BIOL101 - Basic Biology (f, sp, su; 2/2) 3 sh
A review course
with emphasis on current paradigms, themes, and concepts.
Course topics will include, but are not limited to, the chemistry of
biology, cell structure, metabolism, genetics, the central dogma of molecular
biology, natural selection and evolution, and ecology.
Although humans may provide the focus of some discussion, the emphasis
of this course will include broader aspects of a diversity of biological
phenomena. Laboratory will augment and support lecture and will provide
students with hands-on experience with the scientific method.
This course fulfills the general
education natural science requirement, but cannot be used for biology credit
by biology majors.
Faculty: Calabrese, Smith, Yoho.
BIOL106 - Principles of Biology I (f; 2/3) 3 sh
An introduction to
biology with emphasis on the chemistry of life, cell structure and function,
cellular metabolism and cell reproduction.
Laboratory exercises are designed to reinforce principles covered in
lecture and to provide students with experiences in making observations,
hypothesis testing, and data collection, analysis and interpretation.
This course may not be used in combination with BIOL101 to satisfy
general education natural science requirements.
Faculty: Hunter.
BIOL107 - Principles of Biology II (sp; 2/3) 3 sh
A continuation of
Principles I with emphasis on inheritance of characteristics, molecular
biology, mechanisms of reproduction and development, concepts of biology
evolution, fundamentals of ecology and the diversity of life.
Laboratory exercises are designed to reinforce principles covered in
lecture and to provide students with experiences in making observations,
hypothesis testing, and data collection, analysis and interpretation.
May not be used in combination
with BIOL101 to satisfy general education natural science requirements.
Prerequisite: BIOL106 or permission of the instructor.
Faculty: Hunter.
BIOL108
- FIELD
NATURAL HISTORY (f; 2/2)
3 sh
The
life history, economic values, aesthetic values of plants and animals.
Lab and field identification exercises requiring the use of field
guides and keys. Introduction to
natural history literature. This course fulfills
the general education natural science requirement, but cannot be used for
biology credit by biology majors.
Faculty: Harnishfeger.
BIOL110
- INTRODUCTION
TO MICROBIOLOGY
3 sh
This
course which is offered only at the Clearfield Branch Campus is designed to
introduce the student to the study of bacteria, viruses, and other
microorganisms and the role they play in human diseases.
The laboratory includes techniques in the handling, isolation,
cultivation, identification, and control of microorganisms.
This course is designed for student nurses and will not satisfy a
requirement toward a degree in Biology. Fulfills
General Education Requirements.
BIOL200
- Marine Biology (Summer; 2/3) 3 sh
A study of plant and
animal life in the marine environment. Emphasis
will be on physical and chemical factors affecting the biota in the intertidal,
open water, and benthic habitats. Common biota characteristic of each habitat will be
investigated in terms of their natural history, morphology and ecological
relationships. Laboratory and field exercises will emphasize the
identification, anatomy,
physiology, systematics and behavior of marine plants and animals as well as
the physical and chemical properties of seawater.
Prerequisites: BIOL106, BIOL107. This
class will be taught during summer sessions at the Wallops Island Campus of
the Marine Science Consortium by faculty from various member universities.
BIOL202
-
GENETICS
(sp; 2/3)
3 sh
A
study of the three classic areas of genetics:
transmission (Mendelian) genetics, molecular genetics, and
population/evolutionary genetics. Laboratories
reinforce principles covered in lecture, including some research and medically
oriented exercises. Prerequisites:
BIOL106 and 107. Faculty: Nuttall
BIOL206
- BOTANY
I -- An Organismic Survey (f; 2/3)
3 sh
A
study of the major groups of organisms in the kingdoms Archaebacteria,
Eubacteria, Fungi, Protista, and Plantae; the relationships, similarities, and
differences of each group; examples, life history, geographical distribution,
structural features, physiological characteristics, economic and biological
significance, and evolutionary relationships.
Selected examples of the groups are used in the majority of cases.
