Biology Minor

A general biology course emphasizing evolutionary mechanism, species formation, phylogenies, the origin of life, and the principles of evolutionary diversity, plant, and animal structure, and function of systems. Lab time is included in the schedule.

As a continuation of General Biology 1, this course will examine cellular structure, metabolism process, genetics, DNA function and genome expression, biotechnology, and molecular biology in medicine. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisite: Bio 111 or equivalent or consent of instructor.

This course will examine the general principles of physiology, cell structure and function, and cell metabolism and division, including a survey of tissues, integumentary, skeletal, muscle, central nervous system, and sensory receptors. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisite: Bio 101, 111, or CBio 101 (or equivalent).

As a continuation of Human Anatomy and Physiology 1, this course will examine the general principles of physiology and structure of the endocrine, circulatory, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisite: Bio 101, 111, or CBio 101 (or equivalent).

Basic principles of heredity including Mendelian, cytogenetics, population theory, gene regulation, and an introduction to molecular genetics will be discussed in this course, emphasizing classical laboratory experimentation and molecular techniques. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisite: Bio 350 or concurrent registration or consent of department chair.

Fundamental ecological concepts introduced in literature and illustrated in field investigations will be examined in this course including two (2) required weekend field trips (Friday afternoon-Sunday). Prerequisites: Bio 111, 112 and Che 221 or Sci 115. Offered in alternate years.

As an introduction to the basic concepts of plant life, this course will study the structure, functional form, reproduction, genetics, and ecology of fungi, algae, and nonvascular and vascular plants. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisites: Bio 101, 111 or CBio 101 and Che 221 or Sci 115. Offered in alternate years.

This course will study evolutionary principles and methods of analysis using the natural history, anatomy, and systematics of the animal kingdom, protozoans through mammals. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisites: Bio 101, 111/ 112, or CBio 101, Che 221 and 222 or consent of instructor. Offered in alternate years.

A study of plant and animal molecular and cellular structures, biochemistry, and function is included in this course with an emphasis on the molecular level of cells, cellular metabolism, and the structure and function of the major organelles. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisites: Bio 111 and 112, Che 221 and 222 or Sci 115, or concurrent enrollment, or consent of division chair.

As an introduction to bacteria (morphology, physiology, ecological and medical importance) and microorganisms (viruses, rickettsia, pathogenic, protozoa, molds and yeasts), this courses' laboratory sessions will emphasize the culture, physiology, and identification of the major groups of microbes. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisites: Bio 101, 111, or CBio 101 and Che 221 or Sci 115.

As an introduction to research methods and skills in the field of biology, this course will require library research, biological abstracts and journals, field and laboratory research, and statistical analysis be used in the writing of research papers. Lab time is included in the schedule. Prerequisite: restricted to senior standing.

An historical overview course of the development of science and its philosophy, concentrating on Western thought from Augustine and the Greek influence through today's cosmology (the Big Bang) and evolutionary synthesis. Emphasis will be placed on the evolutionary synthesis, its development and controversies including the distinction between material naturalist, philosophical naturalist, and the philosophical problems of consciousness, rationality, and reductionism.