BiologyBrian S. Spooner, Division Director
Larry G. Williams, Associate Director, Undergraduate Studies
University Distinguished Professors Conrad, Denell, T. Johnson, Spooner, and Takemoto; Professors Blair, Chapes, Dodds, Guikema, Hartnett, Kaufman, Knapp, Perchellet, Robel, C. Smith, Upton, Wilson, and Wong; Associate Professors Cully, Gipson, Guy, L. Johnson, Marchin, Montelone, Rintoul, A. Smith, Tomb, Urban, Welti, Williams, and With; Assistant Professors Asano, Brown, Clem, Ferguson, Gido, Herman, Jumpponen, Passarelli, Roe, Sandercock, Shah, and Todd; Instructors Hook, Horne, and Pacey; Emeriti: University Distinguished Professor Consigli; Professors Barkley, Bode, Center, Fina, Hansen, Kramer, Pady, Pittenger, Roufa, and Zimmerman; Associate Professors Klaassen and Weis; Instructors Kundiger and Paulsen.
The biology undergraduate requirements provide students a basic understanding of biological principles and methods, and allow students to build on that base by further intensive or extensive study.
Course offerings and curricula accurately reflect both recent developments in the field of biology and changing requirements of students. Undergraduate majors are offered in biology, microbiology, and fisheries and wildlife biology, plus the professional (paramedical) and pre-professional areas. Students majoring in areas of the Division of Biology are assigned advisors to assist in planning their academic programs. Course offerings and degree requirements are sufficiently broad to allow great flexibility in tailoring a program of study to the interests and needs of an individual student. Undergraduate curriculum planning, including choice of areas of emphasis and elective courses, is ultimately the responsibility of students in consultation with their advisors.
Biology degree
Block A: Courses offered by other departments
Microbiology degree
Fisheries and wildlife biology
Students preparing to seek admission to veterinary, medical, dental, optometry, physical therapy, medical technology, and other professional schools may major in biology (or another discipline) provided the specific pre-professional requirements are met. Students should work with both an appropriate pre-professional advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences dean's office and a biology advisor to assure the proper planning of an academic program to meet their professional goals.
Students preparing to be biology teachers in secondary education are encouraged to pursue a degree program in the Division of Biology. Students should utilize both an advisor in the College of Education (regarding certification requirements and education courses) and a Division of Biology advisor.
Biology minor
The Division of Biology encourages exceptionally motivated students to participate in biology research, as a way of using information obtained in the classroom. This is especially encouraged for students intending to apply to graduate programs or professional programs following graduation. Students may receive course credit for these activities, which can be used to fill major elective requirements. Opportunities are available in the laboratories of individual faculty members, often with funding provided from research grants obtained by faculty efforts. Students may learn of these opportunities by discussion with faculty members having interests in biology which are similar to their own.
Biology courses
BIOL 201. Organismic Biology. (5) I, II. A study of the structure and function of organisms with special attention paid to the phylogenetic origins of taxonomic groups and the integration of their structural systems. Three hours lec. and four hours lab. Pr.: BIOL 198 or equiv.
BIOL 210. General Botany. (4) I, II. Plant groups and their evolutionary development. Physiology, anatomy, ecology, identification of seed plants, and economic applications. Two hours lec. and six hours lab a week.
BIOL 222. Field Ornithology. (1) II, in odd years. Identification of bird species in the field and the illustration of attributes of avian behavior and ecology. One three-hour lab a week. Pr.: Sophomore standing.
BIOL 303. Ecology of Environmental Problems. (3) II. Principles of ecology and their application to such problems as pollution, human population growth, and land-use planning. Two hours lec. and one hour discussion a week. Pr.: Two courses in natural science.
BIOL 310. Bioethics. (3) II. Discussions of the developments and use of biomedical technology and its social, moral, and ethical impact on the human spectrum from conception to death. Three hours lec. per week. Pr.: Junior standing.
BIOL 320. Economic Botany. (3) I, II. Origin and uses of cultivated plants useful to humans, especially grains, legumes, spices, beverage plants, fibers, and dyes. Pr.: BIOL 198 or BIOL 210.
BIOL 340. Structure and Function of the Human Body. (8) I, II. Anatomy and physiology of the organ systems of the human body. Laboratory includes physiology experiments, study of anatomy from human cadavers, dissection experience, x-rays, and slide work. Five hours lec. and two three-hour lab sessions a week. Pr: BIOL 198.
