101 Humankind in the Biotic World (4) Introduction to the principles of biology from the perspective of the impacts of plants, animals, and microbes on human life, and the impact of humans on the biosphere. Intended for students not majoring in the biological or pre-health sciences. Surveys life from the cell to topics in human health. Topics include – macromolecules and cells, energy flow in biological systems, genetics and information flow from generation to generation, reproduction, biotechnology and genetic engineering, sex and sexuality, human physiology, cancer, drugs (use and misuse). Laboratories involve a mix of skills-oriented exercises and assignments focused on topics. (NS)
Contact Hour Distribution: 3 hours lecture and 1 hour lab.
Comment(s): Although not required, it is strongly recommended that 101 and 102 be taken in sequence.
102 Humankind in the Biotic World (4) Introduction to the principles of biology from the perspective of the impacts of plants, animals, and microbes on human life, and the impact of humans on the biosphere. Intended for students not majoring in the biological or pre-health sciences. Focuses on the diversity of the Earth’s biota and the interdependence among components. Topics include – surveys of biodiversity from bacteria to higher plants and animals, genetics and evolutionary processes, population biology, ecology, ecosystems, environmental issues including world population, and global climate change. Laboratories involve a mix of skills-oriented exercises and assignments focused on topics. (NS)
Contact Hour Distribution: 3 hours lecture and 1 hour lab.
Comment(s): Although not required, it is strongly recommended that 101 and 102 be taken in sequence.
111 General Botany (4) Introduction to the principles of plant biology covering cell biology, respiration, photosynthesis, genetics (including mitosis, meiosis, Mendelian inheritance, recombinant DNA Technology) and classification and diversity of the prokaryotes, fungi, protista, and plant kingdoms. (NS)
Contact Hour Distribution: 3 hours lecture and 1 hour lab.
Comment(s): Although not required, it is recommended 111-112 be taken in sequence.
112 General Botany (4) Topics include development of the plant body, anatomy, hormonal and environmental growth regulation, plant nutrition, regulation of water and nutrients, origin of life and mechanisms of evolution, speciation, and population genetics, ecology including dynamics of communities and ecosystems, the interaction of plants and people including origin of agriculture, the Green Revolution, and plants as medicines, a survey of current environmental issues related to plant biology and tree identification. (NS)
Contact Hour Distribution: 3 hours lecture, 1 hour lab and field trips.
Comments: Although not required, it is recommended 111-112 be taken in sequence.
130 Biodiversity (4) Unifying concepts and principles of biology, illustrated with diversity of life. Properties of life, molecular basis, origin of life, cells, genetics, introduction to kingdoms, origins of multicellularity, multicellular plants and animals, ideas about evolution, man’s place in nature. Emphasis on common themes in living systems (e.g., metabolism, protein and nucleotide sequence similarities, morphology), phylogeny construction, fossils, and the major plant and animal groups. Writing and analysis of lab activities required. Intended for science majors. (NS)
Contact Hour Distribution: 3 hours lecture and 1 hour lab.
Credit Restriction: Students receiving credit for both 101 and 102 may not receive credit for 130.
140 Organization and Function of the Cell (4) Topics include basic organic chemistry and biomolecules, cell structure (membranes, cell walls, and internal organelles); energetics (respiration and photosynthesis); cell division mitosis; and molecular biology. Labs will stress basic laboratory skills and procedures such as measuring pipetting and mixing solutions, as well as introduce modern methods for analysis of cell components such as electrophoresis and centrifugation. (NS)
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 130 and Chemistry 120.
(RE) Corequisite(s): Chemistry 130.
157 Honors Experimental Biology (4) Integrated lecture/laboratory practicum designed as an inquiry-based course with hands-on experimentation to explore the nature of scientific research and unifying concepts and principles of biology. Properties of life and common themes in living systems using plant and animal subjects for experimentation. (NS) (OC)
Credit Restriction: Students receiving credit for both 101 and 102 may not receive credit for 157.
202 Inside the Biological Sciences (1) Presentations by faculty and other biology professionals emphasizing applied biological research. Familiarizes students with diverse nature and current applications of biology.
Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 3 hours.
240 General Genetics (4) Classical and modern principles of heredity. Topics include meiosis and transmission genetics; molecular genetics and gene expression; population and evolutionary genetics. Laboratories will alternate with problem-solving sessions and will include both computer based simulations and hands-on experience with model genetic systems. Emphasis on development of analytical skills.
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 140 or 112.
(DE) Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 130.
250 General Ecology (4) Relations between organisms and their environment, including human environmental problems. Topics include populations, communities, and ecosystems.
Contact Hour Distribution: 3 hours lecture and 1 hour discussion, field problems, or computer simulations.
(RE) Prerequisite(s): 140 or 112.
(DE) Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 130.
Comment(s): A working knowledge of college algebra is required.
307 Honors: Colloquy in Biological Research (1) Presentations by professional biologists emphasizing rewards of careers in different areas of biology. Nationally recognized speakers invited each term.
Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 4 hours.
Recommended Background: 8 hours of 200-level or above biology courses.
Registration Restriction(s): Biological sciences major/honors biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology
concentration or honors ecology and evolutionary biology concentration or honors microbiology concentration or
honors plant biology concentration; minimum student level – sophomore.
308 Honors: Colloquy in Biological Research (1) Presentations by professional biologists emphasizing rewards of careers in different areas of biology. Nationally recognized speakers invited each term.
Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 4 hours.
Recommended Background: 8 hours of 200-level or above biology courses.
Registration Restriction(s): Biological sciences major/honors biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology
concentration or honors ecology and evolutionary biology concentration or honors microbiology concentration or
honors plant biology concentration; minimum student level – sophomore.
397 Honors: Seminar on Research Skills (3) Required of (but not limited to) Threshold Biology Scholars. Technical and cognitive skills necessary for participation in biological research. Lecture/presentations and small team demonstrations and discussion.
Recommended Background: 8 hours of 200-level or above biology courses.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
398 Honors: Practicum in Biological Research (3-5) Required of (but not limited to) Threshold Biology Scholars. Rotation through 3-5 modules of required and elective experience in participating laboratories.
Repeatability: Not repeatable for credit. May be taken once for 3-5 hours.
Recommended Background: 8 hours of 200-level or above biology courses.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.
401 Senior Thesis (3-12) Required research experience of Threshold Biology Scholars. Students design research projects, complete research data acquisition, organize thesis documents, and prepare presentations.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.