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Biology Course Descriptions

  • BIOL 111. Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells
    Credits: 4. Focuses on biology’s molecular and cellular aspects, including the molecular building blocks of life, genetics, and DNA, cellular structure/function, reproduction, and the energy pathways of photosynthesis and respiration. Laboratory study applies the scientific method and classroom concepts through inquiry-based exercises. Fulfills natural science and mathematics requirement.
  • BIOL 112. Integrative Biology: Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution
    Credits: 4. Introduces the principles and concepts of the animal and plant kingdoms, including protists and fungi. Emphases include evolution, taxonomy, ecosystems, communities, population and population changes, development, anatomy, physiology, genetics, organs, and organ systems. Fulfills natural science and mathematics requirement.
  • BIOL 115. General Botany
    Credits: 4. Introductory study of the plant kingdom including morphology, anatomy, physiology, ecology and evolution. Laboratory study includes observation of the morphology and anatomy of typical plant species and a variety of plant physiology experiments. Fulfills natural science and mathematics requirement.
  • BIOL 150. Special Topics
    Credits: 4. Possible courses include: Dendrology, Vertebrate Social Behavior, Genetic Engineering, and Human Disease. May also be offered at the 250, 350 and 450 levels.
  • BIOL 151. HP:Evolution
    Credits: 4. An examination of the views of species origins prior to Darwin, Darwin's theories and those of his contemporaries and the history of evolutionary theory in modern times. One of the weekly class periods will be used to give students practical experience in the methods of evolutionary study, such as techniques for determining protein all types, and examining species relationships through DNA analysis. Prerequisite: ENGL 102. Fulfills Historical Perspectives requirement.
  • BIOL 209. Human Biology
    Credits: 4. An introductory study of the human body, including the basic structure and function of the major organ systems (nervous, endocrine, circulatory, reproductive, etc.) and the effects of diet, exercise, stress and environmental change on human health. Does not count toward the major. Fulfills natural science and mathematics requirement.
  • BIOL 212. Environmental Science
    Credits: 4. Study of the structure and function of ecosystems with reference to energy flow, nutrient cycling, population growth and regulation and community organization and dynamics. Particular emphasis on the relationship between humans and the environment. Fulfills natural science and mathematics and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements.
  • BIOL 224. Field Botany
    Credits: 4. Taxonomic study of vascular plants involving classification, collection and identification in the field and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 112 or instructor permission. Alternate years. Spring.
  • BIOL 233. North Carolina Freshwater Fishes
    Credits: 4. A field course for those students desiring an outdoor lab science. Field studies introduce students to the diversity, distribution and ecology of North Carolina freshwater fishes. Fulfills natural science and mathematics and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements.
  • BIOL 235. Vertebrate Field Zoology
    Credits: 4. Advanced study of vertebrates, emphasizing morphology, taxonomy, ecology and behavior of representative tetrapod species. Laboratory work includes field studies of the major groups of North Carolina tetrapod vertebrates. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Alternate years. Fall.
  • BIOL 242. Natural Science Seminars (GEOL 242)
    Credits: 4. Studies of the biology, geology, ecology and natural history of different field areas, including East Africa, Puerto Rico or the North Carolina Outer Banks. Includes a one-to-three week trip to the area being studied, depending on when the course is offered. Students conduct research projects during the field trip portion of the course. Offered when demand and scheduling permits. Fulfills natural science and mathematics and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements.
  • BIOL 245. Introduction to Forensic Science
    Credits: 4. Introduction to in-depth study of the application of the biological, chemical, and physical sciences to the examination of forensic evidence. Explores the underlying physiological and biochemical basis for forensic methods; laboratory analysis includes microscopy, chromatography, hair, fingerprints, serology and introduction to DNA profiling. Fulfills natural science and mathematics requirement.
  • BIOL 246. Forensic Chemistry (CHEM 246)
    Credits: 4. Explores methods used to examine and identify evidence of criminal activity, including chemical techniques for developing fingerprints, the chemistry of explosives, drug identification, PCR for DNA profiling and STR analysis. Prerequisite: BIOL 245 or instructor permission. Alternate years. Spring.
  • BIOL 290. Internship
    Credits: 1-4. May also be offered at the 390 level.
  • BIOL 291. Introduction to Scientific Inquiry
    Credits: 4. This course is designed to 1) build students’ understanding and ability to judge scientific information from sources including, first, the media and common lay outlets, then secondary popular sources and finally peer-reviewed primary journals and research papers; and 2) help students use this knowledge to develop and refine their own writing. Prerequisites: BIOL 111, BIOL 112 and Historical Perspectives.
  • BIOL 313. Molecular Cell Biology
    Credits: 4. A study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells including: microscopic structure, biochemical components, the organization of macromolecules into organelles and coordinated function of organelles in the living cell. Includes a detailed study of chromosome structure and function; DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. Prerequisites: BIOL 111; CHEM 112 or BIOL 246.
