BIOLOGY 104 – Topics: From Conception to Birth
(4 credits)
McWhorter, Michelle
Open to all students
This non-majors course will discuss the major concepts in human development. There will also be a discussion of the ethical and moral issues surrounding the human embryo, such as stem cells and cloning. Where there is no laboratory component to this course, there will be both oral and written communication components.
BIOLOGY 104 – Topics: Insects and Society
(4 credits)
Trisler, Carmen
Open to all students
This course is designed to introduce students to the natural world of insects by looking at the life cycles, behavior, and ecology of a selected group of insects, and the applications of the science of entomology. Insects are the dominant arthropod on the earth filling many niches and interacting with humans on all levels and in all cultures. This course will look at unique insect behavior by Orders and Families. The laboratory experience will consist of five field sessions in which insects will be collected, as well as classes in the indoor lab. Evaluation will be primarily based on three exams and an insect collection. Students will be expected to purchase collection supplies for their insect collection. The difference between this course and Biology 238 is the number of hours spent in lab and the size of the required insect collection.
BIOLOGY 130 - The Botanical World
(4 credits)
deLanglade , Ronald
Open to all students
Course Goals: This section of The Botanical World will focus on the natural world as related to higher plants. The prime goal is to give the students the necessary framework to understand the botanical world around them.
The course will cover the basic aspects of the science of botany, general plant structure, growth and development and reproduction as related to plants. Where appropriate the importance to man/society of the various topics will be discussed.
Assessment: Knowledge of botanical life will be gained through four written exams, a collection of lay press articles with summaries. Students will make a leaf collection of common forms found in their environment.
BIOLOGY 131 - Trees and Shrubs of the Urban and Natural Environments (Woody Plants)
(4 credits)
deLanglade , Ron
Open to all students
Will meet R-8 and lab experience for general education requirements or may be counted in Biology major/minor requirements as a botany course.
Course Goals: This course will focus on the urban and natural environments as related to woody trees and shrubs and vines. The prime goal of the course is to give the student the necessary framework to understand and be acquainted with the woody plant world around them.
Course Subject: The course is to acquaint the student of the various native and cultivated forms of woody trees, shrubs, and vines as found in natural and urban environments. Topics to be covered include: basic classification, naming, use of taxonomic keys, life histories, basic growth patterns, culture and care. Field trips to various local sites will be taken.
Required Text: Graves, Arthur H., Illustrated Guide to Trees and Shrubs
Assessment: Assessment of student achievement of the stated learning goals will be by:
1. At least 2 to 3 lecture tests.
2. 2-3 Field identification tests
3. A specimen collection (made with a partner).
4. Oral presentation to the class on a specific family containing woody forms.
5. A scrap book of current articles in the lay press concerning this group of plants.
BIOLOGY 143 - Cave Ecology
(4 credits)
Hobbs, Horton
Open to all students
This course is a basic introduction to cave ecology and will follow a lecture-seminar-discussion format with no formal laboratory. A field trip to caves in northeastern Kentucky will be scheduled and mini-projects relating to cave ecology will be carried out on these trips (see Biology 258B – Cave Ecology). Much of the term will be spent examining speleogenesis, the structure and function of cave ecosystems, as well as the evolutionary biology of obligate cave inhabitants. The grade is based on class participation, mini-projects, one lecture exam, a term paper, and a final exam.
BIOLOGY 170 - Concepts of Biology: Biological Information, Reproduction, and Evolution
(5 credits)
Collier, Matthew
Gribbins, Kevin
Open to all students planning to major in biology
This course and Biol 180, required for the biology major, provide an overview of the primary concepts in biology and are prerequisites for upper level biology courses. Students may take Biology 170B and Biology 180B in either order. The major themes of this course are information flow from DNA to protein, animal reproduction, and evolution. Students must also enroll in an accompanying lab section (BIOL 171). The laboratory portion of the course will provide students with hands-on activities designed to reinforce lecture content and develop the basic scientific skills that are needed for future courses in the major. Offered in the fall semester.
BIOLOGY 220 – Neurobiology
(5 credits)
Pederson, Cathy
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
This course introduces biology majors and minors to the intricacies of the nervous system. The course begins with the basics of neuronal communication and then moves to the organization of the nervous system (particularly the brain) into various systems as well as the visual, auditory, and motor systems. Laboratories will focus on the anatomy and current understanding of the mammalian brain. To this end, laboratories will include dissection of mammalian brains, interpretation of MRIs and an independent project.
BIOL 223 - Survey of Human Disease
(4 credits)
Mason, David
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
This course considers the major diseases that affect the human organism. It includes what causes the disease, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment, and prevention. A general overview of disease is considered first, including infections, autoimmune, genetic diseases, and cancer, to be followed by specific disease problems relating to each organ system.
Text: Pathology for the Health-related Professions, Ivan Damjanov
Information on the University class files, Q drive.
BIOLOGY 230 - Trees and Shrubs of the Urban and Natural Environments (Woody Plants)
(4 credits)
deLanglade, Ron
Open to biology majors only
Please see the description of this course listed under Biology 131. Biology majors and minors who need this course to count toward the major or the minor should register for Biology 230, rather than Biology 131.
BIOL 232 - Mammalian Ecology
(5 credits)
Lewis, Timothy
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
Course subject: Mammals are probably the most loved animals, yet their generally cryptic habits make most of them unknown to the average person. Mammalian adaptations include flight, swimming, the fastest land animals, and even fossorial adaptions. This course will examine mammals, their varied habitats, modes of living, and examine the taxonomy of the world's mammals, with an emphasis on the diversity of mammals native to Ohio. Lab experiences will include trapping, tagging (radio telemetry), census techniques, and exposure to the diversity of mammals.
