Course Catalog

Biology

103. Environmental Issues.
A critical examination of environmental issues that affect our society. Topics studied will include basic ecological principles, population growth, pollution, biodiversity, agriculture, global warming, pesticides, energy, and recycling. Laboratory will consist of scientific analysis of current environmental issues. Cornerstone 2A. Four hours with Lab.

103L. Laboratory: Environmental Issues.

104. Human Biology.
A practical approach to basic structure and function of the human body with special emphasis on wellness and disease, cardiovascular health, nerve function, and contemporary health issues. Three lectures and one three hour laboratory period. Not for biology major credit. Cornerstone 2A. Four hours w/lab.

104L. Laboratory: Human Biology.

105. Lectures in Human Biology.
This course will cover selected areas of human physiology that are relevant to current issues in health and medicine. The course will include topics such as the biology of cancer and AIDS, the physiology of heart disease and strokes, the body’s response to infectious diseases, and the impact of gene technology on the quality of human life. The course will also look at how scientists learn about the human body and how to repair it. Not for major or minor credit. Cornerstone 2A. Three hours.

110. Principles of Biology I.
A course that imparts an appreciation of the vast diversity of structure and function in prokaryotes, protists, fungi, animals, and plants, and an understanding of their evolutionary relationships and adaptations to their environments. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period. Biology 110 is the prerequisite for 230, 235, 253 254, 260, 285, 322 and 375. Cornerstone 2A. Four hours w/lab.

110L. Laboratory: Principles of Biology I.

111. Principles of Biology II.
A study of cellular and molecular biology, with an introduction to genetics. All of these topics stress the importance of the Scientific Method. Biology 111 is the prerequisite for 225, 235, 251, 253, 260, 270, 275, 285, 302, 334, 340, 360 and 375. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period. Cornerstone 2A. Four hours w/lab.

111L. Laboratory: Principles of Biology II.

145. Introductory Plant Biology.
This course will provide an introduction to the Plant Kingdom. Lecture and laboratory exercises will be designed to familiarize students with anatomy, structure and function, evolutionary relationships, and classification of the incredibly diverse group of plants. We will also discuss the many ways that humans have been linked with and dependent on plants over human existence. Cornerstone 2A. Four hours w/lab.

145L. Laboratory: Introductory Plan Biology.

146. Lectures in Plant Biology.
This course will provide an introduction to the Plan Kingdom. Lectures will be designed to familiarize students with the structure and function of plants, evolutionary relationships, and classification of plants. We will also discuss the importance of various plant groups and species, focusing on the many ways that mankind has been linked with and dependent on plants over human existence. Cornerstone 2A. Three hours.

190. Special Topics in Biology.
Special topics courses with departmental approval and not intended for biology major credit. One to four hours.
219. Employment Experience in Biology.

225. Human Physiology.
This course is designed to emphasize the basic principles of homeostasis and an introduction to some disease physiology and drug actions. The course emphasizes the function of and interactions between most major organ systems and the mechanisms that regulate their physiology. There is an emphasis on cellular/ membrane, muscle/nerve, blood, cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney, reproductive, and endocrine physiology. Prerequisite: Biology 104 or 111. Four hours w/lab.

225L. Laboratory: Human Physiology.

230. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy.
A comparative study of vertebrate form and function through the perspectives of adaptation, behavior, development, evolution and biomechanical principles of movement. Anatomical dissection of a range of vertebrate animals will allow each major body system to be compared across vertebrates. Emphasis will be placed on the basic vertebrate body plan, and on the diversity of structural modifications of this plan associated with different functions and evolutionary histories. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: Biology 110 or permission of instructor. Four hours w/lab.

230L. Laboratory: Comparative Vertebrate
Anatomy.

235. Embryology.
This course will emphasize the study of human embryology beginning with fertilization through the establishment of the basic body plan and the development of the organ systems. Students will gain an understanding of how our bodies are put together and organized by learning how molecular and morphological processes influence development. Special emphasis will be placed on the understanding of how development can go awry, leading to clinically important birth defects. Laboratory will emphasize the microscopic appreciation of embryonic tissues and organs and their relationship to the whole animal. Four hours w/lab. Prerequisite: Biology 110 or 111.

235L. Laboratory: Embryology.

