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Biology Course Descriptions

BIOL 103 Fundamentals of Biology (4, S)
Principles of biological structure and function, particularly as they relate to man. Fulfills the liberal arts laboratory science requirement for non-majors. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week. Liberal Arts Foundation - Lab Science.

BIOL 105 Conservation Biology (4, S)
Principles of conservation biology including history of conservation, structure of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, endangered species and extinction, management, and Christian stewardship. Labs emphasize analysis of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Three lectures, three laboratories each week. Liberal Arts Foundation - Lab Science.

BIOL 151, 152 General Biology (4/4, F/S)
Two-semester survey; preparation for advanced work. 151 includes cell biology, animal physiology, animal taxonomy, behavior, and development; 152 includes plant taxonomy and physiology, ecology, and genetics. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week. Note: BIOL 151 or permission is prerequisite to BIOL 152. BIOL 151 and 152 are prerequisites for most biology courses above 200. Liberal Arts Foundation - Lab Science.

BIOL 207 or 212 Wildlife Behavior in East Africa (3 or 4, S)
(See course description in Off-Campus Programs - Tanzania section.)

BIOL 211 The Ecology of Alaska (3 or 4, Summer 07)
Study of Alaskan ecology through field experiences to Anchorage, Denali National Park, State Museum at Fairbanks, Tetlin Wildlife Refuge, Valdez, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Homer. Research paper on Alaska ecology and a daily journal required. Est. fee above tuition $1,500. Prerequisite: BIOL 152

BIOL 213, 225 Natural History of the Adirondacks (3 or 4, F)
(See course description in Off-Campus Programs - Adirondack Park section.)

BIOL 214 Wildlife Biology (4, M)
Study of North American wildlife with emphasis on vertebrate game animals. Topics include ecology, behavior, population dynamics, habitat development, conservation, and management. May not be used toward the biology major or minor.

BIOL 215 Local Flora and Vegetation (3, F)
Field identification of local ferns, shrubs, trees, and herbaceous flowering plants. Lecture covers broader vegetational ecosystems of North America. Small herbarium required. Two lecture, three laboratory hours each week. May not be used toward the biology major or minor.

BIOL 217 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4, F)
Systematic study of structure and function of the human organism, including microanatomy of organs. General organization of the body, basic tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week. Does not count for major or minor credit except where required for graduate programs and upon permission of the department chair.

BIOL 218 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4, S)
Sequel to BIOL 217. Endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive systems; acid-base and fluid-electrolyte balance. Prerequisite: BIOL 217 or permission. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week. Note: BIOL 217 and 218 are designed to fulfill the certification requirements for the physical education major and admission requirement for some schools of nursing and physical therapy. Does not count for major or minor credit except where required for graduate programs and upon permission of the department chair.

BIOL 220 Biological Oceanography (2, OD)
Laboratory adjacent to Acadia National Park, ME. Course includes adaptations of marine organisms to the marine ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, stewardship of the marine environment. Field trips include rocky inter-tidal, cobble and sandy beaches, salt marshes, open ocean ecosystems. Cost above tuition and lab fee is $600.

BIOL 221 Plant Anatomy and Physiology (4, OD)
Study of the biochemistry, physiology, structure, reproduction and commercial uses of the green plants and fungi. Laboratory includes research project in plant biology. Three lecture, three lab hours weekly.

BIOL 231 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4, S07)
Comparative study of vertebrate structure. Laboratory includes dissection and detailed study of
representative vertebrates. Two lecture, six laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 242 Microbiology (4, S)
Survey of viruses, prokaryotic organisms, and fungi with theoretical and applied approaches to morphology, metabolism, genetics, biotechnology, and host-parasite relations. Three lectures, three laboratory hours each week.
Prerequisite: CHEM 151 or permission

BIOL 251 Genetics (4, F)
Principles of inheritance in living organisms, including the modern concepts of “gene” action and DNA structure and function. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 281 Introduction to Research (1, F/S)
Introduction to biological research methods, selection and approval of a research topic, preparation of a comprehensive literature review, and submission of a formal written proposal. Required of all biology majors; recommended for junior year.

BIOL 301 Field Botany (4)
Introduction to taxonomy, systematics, and ecology of vascular plants. Course includes field trips throughout western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania; plant identification and classification; develop extensive herbarium. Two lecture, six laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 315 Marine Biology (4, S06)
Comprehensive study of marine ecosystems including the foundations of physical and chemical
oceanography as they impact the ecology of marine organisms. Overview of structure, physiology, and ecology of marine life from phytoplankton to whales. Labs cover the representative marine divisions (plants) and phyla (animals) and may include a field trip to the northeast Atlantic coast.

BIOL 320 Limnology (4, S07)
Introduction to freshwater aquatic ecosystems with emphasis on lakes. Includes the study of physical, chemical, and biological factors which influence ecosystem function and health. Lake management and conservation included. Labs cover field analysis of a local lake ecosystem culminating in a comprehensive report. Three lecture and three laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 322 General Ecology (4, F)
Study of the interrelationships among living organisms, their physical and biological environment, and human impacts. Laboratory introduction to ecological techniques and field studies of local and state ecosystems. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 336 Animal Behavior (4,S)

Provides an introduction to the biological study of animal behavior. Lecture topics will focus primarily on why animals behave as they do and, to a lesser degree, how they get the job done. Topics to be covered include: genes and behavior, learning, organization of behavior, communication, mating systems, parental investment, and cooperation. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week.

