Download Biology Course Descriptions

BIOL 111 - Zoology
3 credits = 3 contact hours per week for 15 weeks
2 weeks for final examination
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course covers the major taxa of the Animal Kingdom and their classification with an introduction to
Animal anatomy, physiology, evolution and ecology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course the student will be able to:
Classify different classes of vertebrates by structure and function.
Explain the evolutionary origins of the animal groups.
Understand how species interact, including positive and negative relationsyips, in ecosystems.
COURSE CONTENT:
Classification and Characteristics of important animal groups including:
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Porifera
Cnidaria and Ctenophora
Ecdysozoa, nematoda
Arthropoda
Acoelomates (Platyhelminthes)
Annelida
Mollusca
Echinodermata and Hemichordates
Chordates
o Fishes
o Amphibians
o Mammals
o Reptiles
o Birds
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures, individual assignments, class discussions.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
25 % Assignments
25 % Timed Tests
50 % Final
REFERENCES:
Biology, Campbell & Reece, 7th edition, Pearson, Benjamin, Cummings, 2005.
BIOL - 123 Botany
3 credits = 3 contact hours per week for 15 weeks
2 weeks for final examination
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to plant life with emphasis on plant structure, function, growth,
reproduction and ecology. The importance of plants to society as a source of food, material, and
medicines will be covered.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course the student will be able to:
Classify different types of plants by structure and function.
Explain plant physiology, life cycles, photosynthesis, and ecology.
Describe the important uses of plants and their relationships in the environment.
COURSE CONTENT:
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Survey of plant divisions and classification
Plant structure and organization
Physiology of plants
Plant growth and development
Plant life cycle
Photosynthesis
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures, individual assignments, class discussions.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
25 % Assignments
25 % Timed Tests
50 % Final
REFERENCES:
Introductory Plant Biology, Stern,Bidlack, Jansky, Stern, 8th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Biology, Campbell & Reece, 7th edition, Pearson, Benjamin, Cummings, 2005.
BIOL 211 - Cell and Developmental Biology
3 credits = 3 contact hours per week for 15 weeks
2 weeks for final examination
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Study of cell structure and function with emphasis on molecular components, metabolism, growth and
division, embryonic cellular differentiation, and regulation of cell processes.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course the student will be able to:
Describe cell components and structure.
Explain how cells replicate
Describe how embryonic cells differentiate in function
Understand differences between plant and animal cells.
COURSE CONTENT:
 Cell Structure
 Function of organelles and membranes
 Proteins and enzymes, nucleic acids, lipids and proteins
 Meiosis and mitosis
 Gametogenesis
 Cellular Differentiation
 Embryology
 Differences between plant and animal cells
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures, individual assignments, class discussions.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
25 % Assignments
25 % Timed Tests
50 % Final
REFERENCES:
Essential Cell Biology, Alberts, Bray, et.al., 2nd edition, Garlans Science, 2002.
Biology, Campbell & Reece, 7th edition, Pearson, Benjamin, Cummings, 2005.
BIOL 223 - Genetics and Evolution
3 credits = 3 contact hours per week for 15 weeks
2 weeks for final examination
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will study the basic principles of genetics including transmission and organization of genetic
material, mutation, and gene expression and regulation. Population genetics, natural selection, fitness
and adaptation will be studied for their role in biodiversity and evolution.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
Describe the basic components involved in gene expression.
Explain how traits are passed between generations
Describe how mutations occur
Explain how genetic drift in populations can lead to evolution of new species.
COURSE CONTENT:
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Genes and Chromosomes
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Mendelian Inheritance
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Dominant and Recessive genes
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Laws of Segregation and Independent Assortment
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Linked and sex linked genes
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Extranuclear Inheritance
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Mutations
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Population Genetics
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Genetic Variation and Drift
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Natural Selection
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Species Evolution
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures, individual assignments, class discussions.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
25 % Assignments
25 % Timed Tests
50 % Final
REFERENCES:
Genetics From Genes to Genomes, Hartwell, Hood, Goldberg, et.al., 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Biology, Campbell & Reece, 7th edition, Pearson, Benjamin, Cummings, 2005.
