Undergraduate Courses
BIOL 100 Principles of Biology I GER 2/E PD/C or D
The chemical basis of life; basic structure and function of pro- and eucaryotic cells; bioenergetics; Mendelian and molecular genetics; development and mechanisms of control of gene expression at all levels; population genetics and evolution. $5 materials fee required. PD credit awarded only upon completion of BIOL 100 and 102. prereq: MATH 101 or equivalent 7 hrs (3 lec, 3 lab, 1 disc), 4.5 cr. fall only
BIOL 102 Principles of Biology II GER 2/E PD/C or D
Taxonomy; homeostasis; internal transport and gas exchange in plants and animals; plant hormones; osmoregulation; mechanisms of action in the muscular, nervous and neuroendrocrine systems; the senses, behavior; ecology. $5 materials fee required. PD credit awarded only upon completion of BIOL 100 and 102. prereqs: BIOL 100 or perm instr, MATH 101 or equiv. 7 hrs (3 lec, 3 lab, 1 disc), 4.5 cr. spring only
BlOL 120 Anatomy and Physiology I
Cell structure and function; histology; nervous, muscular and skeletal systems; integument. Required for admission to the nursing program. Not accepted for credit toward the biology major. prereqs: CHEM 100, 101 coreqs: CHEM 120, 121 6 hrs (3 lec, 3 lab), 4.5 cr. fall only
BlOL 122 Anatomy and Physiology II
Structure and function of circulatory, digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive systems. Basic concepts of metabolism, embryology. Required for admission to the nursing program. Not accepted for credit toward the biology major. prereq: BIOL 120 or equiv. 6 hrs (3 lec, 3 lab), 4.5 cr. spring only
Biol 125 Human Biology GER 2E
Human Biology BIOL 125 is an introductory laboratory course for non-biology majors. This course explores the biology that underlies current health and disease topics (including diabetes, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, nutrition). Using a topics approach, the course provides a survey of human anatomy and physiological function, along with the biological principles of genetics and cellular interactions that comprise our current understanding of the human organism. Laboratory exercises will introduce students to a scientific approach in studying human disease and physiology. The credits from this course will not count towards the Biology Major. Fulfills GER 2E requirement. No Prerequisites 6 hours 4.5 credits
Biol 150 CSI: Hunter - Forensic Biology GER 2E
CSI: Hunter is an introductory laboratory course for non-biology majors. This lecture/laboratory course will cover the techniques used by forensic scientists to analyze a crime scene, and the biological concepts behind them. Through the topics that are covered, students will learn how biological evidence like fingerprints, blood, and DNA are collected, analyzed, and presented as evidence to solve crimes. The credits from this course will not count towards the Biology Major. Pre-requisite MATH 101 or equivalent. 6 hrs 4.5 credits. Fulfills GER 2E requirement
BIOL 160 Honors Principles of Biology II GER 2/E PD/C or D
Enrollment limited. Physiological systems and their regulation: internal transport, hormones and gas exchange in plants and animals; osmoregulation; motility; nervous, neuroendocrine, immunological and sensory systems; behavior, reproduction and ecology. Students will read reviews of current research in addition to the required text. Guest speakers and class presentations. Core credit awarded only if BIOL 100 and 160 are both completed. PD credit awarded only upon completion of BIOL 100 and 160. prereqs: grade of B or better in BIOL 100 or perm instr, MATH 101 or equiv.7 hrs (3 lec, 3 lab, 1 disc), 4.5 cr. spring only
BIOL 200 Cell Biology I: Microorganisms GER 3/B
Structure and function of procaryotic cells and viruses; cultivation, growth, evolution, metabolism and genetics of microorganisms. Laboratories include light microscopy techniques, cultivation, growth, metabolism and genetics of microorganisms and viruses. $10 materials fee required. prereqs: BIOL 100 and 102 or equiv; CHEM 102, 103, 104, 105 or equiv. coreqs: CHEM 222, 223 or perm instr. (for Major II students, chem prereqs are CHEM 100, 101; coreqs are 120, 121) 7 hrs (3 lec, 3 lab, 1 disc), 4.5 cr. fall only
BIOL 202 Cell Biology II: Eucaryotic Systems GER 3/B
Structure and function of eucaryotic cells and organelles; membrane systems, cell cycle, cell division, signaling, cytoskeletal systems, motility; specialized cells; modern research tools and approaches. Laboratories include plant and animal cell culture; studies of cell division, the cytoskeleton, motility; light and electron microscopic methods; fluorescence labeling; protein electrophoresis, immunoblotting and immunolocalization. $10 materials fee required. prereq: BIOL 200 coreq: CHEM 224 or perm instr. 7 hrs (3 lec, 3 lab, 1 disc), 4.5 cr. spring only
BIOL 220 Topics in Genetics and Evolution
Introduction to chromosome structure, mitosis and meiosis. Principles of Mendelian segregation. Linkage and eukaryotic gene mapping. Genetic
analysis of mutations, and their use in genetic screens for gene discovery and pathway analysis in model genetic systems (yeast, flies, and mice).
