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Experimental Courses

Biology Department Homepage

BIO 101.Understanding Evolution (1 course)

The course examines origin and implications of Darwin's theory of evolution. Topics covered include: the historical development of the theory, the origin of adaptation, human evolution, human behavior and evolution as the rational alternative to creationism. May substitute for BIO 180.

BIO 103.Technology and Human Evolution (1 course) (discontinued 12/98)

A consideration of the evolutionary circumstances that transformed an ancient ape-like creature into fully modern humans. What role did tool-making and using play in this evolution? When and how did we acquire our uniquely human characteristics? Pass-Fail credit with permission of instructor. May not be counted toward a major.

BIO 104. Human Biology  (1 course)

Normally includes laboratory

An entry level course that examines general biological principles with emphasis on humans. May not be counted toward a major.

BIO 105. Human Genetics  (1 course)

An entry level course examining basic principles of genetics and emphasizing human genetics, various disorders and their ethical and economic impact on society. May substitute for BIO 140. Not open to students with junior or senior status when taught as a W course.

BIO 120. Introduction to Cell Biology (1/2 course)

An introduction to the biology of cells. Topics covered include macromolecules, membrane and organelle structure and function, cellular metabolism and cell cycle. Should be taken with BIO 140.

BIO 140. Introduction to Genetics (1/2 course)

An introduction of the principles of genetics. Topics covered include the transmission genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, DNA structure and function, gene expression and genetic engineering. Should be taken with BIO 120.

BIO 156. Advanced Placement in Biology (1 course)

Credit for students earning advanced placement in biology.

BIO 160. Introduction to Ecology  (1/2 course)

An introduction to the principles of physiological, population, community and ecosystem ecology. Topics covered include adaptive responses to environmental variation, population growth and structure, interactions within among species, energy flow and nutrient cycling. Should be taken with BIO 180.

BIO 180. Introduction to Evolution  (1/2 course)

An introduction to the principles of biological evolution. Topics covered include natural selection and adaptation, population genetics, speciation, phylogenetics and macroevaluation. Should be taken with BIO 160.

BIO 190. Laboratory in Diversity (1/2 course)

An introduction to the diversity of life. Topics covered include phylogeny and systemics and the defining attributes and life cycles of the major taxa. Must be taken to declare a BIO major. 

BIO 197. First-Year Seminar (1 course)

A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of biology. Open only to first-year students.

BIO 203. Human Anatomy  (1 course)

Includes laboratory

Examination of human structure as it relates to organ and body function and human adaptation to the environment. Laboratory: dissection of a mammal with reference to its comparison with the human. Not open to students with credit in BIO 333.

BIO 205. Introduction to Public Health (1 course) (discontinued 12/98)

The study of basic principles in public health and issues encountered in the practice of public health. Emphasis is on poor and disenfranchised populations in the United States and abroad. Some coverage of community health issues in the United States is included. Topics include primary health care, epidemology, sociocultural determinants of health, nutrition and malnutrition, population based health, traditional and nontraditional medicine, ethics, first aid, oral health, mental health, health issues in special groups (such as the elderly, women and children), reproductive health, including sexually transmitted disease, health impact of violence and environmental health. Case studies are used. Group service project is required. May not be counted toward a major.

BIO 211. Animal Biology  (1 course) (formerly BIO 110)

Normally includes laboratory

An introduction of the principles of animal biology. Topics covered include animal reproduction, development and structure-function relationships. Prerequisites: BIO 120, 140, 160, 180 and 190 or permission of instructor.

BIO 230. Plant Biology (1 course) (formerly BIO 130)

Includes laboratory

An introduction to the principles of plant biology. Topics covered include plant reproduction, development and structure-function relationships. Prerequisites: BIO 120, 140, 160, 180 and 190 or permission of instructor.

BIO 250. Microbiology  (1 course) (formerly BIO 150)

Includes laboratory

A general overview of microbiology. Topics covered include microbial genetics, physiology, evolution and ecology, microbial techniques and the interplay between microbial life and the human environment. Prerequisites: BIO 120, 140, 160, 180 or permission of instructor.

BIO 280. Animal Behavior  (1 course) (discontinued 12/98)

An exploration of the diversity of animal behaviors using an evolutionary approach. Laboratory work will include observations of living animals. Not open to students with junior or senior status when taught as a W course.

BIO 290.  Topics  (1/2-1 course)

Selected topics in Biology. May or may not include a laboratory, depending on the subject. Prerequisite: one year of biology or permission of instructor.

BIO 314. Biochemistry and Cellular Biology  (1 course)

Normally includes laboratory

A study of the dynamic aspects of the structure, function and regulation of viral, prokaryotic and eucaryotic cells. The molecular nature of the gene and gene expression are examined. Basic principles of biochemistry, including metabolic pathways and enzymology, are introduced. Prerequisites: BIO 120, 140, 160, 180 or permission of instructor. CHEM 201 recommended.

BIO 320. Genetics  (1 course)

Includes laboratory

The study of gene transmission, structure and function. Topics include patterns of inheritance, microbial and molecular genetics, quantitative and population genetics. Prerequisite: BIO 120, 140, 160, 180 or permission of instructor.

BIO 333. Comparative and Developmental Anatomy (1 course) (formerly BIO 233)

Includes laboratory

A comparative study of anatomy and morphogenesis of representative chordates. Laboratory work will include dissections and examination of embryonic and histological slides from representative chordates. Prerequisites: BIO 120, 140, 160, 180 and 190 . Not open to students with credit in BIO 203.

