Biology Courses

101 Biology and Society. A general biology course for nonscience majors. Selected topics ranging from the level of the cell to the biosphere are covered. Does not count towards Biology elective credit for Biology majors or minors. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Fall.

103 Plant Biology. The study of the morphology, anatomy, development, metabolism, physiology, classification, genetics, and evolution of plants, bacteria and fungi. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Fall.

104 Animal Biology. Primary emphasis is on the structure, development and physiology of animals. Their genetics and ecology are also examined. Three hours of lecture, two hours of laboratory per week. Spring.

130 Local Flora. A field course dealing with collection, identification and classification of wild flowers and trees of Michigan and other designated areas. Offered as needed.

209 Human Nutrition. The fundamentals of nutrition and their applications in meeting nutritional needs during the life span. Emphasis is on the functions of essential food elements, health and the adequacy of dietary patterns. Not intended for Biology majors

212 Vertebrate Zoology. A survey of the major classes of vertebrates, including anatomy, behavior, ecology, distribution and taxonomy. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week.

217 Principles of Ecology. The structure and function of living systems, including patterns of relationship between organisms and their environment. The study begins with populations and builds to the level of ecosystems and the biosphere. Three hours of lecture per week. See Biology 218 for a related laboratory experience.

218 Ecology Laboratory. Laboratory and field exercises designed to illustrate principles discussed in Biology 217. (Co-requisite: Biology 217). Fall.

220 Winter Ecology. An examination of the biological responses of organisms to the environmental conditions associated with winter. Additional emphasis on field studies of over-wintering organisms and the identification of the organisms in their winter condition. Two Saturday or Sunday field trips included. Three lectures, one 3-hour laboratory per week.
221 Principles of Genetics. Mechanisms and laws of inheritance, the nature of the genetic material, and the structure and function of genes and the regulation of their activity. Three hours of lecture, one hour of recitation per week. See Biology 223 for a related laboratory experience.

223 Genetics Laboratory. Laboratory exercises and experiments designed to illustrate principles discussed inBiology 221. (Co-requisite: Biology 221.) Fall.

237 Hematology and Serology. Methods used in the study of blood, including blood cell count, hematocrit value, blood cell morphology, hematologic changes in diseases and immunohematology. Designed for medical technology and other paramedical or premedical students. Two hours of lecture, two hours of laboratory per week.

262 Invertebrate Zoology. The biology of invertebrates (excluding insects but including parasitic invertebrates) with reference to anatomy, ecology, taxonomy and physiology. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week.

301 Junior Seminar. Required for all junior Biology majors. A course exploring critical issues in biology through selected readings, discussion and presentations (oral and written). Fall, spring.

309 Topics in Biology. Investigations of advanced or specialized topics of current interest. Topics and coverage varies with semester and instructor. May be repeated.

324 Conservation Biology. An examination of the genetic and ecological concepts important in developing plans for preserving species and habitats. Techniques designed to gather the required information will be examined. Case studies of work on selected species will be discussed. Three hours of lecture per week.

326 Microbiology. An introduction to microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and viruses. Cell structure, metabolism and genetics will be covered with an emphasis on current techniques used in medical and environmental studies. Laboratory work emphasizes microscopical, biochemical and molecular genetic identification of bacteria. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week.

333 Biochemistry. See Chemistry 333. Spring.

334 Biochemistry Laboratory. See Chemistry 334. Spring.

341Cell and Tissue Culture. The theory and techniques of culturing in vitro cells, tissues and organs of plants and animals. Two hours of lecture, four hours of laboratory per week.

343 Molecular Cell Biology. The structure and functioning of eukaryotic cells, with emphasis on the control of gene expression. Molecular aspects of the control of development are also discussed.

345 Methods in Molecular Biology. The basic techniques utilized in molecular biology are discussed. Students learn the techniques through a series of laboratory exercises with progressively more demanding protocols. One hour lecture and five hours of laboratory per week.

364 Entomology. The biology of insects with reference to anatomy, ecology, taxonomy and physiology, focusing on local species and medically important ones. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week.

365 General Physiology. The structural and functional correlates of organismal biology; topics include membrane specializations, intermediary metabolism and homeostatic control mechanisms. Primary emphasis is on animals, usually vertebrates.

366 Biology of Parasites. The biology of common parasites of humans and animals. Emphasis is on the study of evolutionary strategies of parasites and their vectors, the identification and life histories of common parasites and the methods used to analyze outbreaks and patterns of disease incidence. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.

368 Developmental Biology. Modern principles of gene regulation and biochemical control of plant and animal developmental processes, from embryo through senescence. Includes environmental signals, teratogens and cancer.

370 Immunology. Principles of immunology, including the structure of antigens and the regulation of cell-mediated and humoral immunity. Non-specific immunity and body defenses are also discussed. Recent papers on related topics are discussed.

375 Animal Behavior and Communication. The behavior and communication of a variety of animals, particularly vertebrates, examined at the physiological, ecological and evolutionary levels. Both indoor and field laboratory experiences incorporate behavioral and communication instrumentation and computer-aided statistical analysis of results.

378 Ichthyology. The principles of classification, distribution, behavior and adaptation of fishes, within an ecological and evolutionary context. Includes laboratory and field identification, with emphasis on Michigan fauna. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week.

379 Herpetology. The principles of classification, distribution, behavior and adaptation of amphibians and reptiles, within an ecological and evolutionary context. Includes laboratory and field identification, with emphasis on Michigan fauna. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week.

380 Ornithology. The principles of classification, distribution, behavior and adaptation of birds, within an ecological and evolutionary context. Includes laboratory and field identification, with emphasis on Michigan fauna. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week.

381 Mammalogy. The principles of classification, distribution, behavior and adaptation of mammals, within an ecological and evolutionary context. Includes laboratory and field identification, with emphasis on Michigan fauna. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week.

401 Capstone: Senior Seminar. Student-led discussions of recent advances in biological research. One hour per week. (Open only to senior biology majors and 3 + 1 program students with department chairpersonÆs permission.) Fall, spring.

455 Human Anatomy. Dissection and the anatomical exploration of the human body using cadavers. Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.


Advanced and Special Classes top

199 Exploratory Internship.

299 Experimental Course.

399 Professional Internship. Previously approved internships include hospital observational experience and work at Kalamazoo Nature Center and Hidden Lake Gardens.

450 Biological Research. Original research in biology requiring acceptance of a thesis proposal by the biology faculty prior to registration. Proposal must include literature survey, budget and time scale for completion of each segment. May be repeated.

451 Independent Study. Independent study in biology that is supervised by a biology faculty member. May be repeated.

499 Advanced Experimental Course.