BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Professors R.K. Packer, R. Donaldson, J.R. Burns, D.L. Lipscomb (Chair), K.M. Brown, J.M. Clark, L.C. Smith, G. Hormiga

Associate Professors H. Merchant, D.E. Johnson, E.F. Wells, R.P. Tollo, C.A. Forster, P. Hernandez, J.T. Lill, G. Ortí

Assistant Professors D.W. Morris, A. Jeremic, H.G. Döbel, I. Eleftherianos, R.A. Pyron, D. O'Halloran, A. Zanne, S. Powell

Bachelor of Arts with a major in biology-The following requirements must be fulfilled:

1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

2. Prerequisite courses-BiSc 1111-12 or equivalent.

3. Required courses in related areas: Chem 1111-12, 2151-52, and 2153-54. (The following courses are strongly recommended: Phys 1011-12 or 1021-22; 3 credit hours of either mathematics or statistics.)

4. Required courses for the major-A minimum of 24 credit hours of upper-division courses, which must include at least 4 hours from each of the following and at least three courses with laboratory: cell and molecular biology (BiSc 2202-14, 3209-63), suborganismal and organismal biology (BiSc 2318-40, 3320-25), and ecology and evolution (BiSc 2450-58, 3456-63).

Bachelor of Science with a major in biology-The following requirements must be fulfilled:

1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

2. Prerequisite courses-BiSc 1111-12 or equivalent.

3. Required courses in related areas-Chem 1111-12, 2151-52, and 2153-54; Phys 1011-12 or 1021-22; 3 credit hours of either mathematics or statistics (this requirement cannot be satisfied by waiver). Two years of an approved foreign language are strongly recommended but not required.

4. Required courses for the major-A minimum of 30 credit hours of upper-division courses, which must include at least 4 hours from each of the following and at least three courses with laboratory: cell and molecular biology (BiSc 2202-14, 3209-63), suborganismal and organismal biology (BiSc 2318-40, 3320-25), and ecology and evolution (BiSc 2450-58, 3456-63). A maximum of 6 credit hours of research and independent study in biological sciences may be used as electives within the major.

Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in the field of biological sciences-Interested students should consult their advisor early in the junior year.

Special Honors-In addition to the general requirements stated under University Regulations, in order to be considered for graduation with special honors, a student must maintain a cumulative 3.5 grade-point average in biological sciences courses and at least a 3.0 cumulative overall grade-point average. Students who meet these criteria and wish to pursue special honors must complete an approved research project under faculty direction.

Minor in biology-12 credit hours of upper-division courses (excluding research and independent study).

With permission, graduate courses in the department may be taken for credit toward an undergraduate degree. See the Graduate Programs Bulletin for course listings.

Departmental prerequisite: BiSc 1111-12 or equivalent is prerequisite to all upper-division courses except by permission of the instructor.

The green leaf indicates that the course addresses environmental, social or economic sustainability.

