101 GENERAL BIOLOGY 3 hours
An introduction to the principles of biology for the non-major.  Topics may include cell biology, evolution, anatomy and physiology of major organ systems, human biology, heredity, and ecology. May not be used for credit in the biology major. GE-J1.

102 HUMAN BIOLOGY – STAGES OF LIFE 3 hours
An introduction to the basic principles related to human life history, from fertilization through death. These will serve as the vehicle for considering how scientific methodology illuminates issues in both the personal and public arenas. Both personal decisions and public policy issues are impacted by our understanding of underlying biological/scientific principles. Topics such as the mechanisms of fertilization, development, homeostatic system integration, systemic physiology of selected systems (e.g. cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, reproductive), and the continued changes associated with aging will be addressed.  May not be used for credit in the biology major. GE-J1.

107 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY I 4 hours
Introduction to the nature of science, biodiversity, and ecology. Laboratory work includes investigative studies. Fall. GE-J1.

109 PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY II 4 hours
Integrating principles of biology, stressing the common responses of life to the problems of existence. Major topics include cellular organization of organisms, genetics, evolution, and organismic processes that maintain life. Examples drawn primarily from vertebrates and vascular plants. Laboratory work emphasizes genetics, and the anatomy and physiology of selected animals and plants. Spring. GE-J1.

110 FIELD BIOLOGY 3 hours
Identification of flora and fauna of this region.  Laboratory work at Koinonia Environmental Center includes collecting, observing, and identifying common plants and animals.  Course is designed especially for students in elementary education and environmental studies. Fall. Spring.

130 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 3 hours
Basic concepts of ecosystem theory, culture and environment, application of the scientific method in examining global processes and problems, and proposed solutions to environmental problems. GE-J3.

202 FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN ANATOMY  3 hours
An introduction to the basic principles of human anatomy, including a study of regional human structure. Emphasis is on the basic structural organization of the human body, underlying anatomical principles, and the anatomical details appropriate for a health professional. Laboratory work supplements the investigation of each region. Cannot be taken for credit within the biology major. Prerequisite: BIOL 204 and 204L. Spring.

204 FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY  3 hours
An introduction to the basic principles of human physiology.  Emphasis is on the basic functional mechanisms operating at the cellular, organ and system levels as well as the integrative control process that regulate each system.  Cannot be taken for credit within the major following BIOL 420. Fall. GE-J1.

204L FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY LAB  1 hour
Laboratory work supplements the investigation of the systems covered in BIOL 204.  Prerequisite:  Concurrent or prior enrollment in BIOL 204. Fall.

214 FIELD ECOLOGY 3 hours
A field and laboratory-oriented introduction to ecological principles and environmental issues, including an extended off-campus field trip. GE-J1. 

221 BIOMOLECULES    3 hours
Introduction to the major classes of biological molecules. Structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids along with the use of laboratory techniques to isolate, identify, and manipulate these molecules will be covered. Prerequisites: One year of biology and one year of chemistry. Spring.

223 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY  3 hours
Definitions and origin of biodiversity, threats to its maintenance, value of preserving variety, ecological and genetic principles relating to preservation, and practical strategies for preservation. Laboratories involve observational and evaluative field trips to nature reserves.  Spring, alternate years.

230 ETHNOBOTANY 3 hours
Use of plants by indigenous peoples for food, construction material, medicines, drugs, and other purposes; examples from a variety of world cultures. Conservation and use of biodiversity. Origins of agriculture. Lab work and a field trip included. GE-M1.

233 INTRODUCTION TO HISTOLOGY  4 hours
For students interested in the cellular components of tissues from vertebrate animals. Emphasis is placed on the appearance of primary tissues and the major organ systems. Tissue sections will be examined stressing function as well as structure. Prerequisites: BIOL 107 and 109, or consent of instructor. January.

240 TAXONOMY OF VASCULAR PLANTS   4 hours
Evolution and classification of ferns, fern allies and seed plants; characteristics of major plant families; plant geography.  Collection of local flora, identification through use of technical keys, and preparation of herbarium specimens. Prerequisites: BIOL 107, 109 or consent of instructor. Fall, alternate years.

242 INTRODUCTION TO ALGAE, FUNGI, AND PLANTS 3 hours
Biology of  algae, fungi, bryophytes, and vascular plants.  Life cycles, ecology, interactions with humans, and evolution of major groups. Laboratory involves experimental work as well as the study of morphology. Prerequisites: BIOL 107 and 109, or consent of instructor. Spring, alternate years.

275 PRACTICUM IN BIOLOGY  1-4 hours
Observation of and participation in the activities of a professional in biology or an applied field that makes significant use of biological principles. Examples of appropriate mentors include, but are not limited to, genetic counsellors, research scientists, and industrial scientists. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: Appropriate course work in biology and related fields.

310 MICROBIOLOGY 4 hours
Taxonomy, morphology, physiology, and ecology of bacteria, viruses, and other  microorganisms.  Relationships with the environment and other living organisms.  Techniques in culturing and identification of microorganisms are stressed in the laboratory.  Prerequisite: BIOL 221 or consent of the instructor.  Fall.

311 ECOLOGY  4 hour
Relationships of individual organisms to the environment; structure and dynamics of single-species populations; interactions between and among populations; and the structure, dynamics and function of biotic communities.  Prerequisites: BIOL 107 and BIOL 109. Fall, alternate years.

312 MARINE BIOLOGY  3 hours
The ocean as an environment, a survey of marine communities, and adaptive strategies of organisms that live there. Emphasis on the biology, ecology, and life histories of marine organisms. Prerequisites: BIOL 107 and 109. Spring, alternate years.