240. Conservation Law.
This course will provide an in-depth look into the history, the current status and future conservation laws and natural resource protection. The purpose, function and socio-economic impact of various fish and wildlife laws, and how they are enforced will be examined. Conservation careers will also be explored. Three hours. Same as CJ240.

245. General Entomology.
This course is an introduction to the classification, diversity, structure, interactions, and life histories of insects and related arthropods. This course is a general survey of insect life, including structure and function, taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, and ecology of major insect groups. Laboratory exercises are a major component of this course, and will focus on collecting and preserving techniques, as well as identification of arthropod orders and common insect families. Organized field exercises throughout the semester will be planned to provide hands-on collecting experience. Four hours w/lab.

245L. Laboratory: General Entomology.

251. Microbiology.
This course will include a physiological and morphological survey of microorganisms. Major emphasis will be on bacteria and viruses. This course will also focus on practical uses of microorganisms as well as the fundamentals of medical microbiology. Prerequisite: Biology 111. Four hours w/lab.

251L. Laboratory: Microbiology.

253. Principles of Ecology.
A study of the interactions between organisms and their environments. Topics to be covered include biomes, plant and animal adaptations, populations, interactions between populations, community structure, ecosystems, and large scale ecological processes. The laboratory will involve structured field experiments and independent research projects. Prerequisite: Biology 110. Four hours w/lab.

253L. Laboratory: Principles of Ecology.

254. Herpetology.
This course will survey the biology of amphibians and reptiles, from anatomy and systematics (evolutionary relationships) to community ecology. We will cover topics such as venom, frog vocalizations, conservation, and reproductive behavior as well as survey the diversity of salamanders, frogs, crocodilians, lizards, snakes, and turtles, with an emphasis on the herpetofauna of Iowa. Preserved, as well as living animals and skeletal material will be studied. Field trips that introduce the student to field techniques, the local fauna, and herpetoculuture will be included. Prerequisite: Biology 110. Four hours w/lab.

254L. Laboratory: Herpetology.

260. Histology.
Histology will present students with an understanding of the structure and function of the cell and extracellular matrix as basic building blocks of tissues and organs. Specialization of cells and their interactions in forming tissues will be presented as well as how cells and tissues are structurally and functionally linked in organs. Lecture will focus on relating cell, tissue, and organ structure to their specific functions while laboratory will emphasize microscopic recognition of tissues and organs as well as the basics of staining and histological techniques. Prerequisite: Biology 110 or 111. Offered in alternate years. Four hours w/lab.

260L. Laboratory: Histology.

270. Basic Genetics.
The essential concepts of Mendelian and molecular genetics will be introduced in this course by exploring the genetics of humans, the expression of genes, and the regulation of gene expression. Prerequisite: Biology 111. Four hours w/lab.

270L. Laboratory: Basic Genetics.

275. Behavioral Ecology.
A lecture and laboratory study of the behavior of animals in relation to their ecology. Topics include mating systems, sexual selection, parental care, co-evolution, spacing, foraging, communication, and social behavior. Laboratory will consist of structured labs and independent projects by students. Prerequisite: Biology 110. Four hours w/lab.

275L. Laboratory: Behavioral Ecology.

285. Developmental Biology.
This course will explore cellular and molecular processes involved in the fertilization of an egg through the formation of specialized cells and tissues of vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms. Clinical implications and controversial topics (birth defects, cancer, and cloning) will be explored. Students will appreciate the dynamic nature of the developing embryo by handling and manipulating a variety of organisms, including the sea urchin, fish, frog and chicken in laboratory. Prerequisites: Biology 110 or 111 and 270 or permission of the instructor. Four hours w/lab.

285L. Laboratory: Developmental Biology.

290. Special Topics in Biology.
Authorized field research studies or other courses with departmental approval. One to four hours.

302. Infectious Diseases.
This course will focus on the mechanisms by which microorganisms cause disease. We will investigate many different strategies used by microorganisms to induce disease. We will also discuss several defense strategies employed by the host. The course will focus on bacterial pathogens, although viral mechanisms of pathogenesis will also be introduced. The course will consist of lectures, discussion of pivotal papers, and student presentations. Prerequisites: Biology 111, 251 or permission of the instructor. Basic knowledge of immunology is ideal, although not required. Three hours.