1005	The Biology of Nutrition and Health (3)	Döbel and Staff
	A study of the human body and its disorders and diseases through examination of the essential molecules of life, nutrition, digestion, genetics, and reproduction. For non-majors. Laboratory fee. (Fall)
1006	The Ecology and Evolution of Organisms (3)	Döbel and Staff
	Introduction to ecology and evolution, including man's impact on other plants and animals, and an overview of Earth's biodiversity. For non-majors. Laboratory fee. (Spring)
1111	Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules (4)	Brown and Staff
	Nutrition and metabolism, cellular and developmental biology, genetics, and molecular biology of plants and animals. Laboratory fee. (Fall)
1112	Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms (4)	Döbel and Staff
	Concepts and methods in the study of whole organisms. Evolutionary theory; population biology; diversity of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms; ecology and behavior; and animal structure and function. Laboratory fee. (Spring)
2202	Cell Biology (3)	Morris and Staff
	Structure and function of biological molecules and cellular organelles; cellular interactions. Prerequisite: one semester of organic chemistry. (Fall and spring)
2207	Genetics (3)	Staff
	Introduction to genetics, with emphasis on the integration of transmission of genetic traits and the molecular basis of gene action. Also includes cytogenetics, gene regulation, and examples of current applications of genetic technology. (Fall and spring)
2208	Genetics Laboratory (1)	Staff
	Study of genetic principles and genetic and molecular techniques in Drosophila and E. coli. Benchwork and comparative genomics using bioinformatics. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: BiSc 2207. Laboratory fee. (Spring)
2214	Developmental Biology (4)	Brown
	Lecture (2 hours), laboratory (4 hours). Embryonic development of animals. Principles illustrated by experimental studies of developmental problems. Laboratory exercises involve micromanipulative, biochemical, and molecular studies on animal embryos cultured in the lab. Laboratory fee. (Spring)
2305	Plant Biology (3)	Donaldson
	Discussions of plant metabolism and molecular biology: photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, membrane transport, mechanisms of hormone action, protein targeting, biotechnology, and current research topics. Prerequisite: Chem 1111-12. (Spring, even years)
2318	Histology (4)	Staff
	Lecture (2 hours), laboratory (4 hours). Introduction to microscopical anatomy of normal tissues and organs with emphasis on the interrelationship of structure and function. Laboratory fee. (Fall and spring)
2322	Human Physiology (3)	Packer
	Introduction to the function of organ systems of the human body. Prerequisite: Chem 1111-12. (Fall)
2323	Human Physiology Laboratory (1)	Staff
	Study of basic physiology laboratory techniques; emphasis on the experimental study of homeostatic mechanisms in humans. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: BiSc 2322. Laboratory fee. (Fall)
2330	Invertebrate Zoology (4)	Lipscomb
	Lecture (2 hours), laboratory (4 hours). General survey of invertebrate animals, including classification, morphology, physiology, embryology, and evolutionary relationships among phyla. Laboratory fee. (Fall)
2332	Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4)	Hernandez
	Lecture (2 hours), laboratory (4 hours). Evolution and comparative morphology of Phylum Chordata, stressing recent forms. Laboratory fee. (Spring)
2337	Introductory Microbiology (4)	Morris
	Lecture (2 hours), laboratory (4 hours). Survey of the major groups of microorganisms with emphasis on structure, physiology, ecology, pathogenesis, and biotechnology. Antibiotic resistance and emerging diseases. Prerequisite: one year of chemistry. Laboratory fee. (Fall and spring)
2339	Parasitology (4)	Hawdon
	Lecture (2 hours), laboratory (4 hours). Introduction to animal parasitology; survey of parasitic types from protozoa through arthropods. Laboratory fee. (Fall)
2340	Taxonomy of Flowering Plants (4)	Staff
	Lecture (2 hours), laboratory and field (4 hours). Origin, evolutionary development, and principles of systematics of flowering plants. Laboratory fee. (Spring)
2450	Organic Evolution (3)	Lipscomb
	Synthetic theory of organic evolution, including population biology, speciation, adaptation, macroevolution, systematics, biogeography, and the geologic record. (Spring)
2451	History of Life (3)	Forster
	Same as Geol 2151.
2452	Animal Behavior (3)	Staff
	An evolutionary approach to the study of animal behavior, emphasizing behavioral ecology and sociobiology. (Spring)
2454	General Ecology (4)	Merchant
	Lecture (3 hours), laboratory and field (3 hours). Introduction to the concepts of limiting factors, biogeochemical cycles, trophic levels, and energy transfer and their relationship to the structure and function of population, species, communities, and ecosystems. Laboratory fee. (Fall)
2455	Plant Ecology (4)	Staff
	Lecture (2 hours), laboratory (4 hours). Introduction to the ecology of plant populations, communities, and individuals. Two weekend field trips required. Laboratory fee. (Fall, even years)
2467	Marine Biology (3)	Staff
	Study of relationships between organisms and physical, chemical, and biological factors of the marine environment. Consideration of the open ocean and coastal ecosystems and human influences on them. (Spring)
2458	Field Botany (4)	Staff
	Lecture (2 hours), laboratory and field (4 hours). Field and laboratory studies on vascular plants of the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and mountains of the mid-Atlantic States. Two weekend field trips required. Laboratory fee. (Fall, odd years) Laboratory fee. Same as Geol 2159. (Spring, odd years)
2580	Biotechnology (3)	Morris
	Genetic engineering of bacteria, plants, and animals, including humans. Applications of modern biotechnology, especially in the field of medical biotechnology, such as gene therapy, xenotransplantation, and the Human Genome Project. Regulation, prospects, and social impact of biotechnology. Recommended: BiSc 2202 or 2207. Prerequisite: organic chemistry. (Fall and spring)
2581	Human Gross Anatomy (3)	Walsh, Slaby, Bohn