The basic principles that determine systems of classification and the
naming of organisms are considered. Students
are given an opportunity to learn how to use selected keys in classifying and
identifying organisms. The
evolution and role of organisms in nature and human life are stressed.
Prerequisites:
BIOL106 and 107. Faculty: Marvel.
BIOL240
- Zoology
(sp; 2/3)
3 sh
A
survey of the animal kingdom with emphasis on evolutionary relationships
within and among constituent phyla. The
lecture component of the course will emphasize diversity (taxonomy),
comparative anatomy, functional morphology (mechanics), physiology, life
history, ecology, and evolution. The
laboratory will emphasize and provide support for lecture concepts and will
comprise microscope work and animal dissection. Prerequisites:
BIOL106 and 107. Faculty:
Smith.
BIOL245 - Marine
Invertebrates (Summer; 2/3) 3 sh
This
course is designed to utilize the marine invertebrate taxa to introduce
students to the unique specializations that animals have evolved which allow
them to successfully carry out the processes necessary for life and to exploit
a wide variety of marine habitats. Major
trends in invertebrate evolution will be used to illustrate the historical
constraints upon these solutions and the necessity of narrative explanations
of form and function in animals. It is assumed that each student has been introduced to the
major taxa of animals in a prior introductory zoology course.
Taxonomy will be used as a heuristic tool, but will not be stressed as
a separate subject. Prerequisites: BIOL106, BIOL107; recommended BIOL240.
This class will be taught during summer
sessions at the Wallops Island Campus of the Marine Science Consortium by
faculty from various member universities.
BIOL300 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY (sp;
2/3)
3 sh
This course presents a treatment of central topics in
modern plant physiology. Topics will include: plant-cell biology, ion
transport, water relations, translocation, respiration, photosynthesis,
mineral nutrition, nitrogen metabolism, plant hormones, senescence and
abscission, stress physiology, and photomorphogenesis.
Laboratory exercises are designed to demonstrate physiological
processes in plants and introduce basic and advanced techniques used in plant
physiological research. Faculty:
Marvel.
BIOL301 - Behavior of Marine Organisms (Summer;
2/3) 3 sh
Concepts of
ethology; discussion and observation of the influences of external and
internal factors on the regulation and control of behavior of organisms living
in the marine coastal environment. Prerequisites: BIOL106, BIOL107;
recommended BIOL240.
This class will be taught
during summer sessions at the Wallops Island Campus of the Marine Science
Consortium by faculty from various member universities.
BIOL302
-
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(odd f; 2/3)
3 sh
A
study of classic embryology as well as relevant findings in cytogenetics, cell
and molecular biology, and biochemistry, as it relates to structural and
functional changes in molecules, cells, tissues, and organs during
developmental cycles of plants and animals.
Labs will include developmental study of living organisms as well as
the study of prepared stages of development.
Prerequisites:
BIOL106, 107, 202, or permission of the instructor. Faculty:
Yoho
BIOL305 - Ichthyology (Summer; 2/3) 3 sh
This course is an introduction to the study of evolution,
taxonomy and morphology of fishes. Emphasis
is placed on biodiversity, morphology, and conservation of fishes.
Lecture topics include the nomenclature, history and techniques of both
ichthyology and fisheries biology. Laboratory
emphasis will be on identification, dissection, and the standard techniques
used in field collections. Prerequisites: BIOL106, BIOL107; recommended
BIOL240. This class will
be taught during summer sessions at the Wallops Island Campus of the Marine
Science Consortium. Faculty:
Thompson.
BIOL309
- ECOLOGY
(f; 2/3)
3 sh
A
combination of evolutionary ecology and the classical study of energy flow,
nutrient recycling and their influence on the distribution and abundance of
organisms. Population studies
with respect to growth, age structure, density and competitive interactions on
both the inter- and intra- population levels.
The effects of human society on natural systems are emphasized.
Laboratory exercises, field data collection and statistical techniques
used in data interpretation are treated in the laboratory section.
Prerequisites:
BIOL106 and 107. Faculty: Thompson.
