Biology Course Descriptions
BIO 120 Principles of Biology I
4 Hours
Students will examine concepts and theories in the following areas: the philosophy and methods of science; ecology; cell structure and function; genetics; and evolution. Three lectures, one laboratory. This course is intended to primarily serve those majoring in the Biological Sciences. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 120L.
BIO 122 Principles of Biology II
4 Hours
This course includes the philosophy and methods of science, nutrition, gas exchange, internal transport, osmoregulation, chemical control, nervous control, reproduction, development, diversity and classification of organisms. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 120/120L. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO120L.
BIO 200 Research
1 Hours
Independent and directed research using biological methods. Students must choose a research activity acceptable to the Department of Biological Sciences. Students may take up to 4 credits per semester, not to exceed 8 credits total, only up to 2 credits of which may be counted as elective credits towards a major or a minor in the Department of Biological Sciences. Prerequisites: BIO 120, prerequisite or corequisite BIO 122 and consent of instructor.
BIO 300 Research
1 Hours
Independent and directed research using biological methods. Students must choose a research activity acceptable to the Department of Biological Sciences. Students may take up to 4 credits per semester, not to exceed 8 credits total, only up to 2 credits of which may be counted as elective credits towards a major or a minor in the Department of Biological Sciences. Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L and consent of instructor.
BIO 301 Biostatistics
4 Hours
This course covers the basic tools for the collection, analysis and presentation of biological data. Topics include the general principles of study design, hypothesis testing, basic descriptive statistics and specific statistical tests including t-test, correlation, chi-squared, contingency analysis, data transformations, analysis of variance, regression and some non-parametric methods. Prerequisites: BIO 120 and BIO 122, and MTH 125. Individuals without a major in the Department of Biological Sciences require instructor consent.
BIO 302 Ecology
4 Hours
Students will study the principles governing the relationships of plants, animals and their environment. 3 hour of lecture, 1 hour of lab. This course includes field trips. Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L, BIO301. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO302L.
BIO 315 Genetics
4 Hours
This is an introduction to the study of genetics using classical and molecular approaches. Topics covered include transmission genetics, replication of DNA, gene expression and control, and population genetics. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102.
BIO 305 Biology Teaching Methods
2 Hours
This course is an introduction to the texts, manuals, materials, apparatus and methods of teaching biology. One lecture, one laboratory. It cannot be taken as a directed study. Prerequisites: 15 hours of biological science including BIO120, 122, 316, CHM 164, EDU 201 and EDU 456.
BIO 316 Evolutionary Biology
3 Hours
This course includes the history, genetic basis and products of evolutionary forces, including understanding the factors that affect evolutionary change, and the modes of evolutionary change. This course is designed to present the evidence for evolution and its effects on populations from the molecular to the community and ecosystem level. Prerequisite: BIO 315.
BIO 318 Botany
4 Hours
This course is a comparative study of the structure and reproduction of fungi and lower plants, with emphasis on seed plants. Students will study the principles of plant classification, identification and nomenclature, including the systematic relationships of vascular plants with an emphasis on flowering plants. Laboratories will include field trips, identification of collections and techniques used in gathering evidence for classification. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 318L
BIO 319 Animal Development
4 Hours
Students will study the development of animals through an integration of descriptive, experimental and biochemical approaches. Topics include gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation and formulation of organ rudiments. Two lectures, two laboratories. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102.
BIO 220 Anatomy and Physiology I
4 Hours
This course is an in-depth study of the structure and function of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems at all levels of organization. Topics include cell biology, histology, developmental anatomy and pathological conditions relevant to students majoring in the health sciences. Three lectures and one laboratory. Prerequisites: CHM 174/174L or CHM 231/231L. Prerequisite or corequisite BIO 220L.
BIO 311 Invertebrate Zoology
4 Hours
Students will investigate the biology of representative invertebrates, including their structure and function, phylogeny, taxonomy, behavior, and ecology. Includes one hour lecture, one hour laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 311L.
BIO 323 Mammalogy
4 Hours
Topics covered in this course include the evolution, taxonomy, distribution, adaptations, ecology and behavior of mammals. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L or consent of instructor. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 323L
BIO 324 Ornithology
4 Hours
This course involves the study of the origin, evolution, structure, behavior, adaptations, distribution and classification of birds. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L or consent of instructor. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 324L.
BIO 325 Principles of Wildlife Management
3 Hours
An introduction to the basic principles used in the management of wildlife and fish populations, their habitats, and human uses.The course is directed toward the presentation of general concepts that are integral to understanding the discipline. Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L or consent of instructor.