BIOL 365. Practicum in Biology. (1-4) I, II. Experimental approaches to learning biology through teaching. One hour rec. a week plus three to nine hours lab a week. Pr.: Permission of instructor and credit with superior performance in the course in which the student will be involved.
BIOL 397. Topics in Biology. (1-6) I, II, S. Pr.: Consent of instructor.
BIOL 404. Biology of Aging. (3) II. An introduction to theories, both physiological and evolutionary, proposed to explain the aging phenomena. Major emphasis on a systems approach, e.g., circulatory, nervous, etc. A coverage of each system includes a review of normal structure and function, age related changes and age related dysfunctions and diseases. Pr.: BIOL 198; and GERON 315 or a second course in biology.
BIOL 410. Biology of the Cancer Cell. (2) I. Current concepts of cancer biology including roles of cell surfaces, cell division, viruses, self-recognition, and chemical carcinogens. Pr.: Two courses in biology.
BIOL 433. Wildlife Conservation. (3) II. An introductory course to the fields of fisheries and wildlife conservation, history of the conservation movement, review of important wildlife species, overview of management concepts, and exposure to wildlife-related issues. Pr.: BIOL 201.
BIOL 450. Modern Genetics. (4) I, II. An introduction to the principles and mechanisms of inheritance at both the organismic and molecular levels. Provides an integrated approach to transmission genetics and the fundamentals of molecular biology. Topics covered include Mendelian inheritance, DNA and chromosome structure, gene expression, mutation, recombinant DNA, quantitative inheritance, population, and evolutionary genetics. Three hours lec. and one hour rec./studio. Pr: BIOL 198, CHM 230, MATH 100.
BIOL 455. General Microbiology. (4) I, II. Microorganisms; their handling, morphology, growth, and importance. Two hours lec. and four hours lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 198 and one course in chemistry.
BIOL 495. Topics in Biology. (1-6) I, II, S. Pr.: Consent of instructor.
BIOL 496. Honors Tutorial in Biology. (1-3) I, II, S. Individual directed research and study of a topic in biology, normally as a prerequisite to writing a senior honor thesis. May be repeated once to a total of 3 hours credit. Pr.: Sophomore standing, membership in the honors program of the College of Arts and Sciences, and permission of instructor.
BIOL 497. Senior Honor Thesis. (2) I, II, S. Open only to seniors in the arts and sciences honors program.
BIOL 500. Plant Physiology. (4) I. Detailed consideration of physiological processes of higher plants. Three hours lec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 201 or 210; and a course in organic chemistry.
BIOL 510. Developmental Biology. (3) II. Introduction to the stages and mechanisms of embryonic animal development. Integrated approach that includes classic experimental embryology and the genetic and molecular regulation of invertebrate and vertebrate animal development. Three hours lec. a week. Pr.: BIOL 450.
BIOL 511. Embryology Laboratory. (1) II. One three-hour lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 510 or conc. enrollment.
BIOL 513. Physiological Adaptations of Animals. (3) I. Integration of physiological mechanisms as the basis for adaptive responses of animals to different environments. Pr.: BIOL 201; and a course in organic chemistry or biochemistry.
BIOL 514. Physiological Adaptations of Animals Laboratory. (1) I. One three-hour lab a week. Pr.: Conc. enrollment in BIOL 513.
BIOL 515. Behavioral Ecology. (3) II. Study of the social, environmental, genetic, and evolutionary processes that affect animal behavior. Topics include evolution of social organization, spacing and group behavior, mating systems and parental care, sexual selection, communication, aggression, habitat selection, and foraging. Research project required. Pr.: BIOL 201.
BIOL 529. Fundamentals of Ecology. (3) I. Interdisciplinary examination of organisms and the physical environment, ecosystem structure and function, population ecology and demography, community structure and dynamics, and basic ecological principles and their relevance to contemporary environmental issues. Three hours lec. per week. Pr.: BIOL 198 and CHM 210.
BIOL 530. Pathogenic Microbiology. (3) I. Etiology and descriptions of major infectious diseases of humans within the perspective of host defenses. Two hours lecture and one hour laboratory-demonstration a week. Pr.: BIOL 455.
BIOL 541. Cell Biology. (3) I, II. Structure and function of cells and subcellular components. A molecular understanding of membranes and cellular physiology will be emphasized. Three hours lec. Pr.: BIOL 450 and CHM 350.
BIOL 542. Ichthyology. (3) II, in even years. Systematics, morphology, physiology, distribution, and natural history of fishes. Two hours lec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 201.
BIOL 543. Ornithology. (3) II. Classification, morphology, physiology, distribution, and natural history of birds. Two hours lec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 201.
