Biology

Bio 100 Laboratory Experiences in Biology (0-3) 1
This course is designed to accompany Bio 110. Fall, winter, and summer terms.

Bio 105T Biology and Contemporary Social Issues (3-0) 3
The purpose of this course is to help non-science majors understand how issues in the biological sciences will affect their lives. By exploring issues, this course will improve the student’s understanding of biology as a human endeavor and as a mechanistic way of understanding the natural world. Biological evolution, medical and environmental ethics, and quantitative thinking and analysis will be dominant themes.

Bio110 Survey of Life Sciences (3-0) 3
An introductory biology course providing the non-science major with a comprehensive view of modern biology, especially how it affects man. Concepts of scientific method will be covered in this course to give the non-major a feeling for processes that are carried out in biological research.

Bio 112N Introduction to Organismic and
Evolutionary Biology (3-1) 4
This course consists of three hours of lecture and one hour of small group recitation per week. The lecture covers the nature of biological inquiry, basic ecology, cellular reproduction, Mendelian genetics, basic evolution theory, and a survey of the kingdoms of living organisms. The recitation covers reading and interpreting the biological literature, hypothesis testing, data analysis, and current social and ethical issues surrounding biology. Should be taken with Chem 150.

Bio 113 Introduction to Cellular and
Molecular Biology (3-3) 4
This course covers basic biochemistry, energetics, cell biology, gene expression, and basic cellular plant and animal physiology. The laboratory will include experiments such as basic cell fractionation, enzymology, and osmosis/diffusion. This term will culminate in a guided, student-designed experiment.
Prerequisites: Bio 112N and Chem 150.

Bio 120 Environmental Conservation (3-0) 3
A study of natural resources in a global context. Attention is given to public policies and programs which affect the long-range availability and use of these resources. Winter term.

Bio 121Tx Human Anatomy and Physiology (2-3) 3
An introduction to the structure and function of the human body. Fall and winter terms.

Bio 132 Human Sexuality (3-0) 3
Biological aspects of human reproduction, supplemented by discussion of medical, societal, psychological, and ethical issues. Credit not applicable to the biology major. Winter term.

Bio 141N Global Ecological Issues (3-0) 3
This course examines population growth, the availability of food and water, and human-influenced environmental change, particularly global warming and ozone depletion, from various cultural perspectives. The current scientific understanding and policy responses to these issues are discussed. The concept of ‘sustainability’ is introduced and examples of its application are presented.

Bio 202Nx Plants and Human Affairs (3-3) 4
This course reviews the way humans have used plants for food, fiber, drugs, building products, etc., as well as how plants in turn have affected the human race. This course is designed for non-science majors. Credit not applicable to the biology major. Winter term, even-numbered years.
Prerequisites: Comp 150 and Lib 150.

Bio 206 General Botany (3-3) 4
This course has two parts. Part one addresses the structure, development, and physiology of vascular plants. Part two presents a survey of the structure, reproduction, evolution, and the relation to humans of the fungi, algae, bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. Fall and winter terms.
Prerequisites: Bio 113.

Bio 207 General Zoology (3-3) 4
A survey of the field of zoology and its major subdivisions. It includes an overview of the evolutionary relationships of animal groups from protozoa through vertebrates. Fall and winter terms.
Prerequisites: Bio 113.

Bio 220 Fundamentals of Ecology (3-3) 4
A study of the fundamental relationships among organisms and their environments. Lab will include an introduction to field methods, sampling, analyses of data and problem solving in ecology. Fall and winter terms.
Prerequisites: Bio 206 or 207, Math 121 and Math 201.

Bio 241N Environmental Policy Analysis (3-0) 3
This course introduces students to some of the basic tools used in policy analysis and applies those tools to a variety of environmental issues. The course discusses the economic incentives that encourage some types of environmental problems and how market mechanisms are being used to address these problems. We will also discuss the trade-offs that often arise between economic growth, human health, and environmental quality. Winter term.

Bio 250Nx Ecology of the Southwest (3-2) 4
This course provides an understanding of the scientific method by investigating the ecology of the southwest. Through field trips and research projects, students learn to recognize major plant and animal species and ecological factors that limit species distribution and abundance. Lectures and readings provide insights into major ecological processes, e.g., population growth, food webs, and natural disturbances. Fall term. Same course as SW 250NX
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

Bio 301 Vascular Plant Morphology (3-3) 4
The course is a comparative evolutionary survey of the vegetative and reproductive morphology of living and fossil vascular plants.
Prerequisites: Bio 206.