BIO 330 Anatomy and Physiology II
4 Hours
This course is an in-depth study of the structure and function of the endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems at all levels of organization. Other topics include fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, and pathological conditions relevant to students majoring in the health sciences. Three lectures and one laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 220/220L. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 330L
BIO 333 Microbiology
4 Hours
Students will study the biology of bacteria, viruses, yeasts, molds and certain animal parasites. Topics included in this course include microbial morphology, anatomy, growth, reproduction, physiology and genetics. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisites: CHM 174/174L or CHM 231/231L. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 333L.
BIO 344 Immunology
4 Hours
An introduction into the chemical, genetic,and biological properties of immune responses, acquired immunity and the production of antibodies. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L, and CHM 174/174L or CHM 231/231L or consent of instructor. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 344L
BIO 346 Intro to Molecular and Cell Biology
4 Hours
Study of the structure and function of the cell and its subcellular components. Provides an understanding of membrane and cellular physiology from a molecular aspect. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 122/122L, and CHM 174/174L or CHM 231/231L or consent of instructor. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIO 346L.
BIO 400 Research Problems in Biology
1 Hours
This course involves advanced independent work using biological methods. Students will choose a research-type activity acceptable to the biology department. Prerequisites: BIO101, BIO102, an approved proposal and consent of the instructor.
BIO 403 Research in Biochemistry
1 Hours
An introduction into the methodology and techniques used in the modern biochemistry research laboratory. Students are encouraged to design and investigate an individual research project within the instructor's scope of research and to present their results. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
CHM 164 University Chemistry
3 Hours
A one-semester course covering the core concepts of general chemistry, maintaining the depth and relevance of a two semester sequence. Topics covered include: bonding, equilibrium, stoichiometry, chemical kinetics, and oxidation-reduction. Prerquisite: MTH 120 or equivalent is recommended.
CHM 174 Organic and Biochemistry
4 Hours
This course is a study of the fundamentals of organic chemistry (nomenclature, functional groups, reactions) with an emphasis on compounds of biological interest (amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, nucleic acids and the metabolic cycles). Three lectures, one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: CHM 164. Corequisite: CHM174L
CHM 231 Organic Chemistry
4 Hours
This is the first of a two-semester course sequence. It focuses on the structure and function of organic molecules. Topics include: nomenclature, functional group analysis, stereochemistry, acid/base chemistry, organic chemistry reactions and mechanistic explanation of electron movement. Spectroscopic methods of structure determination are introduced. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisite: CHM 164/166. Corequisite: CHM231L
CHM 323 Analytical Chemistry
4 Hours
Students will study quantitative analytical methods, principles, details and applications, including the statistical treatment of data. Lab exercises cover the qualitative analysis scheme in the first half of the semester and more specific analytical problems in the second half. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory, plus extra lab hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: CHM 164/166 or CHM 174/174L. Corequisite: CHM 323L.
CHM 331 Organic Chemistry I
4 Hours
This is an introduction to the nomenclature, structure, properties, reactions and uses of the compounds of carbon. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: CHM 164/166 or CHM 174.
CHM 332 Organic Chemistry II
4 Hours
This is the second of a two-semester course sequence. It focuses on instrumentation related to analytical organic chemistry, as well as advanced reactions, synthesis and retrosynthetic analysis. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisite: CHM 231/231L. Corequisite: CHM 332L.
CHM 341 Biochemistry I
4 Hours
This is the first semester of a comprehensive biochemistry course providing an introduction to the chemical and physical properties of biologically important molecules. Topics to be discussed in this course include carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and enzymes. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisite: CHM 174/174L or CHM 231/231L. Corequisite: CHM 341L.
MTH 200 Statistical Methods I
3 Hours
This course is an introduction to descriptive statistics, including graphs, sampling distributions, measures of central tendency, probability theory, hypothesis testing through nonparametric tests, confidence intervals, correlation and regression. Statistical applications, hypothesis testing and the use of statistical software for graphing are emphasized. Prerequisite: MTH 125 or consent of instructor.
MTH 210 Calculus I
5 Hours
This course is an introduction to differential and integral calculus. Students will learn to calculate the rates of change of functions including trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions and how to solve initial value and optimization problems. Students will learn the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and integration techniques. Prerequisite: MTH 135 or math placement.
PHS 260 University Physics I
4 Hours
This is an introductory calculus-based course in the fundamentals of physics as applied to mechanics. Topics included are kinematics, vectors, Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, gravitation, simple harmonic motion and waves. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MTH 135 or consent of instructor. Corequisite PHS 260L.
Learn More About Your Professors
Any Questions?
Contact us – just call admissions at 605-995-2650 or email us at admissions@dwu.edu.
We would love to share information with you via email or if you like, we will send it right to your door.