BIOLOGY 110 - Survey of Biology Open to all students
(4 credits)
Mason, David
Lecture, discussion, and demonstration dealing with such topics as the origin of life, sexual reproduction, diversity, adaptation, heredity, environment, and infectious diseases as they relate to humans.
BIOL 120 - Human Health and PathologyThis is an introductory course for non-science majors which does not count toward a biology major or minor. This course has an emphasis on the human condition, particularly looking at the crucial organ systems of the body - nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, urogenital, etc. While learning basic human anatomy and physiology, students will also be exposed to a variety of illnesses and afflictions associated with each system.
BIOLOGY 130 - The Botanical WorldOpen 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 also grow plants in the greenhouse or make a leaf collection.
BIOLOGY 180 - Concepts of BiologyOpen to all students planning to major in Biology
A survey of concepts common to most areas of the biological sciences. Topics including the scientific method, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, energy flow, flowering plant and animal biology, and the evolution of diversity will be covered. Prerequisite (with BIOL 170) to all other major courses.
BIOLOGY 214 – Developmental BiologyPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
Developmental biology is the study of how single celled zygotes (or fertilized eggs) become multi-cellular organisms with specialized tissues and organs. This course is designed to provide an overview of the major features of animal development focusing primarily on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie these developmental events. Lecture topics will include fertilization, gastrulation, organogenesis, and classical embryology. Laboratory components will use a range of developmental model organisms to highlight some of the main tenants of developmental biology. There will be an emphasis on how cells in the developing embryo differentiate into specific cell types, germ layers, and tissues and organs.
BIOLOGY 221 – PharmacologyPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
This course shows biology majors and minors the effects of particular chemicals on human physiology. Humans interact with many pharmacological agents on a regular basis. These agents range from prescription to illicit drugs, as well as contact with environmental chemicals. The primary focus of this course is the effects of these chemicals on the nervous system. Some of the pharmacological agents to be studied will include cocaine, barbiturates, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and oral contraceptives. In addition, the course will focus on chemicals encountered in the environment, i.e. pesticides and their effects on wildlife and human populations.
BIOLOGY 231 - Vertebrate ZoologyPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
This course will examine comparatively the structural and functional anatomy of vertebrates using an evolutionary approach. Lectures will focus on major morphological systems, phylogenetic relationships, natural history and biogeography, and development of the vertebrate groups. Labs will follow the progression of lecture topics to compare each anatomical system in a diversity of vertebrates. A field trip to the Newport (KY) aquarium will introduce students to the great diversity of vertebrate life and provide a basis for writing papers that integrate morphology, function, and ecology.
BIOLOGY 233 - OrnithologyPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
Students will investigate the biology, ecology, and identification of birds. We will combine lecture, laboratory, and field experiences to understand taxonomy, structure, behavior, and identification by sight and song. The 400-plus species of birds recorded in Ohio will serve as our basis for our study of the incredible diversity of birds throughout the world. Several Saturday field trips as well as early morning bird walks are required.
BIOLOGY 235 - Morphology of Vascular PlantsPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
This course is intended to acquaint the student with the structure and life histories of the major groups of vascular plants. We generally meet two or three times per week for lecture and laboratory. In addition, there is one laboratory period per week. There are generally three or four lecture exams and one or two lab practicals.
BIOLOGY 237 - MicrobiologyPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
Basic principles of bacteriology and virology, stressing structure, metabolism, classification, and application.
BIOLOGY 250 – Topics: Introduction to BioinformaticsPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
Rapidly increasing in importance, bioinformatics uses the strength of information technology to better understand biological systems of all types. With applications in health, medicine, plants and the environment, bioinformatics provides the means for education, research and understanding of many living organisms. The introductory course will provide an overview of bioinformatics and develop experience with the tools in use today. Presented in a balanced manner, the course is suitable for inquiring computational scientists and biologists alike. The course will cover basics for data representation, genomic analysis, proteomic analysis, data analysis and visualization. Examples and applications from current topics will be incorporated throughout the course.
BIOLOGY 255 - Biological LiteracyPrerequisites: 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 310 - Molecular BiologyPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 180 and Chemistry 162
Molecular Biology will provide an introduction to the molecular biochemistry of cell function, focusing on genetic aspects. Topics to be discussed include structure of DNA and RNA, transcription, translation, regulation of gene expression, and DNA replication and repair. This is a writing intensive course, requiring one major paper, one lab report, and in-class essays on lecture exams. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on techniques used in the molecular biology laboratory, including electrophoresis (both agarose and polyacrylamide), blotting techniques, cloning and PCR.
BIOLOGY 325 - Human Anatomy and Physiology IPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 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 musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Disease states will also be discussed. Laboratories will focus on the anatomy and physiology 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.
BIOLOGY 328 - Electron MicroscopyPrerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
The goal of this course is to have students study the structure and function of cells and tissues at both the light and electron microscopic levels.
Students are evaluated on their understanding of cell and tissue structure and function by three examinations employing slides and micrographs. The results of their projects are incorporated into a formal paper and presentation which are evaluated and included as part of their final grade.
This is a lecture-discussion course format, including slide presentations of cells and tissues, and "hand's on" laboratory experience with light and electron microscopes.
Text: Bloom and Fawcett, Histology; Mason, Laboratory Manual of Electron Microscopy.
BIOLOGY 406 - Senior CapstonePrerequisite: 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.