BIO 335. Animal Physiology  (1 course) (formerly BIO 235)

Normally includes laboratory

General principles of animal physiology are considered. All major systems are included. Laboratory work: standard physiological experiments. Prerequisites: BIO 120 or 140 or permission of instructor.

BIO 339. Plant Physiology  (1 course)

Normally includes laboratory

Examines the physiological and biochemical factors that influence plant growth, differentiation, adaptation to ever-changing environments. Prerequisites: BIO 120, 140, 160, 180 or permission of instructor.

BIO 342. Ecology  (1 course)

Includes laboratory

The study of interrelationships between organisms and their environment, emphasizing population ecology, computer simulations and ecological methods. Prerequisites: BIO 160, 180 and 190 or permission of instructor.

BIO 344. Population Genetics and Evolution  (1 course)

Normally includes laboratory

An examination of the role of evolution as the central organizing concept in biology, and role of population genetics as the core or evolutionary theory. Prerequisite: BIO 320 or permission of instructor. May not be taken Pass-Fail.

BIO 345 Paleobiology  (1 course) (discontinued 12/98)

The history of life including: origin of life, age of prokaryotes, origin of eukaryotes, emergence of invertebrates, emergence of land plants and animals, transition from amphibians to reptiles, coal swamp plants, adaptive radiation of reptiles, dinosaurs and their world, mammal evolution, angiosperm diversification, evolution of primates and human evolution.

BIO 346. Plant-Animal Interactions (1 course)

Normally includes laboratory

This course considers plants and animals from a holistic, interactive perspective. The biochemistry of various plant species have adapted to selective pressures created through herbivory. Likewise, anatomical and physiological changes in animals have been brought about as adaptations for detoxifying or avoiding plant secondary metaboloties, or to handle certain structural forms presented by plants. This course focuses on the ongoing warfare that exists between plants and animals as each try to best the other. Prerequisites: BIO 120, 140, 160, 180 and 190  or permission of instructor.

BIO 348. Behavioral Ecology  (1 course)

Includes laboratory

This course is concerned with an evolutionarily based analysis of how the different behaviors of an animal contribute to its survival and reproductive success. Prerequisites: BIO 160 and 180 or permission of instructor.

BIO 361. Immunology  (1 course)

Normally includes laboratory

An investigation of the principles of immunology including the application of the principles in the control of bacterial and viral diseases. Certain serological techniques are introduced in laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 250 or permission of the instructor.

BIO 364. Molecular Genetics (1 course)

Includes laboratory

A molecular analysis of gene structure, function and the regulation of gene expression in a variety of procaryotic and eucaryotic organisms and their viruses. Topics include: DNA and genome, biotechnology, developmental genetics and cancer biology. Lab focus on the Recombinant DNA techniques used in genetic engineering. Prerequisites: BIO 320 and CHEM 201 recommended, or permission of the instructor. May not be taken Pass-Fail.

BIO 375. Biostatistics  (1 course)

Normally includes laboratory

A detailed survey of the techniques involved in the collection and analysis of biological data. Topics include sampling and the types of biological data, hypothesis generation and testing, parametric and nonparametric statistical tests, categorical data analysis, and design of experiments. Prerequisites: BIO 120, 140, 160 and 180 or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit in ECON 350, MATH 340 or PSY 210.

BIO 381. Entomology  (1 course)

Includes laboratory

The biology and ecology of insects and their relatives. Laboratory includes collection and identification. Prerequisite: one year of laboratory science, including BIO 120, 140, 160 and 180 or permission of instructor.

BIO 382. Neurobiology (1 course)

Includes laboratory

Examines the structure and function of individual neurons and glial cells, their formation of integrative circuits, and the comparative organization and evolution of animal nervous systems of increasing complexity from nerve nets to humans. Prerequisite: BIO 120 and BIO 140 or permission of instructor.

BIO 387. Histology  (1 course) (discontinued 12/98)

Study of the microscopic structure of normal vertebrate tissues and organs. Prerequisite: BIO 110 or permission of instructor.

BIO 390. Topics (1/2-1 course)

Selected topics in the biology are offered. Prerequisite: one year of biology or permission of instructor.

BIO 395. Intern Topics (1/2 - 1 course)

Readings in selected topics designed to enhance an internship experience. Prerequisite: A major in biology and permission of instructor. May not be taken Pass-Fail. Not open to students enrolled in HONR 390.

BIO 400. Teaching of Biology (1/2 course)

Deals with the principles and problems of teaching biology. Not applicable to the major or the minor. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

BIO 450. Senior Seminar (1/2 course)

Students read, present and discuss research papers from a variety of areas in biology. Prerequisite: a major in biology and senior status. May not be taken Pass-Fail.

BIO 490. Research Problems (1/2 course)

Directed independent study. Prerequisite: two years of biology and permission of department. May be repeated once for credit.

Experimental Courses

Introduction to Interdisciplinary Research in the Sciences: Artificial Life  (1 course)

(offered second semester 1998-99) This class emphasizes hands-on, long-term, interdisciplinary research using techniques in computer science to model biological processes and test biological hypotheses. Small research teams consisting of both students with computer science majors and students with biology majors will each work on a single project. Each project will follow the natural progression of scientific research from literature review through presentation of the results.

Genes, Evolution and Behavior (1/4 course) (discontinued 12/98)

(offered second semester 1996-97) This course focuses in a rather broad view on the topics discussed by Richard Dawkins in a number of his books written for both biologist and a more general audience.

E-mail questions or comments to: sbates@depauw.edu