BIO100 TOPICS IN BIOLOGY (3-4). A study of some of the areas of biology most relevant to today’s students, such as ecology, reproduction, genetics, or evolution. (Intended for general education.) May be repeated when topics vary. Four-hour courses include a lab. Each Spring.
BIO102 HUMAN BIOLOGY (4). A survey of how the human body functions. Stresses those aspects which will be useful in the students’ personal lives: nutrition, genetics and reproduction, and disease prevention. Laboratory. Each Fall/Each Spring.
BIO103 LIFE SCIENCE BY INQUIRY (4). Explores the nature of science, media information, science or pseudoscience, and various topics on the nature of life, properties of living organisms, growth, metabolism, inheritance and ecology. This is a laboratory-based course in which students learn by observation and investigation. The course work stresses cooperative learning and communication of findings through scientific papers and poster presentations. Designed to model inquiry teaching. Recommended for Early Childhood andrequired for Middle School education majors. Each Fall.
BIO105 HUMAN ECOLOGY (4). Examines the interaction of humans and the environment, within the context of key ecological and evolutionary principles. Topics include conservation, ecotoxicology, agriculture, climate change, natural resource use, environmental ethics/law, and sustainability. (Intended for general education.) Laboratory. Each Fall.
BIO125 HUMAN NUTRITION (4). Studies the basic principles of nutrition and their application to good health. Applied topics include physical activity, pregnancy, age-related changes, weight control and other contemporary issues. Laboratory. Each Fall/Each Spring.
BIO131 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (4). An overview of diversity in biological systems at the genetic and species level; together with study of the mechanisms that give rise to diversity. Mendelian genetics, Hardy-Weinberg equilibria, and micro-and macroevolutionary processes are introduced. The current state and past history of biological diversity on Earth is examined through study of morphological, life history, and genomic characteristics of extant taxa and study of the fossil record. (Intended for majors and general education.) Laboratory. Each Fall.
BIO207 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY (3). Designed for those intending to pursue careers in medicine, nursing, dentistry, microbiology, pharmacology, physical therapy, athletic training, and medical technology. This course will teach the prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms necessary to form proper medical terminology. It will include the rules for proper medical term formation, pronunciation and spelling, and definition of basic terms and abbreviations used in medical records. It will also include learning common pharmaceutical terms, anatomical terms, and terms related to systems, diagnosis, surgeries, therapies, and diagnostic tests. Course does not count toward general education natural science requirement or any science major requirement. Open only to science or athletic training majors. Prerequisite: Be a science or athletic training major with sophomore or higher standing or permission of instructor. Each Fall.
BIO224 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (4). Basic information regarding the structure and function of the human body. Anatomical structure as it relates to function is emphasized. Assumes a high school knowledge of basic biology. Topics include basic chemistry, cell structure, anatomical terminology and the structure and function of the major organ systems: skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproductive. Laboratories include the use of anatomical software and dissection. Though it fulfills the general education requirement, this course is only recommended when required by the major (athletic training, education, and sports management). Each Fall.
BIO225 HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (4). Advanced study of the structure and function of the human body. Physiological processes of anatomical structures are emphasized. Topics include cell function, homeostasis and the function and interaction of the major organ systems: skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems. Where relevant, some review of anatomy is presented. Laboratories study physiological systems and include open-ended student investigation. Though it fulfills the general education requirement, this course is only recommended for the athletic training major and education major seeking physical education licensure. Prerequisite: BIO224. Each Spring.
BIO231 INTRODUCTION TO CELL BIOLOGY (4). The relationship between cellular, organelle and molecular structure to the basic activities that all living things undertake. Includes basic biochemistry, membrane and organelle structure and function, cellular reproduction, enzymes and metabolism and the central dogma. Students learn about the nature of science by undertaking open-ended research projects using modern investigative laboratory techniques, by reading and analyzing the work of other scientists, and by preparing both written and oral presentations of their project findings. Laboratory. Each Fall.
BIO232 LIFE PROCESSES OF HIGHER ORGANISMS (4). The study of the major physiologic processes occurring in plants and animals. Students learn how plants and animals solve similar problems while coping with environmental change. These problems include fluid transport, gas exchange, excretion of waste, nutrition, communication and movement. Solutions must be within the limitations imposed by basic physical, chemical and evolutionary processes. Laboratory experience includes an inquiry based study of growth, requiring statistical analysis and written research reports that are evaluated for inclusion into the department’s research journal. Prerequisite: BIO231. Each Spring.
BIO300 EVOLUTION AND POPULATION GENETICS (4). The one unifying theory of biology is the theory of evolution by natural selection. Topics include natural selection speciation, biogeography, population genetics, character evolution, and macroevolution. Laboratory. Prerequisite: ENV133. Alternate years. Spring 2008.
BIO303 VERTEBRATE ANATOMY (4). Laboratory sections and lecture presentations are combined to study the comparative anatomy of vertebrates and their invertebrate chordate relatives. Evolutionary trends in development, structure and function are studied to understand the various adaptations vertebrates have made to fit their environment. Laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO232. Alternate years. Fall 2006.
BIO304 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY (4). A comparative study of physiologic systems in all animals, emphasizing vertebrate species. Laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO232. Alternate years Fall 2007.
BIO305 HISTOLOGY (4). The study of tissues focusing on the microanatomy of animal tissues. The laboratory component includes learning how to prepare tissues for light microscopy. Laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO231. Alternate years. Spring 2008.
