An introduction to the concepts of biology, including cellular structure and function, bioenergetics, patterns and mechanisms of inheritance, the processes of evolution, and ecology. Intended for biology majors and minors and pre-nursing students.
An introduction to biodiversity, from bacteria through plants and animals, with an emphasis on their structure, function, and ecological interactions. Intended for biology majors and minors.
One two-hour laboratory per week. This course provides an authentic research experience for students with student-designed experiments in basic cell biology. Students will engage in all aspects of the scientific process: asking questions; stating and testing hypotheses; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; and communicating results in varied formats. Intended for majors and non-majors.
One two-hour laboratory per week. This course provides an authentic research experience for students with student-designed experiments in ecology and biodiversity. Students will engage in all aspects of the scientific process: asking questions; stating and testing hypotheses; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; and communicating results in varied formats. Intended for majors and non-majors.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Honors Program or approval of instructor.
Corequisite(s): BY 107.
Substitutes for BY 101. An advanced introduction to the concepts of biology, including chemistry as related to biology, cell structure and function, energy pathways, cellular reproduction, genetics, genetic techniques, evolution and ecology. For majors and non-majors.
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of BY 105 or approval of instructor.
Corequisite(s): BY 108.
Substitutes for BY 102. An advanced introduction to diversity in the living world. Emphasis is on structure, function, and ecological interactions of living organisms beginning with bacteria and viruses and progressing through plants and animals. For majors and non-majors.
An introduction to biology in the context of every day life, exploring cell biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology as they inform our world. Designed for non-science majors and cannot be used for credit toward biology major or minor or pre-nursing. This course meets a JSU university core curriculum natural science requirement when taken with BY 103 or BY 104. This course may not fulfill some program requirements. Please check with your academic advisor.
Topic-centered approach to introduce fundamental biological principles in the context of the physiology of organisms with an emphasis on human physiology under different states of health and disease. Basic biology including metabolism, bacteria and viruses, DNA, genetics, human organ systems, cell cycle, and human evolution and ecology will be discussed in the context of historical, current, and emerging diseases. Designed for non-science majors and cannot be used for credit toward biology major or minor or pre-nursing. This course meets a JSU university core curriculum natural science requirement when taken with BY 103 or BY 104. This course may not fulfill some program requirements. Please check with your advisor.
An introduction to the ecological relationship between humans and the natural world, with an emphasis on scientific literacy, current events, global and international issues, and historical context. Designed for non-science majors and cannot be used for credit toward biology major or minor or pre-nursing. This course meets a JSU university core curriculum natural science requirement when taken with BY 103 or BY 104. This course may not fulfill some program requirements. Please check with your advisor.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101 and BY 103.
This course is a one-semester course that serves as an introduction to the gross and microscopic anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems in humans and the importance of the relationship between structure and function. This class focuses on the organization, homeostasis and control mechanisms of the body, as well as basic chemistry and cell biology necessary for understanding human physiology. Three hours class and two hours lab per week. Intended for secondary education majors in general science. No credit allowed towards Biology major or minor or pre-nursing.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 121, or BY 122, and BY 103.
Lecture and laboratory. The first of a two-course sequence of human anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on the skeletal, muscular, respiratory and circulatory systems. For students in health-related majors; no credit allowed toward Biology major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): BY 263.
Lecture and laboratory. The second of a two-course sequence of human anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on the digestive, urinary, reproductive and endocrine systems. For students in health-related majors; no credit allowed towards Biology major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103, 104.
A contemporary and historical study of biological conservation in America. Topics include national and global biodiversity, threats to biodiversity, conservation ethics and economics, habitat loss and degradation, habitat fragmentation, overexploitation, invasive species, conservation genetics, and conservation policy. Also addressed are the management of species and population dynamics, ecosystem conservation, restoration of degraded ecosystems, and sustainable development.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, and BY 104.
This course is designed for students planning on teaching in the traditional classroom, as well as those planning on informal education careers with groups such as the National Park Service, Forest Service, State Extension, and State Parks. An overview of the history, philosophy, principles, and approaches used in environmental education (EE) and outreach will be discussed. EE curricula in non-formal and in-school contexts will be studied and analyzed. Students will produce activity plans appropriate for their current or future educational programming.
Prerequisite(s): BY 322 or 332 or 373.
Recommended: BY 370. May be duplicated for credit for a total of three (3) semester hours, but only 1 hour may be applied to the major. A laboratory, field or library research investigation dealing with an aspect of the biological sciences. Biology sponsor required for topic approval and supervision. Grades: Pass/Fail.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101.
The course provides fundamental background in bioinformatics, both theoretical (bioinformatics algorithms) and practical (databases and web-based tools used to study problems in biology), to students in computer science or in biological sciences. Introduction to the biological problems addressed in this course will be provided, as well as a formal definition of the computational problems and a deep exploration of the algorithms for solving these problems. Practical use of topics introduced in class is demonstrated by laboratory exercises and homework problems. Students are grouped for class projects such that each group contains at least one life scientist and one computer scientist. BY 340 is cross-listed with CS 340, but only one course can be counted for credit.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103, 104; either BY 322, 332, or 373; and permission of instructor required.
