Biology
BIOLOGY
Professors K. Baker, Carty, Faber and Krieger
The Department of Biology’s programs are designed to provide a background in the life
sciences within the context of a liberal arts education and to prepare majors for occupational
goals and advanced training. Courses serve students in the basic liberal arts program, those who
plan to teach in elementary or secondary schools, students who are interested in basic biological
research and those who plan to work in the applied fields of allied health, podiatry, dentistry,
medicine, veterinary medicine, medical technology, nursing, pharmacology, physical therapy,
public health, agriculture, horticulture, agronomy, forestry, fish and wildlife management,
park management, plant pathology, entomology and environmental management with special
emphasis on water resources studies.
A. The Department of Biology offers two fields of concentration:
Biology Major: 39 semester hours of which 30 must include Biology 021, 022, 031, 032, 041, 042, 111, 112, 114, 213, 222, 223, 311, 312, 363 and a capstone course as described below.
- Allied Courses: All biology majors must take 8 semester hours of Chemistry (111 and 112), 8 semester hours of Physics (101 and 102), and 6 semester hours of Mathematics.
- Forensic Science Track: All of the above Biology Major and allied requirements, plus additional allied courses: ANT 205, 325, 425, and POL 151. One of the allied math requirements must be MTH 210. Students interested in DNA processing or a graduate program in Forensic Science are strongly encouraged to take the following courses: CHM 201, 404, and 415.
Environmental Biology Major: 33 semester hours including: Biology 021, 022, 031, 032, 041, 042, 109, 111, 112, 114, 213, 222, 223, 311, 312 and 334 (capstone).
- Allied Courses: ECO 251 and 344; CHM 111 and 112; MTH 115 or 222; a statistics course; PHY 101 and 102; WTR 323.
- Capstone Requirement: All Biology and Environmental Biology majors are required to complete a capstone experience designed to heighten their understanding of their chosen field. To this end, majors are asked to take one of the following courses, a principal component of which is a semester-long research project: BIO 303, 318, 325, 334, or 415.
- Biology Colloquium Requirement: All Sophomore, Junior and Senior Biology and Environmental Biology majors are required to attend a minimum of four evening talks in our Biology Colloquium Series each semester. These programs cover a wide range of topics of general biological interest; the talks may be valuable in helping determine career goals and placement in graduate programs. Students entering the major with class standing of second semester sophomore or higher (e.g., transfer students and students changing majors) will enter the Biology Colloquium sequence at the 02 level (021 or 022) and continue to participate in the colloquium series until they graduate.
Students who do not wish to major in Biology or Environmental Biology but nonetheless have a strong interest in the biological sciences, have the option of pursuing a Minor in Biology. Students have substantial flexibility in fashioning their minor according to the areas of biology that hold the greatest interest for them.
Biology Minor: 20 semester hours in Biology to include BIO courses (111 and 112) or 110 with the laboratory, and to include 315 or 363. Students who have first taken BIO 110 may then apply 112 (but not 111) as credit towards the required 20 hours, but students who have taken the 111-112 sequence may not then apply 110 as credit toward the Minor. BIO 311 also may not be applied as credit towards the Biology Minor.
No grade of “D” shall be waived in 200, 300 or 400 level biology courses being applied toward either biology major or minor.
021. Biology Colloquium 1 (0 sem. hrs.). Attend four evening biology seminars, fall of sophomore year. Prerequisite: sophomore status or permission of the department chairperson.
022. Biology Colloquium 2 (0 sem. hrs.). Attend four evening biology seminars, spring of sophomore year. Prerequisite: sophomore status or permission of the department chairperson.
031. Biology Colloquium 3 (0 sem. hrs.). Attend four evening biology seminars, fall of junior year. Prerequisite: junior status or permission of the department chairperson.
032. Biology Colloquium 4 (0 sem. hrs.). Attend four evening biology seminars, spring of junior year. Prerequisite: junior status or permission of the department chairperson.
