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Biology Courses
For
Biology courses for non-majors or courses needed for the Science
A.S. concentration, visit Science.
BIO 153 FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOLOGY (4 s.h.)
For students planning further study in biology or a related field:
includes cell structure and function, mitosis and meiosis, principles
of genetics, and classification of living organisms. Three hours
of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites:
high school biology and chemistry or SCI 142 and 143. Students must
pass with a C- or higher grade (C or higher for Nursing majors),
this course is a prerequisite to all further Biology courses. This
course is offered every fall and spring semester.
BIO 243 INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY (4 s.h.)
Classification, anatomy, development, and life history of the animals
with emphasis on evolutionary relationships among the various invertebrate
and vertebrate groups. Three hours of lecture and three hours of
laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BIO 153 with a grade of C- or
higher. This course is offered every semester.
BIO 244 INTRODUCTION TO BOTANY (4 s.h.)
Introductory Botany is designed as a second level course to provide
an understanding of basic plant anatomy, physiology and diversity.
Plant anatomy and physiology will be investigated to illustrate
how plants develop modifications which allow them to survive in
different habitats. Prerequisites: BIO 153 with a grade of C- or
better.
BIO 299 EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY (2 s.h.)
Neo-Darwinian evolution with emphasis on the role of selection,
mutation, and genetic drift as fundamental forces of change. Attention
will also be given to discussion of notable writings in evolutionary
research. Two hours of lecture each week. Prerequisite: BIO 153
with a grade of C- or higher; BIO 243 or 244. This course is offered
as needed.
BIO 301 PLANT MORPHOLOGY (4 s.h.)
Morphological trends and life-cycle patterns in the prokaryotes,
algae, fungi, and vascular plants. Three hours of lecture and three
hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BIO 153 with a grade
of C- or higher; BIO 243 or 244. This course is offered in the fall
semester, even years.
BIO 302 INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (4 s.h.)
Invertebrate animals with particular attention to physiological
processes, ecological roles, and parasites of humans and domestic
animals. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each
week. Prerequisite: BIO 153 with a grade of C- or higher; BIO 243
or 244. This course is offered in the fall semester, even years.
BIO 303 ICHTHYOLOGY AND HERPETOLOGY (3
s.h.)
Fishes, amphibians and reptiles with particular focus on their classification,
physiological, morphological and behavioral adaptations, and the
niches they occupy within biological communities. Three hours of
lecture each week. Prerequisite: BIO 153 with a grade of C- or higher,
BIO 243 or 244, and BIO 299. This course is offered as needed.
BIO 304 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF VASCULAR
PLANTS (4 s.h.)
Cell, tissue, and organ structure and function with emphasis on
the flowering plants. Three hours of lecture and three hours of
laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BIO 153 with a grade of C- or
higher; BIO 243 or 244. This course is offered in the fall semester,
odd years.
BIO 306 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
I (4 s.h.)
Part one of a two-course sequence. Topics covered include an introduction
to histology, the skin and its derivatives, the skeleton, muscles,
and the nervous, sensory and endocrine systems. Although this course
is taught with an organ system emphasis, mechanisms on the cellular
and molecular level are also covered. Prerequisite: BIO 153 with
a grade of C- or higher. This course is offered every fall semester.
This course is also offered in the summer semester contingent upon
availability of faculty.
BIO 307 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (4 s.h.)
Immunology, virology, morphology and physiology of bacteria, etiology,
and applied microbiology. Three hours of lecture and three hours
of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BIO 153 with a grade of C-
or higher and CHE 151 or permission of the instructor. This course
is offered every fall and spring semester. Designated writing enrichment
course.
BIO 308 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
II (4 s.h.)
A continuation of the study of human structure and function. Topics
include circulation, digestion, nutrition, respiration, excretion,
immune response, reproduction and development. Prerequisite: BIO
153 with a grade of C- or higher and BIO 306. This course is offered
every spring semester.
BIO 312 GENERAL ECOLOGY (4 s.h.)
This class addresses the relationships among organisms and their
environments. Topics will include organismal, population and community
ecology. Mathematical models for biological systems will be included.
Prerequisite: BIO 153 with a grade of C- or higher and either BIO
243 or 244. Completion of MAT 113 or higher recommended. This course
is offered every spring semester.
BIO 317 LOCAL FLORA (4 s.h.)
Classification and identification of the vascular plants of North
Carolina with field and laboratory work emphasized. Three hours
of lecture and field work each week. Prerequisite: BIO 153 with
a grade of C- or higher; BIO 243 or 244 or permission of the instructor.
This course is offered spring semester, even years.
BIO 319 MAMMALOGY & ORNITHOLOGY (3
s.h.)
Mammals and birds with particular focus on their classification,
physiological, morphological, and behavioral adaptations, and the
niches they occupy within biological communities. Three hours of
lecture each week. Prerequisite: BIO 153 with a grade of C- or higher,
BIO 243 or 244, and BIO 299. This course is offered as needed.
BIO 321 INSECT BIOLOGY (4 s.h.)
Entomology: The roles of insects in the balance of life, public
health issues, taxonomy, morphology, and physiology. Three hours
of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite:
BIO 153 with a grade of C- or higher; BIO 243 or 244 or permission
of the instructor. This course is offered fall semester, odd years.
BIO 331 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (3 s.h.)
This course will use biological concepts as a framework to consider
the management of natural resources both historically and presently.
The use of land for farming as well as the use of air, water, fisheries
and forestry will be studied. An introduction to the laws that govern
the use of these resources will also be included. Prerequisites:
BIO 153 with a grade of C- or higher and either BIO 243 or 244.
