400

BIO 400 Evolution

A study of the scientific foundations of evolutionary theory and the mechanisms responsible for evolutionary change. Topics covered include a historical perspective of evolution, origin of life, natural selection and adaptation, levels of selection, fitness concepts, speciation, Darwinian evolution and punctuated equilibria, extinction, the fossil record, life history evolution and human evolution. Lecture only.

Credit Hours: 4
(NS) (Category III, PP)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum.

BIO 401 On the Origin of Species

This course highlights the historic and modern relationships between the study of biology and the shaping of evolutionary theory. Students learn about Charles Darwin and his contemporaries as well as modern research on evolution and zoology with particular emphasis on zoology, paleontology, and related fields as they develop and persist in British culture. The course co-requisite (BIO 401A Darwin's London) requires travel to London and surrounding areas, allowing greater depth of study on topics ranging from natural selection and evolution to paleontology, the history of the biological sciences, and the vertebrate diversity of England.
Credit Hours: 2-4
(NS) (Category II)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum, any Biology Category II or Category III course, and Permission of Instructor.

Corequisites

BIO 401A

BIO 401A Darwin’s London

This short-term study abroad course is the companion to BIO 401 Origin of Species and requires travel to London and surrounding areas. The study abroad component of the course highlights the historic and modern relationships between the study of biology and the shaping of evolutionary theory and incorporates visits to historically important research facilities that inspired Charles Darwin and continue to inspire scientists today.
Credit Hours: 2-4
(NS) (Category II)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum, any Biology Category II or Category III course, and Permission of Instructor.

Corequisites

BIO 401

BIO 405 Human Evolution

A study of the evolution of humans, beginning with the origin of primates. Course includes emphases on evolutionary phenomena, morphological and molecular evolution, extinct and modern human diversity, primate behavior, and human functional anatomy and paleontology.
Credit Hours: 4
(IG) (NS) (Category II, PP)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum: BIO 225, BIO 250 or BIO 400 recommended

Corequisites

BIO 405L

BIO 405L Human Evolution Laboratory

A study of the evolution of humans, beginning with the origin of primates. Course includes emphases on evolutionary phenomena, morphological and molecular evolution, extinct and modern human diversity, primate behavior and human functional anatomy and paleontology.
Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum; BIO 225, BIO 250, or BIO 400 recommended.

Corequisites

BIO 405

BIO 407 Fermentation Microbiology

This course focuses on applications of microbial metabolism in food production. Topics will include types and sources of microorganisms in food fermentations, metabolic activities of microorganisms and their influence on product characteristics, microbial interactions, processing of fermented foods, industrial applications of microbiology, and problems that may arise during fermentation. Focus will be on the microbiology in production of cheese, beer, wine, yogurt, bread, chocolate, coffee, and sausage.
Credit Hours: 3
(NS) (Category II).

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum, BIO 307 , and permission of the instructor.

Corequisites

BIO 407A

BIO 407A Fermented Foods: From Art to Science

This short-term study abroad course is the companion to BIO 407: Fermentation Microbiology and requires travel to France and Belgium. The study abroad component of the course highlights the history of fermented foods as well as the modern industrial application of microbiology to food production.
Credit Hours: 1
(NS) (Category II).

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum, BIO 307, and permission of the instructor.

Corequisites

BIO 407

BIO 408 Bioinformatics and Genomics

This course introduces fundamental concepts, algorithms and methods in bioinformatics and genomics. Topics include, but are not limited to: pairwise sequence alignment, multiple sequence alignment, biological database searching, phylogenetic analysis, protein structure prediction, genome annotation and comparative genomics. The course introduces the use of computer programming and various computational tools to analyze biological data. Understanding of bioinformatics methods and the practical application of these methods are emphasized. No prior programming experience is necessary.
Credit Hours: 4
(NS) (Category I, PP)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum and one of the following: BIO 200, BIO 370, or CHE 320

Corequisites

BIO 408L

BIO 408L Bioinformatics and Genomics Laboratory

This course introduces fundamental concepts, algorithms and methods in bioinformatics and genomics.  Topics include, but are not limited to: pairwise sequence alignment, multiple sequence alignment, biological database searching, phylogenetic analysis, protein structure prediction, genome annotation and comparative genomics. The course introduces the use of computer programming and various computational tools to analyze biological data. Understanding of bioinformatics methods and the practical application of these methods are emphasized. No prior programming experience is necessary.
Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum and one of the following: BIO 200, BIO 370 or CHE 320

Corequisites

BIO 408

BIO 409 Programming for Biology

This course will introduce the Python and R programming languages with respect to biological sequence analysis. The BioPython module in Python and the Bioconductor package in R will be used to introduce programming concepts, with emphasis on analyzing big genomic data produced by high throughput sequencing technologies. Development of computational pipelines will be performed and various free bioinformatics software tools will be integrated with Python and R to analyze biological sequence data. No prior programming experience is necessary.
Credit Hours: 4
(NS)

Prerequisites

Biology lower-core curriculum and one of the following: BIO 200, BIO 370, BIO 230 or BIO 408, or permission of instructor.