319. Internships in Biology.

322. Human Anatomy.
A study of normal human gross anatomy plus development and functional morphology. Lecture and laboratory stress regional anatomy as visualized from cadaver dissection, radiographs, and other visual aids. Two lectures and two twohour laboratory periods per week. Prerequisite: Biology 110 or 225 or permission of the instructor. Preference for enrollment given to senior Biology majors. Four hours w/lab.

322L. Laboratory: Human Anatomy.
(Meets two times per week)

334. Cellular Biology.
Study of the cellular functions common to all eukaryotic organisms such as transport of molecules into and through the cell, cellular communication, regulation of cell birth and cell death. This course also explores alterations in cellular function that lead to conditions such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. Pharmacology is also emphasized in this course. Prerequisites: Biology 111 and Chemistry 202. Three hours.

334L. Laboratory: Cellular Biochemistry Lab.
This laboratory explores the various way biochemists study a single macromolecule, protein. Methods covered in class include: assay techniques, chromatography, electrophoresis, enzyme kinetics, Western blot analysis, and purification. One three hour lab per week. Prerequisites: Chemistry 330 or Biology 334, or concurrent enrollment. One hour credit. (Same as Chemistry 330L)

340/341. Immunology.
The study of the immune system as it relates mainly to humans. The basic principles involved with the functioning of the humoral and cellular immune responses will be studied from experimental and clinical viewpoints. Prerequisites: Biology 111. Four hours w/lab.

340L. Laboratory: Immunology.

350. Mammalogy.
This course will cover numerous topics, including adaptations, evolution, diversity, classification and taxonomy, ecology, natural history, biogeography, reproduction, behavior, and economic importance of mammals. The lab will focus on identification of mammals from preserved study skins and skulls, methods of collection and specimen preparation, and learning bones of the mammalian skeleton and skull. Field trips will introduce students to field methods for studying mammals and familiarize students with local mammals. Prerequisite: Biology 110. Four hours w/ lab.

350L. Laboratory: Mammalogy.

358. Freshwater Ecology.
Freshwater Ecology is an advanced course that is designed to familiarize students with freshwater systems and will include field and laboratory techniques, as well as discussions of current theory regarding structure, function, conversation, and management. The course will cover physical, chemical and biotic components of freshwater streams, lakes, and wetlands and will address human impacts to these important systems. Course content will involve lectures by the instructor, student lectures (overview of literature review – topics to be approved by instructor), group discussions of primary literature, field and laboratory research. Four hours w/lab.

358L. Laboratory: Freshwater Ecology.

360. Molecular Genetics.
The fruit fly has 12,000 genes. Humans have less than 24,000 genes. How do we develop into such a complex organism with so few genes? This course explores how our genome works. We will cover basic genetic functions (replication, transcription, translation), with particular emphasis on the regulation of those functions and how those functions are modified to create complexity. We will also cover the essential and under-appreciated role of RNA in the regulation of gene expression. Prerequisite: Biology 111. Four hours w/lab.

360L. Laboratory: Molecular Genetics.

365. Field Methods in Ecology.
This course will be an intensive field course. Students will be introduced to methods used in ecological field studies ranging from experimental design, sampling protocols, sample processing, data analysis and interpretation, and communication of results. Three hours.

370. Biochemistry Seminar.
This seminar is a capstone course for students who are interested in exploring current trends in cell biology and biochemistry. The course will begin with a focus on one or two selected topics and move on to individual topics chosen by the participants. Students will read current scientific literature and take turns, along with faculty, presenting papers to the group. Students need no prior experience reading scientific literature or presenting scientific concepts. The course is designed to give students these skills. Prerequisites: Chemistry 330 or Biology 334. One and one half hours credit. Same as Chemistry 370.

371. Ecology Seminar.
In this seminar course, we will discuss current literature in ecology, evolution, behavior, and conservation. Students and faculty will give presentations on topics of their choice. Prerequisites: Biology 110 or permission of instructor. One hour.

380. Independent Study in Biology.

390. Special Topics in Biology.
Authorized field research studies or other courses such as Behavioral Ecology with departmental approval. Designed for biology major credit. Offered in alternate years. One to four hours.

Laboratory or field problems involving student research. Open to qualified majors with approval of the academic advisor. Credit for research may also be received upon satisfactory completion of a summer undergraduate participation program at this or another institution. One to four hours.

398. Independent Research.

Last Updated: 6/10/09