	The structural organization of the human body and how it relates to regional and systems-based functions. Emphasis on the macroscopic structure of the body. Same as Anat 2181. (Spring)
2583	Biology of Proteins (3)	Donaldson
	About half of the proteins in the human genome have unknown functions. Are some related to cancers, muscle degeneration, infectious disease? How can evolutionary relationships among proteins from other organisms help us discover functions of unknown proteins? Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: AP or IB Biology or Chemistry. (Fall)
2584	Introduction to Bioinformatics (3)	Staff
	An introduction to the use of computational techniques in molecular biology, genetics, and evolution. Techniques and software for database searching, sequence alignment, gene finding, phylogenetics, genomics, and proteomics. Same as CSci 3571. (Spring)
3209	Molecular Biology (4)	Eleftherianos
	Overview of theories, techniques, and procedures associated with molecular biology; topics include the biosynthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins, relationships among structure, function, and expression; and traditional and modern methods of gene and protein characterization and monitoring. Prerequisite: Chem 1111-12. Laboratory fee. (Fall)
3210	Nanobiotechnology (3)	Jeremic
	Theory and application of nanotechnologies in biology and medicine. Strategies for studying the organization, function, and complexity of biological systems at nm scale. Several areas of research are covered, including high-resolution cellular and molecular imaging, spectroscopy, and optical tweezers. Prerequisite: BiSc 2202 or 3261 or permission of instructor. (Spring)
3211	Nanobiotechnology Laboratory (1)	Jeremic
	Overview of techniques and approaches to studying complex biological interactions at nm scale. Prerequisite: BiSc 3210 or permission of instructor. Laboratory fee. (Spring, even years)
3212	Immunology (3)	Nolan, Smith
	Introduction to mammalian immunology covering the progression of immune responses from initial pathogen contact to immune memory. Applied topics include autoimmunity, transplantation, and the effects of HIV on the immune system. Prerequisite: BiSc 2202 and one semester of organic chemistry; BiSc 2207 or 2322 recommended. (Fall)
3261	Introductory Medical Biochemistry (4)	Vanderhoek
	Introduction to structures of biological macromolecules, enzyme catalysis, cellular bioenergetics, and metabolism. Prerequisite: Chem 2151-52. Same as Bioc 3261. Credit toward the degree cannot be earned for this course and for Chem 3165. (Fall)
3262	Biochemistry Laboratory (2)	Vanderhoek
	Study of common experimental techniques used in life science laboratories to separate and characterize biological macromolecules. Prerequisite: BiSc 3261 or equivalent. Laboratory fee. Same as Bioc/Chem 3262. (Spring)
3263	Special Topics in Biochemistry (2)	Staff
	In-depth discussion of current biochemically relevant topics, including cancer and HIV chemotherapy, immune response, photosynthesis, signal transduction, hormone regulation and nutrition. Topics vary. Prerequisite: BiSc 3261 or equivalent. Same as Bioc 3263. Credit toward the degree cannot be earned for this course and for Chem 3166. (Spring)
3320	Human Neurobiology (3)	Jeremic
	Introduction to the function of the human nervous system, gross and microscopic structure, and neurophysiology of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; alterations caused by disease or injury. Prerequisite: BiSc 2202 or 3261. (Fall)
3321	Comparative Endocrinology (3)	Nolan
	Basic principles of chemical integration, neuroendocrine relationships, and mechanisms of hormone action. Prerequisite: BiSc 2318 or 2322. (Spring)
3325	Environmental Physiology (3)	Packer
	Mechanisms of evolutionary adaptation and processes of acclimation by which animals respond to environmental challenges; emphasis on vertebrates. (Spring)
3456	Animal Ecology (4)	Merchant
	Lecture (3 hours), laboratory and field (3 hours). Application of ecological principles to the understanding and manipulation of animal populations. Prerequisite: BiSc 2454 or permission of instructor. Laboratory fee. (Spring, even years)
3457	Aquatic Ecology (4)	Merchant
	Lecture (3 hours), laboratory and field (3 hours). Ecological principles applied to aquatic systems with special references to physiochemical properties, typical habitats, and communities. Laboratory fee. (Spring, odd years)
3460	Conservation Biology (3)	Lill
	Theory and practice of conserving biological diversity. Ecological patterns of biodiversity, biology of small populations, and conservation case studies. Use of ecological modeling software to explore various topics. Prerequisite: BiSc 2454 or permission of instructor. (Spring)
3461	Plant-Animal Interactions (3)	Lill
	Review of the major ecological and evolutionary interactions that occur between plants and animals in natural and managed ecosystems. BiSc 2450 or BiSc 2454 recommended. (Fall, even years)
3462	Plant-Animal Interactions Laboratory (1)	Lill
	Field and laboratory study of temperate interactions between plants and animals. Group projects focus on original data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: BiSc 3461. Laboratory fee. (Fall, even years)
3463	Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics (3)	Staff
	An analysis of the ecological and genetic basis of evolutionary change. Topics include the organization and maintenance of genetic variation within and among natural populations, the genetic basis of complex traits, molecular ecology analyses, and genotype by environment interactions. Prerequisite: BiSc 2450 or permission of instructor. (Fall)
3564	Lipid Biotechnology (2)	Vanderhoek
	Prerequisite: Bioc 3261/BiSc 3261or Chem 3165. Laboratory fee. Same as Bioc/Chem 3564.
4171	Undergraduate Research (arr.)	Staff
	Admission by permission of the staff member concerned. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Chem 2152; 16 credit hours in biological science courses. Laboratory fee. (Fall and spring)
4172	Independent Study (1 to 3)	Staff
	Prescribed reading list and consultations with staff advisor culminating in a written report and/or examination. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.