BIOL 222 - Entomology
3 credits = 3 contact hours per week for 15 weeks
2 weeks for final examination
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Study of insects including their morphology and classification, life cycles, adaptation and evolution. The
impact of insects on humans medically, economically, and socially will be covered with insect population
management.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course students will be able to:
Classify the major types of insects.
Describe insect anatomy.
Describe the roles, both beneficial and harmful, that insects play in our environment.
Explain how insect populations can be controled.
COURSE CONTENT:
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Classification of Insects
Insect morphology, anatomy and physiology.
Insect life cycles.
Beneficial and harmful roles of insects in agriculture and medicine
Insect population management
Roles insects play in human diseases
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures, individual assignments, class discussions.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
25 % Assignments
25 % Timed Tests
50 % Final
REFERENCES:
Invertebrate Zoology, Ruppert, Fox, & Barnes , 7th edition, Brooks Cole, 2004.
BIOL 314 - Microbiology
3 credits = 3 contact hours per week for 15 weeks
2 weeks for final examination
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course covers microorganisms that are too small to be seen, including bacteria (prokaryotes),
protists (single celled eukaryotes), and viruses. The beneficial roles of microorganisms in the
environment are discussed. The impact of diseases caused by microorganisms, such as malaria, HIV, and
typhoid, are reviewed along with the human immune response to such threats and their control.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course the student will be able to:
Classify types of microorganisms.
Explain how microorganisms affect society for good and bad.
Understand human immune response and treatments for microorganisms.
COURSE CONTENT:
 Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cell structure
 Microbial metabolism and growth
 Prokaryotes: Bacteria
 Eukaryotes: Protozoa, Fungi and Algae
 Viruses and prions
 Important roles for microorganisms in soil, digestion, food, energy, and other uses
 Bacterial diseases and epidemiology
 Human immune response
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures, individual assignments, class discussions.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
25 % Assignments
25 % Timed Tests
50 % Final
REFERENCES:
Biological Science, Freeman, 4th edition, Benjamin Cummings, 2010.
Microbiology, An Introduction, Tortora, Funke, Case, 9th edition, Benjamin Cummings, 2006.
BIOL 324 - Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology
3 credits = 3 contact hours per week for 15 weeks
2 weeks for final examination
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course covers the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organ systems for vertebrates with
emphasis on human anatomy. Physiology of the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and
reproductive systems will be studied.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Describe how the major systems function in vertebrates.
Explain how physiological processes are regulated and controlled.
COURSE CONTENT:
 Structure and function of vertebrate tissues and organ systems.
o Skeletal
o Dermal
o Cardiac and Circulatory system
o Muscular
o Lungs and Respiratory System
o Nerve
o Brain and Spinal Cord
o Sense organs
o Digestive system
o Endocrine system and Hormones
o Reproductive System
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures, individual assignments, class discussions.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
25 % Assignments
25 % Timed Tests
50 % Final
REFERENCES:
Anatomy and Physiology, Marieb & Hohn, 4th edition, Benjamin Cummings, 2011.
Vertebrates Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution, Kardong, 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill, 2002.
BIOL 323 - Ecology
3 credits = 3 contact hours per week for 15 weeks
2 weeks for final examination
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will cover Natural Ecosystems and global environmental issues. Major ecosystems will be
reviewed for how organisms adapt to their environment. Biodiversity, population, hydrologic cycle, land
use, and pollution will be discussed with regards to their impacts on ecological systems.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
Describe the characteristics of different types of ecosystems.
Understand how organisms interact in an ecosystem.
Describe how organisms adapt to changes in the environment.
Explain how ecology relates to issues today such as global warming, pollution, and deforestation.
COURSE CONTENT:
 Ecosystem populations
 Food and nutrient cycles
 Energy flow in Ecosystems
 Species diversity and adaptation
 Ecological succession to changes
 Population growth
 Density
 Competition
 Predation
 Symbiosis
 Human impacts on ecosystems
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures, individual assignments, class discussions.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
25 % Assignments
25 % Timed Tests
50 % Final
REFERENCES:
Ecology Concepts and Applications, Molles, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill Science, 2009.
Ecology of a Changing Planet, Bush, 3rd edition, Pearson, 2003.