Biology (BIOL)

102 Human Genetics (3)

Principles of biology relative to development of human hereditary characteristics. 2 Lecture, 2 Lab. (C5)

103 Environmental Biology (3)

Principles of biology relative to ecology and modern environmental problems. Ecosystems structure and function, population growth, food production, pollution, and resource use. 2 Lecture, 2 Lab. (C5)

104 Human Biology (3)

The biology which underlines medical, social, and developmental issues of the human lifecycle. 2 Lecture, 2 Lab. (C5)

105 Biology in the 21st Century (3)

Modern biology from a cellular and molecular perspective, emphasizing cell structure, function, genes and genetic engineering, disease and evolution. 2 Lecture, 2 Lab. (C5)

108 Recreational Botany (l)

Identification of native plants on campus and in the field using popular plant guides; derivation of plant names; food and medicinal uses of plants. Two Saturday hikes required. 2 Field.

130 General Botany (4)

Diversity in plants: structure, phylogeny, classification, life histories, and aspects of the physiology of algae, fungi, bryophytes, and vascular plants. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab.

131 General Zoology (4)

Evolutionary relationships, functional morphology, physiology, and natural history of the major groups of animals; dissections and other lab exercises emphasize functional morphology. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab.

132 Human Genetics in Society (3)

Study of inheritance and development of human characteristics and the relationship of genetics to society. PREQ: 101 or permission of instructor.

140 Principles of Biology I (4)

Introduction to biology for majors. Basic cell structure and function, bioenergetics, introduction to genetics and molecular biology. COREQ: 140 lecture and 140 lab. 4 Lecture, 0 Lab. (Lecture-4 credits, Lab-0 credit) (Lab is required).

141 Principles of Biology II (4)

Second course for biology majors. Evolutionary patterns (Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plants, and Animals), introduction to plant and animal physiology, organismic interactions (Behavior, Ecology). PREQ: 140. COREQ: 141 lecture and 141 lab. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab. (Lecture-3 credits, Lab-1 credit). (Lab is required).

190 Discoveries in Biology (3)

Discoveries in biology used as the basis for exercises involving analysis of scientific reasoning, the scientific method, and experimental design.

192 Plant Biodiversity (3)

Southern Appalachian plant diversity as a background in botanical sciences. Experience with field identification techniques and human use of plants in medicines, foods, and fiber. 2 Lecture, 2 Lab.

193 Forensic Biology (3)

An exploration of techniques, applications, and social implication of forensic biology, including the science behind fingerprints, blood typing, DNA fingerprints, and other forensic areas.

194 Biotechnology: Methods, Applications, and Implications (3)

This course addresses the methods used in Biotechnology and their use in genetic engineering of bacteria, plants, animals, and ethical considerations associated with biotechnology.

251 Natural History of the Southern Appalachians (4)

Interdisciplinary study of this unique environment, on-site studies, scheduled pack trips. PREQ: 141. 2 Lecture, 6 Lab.

254 Dendrology (4)

Structure, distribution, identification, and economic uses of major forest trees of the United States; emphasis on regional species. 2 Lecture, 6 Lab/field.

291 Human Anatomy and Physiology (4, 4)

292 The skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, integrative, and reproductive systems. PREQ: Completion of 24 semester hours. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab.

304 General Ecology (3)

Ecosystem and population processes, pathways of energy and materials, interactions between organisms and populations and human role in the biosphere. PREQ: 141 or permission of instructor. COREQ: 304 lecture and 304 lab. 2 Lecture, 3 Lab. (Lecture-2 credits, Lab-1 credit). (Lab is required).

305 Genetics and Evolution (3)

Processes on inheritance and evolution from the molecular to the population level; experiments with various organisms and analysis of sample data illustrating principles of genetics. PREQ: 141 or permission of instructor. COREQ: 305 lecture and 305 lab). 2 Lecture, 3 Lab. (Lecture-2 credits, Lab-1 credit). (Lab is required).

311 Animal Physiology (3)

Principles of homeostasis, cell and tissue communication systems, contractility, respiration, excretion, and metabolism in animals. PREQ: BIOL 141 and CHEM 140.

313 Microbiology in Health and Nutrition (3)

Morphological, cultural, biochemical, and staining characteristics of microorganisms; emphasis on those that infect man and occur in water, food, and dairy products. PREQ: Permission of instructor. 2 Lecture, 3 Lab.

315 Introduction to Plant Physiology (1)

Introduction to plant metabolism, conduction, development, and defense mechanisms. PREQ: BIOL 141 and CHEM 140. 1 Lecture, 1 Lab.

333 Cell and Molecular Biology (3)

Viral, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic cell structure; DNA structure and replication; RNA and protein synthesis; control of gene expression. Structure and function of specific cell types. PREQ: 141 and 305 or permission of instructor. COREQ: 333 lecture and 333 lab. 2 Lecture, 3 Lab. (Lecture-2 credits, Lab-1 credit). (Lab is required).

361 (CHEM 361) Principles of Biochemistry (3)

373 Invertebrate Zoology (4)

Morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution of invertebrates. PREQ: 141. 2 Lecture, 6 Lab.

374 Vertebrate Zoology (4)

Morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution of vertebrates. PREQ: 141 or permission of instructor. 2 Lecture, 6 Lab.

