Biology Courses (BIO)
GE Core denotes General Education Core credit;
GE Marker denotes General Education Marker credit;
CAR denotes College Additional Requirement credit.
Courses for Undergraduates
105 Major Concepts of Biology (3:3)
GE Core:
GNS
CAR:
GLS
For students not planning to take additional biology courses.
Students who have prior credit for BIO 111, 112 may not take BIO 105 for credit.
Introduction to major concepts in biology. Topic sections emphasize specific areas including conservation biology, biotechnology, and current issues. Survey sections emphasize basic aspects of biology, including genetics, physiology and ecology. (Fall & Spring)
105L Major Concepts of Biology Laboratory (1:0:2)
GE Core:
GNS
CAR:
GLS
Pr. or Coreq. concurrent enrollment in BIO 105 or previous credit for 105
Students who have prior credit for BIO 111, 112 may not take BIO 105L for credit.
For students not planning to take additional biology courses
Designed to acquaint non-science majors with basic laboratory practices and major ideas in biology, including function of cells, the human body, mechanisms of heredity, ecology, and evolution. (Fall & Spring)
110 Introduction to Biology (3:3)
Pr. Pre-Nursing or Nursing major or permission of instructor
Students may not receive credit for both BIO 110 and BIO 111.
An introduction to the principles of biology, including the molecular and cellular basis of life, genetics, and biotechnology. (Fall & Spring)
111 Principles of Biology I (4:3:3)
GE Core:
GNS
CAR:
GLS
Coreq. BIO 111L
May not be taken more than twice.
Prerequisite for most other biology courses and includes laboratory. Lecture covers the fundamental principles of biology including the molecular and cellular basis of life, genetics, and biotechnology. (Fall & Spring)
112 Principles of Biology II (4:3:3)
GE Core:
GNS
CAR:
GLS
Pr. grade of C- or better in BIO 111 or BIO 110 and BIO 113
Coreq. BIO 112L
May not be taken more than twice.
Prerequisite for 300-level courses and above. Continuation of 111 and includes laboratory. Fundamental principles of biology including botany, zoology, evolution, and ecology. A passing grade in lecture must be achieved for successful completion of this course. (Fall & Spring)
113 Principles of Biology Laboratory (1:0:3)
Pr. BIO 110
Basic laboratory practices and fundamental principles of biology including molecular and cellular basis of life, genetics, and biotechnology. (Fall & Spring)
271 Human Anatomy (4:3:3)
Pr. a grade of C- or better in BIO 110 or BIO 111
May not be taken more than twice.
Human anatomy with study of skeletons, models, and anatomical preparations. Includes dissection of cat.
277 Human Physiology (4:3:3)
Pr. a grade of C- or better in BIO 110 or BIO 111 and high school chemistry with grade of C or better
May not be taken more than twice.
Human physiology with emphasis on homeostatic mechanisms.
280 Fundamentals of Microbiology (4:3:4)
Pr. a grade of C- or better in BIO 110 or BIO 111, and successful completion of either 271 or 277
Students cannot receive credit for both this course and BIO 481.
May not be taken more than twice.
General survey of microscopic life and its impact on medicine, public health, and the environment. Includes laboratory work with bacteria, emphasizing aseptic technique.
Prerequisite for all remaining courses (300, 400, and 500 levels): a grade of C- or better in BIO 112
301 Principles of Ecology (3:3)
Pr. BIO 112
May not be taken more than twice.
Introduction to fundamentals of ecology. Principles relating to populations, communities and ecosystems. Particular emphasis placed on the many dimensions of interdependence within ecosystems. (Fall & Spring)
302 Introductory Ecology Laboratory (1:0:4)
Pr. or Coreq. BIO 301
May not be taken more than twice.
Laboratory course to accompany BIO 301. Several field trips. (Fall & Spring)
322 Plant Diversity (4:3:3)
Pr. BIO 112
Coreq. BIO 322L
May not be taken more than twice.
Lecture and laboratory are introduction to the plant, fungi, and protista kingdoms. Emphasis is on structure, reproduction, and life cycles of the organisms. A passing grade in lecture must be achieved for successful completion of this course. (Fall)
341 Invertebrate Zoology (4:3:3)
Pr. BIO 112
May not be taken more than twice.
