BIOLOGY 104B – Ecology and Conservation of Natural Resources
(4 credits)
Phillips, Richard
Open to all students
As increasing demands and attention are given to environmental issues, a firm foundation in ecological principles is required to form knowledgeable viewpoints on issues facing society. This course will provide an introduction to the ecology and conservation of renewable natural resources, including their multiple-use for timber, water, range, recreation, and wildlife. Specific objectives are four-fold: (1) understand ecological principles and how humans can live within the framework of these principles, (2) gain an understanding the ecology and current issues surrounding the major ecosystems of the United States and abroad, (3) understand currently accepted management practices for specific ecosystems, and (4) understand the necessity and feasibility of multiple-use within the framework of natural ecosystems. Laboratory exercises will emphasize the role of scientific method in formulating solutions to ecological problems.
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. An optional field trip to caves 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, quizzes, one lecture exam, a term paper, and a final exam.
BIOLOGY 170 - Concepts of Biology: Biological Information, Reproduction, and Evolution
(5 credits)
Collier, Matthew
Yoder, Jay
Open to all students planning to major in biology
This course and Biology 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 214 – Developmental Biology
(5 credits)
McWhorter, Michelle
Prerequisites: 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 gametogenesis, fertilization, gastrulation, and organogenesis. 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, tissues, and organs.
BIOLOGY 215 – Genetics
(5 credits)
Collier, Matthew
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
This course will examine the scope and significance of modern genetic principles. Lecture and lab topics will include molecular and Mendelian genetics, protein synthesis, recombinant DNA, genetic engineering, effects of stressors upon genetic systems, human genetics, and population genetics. Particular attention will be paid to learning how to apply basic genetic principles to biological problems and to developing analytical skills.
BIOLOGY 221 – Pharmacology
(4 credits)
Pederson, Cathy
Prerequisites: 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. 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.
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: An Introduction to Human Disease, Leonard Crowley, M.D.
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 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 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, and MUSTregister for the Biology 258B, Cave Ecology Field Study.
BIOLOGY 247 – Marine Ecology
(5 credits)
Reinsel, Kathleen
Prerequisites: Biology 170, 180, and a minimum math placement of 22
This course will focus primarily on the ecology of nearshore coastal habitats. We will cover some basic aspects of the physical environment that organisms encounter in marine systems. We will explore fisheries biology and management as an example of ecology at the population level. Students will also learn about the major ecological processes that structure marine communities. We will focus on a few marine habitats and study the particular animals and plants that live in them, and end with some discussion of human impacts on marine systems. Throughout the course, we will look at the recent research in marine ecology. Labs will be based on data and organisms collected during an optional field trip to the Duke Marine Laboratory and may include behavioral studies, collection, identification and enumeration of sediment-dwelling invertebrates, and comparison of species diversity in different habitats. These exercises will allow students to practice data analysis, graphic presentation of data and writing of scientific papers.
BIOLOGY 250 – Ecology and Biology of Reptiles and Amphibians
(5 credits)
Gribbins, Kevin and
Phillips, Richard
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
Biological limitations drive ecological distributions. In this course, using amphibians and reptiles as models, we will examine the role of physiology and morphology on ecological distributions. We will investigate taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships as well as relationships that drive patterns of distribution and abundance among herpetological species. Laboratories will include dissection, species identification, phylogenetics, and field investigations and techniques. One extended study over a long weekend will be required for this course.
BIOLOGY 255 - Biological Literacy
(4 credits)
Yoder , Jay
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 in this writing intensive course.
BIOLOGY 258B - Extended Field Studies - Cave Ecology
(1 credit)
Hobbs, Horton
Prerequisite: Must take concurrently with Biology 143/243
Two field trips are offered as an optional field experience (highly recommended and REQUIRED for biology majors enrolled in Biology 243, Cave Ecology). 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 (Tuesday, September 7 – Sunday, September 12, 2010) 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.
BIOLOGY 258 – Extended Field Studies – Reptiles and Amphibians
(1 credit)
Gribbins, Kevin and
Phillips, Richard
Prequisites: Must take concurrently with Biology 250. Permission of the instructors is required prior to registration.
We will generate and test hypotheses predicting herpetological communities in Michigan, Ohio, and Mississippi. The trips will take place over a long weekend and dates for these trips will be announced at a later date.
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).
BIOLOGY 310 - Molecular Biology
(5 credits)
Goodman, Margaret
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180 and Chemistry 162, or Biology 312
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 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 I
(5 credits)
Pederson, Cathy
Prerequisites: 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.
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 347 – Evolution
(4 credits)
Phillips, Richard
Prerequisites: Biology 170, 180, and two additional biology courses
Evolution is an unpredictable and natural process of temporal descent with genetic modification that is affected by natural selection, chance, historical contingencies, and changing environments. The concept of organic evolution has affected almost all other fields of knowledge and is considered to be one of the most influential concepts in Western thought. This course concerns the principles and processes of evolution and how they relate to ecology, physiology, behavior, morphology, and the systematics and classification of organisms.
BIOLOGY 406 - Senior Capstone
(4 credits)
Goodman, Margaret 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.
