100 The Living World
(3 s.h.) This is a course for non-majors. Students will seek answers to several questions: What should I eat? Why do we run? What do our genes do? How does what we do impact other species? This course will examine these themes through readings, videos, discussions, and oral presentations.
111 Principles of Biology
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. The biological sciences as a process of inquiry, with emphasis on general principles including biochemistry, photosynthesis, and cell respiration. Additionally there is an emphasis on genetics, molecular biology, and cell physiology. This course provides the foundation for all other biology courses and is the first course in a two part sequence with BIOL 112.
112 Diversity of Life
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. This course is intended to give students an introduction to the great diversity of life on Earth, with emphasis on the body plans, ecology, and evolutionary relationships among organisms. This is the second course in the introductory biology sequence which began with BIOL 111.
120 Nutrition for Health, Fitness, and Sport
(3 s.h.)
For course description, see CHEM/BIOL 120 in the Chemistry listing.
141 Field Biology
(4 s.h.) Field course. Focuses on the natural history and ecology of plants and animals in and around the Shenandoah Valley. Spring wildflowers, birds, and mammals are studied in the varied habitats found in the George Washington National Forest and St. Mary’s and Ramsey’s Draft wilderness areas. Students who take the course should like to hike.
142 Botany in the Field
(4 s.h.) Field course. A detailed study of the plant species growing in local habitats, focusing on how elevation, soils, microclimate, and ecological succession affect vegetation patterns of the region. Students who take this course should like to hike. Offered as needed.
145 Freshwater Biology
(4 s.h.) Field and lab course. Two local streams will be studied as part of a long term project linking their chemistry with changes in their plant and animal communities. The emphasis will be on the collection and analysis of water quality data.
148 Environmental Issues
(3 s.h.) The goals of this course are to introduce students to the basic principles of ecology that underlie the major environmental issues of today. This course is particularly appropriate for students interested in the environment that are majoring in business administration, communication, education, and the social sciences. Requires BIOL 149 in order to count toward a Biology major.
149 Environmental Issues Lab
(1 s.h.) Lab course. Students work on a variety of projects dealing with population biology, community structure, and the monitoring of environmental pollution.
150 Field Ornithology
(4 s.h.) Field course. Students study the biology, ecology, and behavior of wild birds, learn to identify birds (by sight and sound) and participate in a bird-banding research project. The plight of neotropical migratory birds is emphasized.
151 Human Health and Disease
(3 s.h.) A study of the structure and function of the human body in
order to understand how disease impacts the living world. The effects of disease on society are considered from the primary perspective of the biological sciences with context offered within health care management, the media, ethics, and economics.
211 Evolution
(3 s.h.) Evolution, the great unifying theory behind modern biology, is introduced with an emphasis on experimental evidence bearing on the modern synthesis of evolutionary theory and its bearing on topics such as disease, aging, and social behavior. *Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Alternate years.
222 Genetics
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. The study of genetic principles, including Mendelian inheritance and gene regulation, in a variety of different organisms. The ethical and practical implications of genetic research and the genetic basis of disease are focal points of the course. Students develop problem-solving ability and conduct genetic experiments using classical and molecular methods. *Prerequisite: BIOL 111.
224 Cell Biology
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. Cell structure and function including cell physiology, cell-cell signaling and the role of cells in development and cancer are presented along with basic biochemical concepts. The laboratory introduces the main techniques of cytochemistry, histology, enzymology, and tissue culture. *Prerequisite: BIOL 111.
230 Studies in Biology
(3 s.h.) These colloquia will focus on topics not included in regularly scheduled biology courses. Interests of the students and faculty will determine the subject.
245 Ecology
(4 s.h.) Lecture, lab and field course. Students study the interrelationships of living organisms with each other and their environments at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. The course includes a research weekend at the Duke University Marine Laboratory. *Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Alternate years.
250 Neotropical Ornithology
(3 s.h.) Study abroad. Neotropical ornithology introduces the diversity of birds, their scientific study, and conservation in both tropical and temperate settings. We visit the tropics during spring break and study migratory species in Virginia during a week of May Term. Differences between resident and migratory tropical birds introduce the concept of bias in our perception. Students achieve a solid foundation in bird biology, ecology, and behavior.
251 Exercise Testing and Training
(3 s.h.) Anatomy and physiology as it applies to exercise, especially exercise testing and exercise program planning. The course includes techniques for assessing blood pressure, resting heart rate, body composition, and muscular strength and endurance. Cross listed as PHE 251.
252 Biology of Women
(3 s.h.) This course examines female biology from the evolution of sex to reproduction to individual health. This course emphasizes
female life stages and basic biological concepts relating to cells and heredity. Cross listed as WS/BIOL 252. Suggested background: BIOL 111 or 151.
253 Zoology
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. Introduction to the evolution of form and function of the major animal phyla with emphasis on observing ecological adaptations and unraveling evolutionary history through the use of contemporary taxonomic methods. The laboratory involves substantial dissection. *Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Alternate years.