314 MARINE ECOLOGY  4 hours
This off-campus field course provides an introduction to the biodiversity and ecology of intertidal and nearshore marine habitats. Students participate in lectures and field trips, develop and carry out research projects, develop a research notebook, and present written and oral reports of their research. This course is taught at a marine biological laboratory and requires an additional fee to cover transportation, room and board, and lab fees. January, alternate years. Prerequisite: BIOL 107 or permission of instructor.

324 PLANT PHYSIOLOGY  4 hours
Fundamental principles of physiology as related to higher plants. Includes water relations, soils and mineral nutrition, metabolism with emphasis on photosynthesis, plant growth, regulation, and development. Prerequisite: BIOL 221. Spring, alternate years.

330 INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 4 hours
Biology, ecology, and evolutionary relationships of invertebrate animals with laboratory study of selected types.  Students also participate in related group projects. Prerequisites: BIOL 107 and 109. Fall, alternate years.

332 DNA SCIENCE   3 hours
A laboratory course that will introduce the student to DNA and how it can be analyzed through restriction digestion, transformation, and recombination. Topics will include the isolation of bacterial DNA, the use of restriction nucleases, restriction fragment analysis, recombination of restriction fragments into antibiotic-resistant plasmids, and the transfer of antibiotic resistance by transformation. Prerequisite: BIOL 221. January.

360 GENETICS  4 hours
Development of the theory of the gene from Mendel to modern times. Inheritance patterns, chromosomal genetics, and storage and readout of genetic information at the molecular level. Prerequisite: BIOL 221 or consent of instructor. Fall.

363 COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE ANATOMY   4 hours
An evolutionary and comparative morphological study of the organ systems in the phylum Chordata. Emphasis of the course is on the functional significance of specific vertebrate structural adaptations and their inclusion in the basic vertebrate body plan. Laboratory study includes dissection of the shark and cat with frequent reference to other chordates. Prerequisites: BIOL 107 and 109. Fall.

365 CELL BIOLOGY   3 hours
Structural and physiological aspects of the cell; its molecular subcellular and cellular organizations with emphasis on various microscopic and cytological techniques; its function as related to its organization including permeability, metabolism, reproduction, differentiation, and certain other specialized functions. Prerequisite: BIOL 221. Fall.

375 INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGY  3-6 hours
Student interns will function as applied professionals in biology or a related field. Internships involve significantly more independence and decision-making responsibility than do practica. May not be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above, appropriate course work in biology and related disciplines.

395 ORIENTATION TO RESEARCH (W)  1 hour
An introduction to searching and interpreting scientific literature, and to posing and developing research questions in the field of biology.  Students develop a viable research proposal under the direction of a faculty mentor.  Prerequisites: BIOL 107, 109; ENG 110.  Spring.

397 DIRECTED BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH 1 hour
Guided research in biology is carried out under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students will develop research protocols for a student-designed research project. Prerequisite: BIOL 395

412 FRESHWATER BIOLOGY  4 hours
The study of life in freshwater systems, emphasizing the ecology of freshwater animals, plants, and algae.  Laboratory work will include the collection and identification of freshwater organisms, the use of basic methods of aquatic sampling and statistics to collect data and test ecological hypotheses, and an examination of the physical and chemical nature of freshwater systems. Prerequisites: BIOL 107, 109; a college chemistry course with a laboratory.  Fall, alternate years.

420 VERTEBRATE PHYSIOLOGY  4 hours
A survey of organ system function in vertebrates. Emphasis is on mammalian systems, their specific processes, and the nervous and hormonal processes integrating the activity of the various systems. Topics include cellular metabolism, blood, nerve and muscle function, circulation, respiration, digestion, water and electrolyte balance, and the nervous and endocrine systems. Prerequisites: BIOL 107 and 109; one year of chemistry.  (Exercise Science majors may substitute BIOL 204, 204L and HPE 325 for BIOL 107). Spring.

430 HOST-PARASITE INTERACTIONS  4 hours
Interactions between man and the vast numbers of potentially pathogenic organisms found in nature will be studied. Emphasis is given to the nature of virulence factors and the occurrence of drug resistance in microorganisms and the natural immune systems of the human. Prerequisite: BIOL 310. Spring.

435 BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY 3 hours
An examination of the societal impact and responsibilities of the scientific community. Emphasis will be on the changing public awareness of complex situations associated with rapidly emerging biological technologies. Legal, ethical, economic, political, and scientific issues will be analyzed through discussions, panels, and directed essays. Prerequisite:  Entry in the Honors Program or permission of the Honors Program director. GE-L.

475 SENIOR INTERNSHIP IN BIOLOGY  3 hours
Student interns work in a professional environment as a part of their Senior Comprehensive Experience.  Students design the internship with the help of a faculty member from the Biology Department and a person who serves as the student’s mentor during the internship  Only students with senior standing will be permitted to enroll and senior internships may not be repeated for credit.  Prerequisite: BIOL 395.

494 SENIOR RESEARCH I  1 hour
Research hypothesis and methods development under the direction of a faculty mentor.  Prerequisite: BIOL 395, 397.

496 SENIOR RESEARCH II 1 hour
Preparation and presentation of senior research in biology, under the direction of a faculty mentor.  Students are required to prepare and present the results of their senior research in both written and oral formats.  Prerequisite: BIOL 495.

380 or 480 SPECIAL PROBLEMS  1-4 hours
A student who has demonstrated ability to work independently may propose a course and pursue it with a qualified and willing professor. The department chair and the vice president and dean for academic affairs also must approve. A set of guidelines is available at the Office of the Registrar.

385 or 485 SEMINAR  1-4 hours
An in-depth consideration of a significant scholarly problem or issue. Students pursue a supervised, independent inquiry on an aspect of the topic and exchange results through reports and discussions.