Course Directory

Freshman Biology Seminar

Basic Biology

Deals with the principles of biology. Includes cellular structure and physiology, growth and repair, reproduction and development, control, sources of food energy, inheritance, and people's interrelationship with their biological environment. Briefly reviews the classification of plants and animals. Credit not to be applied toward biology major. Each semester.

Introductory Biology

A basic course in Biology for non-science majors. Includes cellular structure and function, molecular biology, genetics, survey of organisms, evolution, and ecology. Divided into two hours of lecture and a two-hour instruction/laboratory/discussion/recitation session weekly. Credit not to be applied toward the Biology major. Each semester.

Aerodynamics: Phy/Biol Of Flight

The biomechanics of flight. Students will use techniques in physics and evolutionary biology to study how animals fly and swim. Drawing upon bats, birds, insects, and even winged seeds, we will discuss and test the basic operating principles of wings. We will apply results obtained with a wind tunnel to the locomotion of objects in water. Students will then be able to compare and contrast the flyers and swimmers of nature with those of human invention. The course will have a substantial studio laboratory component. Offered every other fall.

Intro To Forensic Science

Basic course in forensic science for non-majors combining field techniques in forensic ecology and taphonomy with laboratory techniques in molecular biology and biotechnology. Summer: daily for 7 hours, for 5 days or during the fall semester: weekly for 3 hours, for 12 weeks. Credit not to be applied toward any biology major. Summer, annually or fall on demand. Prerequisite: a course in basic or introductory biology or permission of instructor.

Insects And Society

A basic course in insects and their interactions with human society. Includes insect diversity, insect structure and function, insect biology, and both insect benefits and damage. Three lecture hours weekly. Credit may not be applied toward a Biology degree. Annually.

Prin Of Biology I

Introduces fundamental concepts of biology focusing on the characteristics of living things, cell function, biological information, storage and retrieval, and organismal structure and function. Presents concepts in the context of current evolutionary theory. Three hours lecture weekly. For biology majors. All science and science education majors and biology minors must concurrently register for BIOL 165

Prin Of Biology Ii

Introduces fundamental concepts of biology focusing on organismal structure and function, adaptation, behavior, and ecology in the context of current evolutionary theory. Three hours lecture weekly. For biology majors. All science and science education majors and biology minors must concurrently register for BIOL 166. SPring, annually.

Prin Of Biology I Lab

Laboratory exercises augment and integrate course material emphasized in BIOL 155. Three hours laboratory weekly. For biology majors. Must be taken concurrently with BIOL 155 unless it is being repeated. Fall, annually.

Prin Of Biology Ii Lab

Laboratory exercises augment and integrate course material emphasized in BIOL 156. Three hours laboratory weekly. For biology majors. Must be taken concurrently with BIOL 156 unless it is being repeated. Spring, annually.

Selected Topics In Biol

Provides for focused study of a special interest topic in biology using different learning formats selected by the instructor as best suited for the particular course. May be offered in any semester, subject to demand and staff availability. Not for biology majors.

Genetics

A study of the principles of inheritance in plants and animals, including humans. Topics include Mendelian genetics, linkage recombination, cytogenetics, and molecular genetics. Three lecture hours and one recitation hour weekly. Prerequisites: Completion of BIOL 155, 156, 165, and 166, with a grade of a C or better and one semester of organic chemistry or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring, annually.

Principles Of Ecology

Examines the interaction of organisms and their biotic and abiotic environment, population dynamics and interactions, community structure and function, and ecosystem energetics and biogeochemistry. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisites: Completion of BIOL 155, 156, 165 and 166 with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring, annually.

Cell Biology

Examines structure, biochemistry, and function of plant and animal cells. Three lecture and two laboratory hours 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.

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 foundation education 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 Learning Portfolio. Required for all Secondary General Science majors. Annually.

Environmental Biology

Examines the complexity and function of natural ecosystems. Includes an exploration of the basic biological principles that govern the natural world, and considers the many ways in which humans affect the environment. Two hours lecture/discussion and three hours field trips/activities weekly. Credit not to be applied toward a biology major or biology education certification. Annually.

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 such 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.

Anat Physiology I

Analyzes the normal structure of the human body and how it functions. Focuses on the reproductive, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine systems and their interrelationships. Three lecture and two lab hours weekly. Fall, annually. Not for biology majors.

Anat Physiology Ii

Continuation of BIOL 258, Anatomy and Physiology I. Includes the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and integumentary systems and their interrelationships. Three lecture and two laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisite: BIOL 258. Spring, annually. Not for biology majors.

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.

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.

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.

Biology Of Cancer

This course presents an overview and perspective 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, basic concepts 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. Futhermore, the course examines the 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.

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.

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. Prerequisite: Completion of two semesters of introductory biology or permission of instructor. Spring, annually.

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.