255 Microbiology
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. The basic biology of bacteria and other microbes, with emphasis on metabolic diversity, the disease process, and microbial ecology. The laboratory introduces methods for microbial culture and identification through student-designed experiments. This course is required for students in the clinical laboratory science or master of science in nursing programs. *Prerequisites: BIOL 112, CHEM 121, CHEM 122. Alternate years.
257 Botany
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. A study of how different groups of plants have solved common environmental challenges including support, transport, defenses, reproductive strategies, and modes of speciation. Laboratory work includes plant physiology experiments, preserved material, and field identification of local species and families. *Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Alternate years.
259 Horticulture
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. Covers horticulture as it relates to home landscaping, landscape maintenance, and gardening principles, including soils, composting, plant propagation, pests and disease. Labs will include field trips to local gardens and nurseries, use of garden design software, demonstrations of gardening techniques, and hands-on learning in the yard and garden. Offered as needed.
261 Epidemiology
(3 s.h.)
For course description, see HCA 261 in the Health Care Administration listing.
264/265 Human Anatomy and Physiology I/II
(4 s.h. each) Lecture and lab. The study of the relationships between anatomical structure and physiological function of the human body. All systems of the human body are investigated through classroom discussion, dissection, and physiological analyses. These courses are appropriate for students seeking careers in the allied health sciences and as teachers. *Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Alternate years.
305 Physiological Psychology
(3 s.h.)
For course description, see PSYC 305 in the Psychology listing.
324 Biochemistry I
(3 s.h.)
For course description, see CHEM 324 in the Chemistry listing.
325 Biochemistry II
(3 s.h.)
For course description, see CHEM 325 in the Chemistry listing.
326 Experimental Biochemistry
(4 s.h.)
For course description, see CHEM 326 in the Chemistry listing.
327 Immunology
(3 s.h.) The physiology, cell biology, genetics, and health implications of the immune system, with emphasis on the experimental evidence and reasoning behind our current understanding. This course is required of students seeking to enter the clinical laboratory science program. *Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Alternate years.
328 Molecular Biology
(3 s.h.) Techniques of molecular biology are used to study topics ranging from cell-cell signaling to evolution and ecology; this course is taught as a journal club in which students select, present and discuss a variety of current research papers using these techniques. *Prerequisite: BIOL 222. Alternate years.
329 Electron Microscopy
(4 s.h.) Laboratory course. The study of the theory and methodology required to use the transmission and scanning electron microscopes as specimens are prepared for viewing in the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). *Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Alternate years.
345 Conservation Biology
(3 s.h.) Conservation biology is the study of the diversity of life and its preservation. The course will cover biodiversity as an evolutionary result, a factor structuring ecological communities, and an environmental issue. The course will examine conservation biology in theory and in practice. *Prerequisite: BIOL 112 or permission of instructor. Alternate years.
352 Developmental Biology
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. Embryonic development is studied in a variety of organisms, from gamete production to ageing, with reading from the research literature and a focus on the main experimental approaches to development. In the laboratory, students select and carry out several experimental projects. *Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Alternate years.
354 Comparative Physiology
(4 s.h.) Lecture and lab. An examination of the common cellular mechanisms underlying many physiological processes using a comparative approach emphasizing functional strategies for solving physiological problems. The laboratory allows students to perform self-directed experiments, based in the primary literature, on a variety of organisms. *Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Alternate years.
355 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
(4 s.h.) An investigation of the connection between the form and the function of selected organ systems in representative vertebrates. The laboratory emphasizes evolutionary modifications seen in different animals, including lamprey, the dogfish, and the cat. *Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Alternate years.
361 Animal Behavior
(4 s.h.) Lecture, project, discussion, and lab. The comparative study of animal behavior from ecological and evolutionary points of view. Topics include innate and learned behavior as two poles of the entire spectrum of behavior, evolution of behavior patterns, social organization, sexual selection and female choice, and applications of ethology to human behavior. *Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Alternate years.
363 Primate Ecology
(2 s.h.) A comparative study of the behavior of primates from an ecological and evolutionary point of view. The seminar will focus on recent field studies on chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and other primate species. Social organization, behavioral development, communication, and sexual behavior are some of the topics to be explored through discussion of readings and video sequences. Strongly recommended background: BIOL 361. Alternate years.
381 Junior Seminar
(2 s.h.) This seminar focuses on experimental design, scientific writing, data analysis, and development of a senior research topic. Required of all junior year biology majors. *Prerequisites: at least two of the biology core courses (BIOL 222, 224, 245, and 253 or 257) completed with a grade of C or better and overall GPA in biology of 2.0 or higher.
383 Advanced Study in Biology
(2–3 s.h.) Topics of mutual interest to a group of students and a professor are considered.
400 Senior Seminar
(1 s.h.) Students complete planning and begin experiments for the project designed during BIOL 381. Students meet in small groups to refine the research plan and write a research proposal for review by midterm, then participate in journal article presentations on relevant papers and lab meetings to report progress on experiments. *Prerequisite: BIOL 381.
401 Senior Research
(2 s.h.) Includes the experimental portion of the senior research project, combined with a lab meeting format in which to present results, including formal oral presentations of the project. The student prepares a written thesis and conducts an oral defense of it, and takes the Major Field Achievement Test in Biology.
