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Biological Sciences
Summer 2023 courses (coming soon)
View all of the Biology summer 2023 courses in the Academic Catalog.
Featured courses (please check for updates)
BIO 338 – Physiology of Exercise Accordion Closed
This undergraduate level class is offered online. Students will learn about the physiology of human performance during exercise, including cellular and systemic responses, environmental, and training program considerations.
BIO 373 – Marine Biology Accordion Closed
This undergraduate level class is offered online. Students will explore the behavior, ecology, biogeography, and evolution of marine organisms relative to the physics and geology of the ocean.
BIO 376 – Biotechnology Accordion Closed
This undergraduate level class is offered in person, and includes a 3 hour lecture and 3 hour lab. Students will have the opportunity to explore how microorganisms are used to make medicines, foods, and energy, and to genetically engineer plants and animals.
BIO 526 – Herpetology Accordion Closed
This graduate-level class accepts upper-level undergraduates who need an upper level organismal biology class to fulfill the requirements of the wildlife certificate, and encourages self-motivated students who are passionate about reptiles and amphibians to develop their professional skills. This class is unique in its mixture of interactive lectures, virtual demonstrations of reptile and amphibian handling, captive husbandry, and fieldwork practices, and instructor-supported student self-led field trips to document and observe local and regional reptiles and amphibians. If conditions allow, we will participate in real-life applied conservation experiences assisting state and federal partners with management of reptiles and amphibians. The class is taught by Dr. Erika Nowak, a research professor and practicing herpetologist. Dr. Nowak is a well-known venomous reptile and federally threatened garter snake expert; her research and biography are detailed in the 2018 book, “American Snakes.”
Courses Available
BIO 100 – Principles of Biology
Introduces basic principles and concepts of biology. Methods of scientific inquiry and behavior of matter and energy in biological systems are explored.
BIO 100L – Principles of Biology Lab
Investigates examples of life, with focus on our understanding of evolution, environment, heredity, body form, and function.
BIO 154 – The Art and Science of Human Movement
Introduces the study of human exercise and provides a broad-based understanding of applications of human movement to health and science.
BIO 181 – Unity of Life I: Life of the Cell
Introductory course for biology majors. Emphasizes the unifying molecular and cellular principles of all life on earth.
BIO 181L – Unity of Life I: Laboratory
Introduces experimental techniques in cellular and molecular biological sciences.
BIO 182 – Unity of Life II: Lives of Multicellular Organisms
Introductory course for biology majors. Emphasizes the unifying organismal principles of life on earth.
BIO 182L- Unity Of Life II Laboratory
Hands on experience with concepts introduced in BIO 182.
BIO 201 – Human Anatomy/Physiology I
Integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and sensory systems in health and disease.
BIO 201L – Human Anatomy/Physiology I Lab
Examines histology and human organ systems including integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous.
BIO 202 – Human Anatomy/Physiology II
Body fluid, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, and endocrine systems in health and disease.
BIO 202L – Human Anatomy/Physiology II Lab
Examines human organ systems including endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive.
BIO 240 – Genetics and Evolution
Fundamental concepts of inheritance, including genetic and chromosomal character determination, and natural selection leading to population changes and speciation.
BIO 244 – Fundamental Evolutionary Biology
Fundamentals of evolutionary theory including natural selection, adaptation, species concepts and speciation, basics of phylogenetics and population genetics as well as patterns of diversification and extinction.
BIO 300 – Human Biology
Series of independent mini courses dealing with aspects of biology and human conditions. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 10 units. Each repeat must be a different topic than previously taken. Topics Offered: TBD
BIO 338 – Physiology of Exercise
Physiology of human performance during exercise, including cellular and systemic responses, environmental, and training program considerations.
BIO 365W – Writing in the Biological Sciences
Provides students with practice in biological writing for both technical and non-technical audiences, with the goal of fostering development of effective communication of scientific information by majors in the biological sciences.
BIO 373 – Marine Biology
Behavior, ecology, biogeography, and evolution of marine organisms relative to the physics and geology of the ocean.
BIO 376 – Biotechnology
Explores how microorganisms are used to make medicines, foods, and energy, and to genetically engineer plants and animals.
BIO 399 – Special Topics
In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study.
BIO 444C – Human Physiology
Physiology of major body systems studied at the metabolic, cellular, and systemic levels, emphasizing homeostatic mechanisms.
BIO 485 – Undergraduate Research
Original research under the supervision of a research adviser.
BIO 497 – Independent Study
Individualized approach to selected topics by guided reading and critical evaluation.
BIO 526 – Herpetology
Classification, distribution, ecology, and identification of amphibians and reptiles.
BIO 526L – Herpetology Lab
This course will cover the identification, anatomy, behavior, ecology, management, conservation, and survey techniques for the herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) during laboratory sessions and field trips.
BIO 697 – Independent Study
Individualized directed study on selected topics.
BIO 799 – Dissertation
Individualized directed research, writing, and oral defense of selected dissertation topic.