389 Cooperative Education in Biology (1 or 3, R15)

See Cooperative Education Program.

413 Principles of General Microbiology (2)

Survey of microorganisms emphasizing morphology, physiology, immunology, and ecology; microorganisms and disease; environmental and applied microbiology. Not open to students with credit in 313.

414 Methods of General Microbiology (2)

Microscopy; morphological, cultural, physiological, and serological characteristics of microorganisms; microbiology of food, milk, water, and soil. COREQ: 413. 6 Lab.

415 Plant Physiology (3)

Plant metabolism, effects of hormones and light on plant growth and development. Transport and translocation of water and solutes. Plant stress physiology. PREQ: BIOL 141 and CHEM 140.

416 Plant Molecular Biology (3)

Molecular aspects of plant development. Examination of the structure, expression, and function of genes involved in the flowering plant life cycle, including genes controlling embryogenesis, vegetative growth, plant-pathogen interaction, and reproduction. PREQ: 333 or equivalent.

417 Biochemistry (3)

The metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins in plant and animal systems. PREQ: BIOL 304, 305 and CHEM 242, 272; or permission of instructor.

419 Cell Biology (4)

Structure, function, and techniques for the study of cells. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab.

420 Darwin’s Origin of Species (3)

A detailed reading and analysis of Darwin’s landmark work, On the Origin of Species. Examining its historical and philosophical context, and its social and scientific significance. PREQ: 140, 141, 304, and 305 or equivalent.

425 Flora of the Southern Appalachians (4)

Taxonomy of the flowering plants of the region; family relationships; use of keys for identification; and recognition, collection, documentation, and preservation of specimens. One weekend field collecting trip. PREQ: 141. 2 Lecture, 6 Lab.

434 Terrestrial Ecology (4)

Population, ecosystem, community structure, and dynamics; major North American biomes; field and descriptive methods; required weekend field trips. PREQ: 304 and 305. 2 Lecture, 6 Lab/field.

435 Aquatic Ecology (4)

Biological, physical, and chemical components and processes in lakes and streams; field studies of local lakes and their biota. PREQ: 304. 2 Lecture, 6 Lab.

443 Evolutionary Processes (3)

Mechanisms of evolution; emphasis on current research and hypotheses such as group and kin selection, r and K selection, and sympatric speciation. PREQ: 304 and 305.

451 Biology of Fungi (4)

Slime molds and true fungi: life histories, morphology, host-parasite relationship, fine structure, and phylogeny. PREQ: 141.

452 Plant Anatomy (4)

Plant cells, tissue organization in phylogenetic perspective, botanical microtechniques. PREQ: 141. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab.

453 Principles of Systematics (3)

Principles and methods used in describing animal and/or plant taxa and in testing hypotheses of evolutionary relationship; individual research projects on the systematics of selected taxa. PREQ: Junior status in biology or permission of instructor

455 Vascular Plants (4)

Biology of higher plants: club and small club mosses, quill worts, scouring rushes, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms in living and fossil form. PREQ: 141. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab.

457 Biology of Algae (4)

Life histories, morphology, reproduction, and phylogeny of the algae. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab.

466 Aquaculture (1)

Commercial practices for the intensive production of fish; review of the elements involved in aquaculture systems with examples of aquatic farming and examination of problems related to industry. PREQ: 141 and 304 or permission of instructor.

467 Biostatistics (3)

Statistical concepts and methods for biologists. Design of experiments for computer analysis by ANOVA, single or multiple regression, principal components. An elementary statistics course is recommended. 2 Lecture, 2 Lab.

470 Biology of Arthropods (4)

Functional morphology, physiology, natural history, and systematics of the arthropods; field/lab emphasis on spiders. PREQ: 141. 2 Lecture, 6 Lab.

471 Animal Behavior (4)

Mechanisms, development, functional significance, and evolution of behavior; individual research projects, films, and discussions in lab. PREQ: 141 or permission of instructor. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab.

473 Microbial Ecology (4)

Ecology of archaea and bacteria. Population and community detection, diversity, and roles in biogeochemical cycling using cultivation and molecular techniques. PREQ: 304 and 413 or 414. COREQ: 473 Lab.

475 Animal Development (4)

Development in animals: gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, organo-genesis, embryonic adaptations, differentiation, and growth. PREQ: 304 and 305. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab.

476 Contemporary Fisheries (3)

Biological concepts and alternative management practices involved in the protection, conservation, restoration, augmentation, and cultivation of fisheries resources. PREQ: 141 and 304 or permission of instructor. 2 Lecture, 2 Lab.

480 Research in Biology (2, R6)

PREQ: Junior standing, permission of research director.

493 Studies in Biology (1-6, R12)

PREQ: Permission of department head.

495 Introduction to Senior Thesis (1)

Designed to introduce experimental design and assist in selection of a senior thesis project. PREQ: Permission of department head.

496 Senior Seminar (1)

PREQ: 140, 141, 304, 305, and 333; or permission of instructor.

498 Senior Thesis I (2)

Directed research conducted in the first semester of the senior year. PREQ: Permission of department head.

499 Senior Thesis II (1)

Senior thesis and oral presentation following completion of directed undergraduate research. PREQ: 498.

 

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Last updated: 12/3/2004.
Copyright 2004 by Western Carolina University .