Biology Course Selection

BIO 101: Topics in Biology (3 credits)
An in-depth examination of one biological topic. Recent topics have included human biology, conservation biology, bioterrorism and infectious diseases. May fulfill part of the natural science requirement for graduation, but does not give credit toward a major in biology. Every semester.
 
BIO 111: Introduction to Environmental Biology (4 credits)
An introduction to biology as a science; biological principles that operate in populations, communities and ecosystems; and principles of animal behavior.  Natural selection and life origins are also discussed.  Laboratory emphasizes application of the scientific method, classification of animals, and writing in the biological sciences. First semester.
 
BIO 112: Introduction to Cellular Biology (4 credits)
An introduction to the biological principles that operate at the cellular and molecular levels of organization. Three hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory per week. Second semester. Prerequisite:  CHM 111 or permission of instructor.
 
BIO 204: Botany (4 credits)
Introduction to plant structure, function and diversity. The course includes a significant field project and a research paper. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. First semester, alternate years. Prerequisite: BIO 111, 112 or permission of the instructor.
 
BIO 207: Microbiology (4 credits)
An introduction to the various types of microorganisms and representative human microbial infections. Also includes principles of infectious disease and host responses to infection. Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Second semester. Prerequisite: BIO 112.
 
BIO 218: Introduction to Nutrition (3 credits)
An introduction to the major types of nutrients needed by humans, their utilization by the body, the consequences of their deficiencies, and their sources. Nutritional principles are applied through the life cycle. Prerequisites: BIO 112. Second semester, alternate years.
 
BIO 225: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
An introduction to gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy, as well as the function and regulation of the organ systems of the human body.  Both systemic and regional approaches to learning anatomy will be used.   Prerequisite: BIO 112 or permission of the instructor.

BIO 226:  Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
This course focuses on the physiological regulation of human body homeostasis.  The first segment covers neuronal and endocrine signal pathways vital in intercellular communication and regulation.  Subsequently, regulation of homeostasis in a variety of stress and disease states is presented.  In the laboratory, the student will perform actual experiments using physiological recording techniques.  Students are challenged to integrate their knowledge of physiology with their theological and philosophical views of human nature and personhood.  Prerequisite:  BIO 225.
 
BIO 302: Embryology (4 credits)
Analysis of all stages of embryonic and several aspects of post-embryonic development, touching on underlying mechanisms. Focus is on mammalian development in lecture, fish and chick development in lab. Ethical issues involving human embryos are also discussed. First semester. Prerequisite: BIO 112 and BIO 225, or consent of instructor.
 
BIO 306: General Ecology (4 credits)
Principles describing the interactions of organisms with their living and non-living surroundings. Major topics include influence of physical environment, population growth and regulation, competition, predation, community structure, succession and landscape ecology. Laboratories introduce field techniques. Three hours lecture and recitation, three hours laboratory per week. Second semester Prerequisite: BIO 111.
 
BIO 315: Immunology (3 credits)
A thorough study of the activities, interactions and regulation of the immune system and its role in areas such as infections, transplants, tumors and auto-immunity. First semester, when possible. Prerequisite: BIO 225 or permission of instructor.

BIO 316: Virology (3 credits)
A study of the general mechanisms by which viruses cause disease, followed by a survey of the major groups of human viruses and the infections or tumors which they cause.  The treatment of viral infections and the uses of viruses in research are also discussed.  First semester, alternate years.  Prerequisite: BIO 112.
 
BIO 317: Biochemistry I (3 credits)
An introduction to biochemistry focusing on the structure and function of biological compounds.  Topics include cellular structure, biological reactions, compartmentalization, water, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, and membrane/lipids. Second semester. Prerequisite: CHM 222.
 
BIO 319: Genetics (4 credits)
A study of the inheritance, expression and regulation of genes.  Of particular interest is the relationship of these topics to human disease, such as cancer. Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. First semester. Prerequisite: BIO 112, statistics.
 
BIO 331: Biomedical Ethics (3 credits)
A description and critique of the worldviews underlying humanistic and Biblical perspectives of ethics and the application of those principles to contemporary problems in health care and medical technology. Second semester, alternate years. Prerequisite: junior standing, biology major.
 
BIO 405: Molecular Biology (4 credits)
An investigation into several of the hottest topics in molecular biology, e.g., intracellular sorting, signal transduction, and cell cycle regulation, as they relate to human disease, based on recent articles from biology journals. The lab integrates techniques from biochemistry, cell biology, immunology and molecular genetics. Three hours lecture and four hours lab per week. Second semester. Prerequisites: BIO 112 and BIO 319.

BIO 420: Senior Paper (1)
Development of a thesis which integrates one topic in biology with a Christian worldview. Grade of C or better required. Prerequisite: senior status, biology major.
 
BIO 421: Advanced Genetics (3 credits)
The course will focus on current understanding of how genes and inheritance are involved in determining human disease. Particular attention will be paid to the evolving impact of the Human Genome Project on our understanding of human molecular genetics, physiology and disease processes. The ethical, legal and social implications of human genetic technology will be discussed in light of a Christian worldview of human anthropology. Second semester, alternate years. Prerequisites: BIO 226, BIO 317 and BIO 319.
 
BIO 422: Neuroscience (4 credits)
The course will teach the electrophysical, cellular and molecular basis of neuronal signaling.  This will serve as the foundation for understanding the neuroscientific bases of thought, mood, learning, memory and selected diseases.  The student will also be challenged to integrate current neuroscientific knowledge with their ethical, philosophical and theological views on human nature.  In the laboratory, the student will perform experiments in electrophysiology using crayfish neuron and muscle preparations.  Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. First semester, alternate years. Prerequisites: BIO 226, BIO 319 and PHY 181.


For students interested in environmental biology, courses can also be taken at The AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies during the summer.  These courses automatically transfer to Geneva.  For a description of The AuSable Institute and a complete list of courses available, check their website at www.ausable.org.