Course Directory

Sec Sci Ed Sophomore Seminar

Introduces biology, chemistry, earth science, general science, and physics education majors to the major requirements in their program. Cross disciplinary discussions guide students in the integration of pedagogical principles from their foundationeducation courses with content from their specialty courses. Students are introduced to the PA Academic Standards as well as the National Science Education Standards. Artifacts created with guidance in this seminar become part of an electronic Lear,ning Portfolio. Required for all Secondary General Science majors. Annually.

Environ Science & Sustain

Humans are changing the global environment in profound ways but the consequences are not widely understood. This course will examine current environmental issues from a scientific perspective and explore how science can be best used to shape sound e,"nvironmental law and regulation, public lands, types and sources of air and water pollution, and other environmental issues of current interest. Environmental issues of local and regional importance will be emphasized. Three lecture hours weekly.Credit not to be applied toward a biology major.

Human Biology

This course focuses on the biology of the human organism. Recent scientific and medical advances as they relate to the development of public policy are interwoven through topics covered. The biology of our aging human population including issues su,"ch as infection, autoimmunity, cancer, as well as respiratory, cardiovascular, and urinary system decline, will be discussed. Credit not to be applied toward a biology major or biology education certification. Annually.

Human Genetics

Mendelian genetics and the inheritance of human genetic disease. Examines the anatomical, physiological, biochemical, and genetic basis of human diseases, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cancer, and the genetic component of human illness. Analyzes behavioral genetics, sociobiology, recombinant DNA, gene therapy, and medical ethics. Non-majors course for students who wish to know more about human genetics than is available in basic biology. Particularly useful for students in anthropology, rehabilitative sciences, psychology, sociology, and special education. Prerequisite: One semester of biology or permission of instructor. Annually.|

Microbiology

Examines microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, emphasizing those associated with human health and disease. Considers immunity and resistance to infectious diseases and to their epidemiological and public health aspects. Laboratory emphasizes pathogenic bacteria and the bacteriological and microscopic techniques. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly. Not for biology majors. Pittsburgh Campus, annually.

Career Dev Health Prof

Students in this course will research and discuss current issues in health care, including professionalism, policy, practice, and reform. The goals of this course are to familiarize future health care professionals with issues related to their career, as well as with the applciation process and requirements for admissino to health professional programs (medical, dental, veterinary, etc.), guide students in preparing a portfolio of necessay application materials, and develop their writing, interview, test-taking, and other necessary skills and experiences. It will also include a service-learning activity. Prerequisite: Junior standing or instructor's permission|

Marine Invertebrates

This course introduces students to the taxonomy, structure, function and ecology of marine invertebrates emphasizing specializations which have allowe these animals to exploit a wide variety of marine habitats. Major trends in invertebrate evolution will be used to illustrate the development of form and function in these animals. Prerequisites: Completion of two semesters of introductory biology. Completion of a crouse in general zoology is desirable. Summer, on demand.

General Zoology

Surveys the animal kingdom. Emphasizes the biology and classification of both invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Covers the role of animals in ecosystems and interrelationships among the various taxa and aspects of morphology, phylogeny, ethology,and zoogeography. Includes special reference to animals occurring in Pennsylvania. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisites: BIOL 155, 156, 165, 166. Alternate years.

General Botany

A survey of the structure, function and diversity of non-vascular and vascular plants from an evolutionary perspective. Topics will include structure, function, organization and evolution of plant cells and tissues, photosynthesis and nutrition, water uptake and balance, hormonal control of growth, reproduction and dispersal, and classification and systematics. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisite: BIOL 155, 156, 165, 166 or equivalent courses.

General Mycology

A survey of Kingdom Fungi, with particular emphasis on the mushrooms, molds, yeasts, smuts, rusts and slime molds. Topics include the morpholoogy, physiology, biochemistry, systematics, ecology and evolution of fungi. Laboratory stresses identification of higher fungi, laboratory techniques and field mycology. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisite: Completion of BIOL 155 and BIOL 156 or permission of instructor. Fall, alternate years|

Sec Sci Ed Junior Seminar

This seminar engages secondary science education majors in cross disciplinary content and pedagogical discussions. Students create lesson plans that engage secondary students in science investigations, using advanced technologies where appropriate. Artifacts created in this seminar become part of an electronic Learning Portfolio. Includes early field experience guided teaching experiences.

General Microbiology

A study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi. Extensive laboratory work includes isolation, staining, culturing, and identification of microorganisms. Examine prokaryotic cell architecturee, microbial physiology, methods or controlling the growth of microbes, micorbial genetics, medical microbiology, and applied and environmental microbiology. Two lecture periods and two laboratory periods weekly. Prerequisites: BIOL 155, 156, 164, 166, CHEM 151 or 153, 161 or 163, 152 or 154, 162 or 164, all with a C or better. Each semester.|

Problems In Biology

Acquaints students with skills and techniques used in research. Students identify a problem for investigation and complete all phases of its study, including writing a research report. Approval from the staff member who will direct the student must be secured before pre-registration.

Herpetology

Students will study the ecology and evolution of amphibians and reptiles. Topics to be studied include behavior, morphology, physiology, taxonomic diversity, systematic practice, evolutionary biology, and conservation biology. Course includes a substantial field component. Taught summer session, Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology. Prerequisite: BIOL 202|

Evolution

Analyzes evolution and its links with other areas of biology. Includes the history of evolutionary thought, species concepts and speciation processes, phylogenetic patterns and their reconstruction, diversity of life, and the mechanisms of evolution. Satisfies the second value flags of the university general education requirements. Three lecture hours weekly. Prerequisites: Completion of two semesters of introductory biology and one semester of genetics (BIOL 201 at Clarion) or permission of i,nstructor.

