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.

 

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. 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.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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 250       Medical Genetics (4)

Central concepts of genetics are explored and their clinical applications to multiple situations are defined. Also, information obtained from assessment processes are translated into practice, and ethical and practice principles and their use in the counseling of patients and families are discussed. Does not meet SUNY General Education Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites: BIO 215 and 216 or permission of the instructor.

 

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 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.

 

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 375 Applied and Environmental Microbiology (4)

General principles and application of industrial and environmental microbiology focusing on useful microbial processes. Investigate role of microbes in water pollution control, environmental health, element cycling in the environment, industrial applications, and biomedical applications. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIO 101 or BIO 103 and CHE 130.

 

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. 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 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 487       Senior Life Science 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.