  • BIOL 315. Microbiology
    Credits: 4. A study of microbial classification, structure, metabolism and genetics with primary foci on bacterial cells and viruses. This course includes a survey of microbial importance in human disease, immunology, environmental studies and industrial applications. The laboratory experience includes methods of aseptic technique, bacterial isolation, metabolic characterization and microbial identification with an introduction to molecular techniques. Prerequisites: CHEM 112; BIOL 111 and BIOL 291. Fall.
  • BIOL 332. Invertebrate Zoology
    Credits: 4. Advanced study of invertebrate phyla with emphasis on taxonomy, physiology and ecology of the several groups. Prerequisite: BIOL 114. Offered when demand and scheduling permit.
  • BIOL 333. Ichthyology
    Credits: 4. Study of the diversity, distribution and ecology of the world fish fauna with emphasis on field studies of North Carolina populations. Basic anatomy and physiology will also be covered. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Offered when demand and scheduling permit.
  • BIOL 334. Animal Behavior
    Credits: 4. The zoological approach to the study of animal behavior, (ethology), behavioral ecology, types of social organization and communication in animals and the evolution of behavior in selected species. The laboratory section of the course will provide opportunities for students to observe and record the behavior of a variety of animals. Students will conduct individual research projects at the North Carolina Zoo. Prerequisites: BIOL 112 and 291 or instructor permission. Alternate years. Fall.
  • BIOL 336. Ornithology
    Credits: 4. In-depth study of evolution, anatomy, physiology, ecology and behavior of birds as unique vertebrates adapted for flight. Laboratory involves extensive field work in identification of birds in various habitats. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Spring.
  • BIOL 340. Psychobiology (PSY 340)
    Credits: 4. Study of behavior from a biological point of view. Focus on the structure and function of the nervous system and on the relationships between behavior and the nervous system. Corequisite: laboratory work. Prerequisites: Either two courses in biology or one course in biology and one course in psychology. Alternate years. Fall.
  • BIOL 341. Human Anatomy and Physiology I
    Credits: 4. Detailed study of the structure and function of human nervous, sensory, endocrine, integumentary, skeletal, muscular and respiratory systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Fall.
  • BIOL 342. Human Anatomy and Physiology II
    Credits: 4. Detailed study of the structure and function of human cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 341. Spring.
  • BIOL 343. Sensory Systems. (PSY 343)
    Credits: 4. Detailed study of each of the major sensory systems, including the anatomy and physiology of each system, an analysis of the stimulus and measurements of sensory abilities. Laboratory work. Prerequisites: Either two courses in biology or one course in biology and one course in psychology. Alernate years. Fall.
  • BIOL 349. Forensic Anthropology
    Credits: 4. The study of human osteology and skeletal anatomy. Students learn how to collect and process skeletal remains, use tables and to use tales and apply formulae to identify bones and bone fragments. Skeletal remains are used to illustrate the range of normal variation, for the determination of sex, race and age and to determine the cause and manner of death. Additional topics include forensic odontology, forensic entomology and fiber analysis. Prerequisites: BIOL 245 and BIOL 341 or instructor permission.
  • BIOL 351. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
    Credits: 4. Brief survey of the main classes of vertebrates; detailed comparative study of the major vertebrate organ systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Offered when demand and scheduling permit.
  • BIOL 352. Animal Physiology
    Credits: 4. The various physiological processes characteristic of living organisms; functioning of the individual organ systems with emphasis on interrelationships between organ systems and functioning of organ systems in the maintenance of homeostasis; and selected topics in comparative vertebrate physiology. Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Offered when demand and scheduling permit.
  • BIOL 434. Biochemistry (CHEM 434)
    Credits: 4. A study of the chemical structure and physiological function of the biochemical building blocks of living organisms including proteins, carbohydrates, lipid metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis. The laboratory experience includes techniques used in the isolation and identification of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Prerequisite: BIOL 111, CHEM 232. Spring.
  • BIOL 438. General Ecology
    Credits: 4. Basic ecological principles governing the structure and function of populations, communities and ecosystems. Prerequisites: BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. Alternate years. Spring. Fulfills social justice/environmental responsibility requirement.
  • BIOL 443. Genetics
    Credits: 4. A study of structural and functional prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular genetics including: replication, mitosis, meiosis, chromosome mapping, gene structure, expression and mutation. Mendelian inheritance and population genetics are also explored. Prerequisites: CHEM 231 and either BIOL 313 or BIOL 315. Spring.
  • BIOL 460. Independent Study
    Credits: 1-4. May also be offered at the 260 and 360 levels.
  • BIOL 470. Senior Thesis.
    Credits: 1-4. Individual experience in biological research and writing of a professional paper.
  • BIOL 475. Research Seminar (CHEM 475)
    Credits: 2. This course introduces the principles and concepts of presenting scientific research. Emphasis is placed on the preparation of oral and poster presentations and the implementation of proper etiquette for undergraduate symposia. This course also covers the preparation of funding proposals, curriculum vitae, Statements of Intent and the interview process for post-undergraduate programs. Students are required to present their research at two undergraduate meetings including the Guilford Undergraduate Symposium.
  • BIOL 490. Departmental Honors
    Credits: 4-8.