BIOL 544. Mammalogy. (3) I. Characteristics, evolution, life histories, and ecology of mammals, especially North American game species. Two hours lec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 201.
BIOL 545. Human Parasitology. (3) II. Protozoan and helminth parasites of humans with lesser emphasis on ectoparasitic arthropods. Emphasis on life cycles, control, and laboratory diagnosis. Three hours lec. a week. Pr.: BIOL 198.
BIOL 546. Human Parasitology Laboratory. (1) II. Examination of prepared materials and identification of internal parasites of man. Two hours lab a week. Pr.: Conc. enrollment in BIOL 545.
BIOL 551. Taxonomy of Flowering Plants. (4) I. Morphology, taxonomy, and biogeography of the vascular plants. Two hours lec. and two three-hour labs a week. Pr.: BIOL 201 or 210.
BIOL 560. Human Oncology. (3) II in even years. Etiology and pathogenesis of human cancer with emphasis on the biological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms involved in the multistage process of tumorigenesis and the role of biological, chemical, and physical carcinogens in neoplasia. Three hours lecture per week. Pr.: Two courses in biology and a course in organic chemistry.
BIOL 585. Principles of Conservation Biology. (3) II. Biological diversity and the factors contributing to loss of biodiversity. Scientific principles of biological conservation emphasizing the application of ecological theory and population genetics to the conservation of threatened populations, species, and ecosystems. Three hours lec. per week. Pr.: BIOL 450 and 529.
BIOL 604. Biology of the Fungi. (3) I. An introduction to fungal structure, function, physiology, ecology, and genetics. Importance of fungi as disease organisms, as saprotrophs, and in industry. Techniques of isolation, cultivation, and as experimental organisms. Two hours lec. and two hours lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 198 or 210.
BIOL 609. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Human Diseases. (3) I. Fundamental basis of the major common non-infectious diseases and disorders affecting our society, with emphasis on the biochemical and molecular biological mechanisms by which the structures and functions of specific human tissues, organs, and systems are altered. Three hours lec. per week. Pr.: BIOL 450 and BIOCH 521.
BIOL 612. Limnology. (4) I, in even years. Basic ecological principles of aquatic environments. Plants and animals of local streams, rivers, ponds, and reservoirs are used to demonstrate the interaction of biological processes with the chemical and physical features of natural aquatic environments. Three hours lec., three hours lab a week; two optional weekend field trips. Pr.: BIOL 201 and CHEM 110 or 210.
BIOL 620. Evolution. (3) II. A study of the theory of evolution including its historical and social implications. Three hours lec. a week. Pr.: BIOL 450 or a course in genetics.
BIOL 622. Cellular and Developmental Biology of the Nervous System. (3) I, in even years. An introduction to the cellular and molecular biology and embryology of developing brains and nervous systems of vertebrates and some model invertebrates. Pr.: Two courses in biology.
BIOL 625. Animal Parasitology. (4) I, in odd years. Biology and pathology of the principal protozoan, helminth, and arthropod parasites of domestic animals and wildlife. Three hours lec. and two hours lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 198 and junior standing.
BIOL 632. Ecology Laboratory. (1) II. Laboratory and field experiences with ecological problems. Pr.: STAT 340 or equiv., and BIOL 529.
BIOL 670. Immunology. (4) II. Chemical, genetic, and biological properties of the immune response, acquired immunity, and antibody production. Pr.: Two courses in biology; and a course in biochemistry or equiv.
BIOL 671. Immunology Lab. (2) II. Laboratory exercises in immunology. Pr.: BIOL 670 or conc. enrollment. Three-hour lab a week plus one hour rec.
BIOL 675. Genetics of Microorganisms. (3) I. The genetics of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Both the use of genetics in microbiological studies and the use of microbial systems to investigate basic genetic problems will be covered. Pr.: BIOL 450 and 455.
BIOL 676. Molecular Genetics Laboratory. (3) I. An advanced course in the techniques of molecular genetics and recombinant DNA technology. Emphasis will be placed on successful completion of a project that will involve several methods in modern molecular genetics. Some typical methods used in the course include mutagenesis, characterization of mutants, polymerase chain reaction, molecular cloning, and DNA sequencing. One-hour lec. and two three-hour labs. Pr.: BIOL 675 or concurrent enrollment.
BIOL 682. Fish Ecology. (3) I, in odd years. The interaction between fish and their environment. Exploring fundamental ecological processes in aquatic systems at individual, population, community, and ecosystem scales. Two hours lec. and three hours lab per week. Pr.: BIOL 529.
