School of Arts
& Sciences

Bio 105Tx Issues in Genetic Engineering (3-3) 4

During this course students will study what genetic engineering is, how this relatively new biotechnology works, and key examples of genetic engineering in both agriculture and medicine. The foci of this course are 1) the societal, ethical, political, and economic issues that arise due to the use of genetic engineering technology, and 2) the basic science of genes, gene expression, and recombinant DNA technology that makes genetic engineering possible. Students will analyze and discuss genetic engineering issues with an eye toward making informed personal decisions about the use of this technology. During the laboratory element of this course, students will engage in genetic analysis, genetic engineering of cells, and a self-designed project related to genetic engineering.

Bio110Tx Modern Biological Issues (3-3) 4

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 covers the nature of biological inquiry, basic ecology, cellular reproduction, Mendelian genetics, and basic evolution theory. Using these basic topics, the course will also incorporate reading and interpreting the biological literature, hypothesis testing, data analysis, and current social and ethical issues surrounding biology. Required for all biology majors and should be seriously considered by those contemplating majoring in any science.

Bio 113 Introduction to Molecular and Cellular 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 120N Environmental Conservation (3-0) 3

A study of natural resources in a global context. Attention is given to public policies and programs that affect the long-range availability and use of these resources.

Bio 121Tx Human Anatomy and Physiology (2-3) 3

An introduction to the structure and function of the human body.

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.

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.

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.

Prerequisite: 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.

Prerequisite: Bio 113.

Bio 210 Survey of Organismic Diversity (3-3) 4

Topics will include the Three Domain System, mitosis and meiosis, life cycles, and representative groups from the major kingdoms. Labs will focus on observation of many representative organisms, major tissue types and organ systems, and comparative morphological and reproductive characteristics in those groups.

Prerequisites: Bio 112N and 113.

Bio 220 Fundamentals af 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. This course is the same as For 218; credit will be given for only one of these courses.

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.

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. This course is the same as SW 250; credit will be given for only one of these courses. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

Bio 260 Genetics (3-3) 4

A survey of basic genetic processes. Topics include transmission, population, and evolutionary genetics as well as basic molecular processes such as DNA replication, transcription, and translation.

Prerequisites: Bio 112N, Bio 113, Chem 151.

Bio 270 Foundations of Molecular Biology (3-3) 4

This course is a foundational course for students interested in molecular and cellular biology. Students will examine the key paradigms of molecular cell biology, such as, mechanisms of gene expression, regulation of gene expression, and the relationship between molecule structure and function. The laboratory will introduce students to the molecular approaches and techniques used to study gene expression. Methods used in lab will include recombinant DNA technology, transformation techniques, nucleic acid isolation and analysis, and protein analysis.

Prerequisites: Bio 260 and Chem 151.

Bio 299 Individualized Study 1-6

Individual research is conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.

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.

Prerequisite: 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.

Prerequisite: 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.

Prerequisite: 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 (3-3) 4

A study of insect anatomy, physiology, identification, ecology, and behavior. Laboratories will emphasize field work and insect family identification.

Prerequisite: 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.

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.

Prerequisite: 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.

Prerequisites: Bio 206, 207, and Chem 150, 151Tx, and 250.

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.

Prerequisite: Bio 331.

Bio 334 Ornithology (3-3) 4

This course will investigate the scientific study of birds (Class Aves); 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 (3-3) 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.

Prerequisite: Bio 207.

Bio 342 Embryology & Developmental Biology of the Vertebrates (3-3) 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.

Prerequisite: 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.

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.

Prerequisite: Bio 206.

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.

Prerequisite: 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.

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.

Prerequisite: Bio 260.

Bio 455 Cellular and Molecular Biology (3-3) 4

This course will focus on the examination of gene expression mechanisms and their regulation, organelle compartmentalization of the eukaryotic cell, and the functional relationships of cell molecules, organelles and other cellular structures, such as the cytoskeleton.

Prerequisites: Bio 270, Chem 251. Chem 311 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.

Prerequisites: Bio 270, 321, and 455; Chem 251 or 311; and consent of the instructor.

Bio 460 Immunology (3-3) 4

A comprehensive introduction to the mechanisms of disease resistance and immunopathology. Topics include self/non-self discrimination, inflammation and innate immune mechanisms, antibody structure and function, immune cells/cell subsets, and the consequences of immune system failure. Application of immunochemical techniques, and the immune mechanisms involved in vaccination, pregnancy and fetal development, allergy, autoimmunity, cancer, organ transplantation, and AIDS are also discussed.

Prerequisites: Bio 270, 331, Chem 250, 251.

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 or 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.

Prerequisite: 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. Requires at least 125 hours of directed experience. Credit for this course cannot be applied toward the biology major.

Prerequisites: Biology major and consent of supervising faculty member.

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 course is a continuation of Bio 496.

Prerequisite: Bio 496.

Bio 499 Independent Study 1-6

Individual research under the supervision of a faculty member. Offered on demand. Study and proposal should begin in junior year.

Prerequisite: Approval of department chair.