Biology courses at SPSU

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Biology course descriptions:

BIOL 2107K  Biological Principles I  (3-3-4)  An introduction to biology including the chemistry of life, cell structure and functions, bioenergetics, genetics, basic statistics, biotechnology, and evolution. Laboratory exercises supplement class work.

BIOL 2108K  Biological Principles II  (3-3-4)  Topics include organ system anatomy and physiology, a survey of the diversity of life, animal behavior, and ecology. The laboratory exercises supplement the class work.  Prerequisite: BIOL 2107K.

BIOL 3000K  Genetics  (3-3-4)  Structure, function, regulation, and transmission of hereditary information in viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes. Laboratory includes exercises in both classical and molecular genetics.  Prerequisite: BIOL 2107K.

BIOL 3100K  Microbiology  (3-3-4)  The morphology, physiology, genetics and biochemistry of microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria and viruses.  Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.  Biochemistry I is a recommended, but not required, prerequisite for this course. Prerequisites: BIOL 3000K.

BIOL 3200K  Biotechnology  (1-9-4)  Application of modern molecular biochemical techniques and principles in a project-based laboratory setting.  Students will use recombinant DNA technologies to pursue research projects, present results in informal group meetings, and be responsible for keeping records of all experiments and data for possible publication in research journals.  May require additional time outside of scheduled lab hours.  Prerequisite: BIOL 3310K.

BIOL 3201  Biophysics I  (3-0-3)  An introduction to the biophysics of living systems with emphasis on growth, energy transduction, transport processes, light and vision.  Prerequisite or concurrent: BIOC 3111K.

BIOL 3202  Biophysics II  (3-0-3)  A continuation of Biophysics I with emphasis on the biophysical aspects of contractile and neural systems, kinesiology, biomedical applications of radiation, thermal, magnetic resonance and sonic techniques. Prerequisite: BIOL 3201.

BIOL 3300K  Ecology  (3-3-4)  An examination of the relationship of organisms with their abiotic and biotic environments.  Population, community, and ecosystems interactions are evaluated from both ecological and environmental perspectives.  Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.  Prerequisite: BIOL 2108K.

BIOL 3310K  Molecular Biology  (3-3-4)  Examination of the synthesis, function and modification of nucleic acids. Includes gene expression and regulation with an emphasis on experimental approaches used to study them. Laboratory exercises use modern techniques to reinforce lecture material and may require additional time outside of the scheduled lab hours.  Prerequisite: BIOL 3000K.

BIOL 3400K  Cell Physiology  (3-3-4)  An overview of the structure and function of cells and their organelles. Includes membrane structure and transport, catabolism, energy metabolism, photosynthesis and biosynthesis.  Laboratory exercises use modern techniques to reinforce lecture material.  Prerequisite: BIOL 2108K, BIOL 3000K.

BIOL 4100K  Entomology (3-3-4)  An overview of the study on insects including: functional anatomy and physiology, life histories, taxonomy, behavior, ecology, insects as vectors of pathogens, chemical and biological control of pests.  Prerequisite: BIOL 2108K.

BIOL 4110  Parasitology (3-0-3)  This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of classical parasitology, with emphasis on parasites of major medical/veterinary importance. Topics covered will include basic principles of parasitology, life cycles, epidemiology, host-parasite interactions, host-parasite population dynamics, drug treatments and vector control programs. Prerequisite: BIOL 2108K.

BIOL 4200K  Zoology  (3-3-4)  A survey of the animal phyla emphasizing morphology, life histories, ecology, evolution, behavior, and coordination of structure and function. Prerequisite: BIOL 2108K.

BIOL 4400K  Anatomy and Physiology I (3-3-4)  Comparative study of embryonic development, functional morphology, adaptive radiation, and evolution of chordates. Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.  Prerequisite: BIOL 2108K.

BIOL 4410K  Immunology  (3-3-4)  Biology of the immune system including structure and function of antibodies, antibody-antigen interactions and the cellular and physiological consequences of the immune response.  Laboratory exercises use modern techniques to reinforce lecture material and may require additional time outside of the scheduled lab hours. Prerequisites: BIOL 3000K, BIOC 3111K.

BIOL 4440K  Botany  (3-3-4)  A survey of land plants, with emphasis on the ecology, field identification, economic importance, and natural history of these organisms.  Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.  Prerequisite: BIOL 2108K.

BIOL 4460K  Anatomy and Physiology II  (3-3-4)  Examination of the major homeostatic physiological mechanisms in a wide range of animal groups. Topics covered include nervous and hormonal control systems, cardiovascular physiology, respiration, water balance/regulation, and muscle physiology. Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.  Prerequisite: BIOL 4400K.

BIOL 4470  Plant Physiology  (3-0-3)  Introduction to plant physiology, including biochemical, genetic and developmental aspects of the plant life cycle. Topics include: photosynthesis, respiration, metabolism, water relations, plant hormones, embryogenesis and early development, flowering, stress physiology, response to pathogens and plant genetic engineering.  Prerequisites: BIOL 3000K, BIOC 3111K.

BIOL 4480  Evolution  (3-0-3)  Origins of life-mechanisms and processes of organic evolution stressing evidence from population genetics, systematics, paleontology, and comparative physiology; biochemistry; the evolution of humans and human culture. Prerequisite: BIOL 2108K.

BIOL 4500K  Bioinformatics I  (3-3-4)  The course covers concepts and methods related to information processing in biological systems. Concepts covered include homology, identity and similarity; mechanisms and measures of molecular evolution; introduction to data bases; search algorithms; pairwise sequence alignment using dynamic programming; progressive methods for multiple alignment.  Prerequisites: MATH 2253, BIOC 3111K, BIOL 3310K.

BIOL 4510K  Bioinformatics II  (3-3-4)  The course covers use of homology to extract information about structure and function from amino acid, DNA and RNA sequences.  Concepts covered include structural homology, structural motifs and databases, homology modeling of macromolecules, energy minimization and relaxation, molecular docking, and introduction to molecular dynamics.  Prerequisite: BIOL 4500K.

BIOL 4700  Internship  (3-0-3)  An opportunity for students to apply principles and techniques of biology in a specific organization.  The student is responsible for finding an internship, but the biology program office will assist.  The student must submit a written proposal describing the internship according to department guidelines.  Each internship is monitored by the student's advisor.  Prerequisite: Junior standing.

BIOL 4900-4905  Special Topics  (1-5)  Special research projects offered by the program faculty on a student demand/need basis.  Prerequisite: senior standing or permission of department.

BIOC 3111K  Biochemistry I  (3-3-4)  An introduction to the structure, chemistry and metabolism of biomonomeric molecules, with emphasis on monosaccharides, amino acids and fatty acids.  Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.  Prerequisite: CHEM 2512K.

BIOC 3112K  Biochemistry II  (3-3-4)  Continuation of Biochemistry I, with emphasis on the structure, chemistry and metabolism of biomacromolecules, biopolymers/biocomplexes.  Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.  Prerequisite:  BIOC 3111K.

BIOC 3115K  Physical Biochemistry  (3-3-4)  General principles of biomolecular thermodynamics, cryogenics, kinetics, homeostasis, electrodynamics, and ultrasonics, and their applications to biological systems.  Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.  Prerequisite: BIOC 3111K.