Completion of BIO 312 is recommended. This course is offered as
needed.
BIO 396 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (3 s.h.)
Study of the molecular basis of biology including biological informational
molecules (proteins, DNA and RNA), DNA synthesis, RNA transcription,
protein synthesis, and gene regulation. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic
systems are both studied. In addition, applications of methods used
in molecular biology including recombinant DNA technology and forensics
will be covered. Prerequisites: BIO 153 with a grade of C- or higher,
243, 244 or 306; and one additional biology class. This course is
offered every spring semester.
BIO 398 VERTEBRATE COMPARATIVE ANATOMY
AND EVOLUTION (4 s.h.)
The comparative anatomy and evolution of vertebrate organisms: fishes,
amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Prerequisites: BIO 153,
243 or 244; and one 300/400 level biology class. This course is
offered every fall semester, odd years.
BIO 399 COMPARATIVE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
(3 s.h.)
An examination of the various methods and mechanisms animals, both
invertebrate and vertebrate, have adopted to maintain physiological
conditions necessary for life. Although phylogenetic changes will
be discussed, the major emphasis will be on the adaptation interaction
between animals and their environments. Prerequisites: BIO 299,
BIO 302. This course is offered as needed.
BIO 400 MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY (4 s.h.)
This course is particularly desirable for students planning to enter
any health related field, work as a laboratory technician or enter
a graduate program in microbiology. This course deals primarily
with the study of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, viruses and viral
infections, and the immunological response to infection. Emphasis
will be placed on the effects of microorganisms on human beings.
Prerequisites: BIO 153 (with a grade of C- or higher) and 307. This
course is offered every fall semester.
BIO 401 DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY (4 s.h.)
Representative patterns in the development of plants and animals
from zygote to functioning adults, with emphasis on the early stages.
Cellular and genetic mechanisms are included. Three hours of lecture
and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: 8 s.h. of
upper-division biology including either 306, 308 or 398 and either
309 or 440. This course is offered every spring semester. Designated
writing enrichment course.
BIO 413 LIMNOLOGY AND MARINE ECOLOGY
(4 s.h.)
Freshwater and marine ecosystems will be studied. Prerequisites:
BIO 153 (with a grade of C- or higher) 243 or 244; and one 300/400
level biology class. This course is offered fall semester, even
years.
BIO 431 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INTERNSHIP
(2 s.h.)
This internship will be a work experience course. A paid or volunteer
position with an appropriate employer or supervisor will be obtained.
This internship could be completed over a summer. A written report
from the student must be submitted as well as a written evaluation
of performance from the employer or supervisor. Prerequisite: Junior
status with a cumulative GPA or 2.0 or higher and permission of
the instructor. This course is offered as needed.
BIO 435 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY: ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES (2 s.h.)
This course will explore the nexus of law, science, economics and
society. Specific topics will vary and may include management of
endangered species, wetland, water or fire. This class may be taken
for credit more than once, provided that different topics are covered.
Prerequisites: BIO 153 with a grade of C- or higher and either BIO
243 or 244. Completion of BIO 312 and 331 are recommended. This
course is offered as needed.
BIO 440 CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY (4 s.h.)
Cellular structures and processes as they provide the basic mechanisms
of life. Consideration of biologically important macromolecules.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: 8 s.h. of upper-division biology (300 level or higher),
and CHE 321 or permission of the instructor. CHE 450 is recommended.
This course is offered every spring semester. Designated writing
enrichment course.
BIO 450 BIOTECHNOLOGY (4 s.h.)
Current theory, application and techniques in molecular biology
including DNA isolation, gel electrophoresis, restriction mapping,
molecular hybridization techniques, polymerase chain reaction, and
DNA fingerprinting techniques. There will be three hours of lecture
and three hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: BIO 307, 309 or
396 and BIO 440 or CHE 450 or permission of the instructor. Note:
One of the prerequisites may be taken concurrently with biotechnology.
This course is offered as needed.
BIO 485 SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY (1-4
s.h.)
Courses not part of the regular departmental offerings. Taught as
faculty availability and student interest dictate.
BIO 488 LIBRARY RESEARCH PROJECT I (1
s.h.)
Seniors will select a research topic, begin to compile a bibliography,
and will write a detailed outline for the paper to be written in
BIO 489. Either BIO 488 and 489 or 490 and 491 is required for graduation.
This course is offered fall and spring semesters.
BIO 489 LIBRARY RESEARCH PROJECT II (1
s.h.)
Seniors will complete the paper begun in BIO 488, and will give
an oral presentation based upon it to Biology students and faculty
members. Prerequisite: BIO 488. This course is offered fall and
spring semesters. Designated writing enrichment course.
BIO 490 LABORATORY RESEARCH PROJECT I
(1 s.h.)
Seniors will select a research topic, state an experimental hypothesis,
design experiments to test this hypothesis and prepare a project
budget. Either BIO 488 and 489 or 490 and 491 is required for graduation.
This course is offered fall and spring semesters.
BIO 491 LABORATORY RESEARCH PROJECT II
(1 s.h.)
Seniors will make suggested alterations in the project designed
in BIO 488, and will then carry out their experimental work, with
appropriate controls and replications, write a paper incorporating
literature background, experimental protocol, results and conclusions
and will present their findings orally to Biology students and faculty
members. Prerequisite: BIO 490. This course is offered fall and
spring semesters. Designated writing enrichment course.
BIO 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN BIOLOGY
(1-4 s.h.)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage
in special research in his/her major. Requires approval by the faculty
advisor, the supervising professor, the department chair, and the
school dean before approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Credit to be determined.