BIOL 234 - Morphology of Non-Vascular Plants
(5 credits)
Mason, David
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
Course Goal: Provide students with an opportunity to systematically study various nonvascular plants, including: algae, bacteria, viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Course Topic: Students study the structure, reproduction, ecology and evolution of algae, bacteria, viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Assessment Methods: Students are evaluated by a means of lecture and laboratory examinations in addition to credit assigned their field collections.
Instructional Methods: This is carried out by means of lecture-discussions, including slide presentations of organisms and laboratory and field experiences.
Laboratory Manual on Nonvascular Plants, and information on the University class files, Q drive.
BIOLOGY 238 - Entomology
(5 credits)
Trisler, Carmen
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
An introduction to entomology including morphology, taxonomy and behavior. Emphasis on collection and preservation of specimens representing a prescribed number of Orders. Identification of terrestrial and aquatic insects to the taxonomic level of Family using dichotomous keys as well as field characteristics. Much of the instruction is done in the field with local field trips, and the possibility of one overnight trip. Students are required to purchase collection and preservation supplies and make their own insect collection to use as type specimens. Evaluation is primarily based on three exams and an insect collection.
BIOLOGY 243 – Cave Ecology
(4 credits)
Hobbs, Horton
Open to biology majors only
Please see the description of this course listed under Biology 143. Biology majors and minors who need this course to count toward the major or the minor should register for Biology 243, rather than Biology 143.
BIOLOGY 247 – Marine Ecology
(5 credits)
Reinsel, Kathleen
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
This course will focus on the ecology of marine systems, particularly nearshore benthic communities. Students will become familiar with the primary literature and ‘classic’ studies that helped to define marine community ecology, as well as the processes that structure a variety of marine communities. Lab exercises may include collection, identification and enumeration of sediment-dwelling invertebrates, comparison of species diversity of different habitats, and general diversity of marine organisms in a variety of habitats.
BIOLOGY 255 – Biological Literacy
(4 credits)
Collier, Matthew
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
A study of common sources, methods, and techniques used in scientific writing and in presenting biological literature. There will be a strong emphasis on bibliographic sources as well as written and oral presentations of biological material.
BIOLOGY 258B - Extended Field Studies - Cave Ecology
(1 credit)
Hobbs, Horton
Prerequisite: Must take concurrently with Biology 143/243
A four-day field trip to Kentucky is offered as an optional field experience (highly recommended). Please note: any student participating in this field experience will receive lab credit.
BIOLOGY 258 – Extended Field Studies – Marine Ecology
(1 credit)
Reinsel, Kathleen
Prerequisite: Must take concurrently with Biology 247
A 5-day field trip (Friday, September 7 – Wednesday, September 12, 2007) to the Duke Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, NC. Students will participate in field trips to marine habitats to collect samples and conduct experiments that will be analyzed at Wittenberg.
BIOL 258 - Extended Field Studies - Stream Ecology
(1 credit)
Hobbs, Horton
Prerequisite: Must take concurrently with Biology 342
A five-day field trip to southwestern Virginia is offered as an optional field experience (highly recommended).
BIOL 312 – The Cell
(5 credits)
Yoder, Jay
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and Chemistry 162
Correlation of cell structure and function, with an emphasis on the fundamental processes involved in building and maintaining a cell.
BIOLOGY 324 - Animal Physiology
(5 credits)
Gribbins, Kevin
Prerequisites: Biology 170, 180, and Chemistry 162
This course focuses on the function of the tissues, organs, and organ systems of multicellular organisms. We will survey membrane function, respiration, circulation, digestion, locomotion, osmoregulation, excretion, nervous function, endocrine function, and reproduction. The topics covered will be placed in an evolutionary and ecological framework and will focus on how different animals adapt and survive within their specialized niches.
BIOLOGY 325 - Human Anatomy and Physiology
(5 credits)
Pederson, Cathy
Prerequisites: Biology 170, 180, and one upper-level biology course
Students will learn about the major systems of the human body in both lecture and laboratory. Topics to be discussed include the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, reproductive, digestive, immune, musculoskeletal, and nervous system. Disease states will also be discussed. Laboratories will focus on the anatomy of each system as they are discussed in the lecture portion of the course. Laboratories will include dissection. Assessment will include 3 written examinations, lab practical examinations, and a final examination. Offered every year.
BIOL 342 - Stream Ecology
(5 credits)
Hobbs, Horton
Prerequisites: Biology 170, 180, and Chemistry 162
This writing intensive course is designed to acquaint the student with the physical, chemical, and biological processes of stream ecosystems. Each student will conduct a semester-long field research project; also a 24-hour class field research experience is required. This is a lecture-discussion course with students presenting several seminars and leading discussions concerning relevant topics treating streams. A five day field trip to the mountainous region of southwestern Virginia is offered as an optional field experience; also recommended Mathematics 127, Introductory Statistics.
BIOLOGY 406 - Senior Capstone
(4 credits)
Gribbins, Kevin and
Yoder, Jay
Prerequisite: Must have senior status
The capstone course uses a topic-driven approach to promote synthesis of biological concepts and emphasize the inter-relatedness of different disciplines within biology. These concepts range from the molecular level through organismal biology to populations and ecosystems. The course will rely heavily on the primary literature with emphasis on the process of scientific discovery. In this course students develop skills in presenting scientific material in both oral and written form. This writing-intensive course is required of all biology majors and is to be taken during the senior year.
