BIOL - Biology

Co-requisite: CHEM 100 or CHEM 101. This course is an introduction to the study of the structure and function of the human body. Designed for the nursing student, concepts of anatomy and physiology with an explanation of how the body is structurally organized from the chemical/cellular level through the tissue, organ, and system levels to the organism level are explored.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second Biology 110-129 course without permission from the Department.) These courses promote the student’s understanding and appreciation of biology, the scientific approach to problem solving and the importance of science in our society. Various topics will be offered each semester. Laboratory work is an integral part of each course.

This course will expand students’ botanical horizons. Students will learn that plant life is central to life on earth. This course will emphasize the structure and function of plants, how they grow and develop, the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration and the diversity of photosynthesizing organisms.

(4 credits/3 lecture and 3 laboratory hours) (Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 110-129 course without permission from the Department.) This course will examine core concepts in biology through the lens of food. We will explore questions such as: What is food and what is it made of? How do different types of organisms obtain food? Why do organisms need food and what do they do with it after they get it? We will also study biological processes in the context of food as it relates to Homo sapiens. Topics will include nutrition, food-borne disease, food preparation and preservation.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 110-129 course without permission from the Department.) Fundamental biological concepts will be studied in readings and discussions taken from current, "popular" scientific literature. The course will convey ways in which biology touches our lives as well as the excitement of scientific discovery.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 110-129 course without permission from the Department.) This course explores the broad history of biological diversity, from the origins of life through the evolution of dinosaurs to the disappearance of prehistoric mammals during the last Ice Age. Current issues addressed will include the scope of present-day biological diversity, its usefulness to humans and its importance to ecosystems. The course will emphasize the causes of extinction, its possible consequences and strategies to conserve and restore biological diversity for the future.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 110-129 course without permission from the Department.) This course is designed to introduce the student to insects as a unique life form. The student should gain an appreciation for the diversity of form and function that exists in the insect world. We will develop an understanding of insects as organisms within the ecology of the earth, investigating how insects live, studying their life cycles and understanding how insects and humans interact. Insects will be used as models to explore the fundamental biological concepts of evolution, anatomy, physiology, genetics, behavior and ecology. Special topics will include: insects as vectors of disease, forensic entomology, invasive species and controlling insect pests. All students will be required to prepare an insect collection.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 110-129 course without permission from the Department.) Earth's oceans occupy over 70 percent of its surface area. This course uses the marine environment as a basis to explore general biological ideas and concepts. Life on earth is believed to have originated in the sea, so the study of marine organisms teaches us much about all life on earth, not just that in the sea. The classification, anatomy, physiology, homeostasis and unique ecological adaptations of many marine plants and animals will be explored. Students will learn about life in estuaries, rocky intertidal areas, sandy beaches, and the open ocean. Lecture and laboratory material may be supplemented with discussion of current issues, slides, videos, literature searches and student presentations.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take any BIOL 130-149 course without permission from the department.) These courses promote the student’s understanding and appreciation of biology, the scientific approach to problem solving and the importance of science in our society. Various topics will be offered each semester.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 130-149 course without permission from the Department.) Core concepts in biology will be examined by exploring the impact of cancer on the individual cell and the entire organism. In addition to an introductory textbook, readings and discussions will focus on how to obtain the scientific knowledge a citizen of the 21st century needs to be able to understand the human condition. Emphasis will be on cellular structure and function, energy metabolism and regulation of cell reproduction, as well as information concerning the scientific basis of some currently available treatments.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 130-149 course without permission from the Department.) Human health and longevity are predicted by a number of factors from family history to immediate environment. This course will introduce students to basic cell biology, physiology, genetics, nutrition, evolution and ecology with a focus on human health. Throughout the course, we will focus on how to be a careful, critical reader of popular science articles concerning human health factors. Students will also explore a number of specialty topics, such as the science of cigarette addiction.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 130-149 course without permission from the Department.) The course will explore the biology of the brain from an introductory perspective, learning about the senses, muscular responses, and cognition. Topics will include vision, emotions, memory, and the neurobiological aspects of language, exploring neuroscience from the scale of components of the individual cell, to the majestic and mysterious organ now contemplating itself.