Major invertebrate groups with emphasis on ecology, physiology, evolution, and structural adaptations of representative types. Weekend coastal field trip required. (Spring)
354 Plant Systematics (4:3:3)
Pr. BIO 112
Coreq. BIO 354L
May not be taken more than twice.
Lecture and laboratory are introduction to the classification and evolution of vascular plants. The principles of classification and characteristics of selected plant families are emphasized. A passing grade in lecture must be achieved for successful completion of this course. (Spring)
355 Cell Biology (3:3)
Pr. BIO 112, and CHE 114 or equivalent
May not be taken more than twice.
Study of cellular organization and function. Fundamental biochemical properties, including cellular components, enzyme function, energetics, and metabolism studied in relation to cellular structure, membrane function, cell movement, and cytoplasmic compartments. (Fall & Spring)
356 Cell Biology Laboratory (1:0:3)
Pr. BIO 112
Pr. or Coreq. BIO 355
May not be taken more than twice.
Laboratory exercises to complement lecture material of 355. (Fall & Spring)
361 Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles (3:1:6)
Pr. BIO 112 or permission of instructor
May not be taken more than twice.
Travel fees involved, see instructor for details.
Students spend 2 weeks in July/August in Tortuguero, Costa Rica assisting with tagging and collecting data on nesting turtles. Seminar and NC field trip in spring. (Odd)
364 Experimental Course: Patterns in Life's Diversity (2:2)
Pr. BIO 112
Historical and contemporary patterns of life's diversity on earth and how these patterns have been generated, through time and space, by biotic and abiotic processes. (Offered spring '06)
370 Vertebrate Zoology (4:3:3)
Pr. BIO 112
May not be taken more than twice.
Evolution of major vertebrate groups with emphasis on morphology, ecology, and behavior. Comparisons of vertebrates in the laboratory through dissections and field work. (Fall)
392 Genetics (3:3)
Pr. BIO 112
May not be taken more than twice.
Mendelism and modern trends in genetics. (Fall & Spring)
393 Genetics Laboratory (1:0:3)
Pr. or Coreq. BIO 392
May not be taken more than twice.
Laboratory course to complement BIO 392. Exercises employ both classic genetic approaches and modern recombinant DNA technology. (Fall & Spring)
420 Marine Biology (3:3)
Pr. BIO 112, and one of 301, 322, 341, 354, 355, 370, 392
An introduction to marine organisms and their habitats; special attention given to adaptations necessary for marine life, physical oceanography, and basic ecological principles; one weekend coastal field trip is required. (Spring)
424 Plant Physiology and Biotechnology (3:2:3)
Pr. BIO 355
Physiological processes involved in plant growth spanning effects from the molecular to the environmental level. Laboratories will utilize biotechnological manipulations of the model plant Arabidopsis. (Spring)
425 Biological Clocks (3:3)
Pr. one of 301, 322, 341, 354, 355, 370, 392
Descriptive survey of behavioral and physiological rhythms in humans and other animals, including circadian, tidal, lunar, seasonal and circannual cycles, with ecological considerations and implications for human health.
430 Biological Evolution (3:3)
Pr. BIO 301 and 392, and one of 322, 341, 354, 370
Fundamental principles of evolution biology, including mechanisms and consequences of evolutionary change, levels of selection, speciation, population genetics, and major evolutionary patterns at human and geologic time scales. (Spring)
431 The Biosphere (3:3)
Pr. BIO 301
A study of environmental issues in biology, specifically ecosystems, population dynamics, biodiversity and extinction.
438 Animal Behavior (3:3)
Pr. PSY 121 and 230, or BIO 112
Students cannot receive credit for both this course and BIO 439 or PSY 438 or 438L.
Application of theory of evolution to the explanation of animal behavior. Surveys a variety of species, addressing several behavioral categories as well as issues in sociobiology and human evolution. (Same as PSY 438)
439 Animal Behavior with Laboratory (4:3:3)
Pr. PSY 230 and 311, or BIO 112
Students cannot receive credit for both this course and BIO 438 or PSY 438 or 438L.
