaction between organisms and their environment with a focus on stress physiology. Covers detailed measurement of environmental parameters impacting animal metabolism and primary production. Focuses on the adaptive and acclimative mechanisms in animals, plants and symbiotic relationships in coping with environmental stresses. Major topics include osmoregulation, metabolism, circulation, excretion, hormonal controls, coping with extremes in salinity, heat and oxygen, radiation, temperature, water relations, stomatal mechanics, evapotranspiration, photosynthesis, respiration, greenhouse effect and drought. The emphasis of the laboratory is on research exploring the adaptive and acclimative strategies employed by organisms under stress.

Studies the morphology, anatomy and physiology of vascular plants, with emphasis on plants and their role in human society. Additional emphases are placed upon plants' reproduction, response to environmental change, ethnobotany, medicinal botany and the development and uses of plants in ancient and modern human societies.

Investigates the use of statistical methodology to evaluate biological hypotheses. Topics include basic experimental design, descriptive statistics, and scientific inference and hypothesis testing using statistical tests such as analysis of variance, correlation, regression, contingency tables and nonparametric equivalents. Example data sets drawn from ecology, general biology and biomedical sciences are used to explore concepts. Class time is broken into lecture and laboratory components.

Teaches students the applications of geographic information systems technology to a variety of biological issues including delimiting species and habitat distribution, identifying landscape-level relationships between abiotic and biotic factors and their spatial effects on populations; identifying potential effects of human activity on natural areas and populations; and developing management and regulatory policies including defining potential protected areas.

Covers many of the most threatening environmental problems facing society. When possible, these issues are discussed at local, national and global levels to demonstrate how policy and cultural differences impact the various threats to the environment and to the human population. Environmental threats are discussed both in the context of their impact on natural ecosystems and their potential threat to human health and economic growth. This course may be used as an elective for marine science and biology majors, and is a required course for a major and minor in environmental science.

Examines vertebrate evolution through a detailed study of the systems of the vertebrates.

A detailed survey of Mendelian, molecular and evolutionary genetics. Topics covered include mechanisms and patterns of inheritance, recombination, linkage, mapping, gene expression and regulation, mutation, DNA damage and repair, DNA technologies, population and quantitative genetics.

A study of the structure, function and taxonomy of microorganisms, and their interactions with humans and their environment.

A study of the developmental process in animals with emphases on cellular mechanisms, controlling development and morphology of embryos.

A study of the major groups of parasites, emphasizing those affecting humans and domesticated animals. Examines the morphology, life history, ecology and pathogenicity of each parasite.

This course addresses the major concepts in the field of genetics with an emphasis on the molecular basis of genetics. Major topics include DNA and protein chemistry, prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA replication, transcription, translation and gene regulation, protein trafficking, pedigree analysis, DNA technologies, DNA damage and repair, recombination, transposable elements, genomics, chromosome structure, transgenic organisms and current advances in molecular genetics.

A study of the major physiological systems of animals from a comparative perspective. Covers functional anatomy, homeostasis, evolutionary relationships, neurophysiology, dynamics of muscle contraction, endocrinology, cardiovascular physiology and environmental physiology.

Examines the relationship between the unifying biological principles of evolutionary adaptation and the diversity of form and function found among fishes. The course considers the physical and biological selective pressures this group of vertebrates has faced during its evolutionary history and the morphological, physiological, developmental and behavioral adaptations that have arisen in response to these ecological factors. How fishes function in marine and freshwater ecosystems and the management actions being taken to conserve them as natural resources are examined.

A study of the biological and human factors relating to the current global extinction crisis and how conservation practices are used to evaluate and preserve threatened species and habitats. Emphases are placed upon how issues in ecology, population, biology and taxonomy affect the status of a species, and how these issues relate to policy and management decisions. Materials covered are connected to current literature in weekly discussion periods. This course may be used as an elective for biology and marine science-biology majors, and is a required course for a major and minor in environmental science.

This lecture course covers the struggle between rapid human population growth, the availability of clean water, and the health of aquatic and wetland systems and the wildlife within. Covers a broad range of topics from three major themes: 1) water resource use and water pollution impacts and policy; 2) wetlands biology, impacts, legislation, jurisdictional determination and policy; and 3) the biology, impacts, assessment and conservation of aquatic and semi-aquatic wildlife. International case studies will augment a focus on water issues in the U.S.

A study of general cellular organization, the physico-chemical aspects of living systems, cell energetics, cell membrane systems, signal transduction and second messenger systems, membrane phenomenon and cell cycle.

A study of the fundamental concepts of immunology, including the essentials of immunological expression, cellular and humoral immunity, immunity and disease, auto-immunity, and developmental and comparative immunology, focusing on landmark experiments that underlie its theoretical framework.

Provides a background in molecular biology with a focus on the regulation of gene expression and the experimental approaches used to study this regulation. Topics include DNA replication, transcription, translation and the mechanisms that regulate these processes. Cancer genetics and mammalian coat color genetics also are discussed as models for gene regulation. The laboratory portion of the course provides experiential learning of some of the laboratory techniques discussed in lecture. Topics covered in the laboratory include DNA extraction, PCR cloning of a gene, gene expression analysis, DNA sequencing, and analysis using bioinformatics.

Introduces the techniques used in preparation and viewing of biological specimens on the scanning and transmission electron microscopes.

The natural history and ecology of southern Africa, including studies of the arid environments of the Namib, the fynbos and karoo, mopane woodlands and the conservation practices to protect unique plant and animal assemblages. Requires the ability to take a three-week field trip to southern Africa in the weeks following the end of the semester.

A study of the scientific foundations of evolutionary theory and the mechanisms responsible for evolutionary change. Topics covered include a historical perspective of evolution, origin of life, natural selection and adaptation, levels of selection, fitness concepts, speciation, Darwinian evolution and punctuated equilibria, extinction, the fossil record, life history evolution and human evolution. Lecture only.

An in-depth study of a current topic in biology. Requires independent study project and presentation.

Students select a topic of interest in biology and explore the subject thoroughly through independent library research. A formal paper with an extensive literature review is presented to a committee of the biology faculty. Oral presentation of results can be used in place of BIO 410.

Problems must be selected in consultation with the department chair and the professor in charge of the project. Requires a minimum of two hours each week for each credit attempted, a research paper and oral presentation of topic.

Through direct involvement both in and out of the classroom students gain practical knowledge of instruction in a college biology laboratory. Under the supervision of faculty, students are involved in the aspects pertaining to teaching a semester's biology laboratory. This may include but is not limited to presenting introductory material, aiding students during laboratories, development and critique of evaluation component(s), and laboratory preparation and maintenance. Counts as general elective only.

Provides practical experience in science-related programs in a firm or agency under the supervision of faculty and firm representatives. Can be accomplished on a part-time or full-time basis. Graded on a pass-fail basis. Counts as a general elective only.

A lecture or laboratory course offered at the discretion of the Department of Biology. Subject may focus on a current issue in biology, training in a specific research technique, or an area of biology that is of interest to a particular group of students.