Basic principles in molecular evolution. Prereq.: BIOL 100 or equiv. 3 hrs (3 lec ), 3 cr. spring only
BIOL 230 Fundamentals of Microbiology GER 3/B Topics include scope, historical aspects, taxonomy, survey of the microbial world, viruses, infectious diseases, control of microorganisms and immunology. Required for admission to the nursing program. Not accepted for credit toward the biology Major I. prereqs: CHEM 100, 101, 120, 121 or equiv; BIOL 120 coreq: BIOL 122 5 hrs (2 lec, 3 lab), 3 cr. spring only
BIOL 250W Current Topics in the Biosciences GER 3/B
Seminar for non-science majors focusing on topics of current relevance such as the science of emerging diseases, bioterrorism, genetic engineering, stem cell research and global warming. Coverage includes the social, legal, political and ethical issues associated with each topic. Not accepted for credit toward biology Major I. pre- or coreq: ENGL 120 or equiv, 2 sems intro lab science or equiv, or perm instr. 3 hrs 3 cr. fall only
BIOL 280 Biochemistry of Health and Nutrition GER 3/B
Basic biochemistry in areas related to human health and nutrition. Designed for students in the dietetics program. (Not accepted for credit toward biology Major I.) prereqs: BIOL 100, 102 or 120, 122; CHEM 100, 120 3 hrs (lec), 3 cr. fall only
BIOL 300 Biological Chemistry GER 3/B
Molecular aspects of cellular function; properties of biomolecules, their biosynthesis and breakdown; structure and function of proteins and enzymes, metabolites, membranes and nucleic acids; cellular mechanisms of energy transduction; integration and control of cell metabolism. Experiments cover a variety of modern techniques in molecular biology. $10 materials fee required. prereqs: BIOL 202, CHEM 222, 223 coreq: CHEM 224 7 hrs (3 lec, 3 lab, 1 disc), 4.5 cr. fall only
BIOL 302 Molecular Genetics GER 3/B
A comparison of viral, procaryotic and eukaryotic systems; review of classical Mendelian principles; bacterial DNA replication, transcription and their control; mechanisms of gene mutation, repair, recombination and transposition; applications of recombinant DNA technology; organization of nucleic acid into chromosomes; control of gene expression, the cell cycle and cell development in eucaryotes. $10 materials fee required. prereq: BIOL 300 7 hrs (3 lec, 3 lab, 1 disc), 4.5 cr. spring only
BIOL 304 Environmental Microbiology GER 3/B
Role of microorganisms in normal and polluted environments: bioremediation, waste and water treatment, heavy metals, nutrient cycles, microbes as a food source, algal toxins, microbial pesticides, microbial indicators of mutagens and pollutants, microbial leaching of ores. prereq: BIOL 100, 102, 200 or perm instr.3 hrs (lec), 3 cr. spring alternate years
BIOL 306 Developmental Biology GER 3/B
Major topics include molecular and cellular mechanisms of early embryonic development in amphibians, mammals and model organisms such as Drosophila, as well as the related subjects of vertebrate organ system development, biology of stem cells and animal cloning. Emphasis is placed on seminal and current research in cell-cell communication, signal transduction and differential gene regulation in developmental processes. prereq: BIOL 300 3 hrs (lec), 3 cr. fall only
BIOL 322 Evolution GER 3/B
Modern synthetic theory, genetic basis of variation, gene pool in populations. prereq: BIOL 300 3 hrs (lec), 3 cr.