041. Biology Colloquium 5 (0 sem. hrs.). Attend four evening biology seminars, fall of senior year. Prerequisite: senior status or permission of the department chairperson.
042. Biology Colloquium 6 (0 sem. hrs.). Attend four evening biology seminars, spring of senior year. Prerequisite: senior status or permission of the department chairperson.
100. Laboratory Studies in Contemporary Biology (1 sem. hr.). This course is designed for non-majors as the laboratory complement to BIO 110, Contemporary Biological Problems. The weekly exercises allow students to more fully explore some of the important concepts discussed in the lecture, and provide them with firsthand experience of how biologists actually “do science.” The laboratory must be taken concurrently with BIO 110. It may not be used for credit towards the 39 hours required for the Biology major. One 2-hour lab each week. (Fall and Spring)
109. Environmental Science (3 sem. hrs.). This course considers how economics, politics and ethics shape the ways society deals with our major environmental concerns: population growth, air and water pollution, solid and hazardous wastes, deforestation, decertification, loss of wildlife, fossil fuels and mineral resources, nuclear energy and the use of pesticides. Designed for all students, the three lectures each week count toward the science general education requirement. (Spring only)
110. Contemporary Biological Problems (3 sem. hrs.). This course is designed for non-majors. Students electing to take this course in order to meet their General Education requirement for a laboratory science must take both BIO 110 and BIO 100 in the same semester. The course explores the many ways in which problems facing modern humans can be better understood and addressed through study of the biological sciences. Thus, the course is concerned with the basic biochemistry and cellular structure of all living organisms, genetics, anatomy and physiology of the body, disease, evolution, ecology and environmental issues. This course may not be used for credit towards the 39 hours required for the biology major. Three lectures per week. (Fall and Spring)
111. Basics of Biology (2 sem. hrs.). Required of all students beginning their Biology or Environmental Biology majors, this course focuses on the principles of cellular and molecular biology, genetics, evolution and the environment. With two lectures each week, this course must be taken concurrently with BIO 112 (General Zoology). (Fall only)
112. General Zoology (4 sem. hrs.). Study of major groups of animals with detailed study of selected organisms and functional integrations. Biological and economic significance of animals to man are presented. Three lectures and one 2-hour laboratory each week. Must be taken concurrently with BIO 111. (Fall only)
114. General Botany (4 sem. hrs.). Study of basic processes, structures of plants, life cycles, evolution and survey of plant kingdom and the economic significance of plants in conservation and to man. Three lectures and one 2-hour laboratory each week. Required of all Biology and Environmental Biology majors. Prerequisites: BIO 111 or permission of the instructor. (Spring only)
120. Ornithology (3 sem. hrs.). The biology and identification of birds. The primary focus of this course is to involve the student in the increasingly popular hobby of bird watching. Field trips and lectures incorporating color images teach methods of finding and identifying the birds and provide a natural history background for our North American avifauna. Two laboratory/lecture sessions per week. Will not satisfy Natural Sciences requirement of the General Education Requirement. (Spring only)
213. Field Biology (4 sem. hrs.). Familiarizes the student with the diverse array of animals and plants living in natural areas of northern Ohio. Field trips to local forests, fields and streams, as well as lab studies, will acquaint students with some of the commonest flowers, trees, insects and vertebrates. Three 2-hour classes each week. Required of all Biology and Environmental Biology majors. Prerequisites: BIO 112 and 114. (Fall only)
222. Cell and Molecular Biology (4 sem. hrs.). An in-depth study of the structural and functional nature of the cell based on its molecular make-up. Emphasis will be placed on both biological and molecular technology. Three lectures and one 3-hour laboratory each week. Required of all Biology and Environmental Biology majors. Prerequisites: Two semesters of college biology or permission of the instructor. (Fall only)
223. Genetics (4 sem. hrs.). Study of the laws of heredity and some of their applications with special emphasis on transmission and molecular phenomena. Three lectures and one 3-hour lab each week. Prerequisites: Two semesters of college biology or permission of the instructor. Required of all Biology and Environmental Biology majors. (Spring only)