Bio 302 Systematic Botany (2-6) 4
A study of the identification, classification, and relationships of the vascular plants with emphasis on temperate flowering plant families. Major emphasis will be given to the origin of flowering plants and especially the nature of species as revealed by modern techniques. Laboratory work will focus on the use of keys and terminology, the identification of species, and the recognition of family characteristics. Fall term.
Prerequisites: Bio 206.

Bio 303 Histology (3-3) 4
Study of the microscopic structure of the major tissues and organs of the vertebrate body. The relationship between structure and function of these tissues and organs will be examined. Fall term.
Prerequisites: Bio 207.

Bio 304 Field Zoology (4-3) 5
A study of primarily vertebrate animals with emphasis on taxonomic and ecological relationships and with an introduction to various wildlife management and field study techniques. Laboratory work includes identification and occasional collection and museum preparation. Summer term.
Prerequisites: Bio 207.

Bio 305 Entomology (2-6) 4
A study of insect anatomy, physiology, identification, ecology, and behavior. Laboratories will emphasize field work and insect family identification.
Prerequisites: Bio 207.

Bio 310 Pollination Biology (3-3) 4
A study of the principles of pollination biology, including abiotic and biotic syndromes. Topics will cover primary and secondary attractants of plants, adaptations of pollinators, effect of pollination systems on plant population structure, competition among plant species for pollinators, and pollination strategies of agricultural crops. Winter term of even-numbered years.
Prerequisites: Bio 206 or Bio 207.

Bio 321 General Physiology (3-3) 4
Examination of basic physiological concepts from the cellular through the systemic level. Topics include energy metabolism and its control, nerve function, movement, cardiovascular physiology, immune response, water regulation, and integrative control systems.
Prerequisites: Bio 207, Chem 250, and Math 201.

Bio 324 Mammology (3-3) 4
The course will examine the zoology (i.e., characteristics, origin, evolution, zoogeography, systematics, ecology, behavior, physiology, and conservation) of mammals (Class Mammalia). These topics will be covered by emphasizing both classical (or historical studies) and recent (or contemporary) research. Laboratory work will involve both field identification of mammals from field trips and laboratory work concerning taxonomic and morphological studies.
Prerequisites: Bio 207.

Bio 331 Microbiology (3-3) 4
A survey of the microbial world with emphasis on ecology, physiology, and genetics of prokaryotes. Laboratory activities emphasize staining, culturing, and biochemical identification techniques as well as experimental exercises with bacteria of medical, economic, and agricultural importance. Fall and winter term.
Prerequisites: Bio 206, 207, and Chem 150, 151Tx, and 303.

Bio 332 Immunology (3-3) 4
An introduction to the structures and biochemical activities of antibodies and the mechanisms of the immune response. The laboratory will emphasize analytical methods of measuring antibody-antigen reactions. Winter term of even-numbered years.
Prerequisites: Bio 331.

Bio 334 Ornithology (3-3) 4
This course will investigate the scientific study of birds (Class Aves). That is, it will examine the behavior, ecology, morphology, origin, evolution, zoogeography, systematics, physiology, and conservation of birds. These topics will be covered by emphasizing both classical (or historical studies) and recent (or contemporary) research. Laboratory work will involve both field identification of birds from field trips and laboratory work concerning taxonomic and morphological studies.
Prerequisite: Bio 207.

Bio 341 Vertebrate Comparative Anatomy (2-6) 4
A comparative study of the morphology of representative vertebrates with the objectives of understanding their evolutionary relationships and the functional basis of their variations on a common plan. Fall, even years.
Prerequisites: Bio 207.

Bio 342 Embryology & Developmental Biology
of Vertebrates (2-6) 4
A detailed study of reproduction and development in representative vertebrates. The laboratory work explores the anatomy of the development in depth, and the lecture correlates this development with and explains it on the basis of cellular and molecular events during ontogeny. Winter term.
Prerequisites: Bio 207.

Bio 350 Mycology (3-3) 4
A survey of the Kingdom Fungi covering classification, physiology, development, ecology, genetics, and environmental relationships peculiar to the fungi. Fall term of odd-numbered years.
Prerequisites: Bio 206, and Chem 150, 151Tx.

Bio 360 Bryophytes and Lichens (3-3) 4
A course treating the taxonomy, morphology, ecology, reproduction, and evolution of the Bryophytes and Lichens. Winter term of odd-numbered years.
Prerequisites: Bio 206.

