Course Descriptions

BIOL 105 Conservation Biology (4 credits, F)
Principles of conservation biology including history of conservation, structure of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, endangered species and extinction, management, and Christian stewardship. Labs emphasize analysis of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Three lectures, three laboratories each week.

BIOL 151, 152 General Biology (4/4 credits, F/S)
Two-semester survey; preparation for advanced work. 151 includes cell biology, genetics, animal taxonomy, behavior, and development; 152 includes plant taxonomy and physiology, ecology, and animal physiology. Three lecture, 3 laboratory hours each week. Note: BIOL 151 or permission is prerequisite to BIOL 152. BIOL 151 and 152 are prerequisites for most biology courses numbered above 200.

BIOL 207 or 212 Wildlife Behavior in East Africa (3 or 4 credits, S)
(See course description in Off-Campus Programs - Tanzania section.)

BIOL 211 The Ecology of Alaska (3 or 4 credits, Summer 05)
Study of Alaskan ecology through field experiences to Anchorage, Denali National Park, State Museum at Fairbanks, Tetlin Wildlife Refuge, Valdez, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Homer. Research paper on Alaska ecology and a daily journal required. Est. fee above tuition $1500. Prerequisite: BIOL 152

BIOL 213, 225 Natural History of the Adirondacks (3 or 4 credits, F)
(See course description in Off-Campus Programs - Adirondack Park section.)

BIOL 214 Wildlife Biology (3 credits, S)
Study of North American wildlife with emphasis on vertebrate game animals. Topics include ecology, behavior, population dynamics, habitat development, conservation, and management. May not be used toward the biology major or minor.

BIOL 215 Local Flora and Vegetation (3 credits, F)
Field identification of local ferns, shrubs, trees, and herbaceous flowering plants. Lecture covers broader vegetational ecosystems of North America. Small herbarium required. Two lecture, three laboratory hours each week. May not be used toward the biology major or minor.

BIOL 217 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits, F)
Systematic study of structure and function of the human organism, including microanatomy of organs. General organization of the body, basic tissues, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week. Does not count for major or minor credit except where required for graduate programs and upon permission of the department chair.

BIOL 218 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits, S)
Sequel to BIOL 217. Endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive systems; acid-base and fluid-electrolyte balance. Prerequisite: BIOL 217 or permission. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week. Note: BIOL 217 and 218 are designed to fulfill the certification requirements for the physical education major and admission requirement for some schools of nursing and physical therapy. Does not count for major or minor credit except where required for graduate programs and upon permission of the department chair.

BIOL 220 Biological Oceanography (2 credits, OD)
Laboratory adjacent to Acadia National Park, Maine. Course includes adaptations of marine organisms to the marine ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, stewardship of the marine environment. Field trips include rocky intertidal, cobble and sandy beaches, salt marshes, open ocean ecosystems. Cost above tuition and lab fee: $600.

BIOL 221 Plant Anatomy and Physiology (4 credits, OD)
Study of the biochemistry, physiology, structure, reproduction and commercial uses of the green plants and fungi. Laboratory includes research project in plant biology. Three lecture, three lab hours weekly.

BIOL 231 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4 credits, S)
Comparative study of vertebrate structure. Laboratory includes dissection and detailed study of representative vertebrates. Two lecture, six laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 242 Microbiology (4 credits, S)
Survey of viruses, prokaryotic organisms, and fungi with theoretical and applied approaches to morphology, metabolism, genetics, biotechnology, and host-parasite relations. Three lectures, three laboratory hours each week. Prerequisite: CHEM 151 or permission

BIOL 251 Genetics (4 credits, F)
Principles of inheritance in living organisms, including the modern concepts of "gene" action and DNA structure and function. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 281 Introduction to Research (1 credits, F/S)
Introduction to biological research methods, selection and approval of a research topic, preparation of a comprehensive literature review, and submission of a formal written proposal. Required of all biology majors; recommended for junior year.

BIOL 301 Field Botany (4 credits, F)
Introduction to taxonomy, systematics, and ecology of vascular plants. Course includes field trips throughout western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania; plant identification and classification; develop extensive herbarium. Two lecture, six laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 322 General Ecology (4 credits, F)
Study of the interrelationships among living organisms, their physical and biological environment, and human impacts. Laboratory introduction to ecological techniques and field studies of local and state ecosystems. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 350 Forest Ecology (4 credits, Mayterm '04)
Study of forests and their interactions with physical, chemical, and biological factors in the context of ecosystems at the Star Lake Campus. Includes physiognomy, nutrient cycling, climatic factors, soils, fire and disturbance, succession, and harvesting and management. Lab includes forest mensuration and analysis and introduction to SILVAH. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week. Prerequisites: BIOL 322 or 301.

BIOL 361 Vertebrate Histology (4 credits, S)
Microscopic anatomy of vertebrate tissues and organs. Two lecture, six laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 364 Animal Ecology (4 credits, S05)
Focuses on the relationship between animals and their environments including basic principles, theory, applications, and Christian stewardship as applied to animal ecology. Lab is field oriented including telemetry and tracking, demographics, niche partitioning, foraging strategies, and habitat selection. Three lecture, three lab hours per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 151, 152 and 322

BIOL 365 Immunology (4 credits, F05)
Theoretical and clinical approaches to study of innate and adaptive immune systems: antigen recognition, immune response, immune system, and its pathologies. Three lectures, three lab hours each week.

BIOL 370 Molecular and Cell Biology (4 credits, F)
The course provides an introduction to the biochemistry of cells, transport across membranes, cell-to-cell signaling, organelle function, and protein targeting, with an emphasis on methods in molecular and cell biology. Three lecture hours and one three-hour lab per week. Labs will focus on molecular techniques such as cloning, PCR, generation and purification of recombinant proteins, and blotting techniques (DNA, RNA, and Protein). Prerequisite: BIOL 251

BIOL 372 Comparative Animal Physiology (4 credits, S04)
General consideration of functional processes in animals with emphasis on the comparative aspects. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week.

BIOL 382 Developmental Biology (4 credits, S05)
Study of morphogenesis and biochemical processes involved in development, with emphasis on vertebrates. Three lecture, three laboratory hours each week. Prerequisite: BIOL 251

BIOL 195, 295, 395, 396 Special Topics (1-4 credits, F&S)
Courses designed to meet the individual needs of advanced students in such areas as electron microscopy, introduction to clinical medicine, marine biology, microscopical techniques, medical terminology, limnology and ornithology. Some of the courses include laboratory.

BIOL 482 Senior Seminar (1 credits, S)
Discussions on history of biological science, ethical problems in biology and health related issues, and environmental issues. Each student presents a seminar to the entire department during the fall or spring of their senior year. Required of all biology majors during their final spring semester. Open only to majors.

BIOL 391, -2; 491, -2 Independent Study (1, 2, or 3 credits)
Research under the supervision of a biology department faculty member. Total 5 credits.

BIOL 475 Environmental Stewardship Seminar (1 credits, OD)
The course focuses on examining environmental issues and problems in light of the Christian faith with the goal of developing a personal stewardship ethic. Beginning with local environmental problems, and then moving to global issues and ethics. Outside speakers from the larger community, including representatives from the NYDEC, the Nature Conservancy, and local politicians.

BIOL 496 Honors in Biology (3 credits)

PRPR 202A Premedical-Predental Practicum (P/U) (3 credits, May)
Observation and practical experience with physician or dentist on a one-to-one basis. Preparation and sharing of experiences on the Houghton campus. Open only to serious medical or dental school candidates.