May be duplicated for credit for a total of three (3) semester hours, but only 1 hour may be applied to the major. The student will spend a minimum of 25 hours gaining practical experience at a public or private institution or business. Grade: Pass/Fail.
Topics, excursions, and requirements determined by department. May be duplicated for credit; however, only three (3) credits may be applied toward any major or minor. Infrequently scheduled and subject to minimum and maximum numbers. Advance deposit required.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373; BY 323 recommended.
Study of immunity and how the immune system responds to specific infectious and non-infectious agents; comparative immunology of invertebrate and vertebrate animals, immunological disorders, and application of immunological techniques; lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
History, classification, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and distribution of birds; laboratory emphasis on field identification and ecology; lecture, laboratory, and field studies.
Prerequisite(s): BY 322, 332, or 373 and MS 204.
An introduction into statistics for biology majors. This course will introduce students to appropriate statistics for analyzing biological data including how to select random samples, use basic statistical packages, post-hoc statistical testing and the use of linear regression and will use real-world examples of statistics in ecological, toxicological, and physiological research; lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites for Undergraduate: BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, and BY 104. Prerequisites for Graduate: none. This course is designed to give a broad overview of general medical parasitology. Major groups of parasites are studies with an emphasis on those that afflict both domesticated and wild animals. This course provides an understanding of important parasitic diseases including their life cycles, vectors of transmission, distribution, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, treatment, prevention, and control.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, BY 102, BY 103, and BY 104.
An introduction to the role of plants in human health and medicine, with an emphasis on their biologically active compounds. Includes a survey of traditional medicines around the world (e.g., Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine) and contemporary clinical methods at the forefront of medical research. Lecture and laboratory.
Laboratory or field research investigation dealing with an aspect of biological sciences; biology sponsor required for topic approval and supervision. Grade: Pass/Fail
Prerequisites for Undergraduate: BY 322. Prerequisites for Graduate: BY 322, MS 204. Lecture, laboratory, and field study. Emphasis will be on the role of spatial heterogeneity in terrestrial systems; its detection and description, analysis of pattern formation, landscape dynamics and models, human interactions with heterogeneity, and the implications of heterogeneity of populations, communities, and ecosystems. Landscape ecology provides approaches to fundamental research questions in ecology, as well as new approaches to forest and resource management that consider ecosystem processes at larger spatial and temporal scales.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Analysis of the unique ecology and biology of the freshwater environment; extensive field work; research project; lecture, laboratory, and field studies.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Lecture, laboratory, and field study of insects and other arthropods, with an emphasis on the taxonomy, morphology, physiology, and ecology of the insects.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Arthropods of medical and veterinary importance, how they affect their hosts and transmit disease.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332, BY 373.
Recommended: BY 322. This course is a survey of ecotoxicology. The study of the integration of the major processes involved with transport, exposure and response of biological systems to xenobiotics, how toxicants mediate interactions between organisms and their biotic and abiotic environments and, the impact and toxic effects of pollutants on diversity, growth and metabolism of living organisms, populations, communities, and the ecosystem; lecture, laboratory and field study.
Prerequisite(s): BY 322 or approval of instructor.
Study of the processes involved in the expression of biological information at the molecular level; lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373.
Study of the comparative structural organization of the vegetative and reproductive parts of seed plants, from cells to tissues to systems; lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Lecture, laboratory, and field study. The identification, taxonomy, ecological characteristics, distribution, and economic importance of trees native to North America and ornamentals.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
An overview of the evolution, ecology, behavior, physiology, and conservations of fishes. Preparation and presentation of an original library or lab/field research project required. Lecture, laboratory, and field study.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373 and CY 106.
The study of basic toxicology and ecotoxicology, including how toxic substances are taken up in the organisms, distributed, biotransformed and excreted, how toxic substances react with biomolecules and downstream consequences for the organism, as well as knowledge about toxic substances, e.g. pharmaceuticals, metals, organic contaminants, and pesticides. The course aims to provide a holistic view of the topic by bridging human toxicology and ecotoxicology; lecture, laboratory and field study. BY 463 is cross-listed with CY 463, and only one course may be counted for credit.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373.
This course focuses on the principles of viral infection and pathogenicity. Topics include the classification of viruses, virus entry, genome replication and assembly, emphasis placed on virus-host cell interactions and common features between viral families.
Prerequisite(s): BY 332.
Systematics, ecology, physiology, and phylogenic relationships of invertebrate animals; lecture, laboratory, and field studies.
Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103, 104, 373, CY 105-108.
Recommended: BY 322, 412, 431 and CY 231. Cell and Tissue Culture is an advanced biology course dealing with in vitro manipulation of cells, organs, and tissues; both solid and suspension culture and their application to biotechnology. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite(s): BY 373 and CY 231.
General introduction to vertebrate endocrine systems and the variety of chemical messengers involved in the regulation of physiological processes. Topics will include discussions of the history and methodologies of endocrinology, hormone synthesis, physiological effects of hormones, and the mechanisms of actions for various hormones.
Prerequisite(s): Senior Standing.
The capstone course in biology includes a written report, an oral presentation in a symposium format, satisfactory completion of a comprehensive exam for the major, and participation in departmental assessment. Required for Biology major. (Writing Intensive Course)