Prerequisites: BIOL 151, 152

BIOL 350 Forest Ecology (4, Mayterm 06)
Study of forests and their interactions with physical, chemical, and biological factors in the context of ecosystems at the Star Lake Campus. Includes physiognomy, nutrient cycling, climatic factors, soils, fire and disturbance, succession, and harvesting and management. Lab includes forest mensuration and analysis and introduction to SILVAH. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week. P
Prerequisites: BIOL 322 or 301.

BIOL 361 Vertebrate Histology (4, OD)
Microscopic anatomy of vertebrate tissues and organs. Two lecture, six laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 364 Animal Ecology (4, S07)
Focuses on the relationship between animals and their environments including basic principles, theory, applications, and Christian stewardship as applied to animal ecology. Lab is field oriented including telemetry and tracking, demographics, niche partitioning, foraging strategies, and habitat selection. Three lecture, three lab hours per week.
Prerequisites: BIOL 151, 152 and 322

BIOL 365 Immunology (4, S)
Theoretical and clinical approaches to study of innate and adaptive immune systems: antigen recognition, immune response, immune system, and its pathologies. Three lectures, three lab hours each week.

BIOL 370 Molecular and Cell Biology (4, S)
The course provides an introduction to the biochemistry of cells, transport across membranes, cell-to-cell signaling, organelle function, and protein targeting, with an emphasis on methods in molecular and cell biology. Three lecture hours and one three-hour lab per week. Labs will focus on molecular techniques such as cloning, PCR, generation and purification of recombinant proteins, and blotting techniques (DNA, RNA, and Protein).
Prerequisite: BIOL 251

BIOL 372 Comparative Animal Physiology (4, F05)
General consideration of functional processes in animals with emphasis on the comparative aspects. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week.
 

BIOL 373 Disease Pathogenesis (4,M)

Practical experiences in the health professions would be greatly enriched if students had a background in disease process. This course surveys diseases of major significance to the health professions and public health concerns for two weeks. Afterwards, students embark on a practical shadowing experience in the urban or rural missions fields found in the U.S. or overseas. Two lecture and two practicum hours.

Prerequisite: BIOL 251

 

BIOL 374 Human Genetics and Disease (3 or 4, S)

Our understanding of human genetics is increasing at an incredible pace. This course will explore a number of modern topics including the Human Genome Project, human genetic diseases and gene therapy, human genetic testing, human genetics and behavior, and quantitative traits. Connections between human genetics and society will also be explored. Three lecture hours, optional three-hour lab.

Prerequisite: BIOL 251


BIOL 382 Developmental Biology (4, S)
Study of morphogenesis and biochemical processes involved in development, with emphasis on vertebrates. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week.
Prerequisite: BIOL 251
 

BIOL 383 Virology (4, F07)

Viruses have changed history and they are not even alive. With an eye on history, this course begins with the epidemiological features of infectious disease, and systematically covers the major families of viruses with impact on humans and animal health alike. The laboratory emphasizes the molecular techniques needed for recombinant vaccine production. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week.

PRerequisite: BIOL 251

 

BIOL 384 Cancer Biology (2, F06)

One of the leading causes of death is a group of Proliferative and invasive disorders called cancer. This course will emphasize the physiological, cellular, and molecular features of this dreaded group of diseases, to develop a comprehensive understanding of this disease. Special attention will be placed on clinical therapeutic intervention methodologies. Two lecture hours, no laboratory requirement.

Prerequisite: BIOL 251

 

BIOL 394 Collaborative Research in Biology (4 or 5, F, S)

Research in collaboration with a faculty member focusing on current research in areas of immunology, molecular genetics, animal behavior, and forest/ water ecosystems analysis. Students work in small teams reviewing literature, designing projects, performing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and writing up their work in manuscript form. Students who opt for 5 credits will be required to publicly present their work and be exempted from the Introduction to Research requirement for the Biology major.

Prerequisite: BIOL 151, 152


BIOL 195, 295, 395, 396 Special Topics (1-4, F&S)
Courses designed to meet the individual needs of advanced students in such areas as medical terminology, virology, disease pathogenesis, animal behavior, and research in biology. Some of the courses include laboratory.

BIOL 475 Environmental Stewardship Seminar (1, OD)
The course focuses on examining environmental issues and problems in light of the Christian faith with the goal of developing a personal stewardship ethic. Beginning with local environmental problems, and then moving to global issues and ethics. Outside speakers from the larger community, including representatives from the NYDEC, the Nature Conservancy, and local politicians.

BIOL 480 General Science Seminar (1, S)
Written thesis and oral presentation on a topic selected for interdisciplinary breadth describing current scientific research in the area of the student’s concentration, based on a thorough review of scientific literature.

BIOL 482 Senior Capstone: Senior Seminar (1, S)
Discussions on history of biological science, ethical problems in biology and health related issues, and environmental issues. Required of all biology majors during their final spring semester. Open only to majors.

BIOL 391, -2; 491, -2 Independent Study (1, 2, or 3)
Research under the supervision of a biology department faculty member. Total five credits.

BIOL 496 Honors in Biology (3)

PRPR 202A Premedical-Predental Practicum (P/U) (3, May)
Observation and practical experience with physician or dentist on a one-to-one basis. Preparation and sharing of experiences on the Houghton campus. Open only to serious medical or dental school candidates.