BIOL310
- IMMUNOLOGY (sp; 2/0)
2 sh
This
non-laboratory course is intended to be an introduction to the study of
immunology. The components of the
immune system, both cellular and humoral, and the immune implications of
transplantation, cancer, allergies, and infections will be included.
Immunopathology, such as immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases, will be
covered. Prerequisites: BIOL106,
107, 202, 340 or permission of the instructor. Faculty:
Kutay.
BIOL312
- Marine Botany (Summer;
2/3) 3 sh
This course is
the study of the primary producers of the ocean, estuaries and terrestrial
margins. This includes the study
of phytoplankton, benthic macropytes, salt marsh macrophytes, and other edge
communities like salt flats, mangroves and dunes.
Although taxonomy will be important, it is not the sole focus of the
course. Plant physiology and
ecology will also be stressed. The laboratory portion of this course will stress practical methods of
measurement of the plants and their environment. This includes voucher production and specimen preservation,
basic physical and chemical methods of abiotic environment measurement, growth
and constituent analysis of plant tissue, chlorophyll analysis and wet and dry
weight determination for biomass. Prerequisites:
BIOL106, BIOL107, BIOL206, CHEM120; recommended BIOL309. This class will be taught
during summer sessions at the Wallops Island Campus of the Marine Science
Consortium by faculty from various member universities.
BIOL315
- COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTION
OF VERTEBRATES (sp; 3/3)
4 sh
This
course begins with a brief introduction to current evolutionary theory and
outlines the evolutionary events that led to the Chordata, the various
subphyla of Chordata and closely related taxa.
The course continues with an in depth anatomical and evolutionary study
of the subphylum Vertebrata in which the anatomical systems, and to some
extent the functions of those systems, are compared among the classes of
Vertebrata and between the vertebrates and selected protochordates.
Labs will include thorough investigations of representatives of the
various chordate classes. Prerequisites:
BIOL106 and 107 required, BIOL240 recommended.
Faculty: Thompson.
BIOL328/628
- BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE SEMINAR (f and
sp)
3 sh
This
seminar fulfills the natural and mathematical science seminar requirement in
general education for the Bachelor of Arts degree; it does not fulfill biology
majors course requirements but may be selected as a general education elective
by biology majors. Topics studied
each semester vary, but have included selected readings on ethics in science,
evolution, genetics and genetic engineering, behavior, the brain, physiology,
medicine and the world's environment. Assigned
readings are used as a starting point for further student research and
presentations. The
interrelationships of biology with other disciplines such as economics,
political science, and history are considered.
A primary goal of this seminar is to increase the student’s exposure
to some contemporary topics of biology. Additional
coursework will be required for graduate level credit.
Prerequisite:
None, but preference given to graduating B.A. seniors.
Faculty: Varies.
BIOL330
- CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(f; 3/3)
4 sh
An
in-depth study of the chemicals, organelles, and molecular genetics of cells.
Lectures and a fifteen-week cloning laboratory give theoretical and
hands-on experience in advanced molecular techniques, such as gel
electrophoresis, DNA isolation, restriction digestion, DNA purity and
quantification, bacterial transformation, Southern blotting, probe
hybridization and detection, and PCR. Prerequisites:
BIOL202, CHEM220, and 221.
Faculty: Nuttall.
BIOL340
- MICROBIOLOGY (f; 3/3)
4 sh
A
study of the anatomy, physiology, and taxonomy of microorganisms with a
primary emphasis on prokaryotes. The
laboratory component provides critical hands-on experience in standard
bacteriological techniques involving the handling, cultivation, isolation, and
identification of microorganisms. Additional
emphasis will be placed on the role of bacteria, viruses, and other
microorganisms in environmental and public health issues.
Prerequisites:
BIOL106, 107, and CHEM121. BIOL202
or permission of instructor.
Faculty: Calabrese.
BIOL400
- Ecology of Marine Plankton
(Summer; 2/3) 3 sh
A study of the
phytoplankton and zooplankton in marine and brackish environments.