Application of theory of evolution to animal behavior. Includes laboratory and field techniques for assessing behavioral adaptations. Surveys several behavioral categories in a variety of species. (Alt Spring) (Same as PSY 438L)
453 Vertebrate Morphogenesis (4:3:3)
Pr. BIO 355
Vertebrate development focussed on cellular and molecular mechanisms of induction, differentiation, and morphogenetic processes that give rise to the adult body plan. Laboratory includes study of vertebrate embryos and adult specimens. (Fall)
464 Developmental Biology (4:3:3)
Pr. C (2.0) or better in BIO 355 and 392
A survey of developmental processes in plants and animals. Topics will include fertilization, achievement of multicellularity, cell determination and differentiation, pattern development, and the genetic regulation of such processes. (Spring)
472 Histology (4:3:4)
Pr. BIO 355
Microscopic anatomy of vertebrate tissues. Emphasis on correlation of cell and tissue functions with structures visible under the light and electron microscopes. (Odd Spring)
477 Animal Physiology (3:3)
Pr. BIO 355, and one of BIO 277, 341, or 370
Physiology of invertebrates and vertebrates including metabolism, temperature regulation, respiration, blood, circulation, water and ion balance, excretion, and the nervous, sensory, endocrine, and muscular systems. (Even Fall)
479 Neurobiology (3:3)
Pr. BIO 355
PHY 212 or 292 recommended.
Survey of major integrative mechanisms used by nervous systems from invertebrates to humans. Synaptic transmission, sensory processing and activity of neural circuitry controlling behavior will be analyzed. (Odd Fall)
479L Neurobiology Laboratory (1:0:2)
Pr. or Coreq. BIO 479
PHY 212 recommended
Computer-based laboratory exercises to complement BIO 479 lecture material, including intracellular and extracellular recording simulations. (Alt Fall)
481 General Microbiology (4:3:4)
Pr. BIO 301, 355, 392, or permission of instructor
Introductory survey of microbiology, emphasizing the role of microorganisms in everyday life. (Fall)
490 Medical Technology Clinical Year (30)
Enrollment restricted to majors in the Medical Technology program who have been accepted to a clinical program and are completing requirements for the B.S.M.T.
Registration and credit are structured as follows: BIO 490A (fall semester—12 s.h.), BIO 490B (spring semester—12 s.h.) and BIO 490C (summer session—7 s.h.).
491 Introduction to Mathematical Models in Biology (3:3)
Pr. B- or higher in BIO 112 and either MAT 191 or STA 271; or instructor's permission
Exploration of research and methodology at the interface of mathematics and biology, with an overview of relevant fields and in-depth case studies. Focus will be on mathematical models in biology. (Same as MAT 491)
493 Honors Work (3–6)
Pr. permission of instructor; 3.30 GPA in the major, 12 s.h. in the major
May be repeated for credit if the topic of study changes. Only 3 hours credit allowed in combination with BIO 497 or 499.
494 Introduction to Biotechnology (4:3:4)
Pr. BIO 392 and 393
Introduction to the principles and techniques of biotechnology. Includes molecular cloning, DNA sequencing, and gene expression. Explores topics such as gene amplification, gene therapy, and DNA fingerprinting. (Spring)
497 Internship in Biology (1–3:0:3–9)
Pr. minimum overall GPA of 2.80; two of BIO 301, 322, 341, 354, 355, 370, 392 with a grade of C or better; and permission of instructor
May be repeated for up to 6 s.h. credit with departmental permission. Only 3 s.h. credit allowed in combination with BIO 493 or 499.
Students work at site outside University for a minimum of 45–135 hours under direction of faculty and on-site supervisor. Times vary. Prior approval required.
498 Biology Seminar (1:1)
Oral reports and discussions of topics from current literature of biology by students, faculty and guest lecturers.
499 Undergraduate Research (1–3)
Pr. two from BIO 301, 322, 341, 354, 355, 370, 392 and permission of instructor
May be repeated for up to 6 s.h. credit with departmental permission. Only 3 s.h. credit allowed in combination with BIO 493 or 497
Biological research under the direction of a faculty member, culminating in a written report. Research will include laboratory and/or field work and/or directed readings of the literature. Times by arrangement.
Please refer to The Graduate School Bulletin for graduate-level courses.
