Course Descriptions

BIO 118 Medical Terminology 2 hours
Prerequisites: None; Term: Fall, Winter

This course is designed for students with an active interest in the medical and paramedical fields. The course provides the student with the fundamental principles needed to understand medical vocabulary. The student will learn to use the techniques of word building with an emphasis on spelling, pronunciation and the meanings of medical terms.

BIO 139 Principles of Biology 4 hours
Prerequisites: Completion of developmental and foun­dation courses; Term: Fall, Summer; Fee: yes. General Education option – not for science majors.

This course is a survey of the major generalizations of biology with an emphasis on molecular and cellular mechanisms, organismic structures and functions, basic concepts in genetics, the principles of evolution, and the interdependence of all living things with the environment. The laboratory exercises introduce the student to the process of scientific investigation and laboratory technique. Students will examine various biological structures and survey representatives of the five kingdoms of living organisms. Laboratory included.

BIO 141 Nutrition Through the Life Cycle 3 hours
Prerequisites: MTH 099; Term: winter

Fundamentals of nutrition and its effect on the individual’s growth, development, and total health; related topics of current concern, including weight control, dietary fats, fiber, and world health; impact of culture and environment on food choices. Computer nutrition analysis.

BIO 150 Biology I: From Molecules to Cells 4 hours
Prerequisites: Completion of developmental and foun­dation courses; Term: Fall; Fee: yes.

Biology 150 is a course which, together with Biology 151, is designed to give the student a broad experi­ence in the biological sciences. This course empha­sizes the cellular and molecular aspects of biology. Science majors, including many health professionals, are the intended audience. Laboratory included.

BIO 151 Biology II: Unity and Diversity of Life 4 hours
Prerequisites: Completion of developmental and foun­dation courses, BIO 150; Term: Winter; Fee: yes.

The course is designed to give the student a broad experience in the biological sciences. In this course, we deal mainly with the organismal and supra-organismal levels of biological organization. Evolution will be the unifying theme. The diversity, form, function, and ecology of organisms will be covered, with particular emphasis on plants and animals. Science majors, including many health professionals, are the intended audience. Laboratory included.

BIO 201 Ecology and the Environment 4 hours
Prerequisites: LS 105, ENG 107; Term: Fall; Fee: yes. General Education option. Cross-listed with ENV 201

A survey of the biological, chemical and physical environmental problems caused by overpopulation. Topics include the interrelationship of living things with the environment, ecological principles, land resources, energy, land pollution, pest control, water and air pollu­tion, and endangered species. Laboratory included.

BIO 226 General Zoology 4 hours
Prerequisites: BIO 150, BIO 151, ENG 108 or equiva­lent; Term: Fall; Fee: yes. Offered alternate years

This course deals with the general principles of zoology. Beginning with an introduction to the classification of the animal kingdom, the major groups of invertebrate and some vertebrate animals will be surveyed. Emphasis will be placed on development, structure, function, reproduction, and evolution. Laboratory exercises will enable the student to directly observe internal and external morphology of selected animal groups and will provide for observations and experiments with various living organisms. Laboratory included.

BIO 234 General Botany 4 hours
Prerequisite: BIO 150; BIO 151, Term: Fall; Fee: yes. Offered alternate years

This course deals with a survey of the plant-like protists, the fungi, and members of the plant kingdom. Students study the process of photosynthesis and its relevance to life on our planet. They then study the life cycles and reproduction of plants. Transport systems of vascular plants are covered in detail. In addition the anatomy and physiology of all plant-like organisms, their growth and development is studied. The current success and diverse numbers and species of plants are related to their evolutionary success and role in the earth’s ecosystems. Laboratory exercises enable the students to directly observe the structure of botanical organisms and provide for observations and experiments with living organisms. A field collection of leaves is required. Laboratory included.

BIO 257 Human Anatomy and Physiology 4 hours
Prerequisites: Completion of developmental and foundation courses, BIO 118 recommended; Term: Fall, Summer; Fee: yes. General Education option – not for science majors.

A survey of human anatomy and physiology with selected labs. Topics include cells, metabolism, tissue and skin. Also includes the skeletal and articular, mus­cular, digestive, circulatory and lymphatic, endocrine, respiratory, urinary, reproductive and nervous systems.

BIO 267 Clinical Anatomy and Physiology 4 hours
Prerequisites: BIO 150; BIO 118 recommended; designed for science majors and minors - not for general education; Term Winter; Fee: yes.

This course is a study of human anatomy and physiology with virtual human cadaver labs as well as other hands on selected labs. Topics include: tissues and the following systems: integumentary; skeletal and articular, muscular, digestive; blood, cardiovascular and lymphatic circulatory, endocrine, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, nervous, and their major diseases. This class is not for general education, it is specifically for science majors and minors.

