Biology

Fundamental concepts of normal human anatomy and physiology, including basic cell biology, examination of organ systems, experimental design, and scientific writing. One 2-hour laboratory per week. Does not count towards the biology major.

A presentation of the relationships between plants and people with strong emphasis on the economic aspects and implications of plants and fungi. One 2-hour laboratory per week. Does not count towards the biology major.

This course introduces major topics in biological science, including macromolecules, cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, organismal diversity, ecology, and conservation. Students will learn about the processes and systems shared by all living organisms, including humans. Laboratory sessions will provide hands-on opportunities to explore and apply key biological concepts through experimentation and data analysis, developing basic critical thinking skills in scientific inquiry. One two-hour laboratory period per week. 

Come along on a grand tour of your immune system. Bask in the Desert Kingdom of the Skin, snorkel in the Mucosal Swamp, and visit the Murder University of the Thymus. Race long-distance with billions of blood cells, watch the slow dance of antigen presentation, and meet trillions of new friends (your commensal organisms.) Find out what keeps you alive in the face of plentiful pathogens - and what happens when it all goes wrong. Main text: Immune by Phillip Dettmer.

This course examines the field of forensic anthropology through an applied, scientific approach. Covered topics include an overview of human osteology, examination of trauma and postmortem processes affecting the human body, discussion of ethical issues pertinent to the field of forensic anthropology, and techniques of estimating sex, age-at-death, ancestry, and stature from human skeletal remains. (For online programs only.)

An introduction to forensic science and crime scene investigation through a realistic, applied approach. Methods used in a number of forensic fields will be covered, including forensic anthropology and odontology, pathology, forensic genetics, forensic chemistry and toxicology, forensic facial reconstruction, and forensic entomology. One 2-hour laboratory session per week.

This course provides an overview of Mendelian and molecular genetics, as well as an introduction to the molecular biology of the nucleus and modern applications of biotechnology. Required for the biology major. Prerequisite: BI 110. Co-requisite: CH 110. Offered fall semesters.

Introduction to the core concepts and basic principles of microbiology, examining microorganisms and how they interact with humans. Survey of the physiology structure, metabolism, diversity, and genetics of microorganisms. Correlated laboratory investigations. One 2-hour lab period per week.

A detailed investigation of the structure, physiology and biochemistry of eukaryotic cells and their organelles. One 3-hour lab period per week.

An exploration of the fundamental concepts of anatomy, histology, and physiology with consideration of integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. One 2-hour laboratory per week.

Emphasis on human anatomy, histology, and physiology with consideration of endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and testicular/ovarian (reproductive) systems. One 2-hour laboratory per week.

An introduction to the composition, structure, and function of tropical rainforests. Laboratory, held during spring break in Costa Rica or Cuba, will emphasize biological diversity. Three lecture hours per week.

The behavior of animals as revealed by the ethological approach. Orientation, learning, social behavior, migration, and agonistic behavior. One 2-hour laboratory period per week.

A detailed study of eukaryotic parasites (protozoa, helminths, and medically relevant arthropods) that afflict animals and humans with an emphasis on life cycles, treatment and control, and the impact on human and animal lives.

Students will develop a working understanding of the structure, growth, nutrition, metabolism, genetics, diversity, and ecology of prokaryotes, and become familiar with medical, agricultural and some other applied aspects of the field of microbiology. One 2-hour lab period per week. BI 110, CH 110 (or concurrent enrollment) and BI 207, consent of instructor

This course serves as the capstone experience for students in biology, health sciences, and kinesiology and exercise science program who participate in experiential learning opportunities via faculty research projects or on-campus or off-campus internships. Pre-requisite: completion of at least one hour of student faculty research (BI 465) or internship in Biology (BI 463) or Kinesiology (KI 463) and consent of the instructor.

This Biology Senior Seminar features discussion of primary literature related to topics under the broad umbrella of biology including, but not limited so, human health and disease, ecology, conservation and organismal diversity, anatomy and physiology, etc. with emphasis on critical analysis of data and research articles. The seminar requires completion of a presentation of the topic based on publish research, and a written literature review synthesizing what's known about the topic and what future directions are necessary to expand knowledge of the topic.

Students serve as interns for a total of not less than 40-160 hours.