BIOL 684. Wildlife Management. (3) II. Concepts of managing wildlife with emphasis on North American game species. Applied population dynamics as they relate to management, historical, and recent developments in wildlife management, habitat improvement, and related material. Three hours lec. a week. Pr.: BIOL 433 and 450.
BIOL 685. Wildlife Management Techniques. (3) I. Ecology and management techniques. Two hours lec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: BIOL 433 and 450.
BIOL 687. Microbial Ecology. (3) II, in odd years. The ecology of aquatic and terrestrial microorganisms in their natural environment. Pr.: BIOL 455.
BIOL 690. Microbial Physiology and Metabolism. (2) II. The study of structure, function, regulation, and intermediary metabolism of bacteria. Pr.: BIOL 455; and BIOCH 521 or 765.
BIOL 696. Fisheries Management. (4) I, in even years. Historical and contemporary issues in the management and conservation of exploited fishes. Methods for managing fisheries resources in streams, lakes, and ponds including estimating abundances, quantifying age and growth, manipulating populations, modeling population dynamics, culturing fishes, and improving aquatic habitat. Three hours lec. and three hours lab per week. Pr.: BIOL 430.
BIOL 697. Topics in Biology. (1-6) I, II, S. Pr.: Consent of instructor.
BIOL 698. Problems in Biology. (1-8) I, II, S. Pr.: Consent of instructor.
BIOL 699. Undergraduate Seminar in Biology. (1) I, II. Pr.: Consent of instructor.
BIOL 702. Radiation Safety in the Research Laboratory. (1) I. Principles of radioactive safety and radioisotope handling, licensing procedures, and laboratory techniques. Pr.: BIOL 198 or 455; and CHM 210 or PHYS 113.
BIOL 705. Eukaryotic Genetics. (3) I. An integrated exploration of transmission genetics and molecular genetics of eukaryotic organisms. Focus on genetic model organisms and their contributions to understanding mechanisms of genetics transmission and exchange, mutagenesis, gene expression, and regulation of cell division and development. Modern approaches to genomic analysis. Pr.: BIOL 450 and BIOCH 521.
BIOL 707. Advanced Cell Biology. (3) I. Selected current topics in cell biology reflecting recent advances in the field, including membranes and transport, protein sorting, signal transduction, cell adhesion and motility, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and specialized cell functions. Pr.: BIOCH 521 and BIOL 541.
BIOL 710. Endocrinology. (3) II, in even years. A survey of the glands of internal secretion in vertebrates with emphasis on mechanisms of control of hormone secretion and mechanisms of hormone action. Pr.: BIOL 198; and a course in organic chemistry or biochemistry.
BIOL 719. Biomembranes. (2) II, in even years. Fundamental concepts in membrane biochemistry. Emphasis on the relationship of membrane structure and function. Includes an introduction to research literature on cellular and model membranes. Reading/discussion format. Pr.: BIOL 541 and BIOCH 521.
BIOL 720. Anaerobic Bacteriology. (2) II, in even years. Study of anaerobic bacteria, anaerobiosis, description of anaerobic techniques, and physiology and biochemistry of anaerobes of the natural environment, including the gastrointestinal tract, and of veterinary, medical and industrial importance. Two hours of lec. a week.Same as ASI 720. Pr.: BIOL 455 and BIOCH 521.
BIOL 730. General Virology. (3) II. Theoretical and experimental basis of virology, with emphasis on the role of the virus as a controlling force in cellular biology; principles of host-virus interactions; introduction to use of mammalian cell cultures as the host for virus propagation. Pr.: Twelve hours of biological sciences, including BIOL 450 and 455; and BIOCH 521 or equiv.; consent of instructor.
BIOL 731. Virology Laboratory. (2) II. An introduction to the techniques used in virus propagation, detection, and quantification. Emphasis will be placed on the methodology used to study virus replication and virus-host cell interactions. One-hour lec. and three-hour lab. Pr.: BIOL 730.
BIOL 736. Cancer Therapy. (3) II, in odd years. Current methods of cancer management with emphasis on the kinetic principles of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; diagnosis; surgical oncology; oncologic emergencies; adverse effects of cancer therapy; and the new therapies; Pr.: BIOL 450 and BIOCH 521 or equiv.
BIOL 755. Specialized Cell Functions. (3) I, in even years. IIn vitro cell and organ culture techniques as tools for differentiation and specialization studies. Emphasis on mammalian cell culture systems with some study of plant cell culture. Pr.: BIOL 541.
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