BIO313 ECOLOGY AND FIELD BIOLOGY (4). Physiological, population, community, and ecosystem ecology with a focus on methods of field study. Topics include nutrient cycling, biomes, population dynamics, species interaction, and landscape ecology. Laboratory. Prerequisite: ENV133. Alternate years. Fall 2007.
BIO315 MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY (4). A survey of the microbial world including: microbial growth, metabolism, molecular biology and genetics; medical, food and water microbiology; and microbial taxonomy. Also includes the vertebrate immune system and other defense mechanisms. Inquiry based laboratory activities enhance students’ ability to ask and answer scientific questions. Laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO231. Each Fall.
BIO322 GENETICS (4). A study of formal and molecular genetics. Topics include Mendelian genetics, epistatic systems, viral and bacterial genetics, DNA structure, gene mapping, transcription, translation, gene structure and regulation and eukaryotic genome structure. Laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO231. Alternate years. Spring 2007.
BIO325 PARASITOLOGY (4). A survey of the anatomy, physiology and life cycles of themajor animal parasites. Primary attention focused on the identification and pathobiology of organisms implicated in mammalian parasitic disease. Laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO231 Alternate years. Spring 2007.
BIO330 PLANT BIOLOGY (4). Structure, function, taxonomy, and ecology of plants. Topics include photosynthesis, reproduction, hormones, nutrition, water relations, evolution, and identification. Laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO232. Alternate years. Spring 2007.
BIO380 RESEARCH PARTICIPATION (1-4). Student participation in a research project which is either part of a faculty member's ongoing research or of the student's own design. Prerequisites: BIO131 or BIO231. May be repeated for a total of 12 semester hours. Each Fall/Each Spring.
BIO408 BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY (4). The molecular properties and biological significance of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids and polysaccharides. A detailed study of enzyme activity, metabolic pathways and bioenergetics. Study of eukaryotic cell structure and function is undertaken along with an in-depth study of translation. Laboratory includes research projects to study genome structure using PCR. Student presentations on the major topics develop professional communication skills. Laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO231 and CHM212. Alternate years. Spring 2008.
BIO422 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (4). Basic concepts of the central dogma will be studied. Gene expression in eukaryotes, regulation at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels will also be emphasized. Cancer and developmental biology will be used as the focus for understanding concepts. The laboratory will focus on basic molecular techniques including nucleic acid isolation, gel electrophoresis, cloning techniques, Southern and Western techniques, and PCR techniques. Laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO231. Alternate years. Fall 2007.
BIO440 RESEARCH AND SEMINAR I (4). Biology students find, read, interpret, and present biological primary literature as preparation to undertake an independent research project. Each student selects two research articles and makes oral presentations to the biology faculty and other students. In addition, each student reads the selections of the other students in the class, writes summaries and formulates questions for the discussion period. Students prepare a research proposal and undertake laboratory experiments. Students present the results of their experiments to the biology faculty and other students. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing as Biology major or minor. Each Spring.
BIO441 RESEARCH AND SEMINAR II (4). A continuation of BIO440. Biology students find, read, interpret, and present biological primary literature as preparation to undertake an independent research project. Each student selects two research articles and makes oral presentations to the biology faculty and other students. In addition, each student reads the selections of the other students in the class, writes summaries and formulates questions for the discussion period. Students prepare a research proposal and undertake laboratory experiments. Students present the results of their experiments to the biology faculty and other students. Additionally students prepare a written report of their research. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing as Biology major or minor. Each Fall.
BIO460 INTERNSHIP (1-6). Practical experiences in a number of potential career settings including industrial, governmental, academic and non-profit organizations. See Biology advisor for details and course requirements.
ENV133 INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (4). The interaction of organisms with each other and with their environment. Topics include behavior, dynamics of populations, species interactions, ecosystem and global dynamics, and conservation biology. The interaction of humans and the environment will be investigated. Laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO131. Each Spring.
ENV420 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION (4). Application of ecological and evolutionary principles to real-world environmental issues. Topics include ecotoxicology, ecosystem management, conservation, restoration, and wetland delineation. The course will also investigate the social, economical, and political aspects of applied ecology. Laboratory. Prerequisite: ENV133. Alternate years. Fall 2006.
ENV440 RESEARCH AND SEMINAR I (4). Biology students find, read, interpret, and present biological primary literature as preparation to undertake an independent research project. Each student selects two research articles and makes oral presentations to the biology faculty and other students. In addition, each student reads the selections of the other students in the class, writes summaries and formulates questions for the discussion period. Students prepare a research proposal and undertake laboratory experiments. Students present the results of their experiments to the biology faculty and other students. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing as Biology major or minor. Each Spring.
ENV441 RESEARCH AND SEMINAR II (4). A continuation of ENV440. Biology students find, read, interpret, and present biological primary literature as preparation to undertake an independent research project. Each student selects two research articles and makes oral presentations to the biology faculty and other students. In addition, each student reads the selections of the other students in the class, writes summaries and formulates questions for the discussion period. Students prepare a research proposal and undertake laboratory experiments. Students present the results of their experiments to the biology faculty and other students. Additionally students prepare a written report of their research. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing as Biology major or minor. Each Fall.
ENV460 INTERNSHIP (4). Practical experiences in an environmentally related area to explore a number of potential career settings including industrial, governmental (U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA), and non-profit organizations. See Biology advisor for details and course requirements.