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Biological Sciences
Summer 2021 courses
View all of the the Biology summer 2021 courses in the Academic Catalog.
Featured courses
BIO 300 – Microgravity: Humans in Space Accordion Closed
1 credit special topic course taught by Dr. Sara Jarvis. Dr. Jarvis was previously funded by NASA to explore pharmacologic countermeasures to mitigate orthostatic intolerance, a common issue astronauts face upon return from spaceflight.
This course will provide a brief overview of the physiological responses and adaptations observed in humans during exposure to microgravity. An exploration of ground-based models will be used, as well as countermeasures used to avoid atrophy in various systems.
BIO 320 – General Pathology Accordion Closed
This 3 credit online course taught by Dr. Robert Kellar surveys disease processes affecting body systems; cell death and inflammation; emphasizes altered physiological mechanisms in cells and organ systems.
Dr. Kellar’s research has utilized pathological assessments for the past 20 years in both academic and industrial settings.
BIO 345 – Sustainable Botany Accordion Closed
BIO 345 Summer course 4 credit hours
In this class students will learn about: how to have a high-altitude garden in an arid landscape, companion plantings, managing pests, growing in greenhouses, botany skills, sustainable agriculture topics, food preservation, pollinator and native plant gardens.
BIO 366 – Behavior of Animals Accordion Closed
This course explores the ways which animals survive, adapt, and respond to changes in their environment. Basic topics covered include animal learning, mechanisms of behavior, foraging, defense against predation, aggression, sensory systems, mating systems, and parental care behavior.
Examples from the animal kingdom will be incorporated, including consideration of the roles animals play in the daily lives of humans, and the discovery and meaning of specific animal behaviors. In the laboratory portion, you will be applying the concepts learned in lecture to you own observations made in and around Flagstaff.
This summer course incorporates field trips, experimental labs, and additional topics such as applied animal behavior. Its instructor has taught this course for seven years, is certified in applied animal behavior, and has focused their research on parental care behaviors in invertebrate systems.
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.”
BIO 571 – Field Biology Accordion Closed
How have biologists, geologists, ecologists, and archaeologists come to describe and understand the physical and biological environment? This course examines significant scientific practices through visits to key field sites in the area surrounding Flagstaff. (In case of special conditions relating to COVID-19, videos, maps, and descriptions of the field sites will substitute for field trips.)
Mark Hineline holds a Ph.D. in the history of science. He is currently at work on a graphic novel focused on field science in Arizona, from the Sonoran Desert to the Grand Canyon.
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 205 – Microbiology
Fundamental microbiology emphasizing structure and function of organisms, aspects of microbial diversity, pathogenic microorganisms, disease mechanisms and immune response. For students majoring in microbiology and those in the health professions.
BIO 205L – Microbiology Lab
Examines the function of organisms, aspects of microbial diversity, pathogenic microorganisms, disease mechanisms and immune response.
BIO 226- Ecology
Introduces ecological principles, including the distribution and abundance of organisms, population dynamics, community organization, energy flow, and nutrient cycling.
BIO 226L- Ecology Lab
Experimental analysis of plant and animal interactions within ecosystems, including community dynamics, ecological processes, and biotic inventories.
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: GRAND CANYON BIOLOGY/ECOLOGY, GRAND CANYON WILDFLOWERS, GRAND CANYON BIRDS, HUMAN SEXUALITY, MICROGRAVITY: HUMANS IN SPACE, LOADS & THE HUMAN BODY, OVERVIEW OF FISH
BIO 310 – Scientific Concepts in Human Biology
Systems and processes of the human body integrated with an understanding of health and disease.
BIO 320 – General Pathology
Surveys disease processes affecting body systems; cell death and inflammation; emphasizes altered physiological mechanisms in cells and organ systems.
BIO 345 – Sustainable Botany
Applies plant science principles to aspects of growing plants, including soil science, pathology, physiology, entomology, orchard, garden, and greenhouse with comparison of modern agribusiness to sustainable agriculture.
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 366 – Behavior of Animals
Surveys the theories and reasons that explain the behavior of animals.
BIO 375 – Infectious Disease
This course will cover the challenge presented by infectious microorganisms, how the host responds to the challenge, and what challenges lie ahead for both humans and microbes.
BIO 399 – Special Topics: This is Your Brain
In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study.
BIO 408 – Fieldwork Experience
Supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization.
BIO 408C- Fieldwork Experience
Supervised fieldwork experience in a professional exercise-science setting. Requires 45 hours for each credit earned.
BIO 526 – Herpetology
Classification, distribution, ecology, and identification of amphibians and reptiles.
BIO 571 – Field Biology: Flora, Fauna, and Formations of Northern Arizona
Natural history of organisms common to Arizona.