BIOL 350 Regulation of Cell Proliferation GER 3/B Control of cell division examined in the context of cancer, which is the loss of this control. Topics include: cell culture, the cell cycle, hormones, receptors, intracellular signal transduction, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and the etiology of human cancer. prereq: BIOL 202, 300, or perm instr. 3 hrs (lec), 3 cr. spring alternate years
BIOL 360 Cellular and Molecular Immunology GER 3/B Study of the immune system from a molecular perspective. Molecular genetics of antibody and T cell receptor diversity, hematopoiesis and lymphocyte development, humoral and cellular immunity, histocompatibility. pre- or coreq: BIOL 300, perm instr.4 hrs (3 lec, 1 disc), 3.5 cr. fall only
BIOL 370 Physiology of the Nervous System GER 3/B
A comprehensive introduction to neuroscience. Topics include how nerve cells (neurons) transmit electrical impulses, how neurons communicate with each other through synapses and how nerve pathways and networks determine many functions of the brain. The last portion of the course shall explore how developing neurons seek out targets and establish synapses. prereq: BIOL 300 or perm instr. 4 hrs (lec), 4 cr. spring only
BIOL 375 Molecular Evolution GER 3/B
An overview of the various methods and kinds of data used in systematics, the study of organism diversity and biological relationships. Emphasis is on modern molecular and genetic approaches to identification of individual species and strains and full phylogenetic analyses of suites of species to determine their evolutionary history. The knowledge base is provided for experimental investigation of questions of current interest in phylogeny and population biology. prereq: BIOL 300 or perm instr. 3 hrs, 3 cr.
BIOL 376 Endocrinology GER 3/B
Cellular organization of the endocrine system; molecular mechanisms of hormone action; hormonal physiology of metabolism and reproduction; integration of endocrine responses by the central nervous system. prereq: BIOL 202 or perm instr. 3 hrs (lec), 3 cr. spring only
BIOL 380 Molecular Neurobiology GER 3/B
Molecular components and molecular mechanisms involved in the cell biology of neurons and glia, neuronal signaling, neuronal development, learning, memory and diseases of the nervous system. prereq: BIOL 300 or perm instr. 3 lec hrs, 3 cr. fall alternate years
BIOL 390 Laboratory in Cell Structure GER 3/B
Applications of light and confocal microscopy, using fluorescence and multidimensional imaging to study cell structures. Lab projects involve immunofluorescence: fixation methods and immunocytochemistry. Illumination methods including multi-channel 3D rendering, image processing and visualization software.pre- or coreq: BIOL 300 or BIOL 202 and perm instr. 7 hrs (2 lec/demo, 5 lab), 4.5 cr. fall only
BIOL 392 Laboratory in Ultra Cell Structure GER 3/B
application of electron microscopic techniques to study cell structure and function for medicine, research and industry. The theory and mechanics of both transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy will be explored as well as cell ultrastructure and function. pre- or coreq: BIOL 300 or BIOL 202 and perm instr. 7 hrs (1 lec/demo, 6 lab), 4.0 cr. spring only
BIOL 400 Special Topics in Advanced Laboratory Techniques GER 3/B Advanced laboratory techniques used in contemporary biological research, including areas such as immunology, microbiology and molecular neurobiology. Topics change from term to term. prereq: BIOL 300 or perm instr. 4 hrs (lab), 2 cr.
BIOL 410 Workshop in Biotechnology GER 3/B
A series of laboratory-intensive experimental projects, each lasting one week or more, which introduce current research techniques and include individual participation in planning and preparation of experiments. The focus is on a broad biotechnology topic such as the isolation, cloning and expression of a gene, utilizing the techniques of molecular genetics. This course satisfies the research requirement for graduation with departmental honors and is a component of the interdisciplinary BS/MA (MLS/Biol) program in biotechnology. prereqs: BIOL 200, 202, perm instr. 30 hrs/week for 4 weeks, 4 cr.
BIOL 450 Individual Tutorial in Biology GER 3/B
May be taken only once. Research paper written under the direction of a full-time faculty member in department of biological sciences. prereqs: 18 cr in biology, approval of adviser in addition to the sponsor 1-2 cr.
BIOL 460 Introduction to Planning and Teaching of Laboratory Work in Biology GER 3/B
Participation in discussions and assisting in the teaching of laboratories in an introductory course, or peer mentoring in the undergraduate biological sciences research techniques facility. prereqs: 16 cr in BIOL, 12 cr in CHEM, 2 letters from faculty required 5 hrs (2 planning, 3 lab), 2 cr.
BIOL 470, 471 Special Topics in Biology GER 3/B
Specific area of contemporary interest in biology. Topics change from term to term. An oral presentation and a written paper are required. prereq: BIOL 300 2 hrs (lec), 2 cr. per sem.
BIOL 480-483 Introduction to Experimental Biology GER 3/B
Laboratory research under guidance of faculty member. Work at another institution may be permitted in some cases, under auspices of a faculty member. Written report required upon completion of research. A minimum of 2 credits satisfies the research requirement for graduation with departmental honors. prereqs: BIOL 100 and 102, BIOL 200 or 202 (or the equiv), written perm instr. prior to reg. hrs TBA, 1-2 cr. per sem.
Courses Not Offered in 2007-2010
BIOL 208 Ecology
BIOL 252 Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates
BIOL 335 Comparative Animal Physiology
BIOL 340 Plant Physiology