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 130-149 course without permission from the Department.) This course addresses selected scientific and technological advances in biomedical research and molecular biology such as recombinant DNA technology, mammalian cell culture and protein expression. Ethical, global, legal and economic issues resulting from the biotechnological industry will be discussed.

Prerequisite: BIOL 110-129 course or ENSP 101 and ENSP 102 or permission of instructor Evolution is the unifying theory of biology. This course will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of evolution, the study of changes in organisms over time and to ecology, the study of organisms and their environment. These two topics are naturally paired, as ecology is the basis of the selective pressures that lead to evolution.

Prerequisites: BIOL 110-129 or ENSP 101 and ENSP 102, and CHEM 101 (or concurrent), or permission of instructor. A study of the wide variety of structural and functional adaptations found in members of the plant and animal kingdoms. The topics of investigation include nutrient procurement, gas exchange, internal transport, movement, development, reproduction and chemical control mechanisms. Lectures and laboratories will focus on the physiological systems of various plant divisions and animal phyla.

Prerequisites: BIOL 110-129 course or ENSP 101 and ENSP 102, and CHEM 102 (or concurrent), or permission of instructor. A study of biological processes at the cellular and subcellular levels. What are the challenges of being a cell? The course will examine this question and study how cells have evolved to meet these challenges. Emphasis will be on the structure/function relationships of cells, on the energetic demands of cells and on the information storage and retrieval mechanisms of cells. In addition to the above topics, the laboratory portion of the course will familiarize students with modern molecular genetic techniques.

Prerequisite: BIOL 104. This course continues with the principles and concepts of A&P I for Nurses and expands on detailed examination of selected body systems. Cellular, tissue, organ and system levels will be explored in the classroom and lab from an anatomical and physiological perspective.

Prerequisite: BIOL 104. This course emphasizes the interaction of microorganisms with people. Students will explore etiology, transmission and control of disease-causing microorganisms. A laboratory experience compliments classroom learning with hands-on experiments with various aspects of microbiological applications.

Prerequisites: BIOL 202 and BIOL 203, or permission of the instructor. An integrated, introductory course in anatomy and physiology emphasizing the structure and function of the human body. The structure, physiology and interrelationships of the organs and organ systems of the body are studied. Designed for students in the allied health fields.

Prerequisite: BIOL 201 or permission of the instructor. Concepts of ecology are elucidated using examples from freshwater, marine and estuarine systems. The course investigates the biological and ecological processes that comprise functioning aquatic systems. We will consider the workings of lakes, streams, bays, oceanic waters, rocky shores, soft-sediment bottoms, grass beds, marshes and coral reefs. Field trips will emphasize a wide variety of aquatic habitats. Case studies of resource management issues and human impacts on aquatic environments will exemplify the application of aquatic ecological concepts

Prerequisites: BIOL 202 and BIOL 203 and CHEM 209, or permission of the instructor. Developmental biology is an in-depth tour of the cycle of life which includes fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, organogenesis, metamorphosis, and gametogenesis. The laboratory portion of the course will provide students with unique cellular and molecular techniques specific to the field, as well as hands-on microscopy and histology experience.

Prerequisites: BIOL 201 and BIOL 203 and CHEM 209 (or concurrent enrollment), or permission of the instructor. An in-depth investigation into the mechanisms of heredity. Students will build a strong framework of knowledge in transmission genetics, including topics such as advanced Mendelian analysis, linkage and recombination, and gene and chromosome mutations. From this framework, the course will explore the foundations of molecular genetics. Topics include the biochemistry of the gene, the genetics of biochemical pathways, DNA function, control of gene expression and recombinant DNA technology and its applications. Next, the course will take a modern population genetics perspective and examine the importance of genetic variation to natural populations and the evolutionary forces that shape that variation. The course will conclude by considering the scientific context and societal implications of modern genetics through topics such as genetic screening.

