Course Directory

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|

Pathogenic Microbiol

Study of the infectious agents of mammals and the diseases that result from infection by these agents. The course will focus on bacterial agents, their diagnosis and treatment. The laboratory portion of the course incorporates experiential learning of diagnostic procedures and case studies involving examples of pathogenic organisms. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisites: BIOL 201, 203, 341; CHEM 251, 261, 252, and 262, all with a C or better. Fall annually.

Cell Physiology

Study of the regulatory processes that occur within the eukaryotic cell that gover homeostasis and allow for adaptive change. The course will focus on membrane biochemistry, transport, protein sorting, cell signaling, cytoskeletal nanomotors, and cell specialization. The laboratory portion of the course incorporatesexperiential learning of basic procedures that allow experientalists to uncover the workings of the eukaryotic cell. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequ,"isites: BIOL 201, 203, 341; CHEM 251, 261, 252, and 262, all with a C or better. Spring annually.|

Animal Physiology

Study of the comparative physiology of animals, including water and ion regulations, circulation, respiration, nutrition, nervous activity, endicrine functions, and responses to temperautre, light, gasses, and pressure. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisites: BIOL 201, 203; CHEM 252, 261, 252, and 262, or permission of instructor.

Plant Physiology

Life processes and responses of plants to the environment. Includes water relations, transpiration, translocation, photosynthesis, respiration, metabolism, plant hormones and morphogenesis, photoperiodism, temperature responses, environmental and stress physiology. Two lectures and three hours laboratory weekly. Prerequisites: Completion of a course in genetics, cell biology, and one semester of organic chemistry or permission of instructor. On demand.

Patho I, Endogen Agents

Analyzes the mechanisms by which disease occurs in humans. Emphasizes responses to the disease process, and the effects of pathophysiologic mechanisms on the normality of cell, tissue, organ and system functions, and the response of the body to the disease process. Prerequisites: Prior courses in physiology desired. Two years of study in biology or permission of instructor. Venango Campus and Pittsburgh site, annually. Not for biology majors.

Patho II Exog Agents

Study of mechanisms by which disease occurs in humans. Emphasizes disease related to heredity, physical, chemical, and biological stresses. Prerequisite: Three semesters of biology required or permission of instructor. Venango Campus, annually. Not for biology majors.

Endocrinology

Surveys the chemical and physiological principles of hormonal integrations in animals. Three hours lecture weekly. Prerequisites: Completion of a course in physiology and one semester of organic chemistry or permission of instructor. Annually.

Entomology

General study of insects, including structure, physiology, classification, economic importance, and ecology. Two lecture and three hours of laboratory or fieldwork weekly. Prerequisite: Completion of two semesters of introductory biology or permission of instructor. Alternate years.

Physiological Ecology

Nearly every habitat on earth, from thermal hot springs to polar ice caps, is home to some form of life. Physiological Ecology explores the biotic and abiotic challenges to organisms imposed by their environments and adaptations which allow them tosurvive in various habitats, both in terms of how organisms physiologically adapt to short-term fluctuations in their environment and how adaptations influence biogeographic distribution and evolutionary success of various species. Topics include adaptations related to temperature, water and salt balance, and gas exchange. Adaptations of organisms to extreme or unusual environments may be considered. Prerequisite: BIOL 202, 203, 451 or instructor's permission. Spring, alternate years.|

Comp Vertebrate Anatomy

Traces the most important trends in the evolution of basic structures in vertebrate lines and conveys an appreciation of how the mammals came to possess the combination of characters that make this group unique. Three lectures and three laboratory,"hours weekly. Prerequisites: Two semesters of Intro Biology, or permission of instructor. Frequency: Alternate years|

Developmental Biology

The course focuses on the major processes in multi-cellular development and embryogenesis and their underlying biochemical mechanisms. Throughout the semester, students will study various processes, such as cell differentiation, intra- and inter-cellular induction, and organismal morphogenesis. The class will primarily focus on animal or vertebrate development, though invertebrate and plant model organisms will also be examined. Prerequisites: BIOL 201, BIOL 203, CHEM 251, CHEM 252, CHEM 261, and CHEM 262, all with a C or better. Fall, alternate years.|

Mammalogy

Interrelationships of mammals and the biotic and biotic environment. Includes discussions and investigations of mammalian distribution, diversity, taxonomy, ecology, and physiology. Includes both field and laboratory studies. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly. On demand.

Plant Ecology

In-depth approach to the interaction of plants with the physical and biotic environments at population, community, ecosystem, and landscape scales. Lecture and discussion focus on current topics in plant ecology such as disturbance, succession, herbivory, dispersal, competition, and environmental stress. Laboratory includes field-based experimental and descriptive investigations of plant population and communities. Two hours lecture/discussion and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisite: A course in principles of ecology or permission of instructor. On demand (Pymatuning).

Freshwater Ecology

Field-oriented study of the physics, chemistry, and biology of standing and flowing inland waters. Prerequisite: Completion of two semesters of introductory biology or permission of instructor. Alternate years.