In laboratory qualitative and quantitative comparisons will be made
between the planktonic populations of various types of habitats in relation to
primary and secondary productivity. Prerequisites: BIOL106, BIOL107,
309. This class will be taught
during summer sessions at the Wallops Island Campus of the Marine Science
Consortium by faculty from various member universities.
BIOL402 - BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION (f; 3/0)
3 sh
Intended
for students interested in examining in detail the phenomenon of biological
evolution. Although topics such
as Cultural Evolution and Creationism will be considered briefly, the focus of
this offering will be evolution as manifest in natural, biological systems.
Topics to be presented via lecture and student presentation will
include Population Genetics, Darwinism, Natural Selection, Sexual Selection
and Altruism, Molecular Evolution, Human Origins and Evolution and Extinction.
Prerequisites: BIOL202 or permission of the instructor.
Faculty: Smith.
BIOL403
- Coral Reef Ecology (Summer; 2/3)
3 sh
A study of coral
reef structure, formation, types, and the relationships of reef organisms to
their environment. Emphasis is
given to species diversity, identification, symbioses, and effects of
temperature, salinity, light, nutrient concentration, predation, and
competition on the abundance and distribution of coral reef organisms.
Prerequisites: BIOL106, BIOL107 and SCUBA certification. This class will be taught during summer
sessions at the Wallops Island Campus of the Marine Science Consortium by
faculty from various member universities.
BIOL405
- FIELD ECOLOGY (even sp; 2/3)
3 sh
A
study of terrestrial community ecology including interactions between animal
and plant populations. Special
emphasis will be placed on standard techniques for estimating population size
of various taxa, sampling plant community structure and statistical analysis
and written interpretation of data. Prerequisite: BIOL309. Faculty: Hunter.
BIOL409
- ORNITHOLOGY
(odd sp; 2/3)
3 sh
The
classification, adaptation, distribution, ecology, social relation, migration,
sound production, and breeding behavior of birds are among the topics that are
investigated. Special emphasis
will be on the identification of birds in the fields.
Methods used in ornithological studies will be also be considered.
Prerequisite:
permission of the instructor. Faculty: Hunter.
BIOL410
- ORGANISMAL PHYSIOLOGY
(sp; 2/3)
3 sh
A
study of homeostatic mechanisms and systems in organisms and their relation to
fundamental chemical and physical events in cells. Topics such as bioenergetics, osmoregulation, movement, and
information processing are discussed as they relate to the function of
organisms. Prerequisite: BIOL106,
107, six additional hours of Biology at the 200 and 300 level or permission of
the instructor. Faculty: Yoho.
BIOL411
- AQUATIC BIOLOGY (f; 2/3)
3 sh
Flora
and fauna of fresh water ecosystems. Emphasis
on the biotic, physical and chemical characteristics of lotic and lentic
systems and how these may affect abundance, distribution, and evolution within
aquatic communities. Ecological
effects of water pollution and some possible solutions for our increasing
world problems. Laboratory will
stress use of keys, field methods of water analysis, and applied techniques of
individual scientific research. Prerequisite:
BIOL106, 107, and CHEM120, 121. Faculty:
Thompson.
BIOL413
- ENTOMOLOGY
(even f; 2/3)
3 sh
A
broadly balanced introduction to the insect world including structure and
function, life cycles, habits, reproduction and development, disease
relationships and agricultural implications.
Students will be expected to collect and identify insect specimens.
Prerequisite:
BIOL106 and 107 or permission of the instructor. Faculty: Yoho.
BIOL415
- ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND
REGULATIONS (sp; 3/0)
3 sh
A
review of significant United States Federal and Pennsylvania legislation and
regulations pertinent to the study, protection and management of our
biological resources. The
legislation and rulemaking processes relevant to environmental issues will be
investigated. The biological
basis for resource management decisions and the role of the scientist in
advocating, writing and implementing environmental legislation and regulations
will be examined in detail. Prerequisite: BIOL309 Ecology, Junior or Senior standing or permission of
the instructor.
Faculty: Harnishfeger.
BIOL499/699
- INDEPENDENT STUDY (f or sp)
var. sh
BIOL_59
- SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY (f or sp)
var. sh
