DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
SPRING SEMESTER 2009-2010
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
BIOLOGY 104N – Topics: From Conception to Birth
(4 credits)
McWhorter, Michelle
Open to all students
This non-majors course will discuss the major concepts in human embryonic and fetal development. There will also be a discussion of the ethical and moral issues surrounding the human embryo, such as stem cells and cloning. While there is no laboratory component to this course, there will be both oral and written communication components.
BIOLOGY 104B – Topics: Natural Resources
(4 credits)
Phillips, Richard
Open to all students
In this introductory class, we explore the role of ecology in environmental issues. Our classroom work will provide the basic ecological principles, while the laboratory component will allow investigation of communities in and around Wittenberg’s campus. While learning to describe species diversity, we will become familiar with typical data collection and simple analysis often used in ecological studies.
BIOLOGY 110N - Survey of Biology
(4 credits)
Mason, David
Open to all students
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.
BIOLOGY 142N - Ecological Biology and Environmental Issues
(4 credits)
Hobbs, Horton
Open to all students
This is an introductory course for non-majors with emphasis on environmental biology. This is a lecture-discussion course with no laboratory and a research paper and oral presentation are required. Much of the semester will be spent examining the structure and function of natural ecosystems; the latter part of the course will focus on the impacts of humans on these ecosystems.
BIOLOGY 180B - Concepts of Biology
(5 credits)
Collier, Matthew and
Yoder, Jay
Open 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 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.
BIOLOGY 233 - Ornithology
(5 credits)
Ritzenthaler, John
Prerequisites: 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 weekend field trips as well as early morning bird walks are required.
Biology 235 – Morphology of Vascular Plants
(5 Credits)
Collier, Matthew
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
This course will cover comparative morphology, anatomy, and life histories of vascular plants (e.g., whisk ferns, ground pines, ferns, horsetails, gymnosperms [ginkgo, cycads, and pines], and angiosperms). Students will also examine classification, nomenclature, relationships, reproduction, and economic importance of vascular plants.
BIOLOGY 237 - Microbiology
(5 credits)
Yoder, Jay
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
Basic principles of bacteriology and virology, stressing structure, metabolism, classification, and application.
BIOLOGY 239 - Biology of Marine Invertebrates
(5 credits)
Reinsel, Kathleen and
Welch, Jim
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and 180
Over 90% of the world’s animals are invertebrates, and virtually all invertebrate groups have marine representatives. This course will focus on the major invertebrate taxa, examining their distinguishing characteristics in addition to their physiology, ecology, and natural history. In lab, we will observe living specimens of many invertebrates, examine and describe the internal and external anatomy of some of them, and experiment with a few. Live specimens will be used whenever possible--we will collect many of these during an optional field trip associated with this course (Biology 258: Extended Field Studies - Marine Invertebrates).
BIOLOGY 250 – Topics: Herpetology
(5 credits)
Gribbins, Kevin
We will study the unique anatomy, physiology, natural history, and evolution of reptiles and amphibians. Lectures will start with a taxonomic introduction to the reptiles of the world, focusing mainly on those of the United States and particularly those found in Ohio. We will continue with discussions of the evolution and adaptations that have enabled reptiles to make the transition to land. We will study the anatomical and physiological specializations that occur within the reptiles, allowing them to succeed in the terrestrial environment and to reproduce free from water. We will also include specializations for feeding and mobility within the niches that reptiles and amphibians occupy. Our course includes a weekly field experience/lab in which students travel to parks and reserves around the Springfield area. We will collect and photograph central Ohio amphibians and reptiles and will then research the specimens so as to produce presentations on their natural history, taxonomy, habitat/collecting site, evolution, and
unique features. There is also the possibility of an extended field stay (4 days) in Mississippi in April to collect reptiles and amphibians common to the southeastern U.S.
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 255 - Biological Literacy
(4 credits)
Hobbs, Horton
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 258 - Extended Field Studies - Ecology
(1 credit)
Phillips, Richard and
Gribbins, Kevin
Prerequisite: Must take concurrently with Biology 346
We will travel to Mississippi to visit a retired farm with a mix of bottomland hardwood, fallow fields, and pine plantations. With our bug spray, laptops, and field notebooks, we will compare species composition across taxa and among habitat types. We will run preliminary analyses to examine ecological similarities and differences among species assemblages in Mississippi. This trip will be lead by Kevin Gribbins and Richard Phillips.
Biology 258 – Extended Field Studies – Herpetology
(1 credit)
Gribbins, Kevin and
Phillips, Richard
Prerequisite: Must take concurrently with Biology 250 – Herpetology
We will travel to Mississippi to visit a large retired farm (roughly 500 acres) that has perfect heterogeneous habitat for reptiles and amphibians. The farm sits between two large lakes that will offer other field opportunities to collect, catalog, GIS locate, and photograph specimens. This incredible four day experience will allow students to see turtles, lizards, snakes (including some pit vipers!), frogs, and salamanders of the southeastern U.S. The trip will be run by Kevin Gribbins and Richard Philips and will include a 4-day stay in Mississippi.
BIOLOGY 258 - Extended Field Studies - Marine Invertebrates
( 1 credit)
Reinsel, Kathleen and
Welch, Jim
Prerequisite: Must take concurrently with Biology 239. Instructor permission required.
A 5-day field trip (Tuesday, April 13 – Sunday, April 18) to the Duke Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, N.C. Students will participate in field trips to marine habitats to observe and collect invertebrates for study and experimentation at Wittenberg.
BIOLOGY 312 - The Cell
(5 credits)
McWhorter, Michelle
Prerequisites: Biology 170 and Chemistry 162
Cell biology focuses on the structure and function of the cell, examining individual structures and building toward a synthesis of the dynamic metabolic processes of the cell. These processes include synthesis of cellular components, metabolic pathways, and signaling pathways.
BIOLOGY 326 – Human Anatomy and Physiology II
(4 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 cardiovascular, respiratory, immune and urinary systems. Disease states will also be discussed. Assessment will include 3 written examinations, writing assignments, and a final examination. One credit laboratory course offered separately in conjunction with this course (Biology 327). Offered every year.
BIOLOGY 327 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II laboratory
(1 credit)
Pederson, Cathy
Co-requisite: Biology 326
Laboratories will focus on the anatomy and physiology of each system as they are discussed in the Biology 326 lectures. Laboratories will include dissection. Assessment will include weekly review sheets, an independent project and paper, and lab practical examinations. Offered every year.
BIOLOGY 328 - Electron Microscopy
(5 credits)
Mason, David
Prerequisites: 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 346 – Ecology
(5 credits)
Phillips, Richard
Prerequisites: A Biology group 2, 3, or 4 course and Math Placement 22
Ecology is the study of interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms. We will examine both theoretical and applied aspects of ecology in the classroom. Laboratories will investigate specific hypothesis from observation to analysis, leading not only to increased knowledge of ecological principles, but also to a more advanced understanding of scientific investigations in stochastic environments. You will be required to analyze datasets as well as present those in both presentation and publication form. This course should prepare students for advanced degrees in ecology as well as provide the framework for novel applications of ecology in other biological fields.
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.