Bio 370 Genetics Laboratory (3-0) 2
An introduction to the organisms and methodology used in genetic research. This course is designed to accompany Bio 371 for those students requiring a genetics laboratory component.
Prerequisites: Bio 206 and 207.

Bio 371 General Genetics (3-0) 2
A survey of basic transmission and quantitative genetics. First two-thirds of fall and winter terms.
Prerequisites: Bio 206 and 207. Co-requisite or
Prerequisite: Bio 371.

Bio 372 Evolutionary Genetics (3-0) 1
A survey of the evidence for and principles and mechanisms of evolution. Last third of fall and winter terms.
Prerequisites: Bio 371.

Bio 373 Molecular Genetics (3-0) 1
A survey of modern molecular genetics including the mechanics and regulation of transcription and translation. Last third of fall and winter terms.
Prerequisites: Chem 250, Bio 371.

Bio 380W Issues in Evolution and Biological Thought (4-0) 4
This course will address the critical issues of writing in the Biological and/or Agricultural Sciences using the topics of Evolution and Patterns of Biological Thought as a basis for writing, reading, and discussion. Many aspects of evolution in a variety of sub-disciplines of Biology and agriculture will be covered. This course is the same as Ag380W.
Prerequisites: Junior standing.

Bio 385 Desert Biology (3-0) 3
This course covers all aspects of desert biology—ecology, physiology, organismic biology, etc.—of all deserts around the world, with a special emphasis on adaptations and natural history of organisms in North American deserts.
Prerequisites: Bio 206, 207, Chem 150, 151Tx.

Bio 400 Plant Physiology (3-3) 4
A study of plant-water relations, nutrition, metabolism, and adaptations to different environments. Offered on demand.
Prerequisites: Bio 206, Chem 250, and Math 201. Previous or concurrent enrollment in Chem 251, 311, and Bio 220 (or For 218) recommended.

Bio 407 Evolution (3-0) 3
A survey of the current explanations of evolutionary mechanisms. Winter term of even-numbered years
Prerequisites: Bio 371.

Bio 433 Bacterial Physiology (3-3) 4
Unique characteristics of metabolic pathways in bacteria will be studied. Major laboratory emphasis is placed on the interrelationships of bacteria, viruses, and immune response, and their effects on human physiology. Offered on demand.
Prerequisites: Bio 321, 331,and Chem 251.

Bio 455 Cellular and Molecular Biology (3-3) 4
Examination of the metabolic processes of the cell with respect to organelle compartmentalization. Emphasis will be placed on bioenergetics, intermediary metabolism, and the biology of the gene. Fall term.
Prerequisites: Chem 251, Bio 321 or 433. Biochemistry is strongly recommended.

Bio 456 Cell Physiology (3-3) 4
Examination of physiological control mechanisms at the molecular level. Cell communication, receptor-ligand interactions, and control of cell growth and development will be examined, as well as the lab techniques used to study them. Laboratory will use molecular cloning and cell culture techniques to examine cell physiology. Winter term.
Prerequisites: Bio 321, Bio 455, and Chem 251 or 311, or consent of instructor.

Bio 471 Field Ecology 5
An advanced project-based ecology course that emphasizes sampling methods, description of local plant and animal communities, and techniques of environmental monitoring in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Summer term.
Prerequisites: Bio 220, 302, 304, and Math 201 and consent of the instructor.

Bio 477 Biogeography (3-3) 4
A study of current hypotheses explaining past and present distribution of plants and animals. The emphasis is on seed plants and vertebrate animals. Offered on demand.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

Bio 480 Internship in Biology 1-3
Directed work experience in the biological sciences. Minimum requirements are that students maintain a detailed journal and complete a term paper. Students must work at least 40 hours over the term for each credit hour up to a maximum of 3 credits. Course is pass/fail only and does not fulfill biology major requirements.

Bio 496 Senior Seminar (2-0) 2
Advanced study and individual field/lab research in a topic of the student’s choosing. This course must be taken in sequence with Bio 497 in the following trimester.
Prerequisites: Second trimester junior or senior standing.

Bio 497 Senior Thesis (1-3) 2
Advanced study and individual field/lab research in a topic of the student’s choosing. This winter term course is a continuation of Bio 496.
Prerequisites: Bio 496.

Bio 499 Independent Study 1-3
Individual research under the supervision of a faculty member. Offered on demand. Study and proposal should begin in junior year.
Prerequisites: Approval of department chair.

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