Biology

The Department of Biology offers diversified programs that enable students to select a curriculum that best suits their career goals. Biology covers an array of specialist subjects inclusive of anatomy, ecology, microbiology and zoology. The Biology degree provides for scientific skill developments and preparations that are transferrable to many industries. Further, the program provides the skills necessary to enter professional programs as well as professions in industry, agribusiness, food management, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and the retail industry. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in liberal arts and sciences needed for emerging careers in science and/or related fields.

BIOLOGY BROCHURE

Biology Degree Plan

Biology Course Descriptions

*BIOL 1471 – General Biology I (4 credit hours). This course is designed to serve as an introductory course for all students. It emphasizes the importance of the cell, processes that occur within the cell, and the overall unity and diversity of life and living organisms.

BIOL 1472 – General Biology II (4 credit hours). A study of the origin and history of life, including factors that influence evolution. This course goes into taxonomy, including phylogenetic trees, and classification systems. Nature vs. nurture, adaptive mating behavior, animal communication, sociobiology and animal behavior are covered in this course. Prerequisite: BIOL 1471.

BIOL 2470 – General Botany (4 credit hours). This course is designed to serve as an introductory course to botany for Biology Majors. It emphasizes plant life cycles, as well as how all life forms are dependent on plants. This course also covers the history of plants and their relationship to the development of human civilization as well as their economic importance. Prerequisites: BIOL 1471 & 1472.

BIOL 2471 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credit hours). This course is designed to serve as an introductory course to human anatomy & physiology for Biology majors. It emphasizes the importance of the cell, the structure and function of tissues, organs, and the structure and function of various organ systems and how the organ systems interact. Environmental and genetic diseases are also discussed. Prerequisite: BIOL 1471 & 1472.

BIOL 2472 – Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credit hours). This emphasizes the importance of the cell, the structure and function of tissues, organs, and the structure and function of various organ systems and how the organ systems interact. Environmental and genetic diseases are also discussed. Prerequisite: BIOL 2471.

BIOL 2473 – Microbiology (4 credit hours). This course includes historical perspectives, cell structure and function, microbial genetics, infectious disease, immunology, distribution, physiology, identification, classification, and disease control of microorganisms. Prerequisites: BIOL 1471 & 1472.

BIOL 3471 – Genetics (4 credit hours). This course is designed to serve as an introductory course to genetics for Biology Majors. It emphasizes study of the structure and function of nucleic acids in viruses, prokaryotes and eukaryotes, as well as the basic concepts, principles and applications of classical, molecular and population genetics. Prerequisites: BIOL 1471.

BIOL 3474 – Ecology (4 credit hours). This course is designed to be a framework for an interdisciplinary analysis of environmental problems. The fundamental principles presented will permit the student to understand local and global environmental issues. Prerequisites: BIOL 1472.

BIOL 4470 – Molecular Cell Biology (4 credit hours). This course is designed to serve as an introductory course to molecular cell biology for Biology Majors. The course will utilize eukaryotic and prokaryotic models. This course examines many different areas of molecular cell biology including: the synthesis and function of macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins; control of gene expression; membrane and organelle structure and function; bioenergetics; and cellular communication. Prerequisite BIOL 3471.

BIOL 4471 – Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4 credit hours). A study of the fundamentals of classification, morphology, and morphogenesis of the vertebrates with emphasis on the comparisons of anatomical systems. It also includes discussions of the functions of body structures along with anatomical descriptions of representative vertebrate classes.

BIOL 4472 – Vertebrate Embryology (4 credit hours). This course deals with structure, principles, and progress in vertebrate development. The chick, pig, and frog are used as representative vertebrate types. Prerequisite: BIOL 4471.

BIOL 4478- Computational Biology and Physics: (4 credit hours). This is an interdisciplinary course with a focus on Biology, Physics, and Computational methods. The course will inform students about the latest breakthroughs in computational Biology and Physics. Students will explore physics-informed artificial neural network models and the use of machine learning, data science, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to enhance students' understanding of STEM disciplines. Students will be exposed to the use of Python programming language and Python packages for AI, machine learning, and data science including, Numpy, Scipy, TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, and others in computational biology and physics.

Chemistry and Physics Course Descriptions

CHEM 1471 – General Chemistry I (4 credit hours): General Chemistry I is a general introduction to chemistry: the scientific method, concepts of matter, atomic structure; chemical reactions; electronic structure of atoms and molecular geometry and a brief introduction to modern atomic theory. This course provides a sound basis in concepts, vocabulary, and analytical problem solving. Related laboratory work covers: the scientific method, measurements using scientific notations, collection and manipulation of data, error analysis, and illustration of scientific principles.

CHEM 1472 - General Chemistry II (4 credit hours): A continuation of CHEM 1471; presenting chemical bonding and physical states of matter. The course covers energy, heat changes, electronic structure of atoms and molecular geometry. It also includes a brief introduction into modern atomic theory, periodicity, and d- and f-block elements and gas laws, solution preparation, acids and bases, equilibrium; oxidation- reduction reactions and electrochemistry; radioactivity and nuclear energy.

CHEM 2470- Organic Chemistry I (4 credit hours): Organic Chemistry I is an introduction to hydrocarbons such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, systematic naming by IUPAC, the nature of chemical bonds relative to Group IVA and VIIA nonmetals, the scientific method, concepts of matter, atomic structure, and chemical reactions. An observation of functional groups, bimolecular molecules and synthesis conditions will be fundamental to the course. Prerequisites: CHEM 1471 and 1472

CHEM 2471- Organic Chemistry II (4 credit hours): A continuation of CHEM 2470 to include topics in aromatic compounds and aromaticity, stereochemistry, alkyl halides, alcohols, phenols, and ethers, special types of reactions such as nucleophilic substitution and condensation reactions, brief introduction to common biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins lipids, and nucleic acids, and the basic concept of spectroscopy.

*PHYS 1405 – Introduction to Physical Science (4 credit hours): An introductory principles of physics course covering the basic concepts of physics and its role in a contemporary society. The course is designed to expose non-science students and those with limited high school science and mathematics background to physical science. It meets the basic General Studies course requirement for physical science.

PHYS 1411 – General Physics I (4 credit hours): Fundamental concepts, principles, theories, and applications of mechanics, heat, and sound. It is designed to meet the requirements of all science majors.

PHYS 1412 – General Physics II (4 credit hours): A continuation of PHYS 1411 to include electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. It is recommended to take PHYS 1411 before this course.

*General Education Courses Offered by the Division