Biology

BIO 101     Introduction to Biology (4)

Biological issues are at the forefront of public attention, from cloning to climate change to conservation, and understanding these issues takes an increasing amount of scientific literacy as the issues become more complex. Covers the scientific knowledge base behind many of these issues, and also explores current areas of agreement and contention and applications of these data in technology and society. Students may NOT receive degree credit for both BIO 101 and BIO 103 or 104. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement or the SUNYIT Laboratory Science requirement.

BIO 103     Biology I (4)

First part of a two semester sequence of introductory biology.  Focuses on chemistry of living organisms, cell structure and function, metabolic processes, genetics and evolution. The processes of observation, measurement, hypothesizing, data gathering and interpretation, analysis of data and application are stressed in laboratory each week. Students may NOT receive degree credit for both BIO 101 and BIO 103. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement or the SUNYIT Laboratory Science requirement. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week

BIO 104     Biology II (4)

Second part of a two semester sequence of introductory biology.  Focuses on the diversity, anatomy, and physiology of living organisms. The processes of observation, measurement, hypothesizing, data gathering and interpretation, analysis of data and application are stressed in laboratory. Students may NOT receive degree credit for both BIO 101 and BIO 104. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BIO 103

BIO 105     Introduction to Ecology (4)

Study of interactions living organisms have with their physical and biological environments. Special attention is given to population dynamics, pollution control, and the consequences when ecological systems are disturbed. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement, but does not meet the SUNYIT Laboratory Science requirement.

BIO 106     Solutions for a Sustainable World (4)

Examines a broad survey of environmental, social and economic problems and explores solutions for a sustainable future on local, bioregional and global levels. Topics include population growth and consumption, world poverty, global climate change, renewable energy, transportation and biofuels, water conservation, GMO’s, local and organic food production, green building, socially responsible business investing, carbon cap and trade, microlending, environmental racism, and ecovillages among others. The instructor, student teams and guest speakers will give presentations on these issues. Students will see examples of sustainable solutions in their local community on scheduled site visits. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement, but does not meet the SUNYIT Laboratory Science requirement.

BIO 122     Insects and Society (4)

Examines the impact of insects on human society. Provides an overview of the biology and ecology of the major insect orders and addresses the influence of insects on history, beliefs, folklore, medicine, agriculture, art, music, literature, and the importance of insects in human well-being. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement, but does not meet the SUNYIT Laboratory Science requirement.

BIO 130     Plant Biology (4)

Plants provide us with oxygen, food, and most of the raw materials we use; they form the very basis of life as we know it. Addresses current issues and technologies surrounding plants, including bioengineered food, botanical forensics, and the interaction of plants and climate change, and examines the structure, classification, and physiology of plants. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement.

BIO 215     Anatomy & Physiology I (4)

Covers the various systems of the human body. The first semester emphasizes the anatomy and physiology of cells, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. Laboratory studies include the skeletal system using articulated and disarticulated human skeletons, tissues using prepared slides, and the nervous system using preserved specimens and physiological exercises. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and CHE 110 or permission of instructor. Meets the new General Education Natural Science requirement or SUNYIT Laboratory Science required.

BIO 216     Anatomy & Physiology II (4)

Covers the various systems of the human body. The second semester emphasizes the anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system, circulatory system, respiratory system, urinary system, acid-base balance, digestive system, endocrine system and reproductive system. Laboratory studies include the musculature of a cat, circulatory system, respiratory system, urinary system, digestive system and reproductive system.  Dissections of a cat and cow hearts will be performed. Tissue studies will use prepared slides. Respiratory volumes will be measured and EKG’s will be recorded using IWORX. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Prerequisite: BIO 215. Meets the new General Education Natural Science requirement or SUNYIT Laboratory Science required.

BIO 222     Nutrition and Health (4)

Examines the nature of nutrients, their metabolism and physiological function, and the factors that may influence the degrees to which these nutrients are required for healthy functioning. Nutritional health issues and the influence of drugs and environmental factors on nutrition and health will be emphasized. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement.

BIO 224     Biology of Aging (4)

Introduces biological concepts with emphasis on the process of aging. Topics include demographics, concepts of aging, anatomy and physiology as well as general non‑medical assessments of the elderly. Students cannot receive credit for both BIO 350 (Advanced Physiology) and BIO 224. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement.

BIO 225     Biology of the Sexes (4)

Examines the genetic and physiological basis of male and female differentiation in different organisms, the evolution of reproduction as a genetic strategy, physical differences of the sexes and parenting in mammals. Addresses how societal constructs of gender have influenced the development of theories in various scientific disciplines and the roles of gender for scientists. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement, but does not meet the SUNYIT Laboratory Science requirement.

BIO 230     Plant Anatomy (4)

In-depth examination of the internal organization of plants, particularly angiosperms, with an emphasis on understanding anatomy from a structure-function standpoint. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: BIO 104

BIO 235     Introduction of Mycology (4)

Designed as a survey of the kingdom Fungi. Emphasizes the systematics of the fungi, their physiology and development, and their applications and interactions in the ecosystem and with humans. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: BIO 104.

BIO 270     Cell Biology (4)

Survey of modern cell biology which includes the chemistry of cellular molecules, structure, functions and specializations of cells and organelles. Four hours of lecture each week.  Prerequisites: BIO 104

BIO 275     Microbiology (4)

Covers the fundamentals of microbiology including the study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and protozoa as well as microbial structure, metabolism, culturing, control and genetics. Basic laboratory skills and microscopy techniques are also included. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and CHE 110 or permission of instructor.