Prerequisites: BIOL 203 and CHEM 209, or permission of the instructor. A study of the structure and function of microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria. Microbiological processes important in medical, industrial and environmental applications will be discussed.

An opportunity for qualified juniors and seniors to assist in the laboratory instruction of BIOL 110-129, BIOL 201, BIOL 202, or BIOL 203 and other selected courses. Interested students are selected by the department. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Prerequisites: BIOL 201 and BIOL 202 Vertebrate Zoology explores the biological themes of unity and diversity among the vertebrates. The course emphasizes the functional morphology, ecology and evolutionary biology of the major vertebrate groups, both past and present. A conservation biology perspective on extant and recently extinct vertebrate groups highlights the interplay between organismal, population and higher levels of biological organization. The laboratory introduces theoretical and fieldwork techniques for studying vertebrates.

Prerequisites: BIOL 201 and BIOL 202, or permission of the instructor. An introduction to the biology of invertebrate animals, especially the marine forms. Emphasis will be placed on the physiology, ecology, functional morphology and evolutionary relationships of the major groups. Students will collect animals from a variety of field sites and examine them in the laboratory. The primary collecting area will be the estuary and barrier island complex near the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, N.C.

Prerequisites: BIOL 201 and BIOL 203, or permission of instructor. A literature-based course covering areas of current research in the design of experiments, evolutionary biology, population genetics, community ecology and ecosystem science. The course emphasizes reading and critiquing the primary scientific literature. Lectures and laboratories will stress that modern ecology and evolutionary biology are hypothesis-driven sciences, and that posing sound arguments and collecting solid supporting evidence are essential for a deeper understanding of the history of life on earth and its present-day organization at levels above the individual. Students will put these ideas into practice through the laboratory component of the course as they work on two extended research projects in the field, the greenhouse or the lab.

Prerequisites: BIOL 203 and CHEM 209 (or concurrent enrollment), or permission of the instructor. The study of cellular structure and function. Cellular organelles’ contribution to the life of the cell are examined. Differentiated and specialized cells are used to illustrate genetic and molecular mechanisms.

Prerequisites: BIOL 201 and (BIOL 202 or BIOL 203 or concurrent enrollment) Birds are excellent subjects to study all levels of biological organization, from biochemistry and genetics through physiology to ecology and evolution. Ornithology explores the biological themes of unity and diversity among modern birds and their ancient ancestors. The course emphasizes the functional morphology, ecology, evolution, and conservation biology of birdlife. A conservation management perspective on birds will highlight proactive measures to maintain and restore bird populations for the next Century. The laboratory introduces theoretical, empirical, and fieldwork techniques for studying birds, and emphasizes identification of birds of the Mid-Atlantic by sight and sound.

Prerequisite: BIOL 201 or permission of the instructor. Through travel to distant field sites, students will conduct a first-hand examination of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics and processes of a selected ecosystem. Students will be involved in intensive fieldwork, readings and discussion that will focus on interactions between the system’s biota and the physical and chemical parameters unique to the geographic area under examination. Comparisons will be drawn between the ecosystem under study and temperate systems more likely to be encountered near the Hood campus.

Through travel to distant field sites, students will conduct a first-hand examination of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics and processes of a selected ecosystem. Students will be involved in intensive fieldwork, readings and discussion that will focus on interactions between the system’s biota and the physical and chemical parameters unique to the geographic area under examination. Comparisons will be drawn between the ecosystem under study and temperate systems more likely to be encountered near the Hood campus.

Laboratory, library or field investigation of a biological problem. Selection of topic, preparation of study plan and evaluations of results are guided by means of weekly conferences with the instructor. A minimum 2.0 cumulative Grade Point Average is required. Students taking this course to satisfy the capstone requirement are required to also take the ETS Major Field Test in Biology during finals week.

An upper-level special topics course offered at the discretion of the department. The content and methods vary with the interest of students and faculty members

Prerequisites: 20 hours of biology, 12 hours of chemistry and permission of the department. Individualized study and training in a cooperating laboratory conducting research in the biological sciences. Participation will include instruction and experience in the use of advanced laboratory equipment and field apparatus, and independent research and reading of related scientific literature under the guidance of a senior laboratory director. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Students taking this course to satisfy the capstone requirement are required to also take the ETS Major Field Test in Biology during finals week.

Prerequisite: BIOL 307 or permission of instructor. A continuation and extension of BIOL 307. Topics include fetal development, pregnancy and lactation, stress and exercise physiology, sensory function, endocrine disruption, and aging. Course includes both classroom and laboratory components and is designed for biology majors and/or students in the allied health fields.

Prerequisites: BIOL 203 and CHEM 210, or permission of the instructor. A study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules, particularly proteins. Topics include acid-base equilibria, protein folding, enzyme catalysis, allosterism and protein engineering.

Prerequisites: BIOL 203 and CHEM 210, or permission of the instructor. A study of the generation and storage of metabolic energy and of the structure, biosynthesis and function of nucleic acids.

Prerequisites: BIOL 316 and BIOL 339, or permission of the instructor. The molecular biology of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Topics include gene mapping, diagnostic screening for genetic anomalies, molecular cloning and genetic regulatory mechanisms. Emphasis on current experimental techniques used to map genes and understand gene expression.

Prerequisite: BIOL 424 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to animal viruses with emphasis on classification, structure, the molecular biology of replication and biological activity within eukaryotic cells.

Prerequisites: BIOL 331 and BIOL 339, or permission of the instructor. Theories and mechanism of the immune response, including structure and function of immunoglobulins, antigen-antibody reactions, immunobiology, immunogenetics, immunologic enhancement, immunologic protection, immunologic injury, humoral and cell mediated immunity and experimental methods of analysis of antigen-antibody reactions.

Prerequisite: BIOL 316 or permission of the instructor. This integrated lab-lecture course provides basic concepts and hands-on experience with common molecular genetics and recombinant DNA methods. Topics include techniques for the isolation of DNA and RNA, gene cloning employing plasmid vectors, DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, expression of fusion proteins in E. coli, and web-based analysis of sequence data.

Prerequisite: BIOL 316 or permission of the instructor This is a hands-on, applied course that will introduce students to the use of computer software and Web servers in the analysis of biological sequence data (DNA and protein). Topics include: Pairwise and multiple sequence alignment, BLAST, scoring matrices, phylogenetic analysis, DNA sequence analysis and prediction of 2-D and 3-D molecular structures.

Prerequisite: BIOL 338 or permission of the instructor. Analyzes how environmental fluctuations impact plant populations, along with current problems in plant ecology. Topics include the vital processes of plants, the effects of environmental factors on their metabolism and energy transformations and their ability to adapt to these factors.

Prerequisite: Open to biology majors with senior standing and a GPA of 2.0 or above in biology who have completed the three biology core classes (BIOL 201, BIOL 202 and BIOL 203) and three elective classes in biology at the 300-level or above or with permission of the department. Advanced study in biological science. Each semester the topic will vary according to instructor and student interest. Students will apply knowledge and skills developed in prior course work and will work collaboratively to develop a grant proposal, review article, introductory biology text or other significant document. Students may use this class as the capstone or as a 3-credit elective. Students taking this course to satisfy the capstone requirement are required to also take the ETS Major Field Test in Biology during finals week.

Prerequisites:16 credits in Biology or Permission of the instructor. This course will cover a specific current topic in Biology not offered in the usual listing of electives. This course may count as an elective for the major.

Prerequisite: By invitation of the department. The departmental honors paper is a two-semester senior-year program designed for students who wish to pursue intensive research or special projects in close coordination with faculty advisers. Departmental honors students are known as the Christine P. Tischer Scholars and receive 6 credits for this work. Students taking this course to satisfy the capstone requirement are required to also take the ETS Major Field Test in Biology during finals week.