BIO 410 Senior Seminar

An in-depth study of a current topic in biology. Requires independent study project and presentation.

Credit Hours: 1
(NS)

Prerequisites

Senior standing in biology or marine science.

BIO 411 Biology Outcomes Capstone

This course consists of a capstone exam and a senior skills and attitudes survey, both of which are required of all departmental majors in their final 14-week semester. The capstone exam provides a framework for students to synthesize their comprehension of cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, organismal biology, population biology, evolution and ecology and gauges the preparedness of students to address scientific problems at a wide range of levels of biological organization. The final comprehensive exam serves as an overview of the areas of applied knowledge that are infused in the biology departments major programs. The skills and attitudes survey provides a framework for students to reflect on and provide an indirect measure of their understanding of the process and methodology of science as well as student preparedness to make informed decisions about complex scientific issues. Graded: S/U.

Credit Hours: 0

Prerequisites

Senior standing in all majors offered through the Department of Biology. Must be taken during graduation semester.

BIO 420 Recent Discoveries in Biology

This advanced biology course will focus on analysis and presentation of published research articles. Students will also attend and critique biology research seminars. Themes ranging from molecular to organismal biology will be explored. This course will be of particular interest to advanced Biology students who plan to pursue graduate or professional degrees.

Credit Hours: 1
(NS)

Prerequisites

Students must have completed the Biology lower-core and either General Genetics or Molecular Genetics and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have senior status or permission of instructor.

BIO 440 Selected Topics in Biology

Students select a topic of interest in biology and explore the subject thoroughly through directed literature-based research. Requires at least two hours each week for each credit attempted and a formal paper with extensive literature review. Oral presentation of results can be used in place of BIO 410 with permission of department chair. Counts as general elective credit only and therefore may not be used as an upper level biology elective.

Credit Hours: 2-6
(W)

Prerequisites

At least 16 credit hours in biology, and faculty and department chair permission

BIO 445 Biological Research

Research questions must be selected with the professor in charge of the project with approval from the department chair. Requires at least two hours each week for each credit attempted. Oral presentation of results can be used in place of BIO 410 with permission of department chair. Counts as general elective credit only and therefore may not be used as an upper level biology elective.

Credit Hours: 2-6
(NS)

Prerequisites

At least 16 credit hours in biology, and faculty and department chair consent

BIO 450 Biological Research - Capstone

Research topics must be selected in consultation with the professor in charge of the project with approval from the department chair. Usually requires preliminary library or laboratory research prior to attempting a BIO 450 project (volunteer research, BIO 440 or BIO 445 recommended). Requires at least two hours each week for each credit attempted, a research paper and oral presentation of topic. Oral presentation of results can be used in place of BIO 410 with permission of department chair. Counts as general elective credit only and therefore may not be used as an upper level biology elective.

Credit Hours: 2-6
(W) (NS)

Prerequisites

At least 16 credit hours in biology, and faculty and department chair permission

BIO 480 Biology Laboratory Practicum

Through direct involvement both in and out of the classroom students gain practical knowledge of instruction in a college biology laboratory. Under the supervision of faculty, students are involved in the aspects pertaining to teaching a semester's biology laboratory. This may include but is not limited to presenting introductory material, aiding students during laboratories, development and critique of evaluation component(s), and laboratory preparation and maintenance. Counts as general elective credit only and therefore may not be used as an upper level biology elective.

Credit Hours: 1
(NS)

Prerequisites

Permission of the instructor.

BIO 490 Biological Internship

Provides practical experience in science-related programs in a firm or agency under the supervision of faculty and firm representatives. Can be accomplished on a part-time or full-time basis. Graded on a pass/fail basis. Counts as general elective credit only and therefore may not be used as an upper level biology elective.

Credit Hours: 1-8

Prerequisites

BIO 198 and BIO 199, 56 credit hours, minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major or approval of the department. Note: Prerequisite courses may be specified by the employer.

BIO 495 Special Topics

A lecture or laboratory course offered at the discretion of the Department of Biology. Subject may focus on a current issue in biology, training in a specific research technique or an area of biology that is of interest to a particular group of students. Counts as general elective credit only and therefore may not be used as an upper level biology elective.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Prerequisites

Permission of instructor.