Special Topics

Advanced topics in various areas of biology. The professor selects a format most suitable to the study. May be offered on request of students, subject to staff availability. Enrollment by consent of the instructor. On demand.

Biometry

Intro to the collection, analysis, and presentation of biological data. Fundamental aspects of designing and executing descriptive and experimental studies emphasizing biological research. Stresses applications to undergraduate and graduate researchin progress in the Department of Biology. Three lecture hours per week. Spring, alternate years.

Coral Reef Ecology

A study of coral reef structure, formation, types, and the relationships of reef organsims to their environment. Emphasis is given to species diversity, identification, symbioses, and effects of temperature, salinity, light, nutrient concentration,predation, and competition on the abundance and the distribution of coral reef organisms. Prerequisite: Completion of two semesters of introductory biology. Completion of a course in general zoology in desirable. Summer, on demand.

Genomics And Bioinformatics

The new disciplines of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics analyze the deluge of DNA sequence data currently being generated. Topics include comparative structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes, genetic variation in humans and pharmacogenetics, and genomic circuits and complex diseases. Students will be introduced to the computational techniques and algorithms of Bioinformatics, and use them to mine information about a gene and genome of their choice. Designed for students in biology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, biochemistry, industrial mathematics and computational science. Two hours of lecture and three hours of lab. Prerequisite: BIOL 201 and MATH 260 OR MATH 221, or permission of instructor. Fall alternate|

Ecological Applications

Case history approach to the analysis and possible resolution of both terrestrial and aquatic environmental problems. Students analyze problems from a number of perspectives, including the biological, in an assessment of the problem. Incorporates sample design, cost considerations, data collection, and analysis into the assessment. Overall assessment of problems and possible resolutions will be conveyed both orally and in a written format. Intended as a capstone for students in the Applied Ecology Program, but appropriate for other students who meet prerequisites. Satisfies the writing intensive and second values flags of the university general education requirements. Prerequisites: BIOL 202 or permission of the instructor, BIOL 493 and 494|

Field Meth In Environ Biol

A field-based course designed to give students hands-on experience in the various methods needed in environmental studies. The course will focus on the environmental assessment of terrestrial and aquatic habitats and the impacts of perturbations on,"flora, fauna, and natural landscapes. Summer, on demand.

Wildlife Ecology & Mgmt

An in-depth approach to the ecology and management of wildlife species - birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles - at scales ranging from populations to landscapes. Lecture and discussion will focus on current topics in wildlife ecology and management such as the dynamics of exploited populations, non-game wildlife, population regulation by predators, parasites, and diseases, habitat evaluation and management, and restoration of wildlife populations. Laboratory will emphasize descriptive and investigative studies of wildlife in local ecosystems. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisite: BIOL 202 or equivalent. BIOL 305 desirable.

Fisheries Biology

Examines ecology of fish populations, including taxonomy identification, age and growth, population estimation and analysis, food habits, management, and environmental requirements. Emphasizes data analysis and application of microcomputers in fisheries work. Two lecture and three hours of laboratory or field work weekly. Prerequisites: Completion of a course in ecology or permission of instructor and PA fishing license required. Alternate years.

Field Botany

Field-based course emphasizing the identification and natural history of common vascular plants native to western Pennsylvania and methods used to study them. Course will be taught at a time when the spring flora is conspicuous. Spring, alternate years.

Ornithology

Deals with the biology of birds. Lectures cover topics such as classification; internal and external adaptations for flight, migration, nesting, feeding habits, behavior, ecology, and physiology. Two lectures and three laboratory or field trip hours per week. Prerequisite: Junior or higher standing in biology or permission from the instructor. Spring, even numbered years.

Biology Of Cancer

This course presents an in depth overview of both the scientific and clinical aspects of cancer with an emphasis on the cellular, molecular, and genetic models of cancer development in humans. Topics include: cancer epidemiology, biochemical processes of malignant process, TNM classification, modern advances in tumor biology and molecular biology including the effects of a variety of agents (chemical, radiation, viruses, and oncogenes) that cause human cancer. Furthermore, the course examinesthe major types of cancer as well as present methods of cancer prevention and treatment. Three lecture hours weekly. Prerequisite: BIOL 201 and BIOL 203. Fall, alternate years.|

Field Ornithology

Deals primarily with the identification and natural history of birds of western Pennsylvania. It is taught at a time when migratory species are commonly seen. Although lectures are an important component, indoor and outdoor laboratory activities play a predominant role. Prerequisite: BIOL 155/165 and BIOL 156/166 or permission of the instructor. Spring, even numbered years.

Environmental Microbiology

Explores the diversity, distribution, and activiites of microorganisms in natural, managed and extreme environments, with a particular focus on microbial communities, interactions and environmental processes. Laboratory sessions and field experiences will be on an arranged basis. Prerequisite: BIOL 341 or permission of instructor. Spring, alternate years|

Virology

Study of plant, animal, and bacterial viruses, emphasizing biochemistry, structure, life cycles, and disease-causing mechanisms. Three lecture hours weekly. Prerequisites: BIOL 201, 203, 341: CHEM 251, 261, 252, and 262, all with a C or better. Fall, even numbered years.

Immunology

Study of the mammalian immune system. The course will focus on the parts of the system and how they function together to produce the varied and complex regulated responses that provide innate and adaptive immunity. The course will also incorporate,"case studies involving dysfunction and pathophysiology of the immune system. Since this course is required for medical technology majors, essential laboratory principles and skills involving microscopy (light and flouorescence), utraviolet and visible spectroscopy, affinity chromatography, mammalian virus culture, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, electrophoresis and blotting are presented. Three lecture hours weekly and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisites: BIOL 201, 203, 341; CHEM|