BIO 312 Junior Seminar 2 hours
Corequisites: Junior standing in the major, ENG 312; Term Winter; Fee: yes; Cross-listed with BIO/CHM/ENV/FSC/HSC/ISC 312.

Junior Seminar has been designed to help science majors improve their writing AS SCIENTISTS. Competence in writing in science requires critical evaluation of one’s work. In order to encourage the development of critical thinking, students critique published work as well as write essays, reviews, and research reports. The heart of the course lies in the weekly interaction between the instructor and students through discussion both in class sections and one-on-one. A weekly lecture provides structure and continuity and allows consideration of other topics such as interviewing and resume writing, poster presentations, ethics in science, and the nature of science and creativity. This is the program’s writing intensive course.

BIO 321 Microbiology 4 hours
Prerequisites: BIO 150, BIO 151; one semester of general college chemistry; Term: Fall; Fee: yes. Offered alternate years

Microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria and viruses, form, structure, reproduction, genetics, physiology, me­tabolism and identification, disease, transmission and control. Lab included. Written lab reports required.

BIO 347 The Teaching of Biology 3 hours
Prerequisites: EDU 240, 241; Co-requisite: EDU 347; Term: Winter. Offered as needed

Philosophical basis for science teaching; survey of special programs in biology; specific objectives, materials and curriculum planning for biology; emphasis on role of laboratory in biology teaching. Observations of classroom/laboratory teaching.

BIO 360 Biochemistry 4 hours
Prerequisites: BIO 150, CHM 140, CHM 325, Term: Fall; Fee: yes. Offered alternate years; Cross-listed with CHM 360

Biochemistry 360 is an advanced-level course for students majoring in chemistry or biology. This course provides an overview of fundamental concepts in biochemistry which focuses upon the major macromolecules and chemi­cal properties of living systems. Topics include the structure, function and metabolism of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; the physical properties of water, pH, and buffers; enzyme kinetics and regulation. The principles of bioenergetics and the integration of metabolic control will be developed. Laboratory included.

BIO 388 Cooperative Field Experience 1-4 hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing, biology major, departmental approval; Term: Fall, Winter, Summer

Supervised work experience in activity related to an area of specialization. This is planned in consultation with advisor, co-op supervisor and employer. Recording, reporting and evaluation of experience will be required.

BIO 485 Genetics 4 hours
Prerequisites: BIO 150, BIO 151; one semester of general college chemistry, one semester of organic chemistry; Extra lab time required. Term: Winter; Fee: yes. Offered alternate years

Study of hereditary material, its chemical and physical nature. Transmission and function will be emphasized. Mendelian inheritance, human genetics and evolution. Lab included. Written and oral lab reports required.

BIO 490 Cell and Molecular Biology 4 hours
Prerequisites: BIO 150, BIO 151; BIO 321 recommended, one semester of general college chemistry, one semester of organic chemistry; Term: Winter; Fee: yes. Offered alternate years

Cell doctrine, genes, cell metabolism, biosynthesis, photosynthesis, molecular replication, transcription, mutation and regulation of cell processes, biochemistry. Lab included. Formal lab reports and oral presentation required.

BIO 491 Independent Study 1-4 hours
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor; biology major or minor; Junior status; Term: Fall, Winter, Summer

Opportunity to earn credit for the independent study of a course not listed in the catalog as a specific offering. By arrangement.

BIO 496A  Senior Seminar: Library Research 2 hours
Prerequisites: BIO 312; Senior standing in BIO major; completion of general education and writing requirements; Term: Fall, Winter; Cross-listed with BIO/CHM/ENV/FSC/HSC/ISC 496A.

This course is designed for senior science majors to have the opportunity to write and orally present a research proposal. This will include conducting a literature review and designing an original research project. Students carry out their research project in BIO/CHM/ENV/FSC/HSC/ISC 496B. Use of computer for informational searches, data analysis, and word processing; oral presentations and final research paper required.

BIO 496B Senior Seminar: Laboratory Research 2 hours
Prerequisites: BIO 496A; Senior standing in BIO major; completion of general education and writing requirements; Term: Fall, Winter; Fee: yes; Cross-listed with BIO/CHM/ENV/FSC/HSC/ISC 496B.

This course is designed for senior science majors to conduct research with the direction of a faculty member. The student will carry out a research project of their own design. Specifically students will conduct experiments, write up the results of those experiments, write up the conclusions based on those results and present the results and conclusions of the project both in written and oral formats.