303. Developmental Biology (4 sem. hrs.). Classical vertebrate and invertebrate embryology, coupled with inquiries into related fields of biochemistry, cellular biology and molecular genetics. Emphasis on the chemical basis of early development through primary organ formation. The laboratory emphasizes experimental techniques and instrumentation. Prerequisites: BIO 222 and 223 or permission of the instructor. Open to juniors and seniors. (Spring of odd-even years)
311. Biology Seminar (1 sem. hr.). Students will improve their written and oral communication by critiquing several recently published papers from the biological literature. They will also discuss and evaluate research of the various speakers in the Biology Colloquium series offered by the Department. Required of all Biology and Environmental Biology majors during the junior or senior year. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing. (Fall and Spring)
312. Evolution (3 sem. hrs.). The process of evolution is defined and evidence from biology and paleontology for the reality of evolution is reviewed. The course next surveys the natural processes which scientists suggest can lead to evolutionary change in groups of organisms and concludes with the postulated evolutionary histories of several important groups, including humans. Three lectures per week. Required of all Biology and Environmental Biology majors. Prerequisites: BIO 112, 114 and 223 or permission of the instructor. (Fall)
315. Human Physiology (3 sem. hrs.). This course examines how the various systems of the human body function and builds upon biologic principles presented in first-year biology courses. Designed as a service course for nonmajors. Prerequisite: One semester of college biology. (Spring)
318. Human Medical Genetics (3 sem. hrs.). An in-depth look at the role of chromosomes and genes in the etiology of human genetic diseases. Symptoms, treatments, psychological factors and possible screening methods will be presented. This course is suggested for people entering into graduate or professional programs in human health-related fields. Prerequisite: BIO 223 or permission of the instructor. Open to juniors and seniors only. (Spring of even-odd years)
325. Microbiology (4 sem. hrs.). Introduction to general principles and techniques of the study of micro-organisms of air, water, foods and soils, and relationship of such organisms to health and disease in plants and animals. Three lectures and two 2-hour laboratory periods each week. Prerequisites: Two semesters of both college biology and college chemistry. Open to juniors and seniors only. (Fall)
326. Immunology (3 sem. hrs.). Theories and mechanisms of infection and immunity. A general course dealing with the nature of antigens, antibodies, immunologic reactions with consideration of antibody structure and the cellular, biochemical and genetic basis of immunity. Allergic phenomena, autoimmune disease and transplantation will be discussed. Prerequisite: BIO 325 or permission of the instructor. (Spring of odd-even years)
328. Phycology (3 sem. hrs.). Algae — their identification, economic importance and evolutionary significance. Both freshwater micro-algae and marine macro-algae will be included. Laboratory will emphasize collecting, identifying and counting techniques. Recommended for those interested in careers in aquatic biology or botany. Two lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIO 114. (Spring of odd-even years)
334. Ecology (4 sem. hrs.). An investigation of the ways living organisms interact with each other and their physical environments. Topics include adaptations of individuals to environmental stress, the structure and growth of populations, competition, predation, community ecology and the flow of energy and nutrients through ecosystems. The lab introduces students to experimental ecology. Three 2-hour classes each week. Required of all Environmental Biology majors. Prerequisites: BIO 112, 114 and a statistics course. Open to juniors and seniors only. (Spring)
355. Ichthyology (3 sem. hrs.). This course provides an introduction to the broad field of fish biology. It develops important background for those interested in pursuing careers in fisheries biology, aquaculture, water quality assessment, ecology or vertebrate physiology. We review a number of the traditional concerns of ichthyology including fish taxonomy, anatomy, physiology and distribution, ecology and behavior. Special attention is given to field collection methods involving seining and electroshocking, and to identification of Ohio stream and lake fish species. Prerequisite: BIO 112. (Fall of even-odd years)
361. Environmental Law and Regulations (3 sem. hrs.). It is through law that our society makes its values functional. This course explores the relationship between ecological science, social and economic policy, and the American legal system. It uses the broad field of environmental science as a way to explore the entire legal system. We begin with an examination of the common law concepts of liability and remedies, and proceed with a consideration of public law statutes and regulations addressing the nation’s environmental concerns. (Spring of even-odd years)
363. Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 sem. hrs.). First of a two-course sequence covering structure and function of the human body. Includes three hours of lecture and one three-hour lab per week. This course integrates micro and gross anatomy while examining how the human body functions from the cellular level, up through and focusing on the various systems including nervous, integumentary, muscular, and endocrine. Lab utilizes previously prosected cadavers and analysis of live subjects (humans, rats, and frogs). Required of all Biology and Athletic Training majors. Prerequisite: one college biology course. Open to juniors and seniors. (Fall)
364. Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 sem. hrs.). This course is a continuation of the sequence which begins with BIO 363 and covers the remaining physiological systems including cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive. Cadavers and live subject models continue to enhance laboratory exploration. Course Honors recognition may be earned with additional cat dissections and exams. This Honors recognition is the prerequisite for BIO 403. Required of Athletic Training majors. Prerequisite: BIO 363. (Spring)
365. Cat Dissection and Anatomy (1 sem. hr.). This course is a companion to BIO 364 for students who wish to qualify for BIO 403, Cadaver Prosection, for the following Fall. Students will develop dissection skills on preserved cats, and will be tested on cat anatomy. Students will assist in conducting tours of the Cadaver lab for local high school students and other interested parties. Prerequisite: B- or higher in BIO 363. Co-requisite: BIO
364. (Spring)
370. Biology Internship (1-15 sem. hrs.). This course gives junior and senior biology majors an opportunity for academic-related work experience outside the usual college environment. The internship should enhance the student’s intellectual development through the application of knowledge. This program cannot be totally observational. Prerequisites: BIO 112, 114 and at least one 4-hour upper level course. A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 is required. An internship contract must be completed and on file in the Internship office before registration. This course may not be used for credit towards the 39 hours required of the biology major. (Each Semester)
375. Caribbean Biogeography (1 sem. hr.). Ten-day trip to Belize, Central America or other suitable area during the spring vacation period. (Offered Spring of odd-even years)
390, 391. Independent Research (1-3 sem. hrs.). An independent study course featuring special laboratory and/ or field work for advanced students. The work must be arranged prior to registration in consultation with an instructor. Permission of the department chairperson is required. A formal written proposal of the expected project is required before registration. All students taking this course will meet together for one period each week to share their problems and ideas and to present progress reports of their project to their peers and faculty. (Fall and Spring)
403. Cadaver Prosection (2 sem. hr.). Anterior or posterior aspect of a cadaver will be prosected by students. Purpose is to gain additional dissecting skill and a more thorough understanding of human anatomy via a regional approach to study. One 3-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: B- or higher in BIO 363, 364 and 365. (Fall)
415. Animal Behavior (3 sem. hrs.). Takes an evolutionary approach in examining the immense diversity of animal behavior for insights into the lives of animals. The course highlights procedures biologists have developed for observing and interpreting behavior in animals, and provides students the opportunity to apply these scientific methods in conducting their own original research into a problem in animal behavior. Prerequisites: BIO 213 and a statistics course, or permission of instructor. Open to juniors and seniors only. (Spring of odd-even years)
425, 426. Special Topics in Biology (1-3 sem. hrs.). The department offers a variety of mini-courses on special biology topics of interest to upper level students and staff. The topics concern areas not commonly stressed in other department courses. In general, the courses will be offered in response to student demand and within the confines of faculty time.
475, 476. Honors Course (3 sem. hrs. each). This course is reserved for seniors. During the two semesters of work the student must go beyond the level of ordinary undergraduate work. Results of the work should approach the level of a master’s thesis. Course requires both comprehensive written examinations in the field of biology and an oral presentation to the staff of the work accomplished. The title of the student’s investigation will appear in the honors ceremony program. A student’s entry to this course must be approved in detail by the department head and another biology faculty member prior to registration. (Fall and Spring)