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BIO 203 Biological Diversity

Examines the diversity of life through investigations of the taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution of all major prokaryotic and eukaryotic lineages. Basic ecological and evolutionary theory are focal points of the course as these represent the mechanisms through which biological diversity arises. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward biology lower-core requirements. 

Credit Hours: 4

BIO 203L Biological Diversity Laboratory

Examines the diversity of life through investigations of the taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology and evolution of all major prokaryotic and eukaryotic lineages. Basic ecological and evolutionary theory are focal points of the course as these represent the mechanisms through which biological diversity arises.

Credit Hours: 0

BIO 204 Biological Unity

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.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Pre- or corequisites: CHE 152 and CHE 153L

BIO 204L Biological Unity Laboratory

A study of cellular biology, emphasizing cell structure, metabolism, control mechanisms and genetic systems of plants and animals.

 

Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Pre- or corequisites: CHE 152 and CHE 153L

BIO 205 Tropical Biology and Conservation

This course is intended for students interested in the natural history, biology, and ecology of the tropics, the most biologically diverse region of the world.  Students will study evolutionary, ecological, and other biological principles of tropical ecosystems and the natural history of the organisms that live there.  We will examine conservation programs, sustainable development practices, and the widespread impact of this region of the globe.  The course culminates in a two-week long travel experience where students will visit such places as lowland tropical rain forests, high elevation tropical cloud forests, coastal ecosystems, primary and secondary forests, and more.   In the field, students will conduct brief research programs designed to illustrate the possibilities of careers working in the tropics over a broad range of possible biological specialties ranging from working in tropical biodiversity, evolution, and sustainability to such diverse topics as agriculture and medicine.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum and permission of the instructor

BIO 212 Ecology

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.

Credit Hours: 4
(W)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 212L Ecology Laboratory

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.

Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum

BIO 224 Invertebrate Zoology

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

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 224L Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory

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

Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum

BIO 225 Vertebrate Zoology

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

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 225L Vertebrate Zoology Laboratory

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

Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum

BIO 227 Ecological Physiology

A study of the physiological basis of organismal adaptation to diverse habitats. Covers the environmental parameters impacting animal metabolism and plant productivity with a focus on the major stressors (e.g., water availability, heat, salinity, food supply, oxygen, radiation) in the habitats of each. Major topics include the adaptive and acclimative mechanisms in animals and plants with regard to osmoregulation, excretion, metabolism, respiration, circulation, neuromuscular systems, and photosynthesis. The emphasis of the laboratory is on research exploring the adaptive and acclimative strategies employed by organisms under stress and the development of scientific communication skills. BIO 227 (Ecological Physiology) is a Writing Intensive (W) course.

Credit Hours: 4
(W)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 227L Ecological Physiology Laboratory

A study of the physiological basis of organismal adaptation to diverse habitats. Covers the environmental parameters impacting animal metabolism and plant productivity with a focus on the major stressors (e.g., water availability, heat, salinity, food supply, oxygen, radiation) in the habitats of each. Major topics include the adaptive and acclimative mechanisms in animals and plants with regard to osmoregulation, excretion, metabolism, respiration, circulation, neuromuscular systems, and photosynthesis. The emphasis of the laboratory is on research exploring the adaptive and acclimative strategies employed by organisms under stress and the development of scientific communication skills. 

Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum

BIO 228 Biology of Plants

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.

Credit Hours: 4
(W)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 228L Biology of Plants Laboratory

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.

Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum

BIO 230 Experimental Design and Biostatistics

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.

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 235 Geographic Information Systems

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.

Credit Hours: 4

BIO 242 Environmental Science and Policy

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.

Credit Hours: 4
(W) (IG)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 242L Environmental Science and Policy Discussion

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.

Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum

BIO 250 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

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

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 250L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory

Examines vertebrate evolution through a detailed study of the systems of the vertebrates.
Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum