Northeastern State University

BIOLOGY (BIOL)

Note: # following course titles indicates a Liberal Arts and Sciences course. At least 50 percent of the major must be advanced (3000, 4000) courses within the College of Science and Health Professions; 50 percent of the major must be earned at NSU.

1114 General Biological Science #

An introductory course concerned with fundamental biological principles, including form, function, and diversity of living things; genetics; evolution and ecology. No major or minor credit.

2224 Microbiology #

An introductory course in the fundamentals of microbiology, including a selection of representative microorganisms, microbial control and the importance of microorganisms to people. Laboratory concerned with techniques of observation and control of microorganisms. Lecture 3 hours per week; laboratory 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: 4 to 5 hours Biological Sciences and CHEM 1123.

3114 Genetics #

Basic principles of genetics including classical transmission, molecular, and population genetics. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BOT 1123, 1132 or ZOOL 1123, 1132, CHEM 1123, 1131.

3124 Cell Biology #

Basic principles of cell biology including metabolism, macromolecular structure and function, and cellular structure and function. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: CHEM 1223, 1231, and either BOT 1123, 1132, or ZOOL 1123, 1132.

3324 Pathophysiology #

Studies of selected aspects of the physiological changes that produce the signs, symptoms and laboratory findings of underlying pathologic states. Lecture. Prerequisite: A course in Human Physiology.

3413 Environmental Problems #

A series of readings, lectures, and discussions providing an insight into human ecology and the environmental problems facing the world within the conceptual frame of the ecosystem. May be taken in lieu of BIOL 1114. (Junior standing required)

3511 Laboratory Teaching Internship

For Biology and Biology Education majors who have had at least 18 hours of biological science with no grade below a C. Assignment to laboratories will depend on the student’s previous course work. Permission of instructor required.

3524 Ecology #

The study of interacting groups of organisms and the processes that determine their composition, distribution, rate of turnover, and utilization of resources. Lecture, laboratory and field (some overnight and/or weekend field trips possible). Prerequisites: BOT 1123, 1132, ZOOL 1123, 1132, and a course in Statistics.

3533 Principles of Evolutionary Biology #

An introduction to the processes which lead to the evolution of natural systems and a review of current ideas on the principles governing biological evolution. Discussionlecture format. Prerequisites: BOT 1123, BOT 1132, ZOOL 1123, and ZOOL 1132.

4103 Developmental Biology #

The study of morphological and molecular transitions associated with the development of living systems at the sub-cellular, cellular, and organismal levels. Prerequisites: BIOL 3114, 3124, or CHEM 4214.

4133 General Virology #

Basic principles relevant to bacteriophages, plant and insect viruses; biochemistry of viral infection in hosts; and ecology of viruses. In vitro and in vivo demonstration of basic phenomena associated with replication and biological properties of viruses. Prerequisites: BIOL 2224; BIOL 3114 recommended.

4164 Medical Microbiology #

Discussion of general microbial aspects of infectious diseases including special bacteriology, rickettsiology, virology, medical mycology, protozoology, and helminthology. Principles of immunology and epidemiology are reviewed in laboratory procedures and lectures. Prerequisite: BIOL 2224 and Junior standing.

4232 Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory #

Major laboratory techniques of molecular and cellular biology as used in the context of an investigation including protein purification and enzyme characterization, DNA, purification, cloning of DNA, Southern blots and DNA sequencing. Required of all Cellular Emphasis majors. Prerequisites: CHEM 4214, Biochemistry.

4354 Immunology #

The immune mechanism of the animal body involved with resistance to infection, production of allergic conditions, and the use of serological methods in other scientific fields. Lab exercises giving experiences in the basic antigen-antibody reactions. Prerequisite: Four to five hours in microbiology and in general chemistry.

4410 Research in Biology #

The student will carry out a research project under the supervision of a member of the biology department. The student should contact the department chair or individual faculty members for a list of available projects before enrolling. In a regular semester the student will be expected to spend an average of three hours per week on the project for each hour of credit. One hour per week will be a scheduled group discussion. The student will produce a written report to be graded by the project supervisor and one faculty member, and will make an oral presentation to the department. Graded pass or fail. Prerequisite: Permission of the department.

4480 Selected Topics in Biological Science Education #

Subject areas to be covered may range over any of the various areas of biology as they relate to biology education. Content and format will be determined by the specific course offered and the needs and interests of the participants. May be taken in lieu of Science 4513. No major or minor credit.

4500 Selected Topics in Biology #

Subject areas to be covered may range over any of the various areas of biology. Specific content and format will be determined by the specific course offered and the needs and interests of the participants.

4522 Ecological Methods #

Introduction to field and laboratory experimentation on factors that influence distribution and abundance of animals. Development and execution of group and individual projects. Lectures, lab, and field. Prerequisites: BIOL 3524, or concurrent enrollment or permission of instructor. A previous course in statistics is recommended.

4543 Molecular Biology #

Advanced coverage of molecular cell biology and molecular genetics. Lectures describe the molecular and cellular mechanisms used to control differentiation and tissue maintenance. Topics may include: gene regulation, chromosome structure, genome organization, signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, and cell adhesion. Prerequisites: BIOL 3114, 3124.

4554 Limnology #

Origin, evolution, and physical and chemical characteristics of lakes and streams. Structure and function of plant and animal communities and aquatic ecosystems: Limiting factors, nutrient cycles, and trophic dynamics. Water quality aspects of fish culture. Lectures, lab, and field. Prerequisites: A course in each of Botany, Zoology and lab. Chemistry required.

4562 Limnological Methods #

Theory and techniques for measuring physical, chemical, and biological parameters in fresh waters. Fundamentals of quantifying trophic-dynamics and estimating biomass production. Analysis and interpretation of data. Lecture, lab and field. Prerequisite: BIOL 4554 previously or concurrently.

4621 Senior Seminar

Interdisciplinary course to enhance skills required after graduation, including critical reading, written and oral presentations, data analysis, experimental design, and laboratory techniques. Advanced coverage of selected topics from the current literature will increase awareness of some of the most recent developments in biological research. Assessment testing is included. Cannot be taken sooner than the semester prior to the semester in which the student expects to graduate. Prerequisites: Senior standing and permission of the Biology Department head.

4700 Internship

Internship in an approved professional facility. Designed to meet the requirements of the optional internship program in the B.S. Biology, Fisheries and Wildlife emphasis. Approval by the Biology Department head and the college dean required. Before enrollment, the student must have been accepted by the coordinator of the appropriate program of facility. Credit: BIOL 470B for regular semester full-time credit; 12 hours credit. For summer full-time or regular semester half-time credit, BIOL 4706.