BIO 300     Ecology (4)

Covers interactions at the organismal, population (single species and species interactions), and community level. Applications of ecological theory to current environmental problems are examined throughout the course. Emphasis in the laboratory and field exercises will be placed on ecological methodology and the application of these methods. Students will be required to use various statistical methods to analyze and interpret the data. Each exercise will require a report in the format of a scientific paper.  Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BIO 104. Co-requisite: STA 100, STA 225 or MAT 225.

BIO 315     Plant/Animal Physiology (4)

Examines functional responses of organisms such as photosynthesis, water relations, movement, hormones, and growth in plants and, in animals, the nervous, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. Four hours of lecture each week. Prerequisite: BIO 270.

BIO 320     Entomology (4)

Designed to familiarize students with the anatomy, physiology, and ecology of insects. Provides the necessary background for advanced courses in entomology and pest control. Laboratory focuses on sampling, specimen preparation, and recognizing different insect families using morphological features. Insect collection required. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BIO 104.

BIO 322     Integrated Pest Management (4)

Examines the basics of applied entomology and pest management.  Covers basic insect biology and identification, as well as the theory and practice of pest management. Topics discussed include issues such as management tactics, sampling, thresholds, pesticide properties, biological control, and environmental risk. Four hours of lecture each week. Prerequisite: BIO 320.

BIO 331     Comparative Plant Morphology (4)

Examines the external organization of plants as well as the evolution of major plant grouped as evidenced through the fossil record and comparison of homologous structure. Assumes general botanical knowledge. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: BIO 104; plant anatomy (BIO 230) is encouraged as a prerequisite or co-requisite.

BIO 340     Vertebrate Zoology (4)

Focuses on the biology, ecology, taxonomy and comparative anatomy of animals within the vertebrates. Students will have “hands-on” experience with live and preserved specimens in the field and laboratory. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: BIO 104.

BIO 341     Invertebrate Zoology (4)

Focuses on the biology, ecology, taxonomy and comparative anatomy of animals within the invertebrate phylum. Students will have “hands-on” experience with live and preserved specimens in the field and laboratory. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: BIO 104.

BIO 342     Animal Behavior (4)

Biological study of vertebrate and invertebrate animal behavior.  Basic topics covered include animal learning, mechanisms of behavior, foraging, competition, defense against predation, aggression, sensory systems, communication, mating systems and parental care behavior. Four hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: BIO 104.

BIO 350     Advanced Physiology (4)

An integrated study of human physiology at the biochemical, cellular, tissue, and organ level. Designed primarily for upper division science and nursing majors. Emphasis will be on explanation of biochemical and cellular mechanisms in the major organ systems of the human body. Prerequisite: BIO 216 or permission of instructor. Does not meet the SUNYIT Laboratory Science requirement.

BIO 351     Genetics (4)

A broad coverage of the field of genetics to include discussion of the transmission, chemical nature and function of genetic material, with special attention to its importance in medicine, agriculture, and other aspects of human life and culture. Prerequisite: BIO 104 or permission of instructor.

BIO 380     Evolution (4)

Introduction to evolutionary theory. Includes the historical development of components of evolutionary theory, population level microevolution, the fossil record and macroevolution, and current methods in evolutionary research including their application to genetic engineering. Meets new General Education Natural Science requirement, but does not meet the SUNYIT Laboratory Science requirement. Prerequisite: BIO 104

BIO 390     Junior Seminar (1)

Introduction to the general principles and procedures of scientific research with emphasis on the use of scientific literature and methods of research. Seminar, 1 hour each week. Prerequisite: Junior status.

BIO 401     Phylogenetics (4)

Introduces students to methodologies of reconstruction evolutionary history. The history of various approaches is covered as well as current and emerging philosophical debates in the field. Modern methods utilizing computational analysis will be taught along with specific issues regarding different types of data. Prerequisites:  BIO 270, BIO 351, BIO 380

BIO 430     Plant Systematics (4)

Serves as an introduction to the field of systematics as well as an in-depth study of the classification of flowering plants. Assumes general botanical knowledge. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: BIO 104. Students are encouraged to take one other plant course (BIO 230, BIO 315, or BIO 331) before or in conjunction with this class.

BIO 460     Biotechnology (4)

Upper level biology majors course that includes such topics as: history, future, process and methods used in biotechnology, substances and products produced through biotechnology, the application of biotechnology, forensics, industry, energy production, pollution abatement and the environment as well as issues such as ethics, regulation, safety and public perception. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.  Prerequisite: Molecular biology course or BIO 470.

BIO 470     Molecular Biology (4)

Modern molecular biology with an emphasis on gene structure and activity and the biochemistry related to the understanding of the functions of the gene. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: BIO 104, BIO 270

BIO 475     Bioinformatics (4)

Introduction for understanding how genomic sequence and its variations affect phenotypes. Will focus on the information available from DNA sequencing projects, ranging from the sequences of individual genes to those of entire genomes. Students will learn analytical techniques that can be used to evaluate sequence data, and examples of the biological significance of such analysis. Prerequisites: BIO 270, BIO 380, BIO 470

BIO 487     Senior Biology Seminar (1)

A capstone seminar focusing on biology research conducted by seniors and faculty. Seminar, 1 hour each week. Prerequisites: BIO 390 and Senior status.

BIO 488     Senior Bioinformatics Seminar (1)

Capstone seminar focusing on bioinformatics research conducted by seniors and faculty. Seminar, 1 hour each week. Prerequisites: BIO 390 and Senior status.

BIO 489     Senior Biotechnology Seminar (1)

Capstone seminar focusing on biotechnology research conducted by seniors and faculty. Seminar, 1 hour each week. Prerequisites: BIO 390 and Senior status.