Biology Courses

111 Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells. 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.
112 Integrative Biology: Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution. 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.
115 General Botany. 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.
151 Evolution: An Historical Perspective. 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 allotypes and examining species relationships through DNA analysis.
209 Human Biology. 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.
212 Environmental Science. 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.
224 Field Botany. 4.
Taxonomic study of vascular plants involving classification, collection and identification in the field and laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 112 or consent of the instructor. Spring, alternate years.
233 North Carolina Freshwater Fishes. 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.
235 Vertebrate Field Zoology. 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.
240 Seminar West (GEOL 240). 4.
Five-week summer course, including four weeks of camping and hiking, to study the American Southwest. Emphasis on the natural history of the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau: the geologic processes of mountain building and erosion and the plant and animal communities found in these environments. Fulfills natural science and mathematics requirement.
242 Natural Science Seminars (GEOL 242). 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. Fulfills natural science and mathematics and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements.
245 Introduction to Forensic Science. 4.
Introduction to 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.
246 Forensic Chemistry (CHEM 246). 4.
Explores methods used to examine and identify evidence of criminal activity, including chemical techniques for developing fingerprints, blood isozymes, PCR for DNA profiling, drug identification and ELISA. Prerequisite: BIOL 245 or permission of instructor.
290 Internship. 1-4.
291 Introduction to Scientific Inquiry. 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.
313 Molecular Cell Biology. 4.
A study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells including: microscopic structure, biochemical components, the organization of macromolecules into organelles and the coordinated function of organelles in the living cell. Includes a detailed study of chromosome structure and function; DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. Forensic study of enzymes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mitochondrial DNA is emphasized. Prerequisite: BIOL 111; CHEM 112 or BIOL 246.
315 Microbiology. 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 and biotechnological applications. The laboratory experience includes methods of aseptic technique, bacterial isolation, metabolic characterization and microbial identification with an introduction to molecular techniques. Fall. Prerequisite: CHEM 112 and BIOL 111 and 291.
332 Invertebrate Zoology. 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.
333 Ichthyology. 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.
334 Animal Behavior. 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. Prerequisite: BIOL 112 and 291. Alternate years.
336 Ornithology. 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.
340 Psychobiology (BIOL 340). 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. Laboratory work. Prerequisites: two prior courses in biology and/or psychology. Alternate years.
341 Human Anatomy and Physiology I. 4.
Detailed study of the structure and function of human nervous, sensory, endocrine, integumentary, skeletal, muscular and respiratory systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Fall.
342 Human Anatomy and Physiology II. 4.
Detailed study of the structure and function of human cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems. Prerequisite: BIOL 341. Spring.
343 Sensory Systems. (PSY 343). 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: two prior courses in biology and/or psychology. Alternate years.
349 Forensic Anthropology. 4.
The study of human osteology and skeletal anatomy. Students learn how to collect and process skeletal remains 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. Prerequisite: BIOL 245 and BIOL 341 or permission of instructor.
351 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy. 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.
352 Animal Physiology. 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, selected topics in comparative vertebrate physiology. Prerequisites: BIOL 111. Offered when demand and scheduling permit.
434 Biochemistry (CHEM 434). 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: CHEM 232. Spring.
438 General Ecology. 4.
Basic ecological principles governing the structure and function of populations, communities and ecosystems. Prerequisite: BIOL 111 and 112. Alternate years. Fall. Fulfills social justice/environmental responsibility requirement.
443 Genetics. 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. Prerequisite: CHEM 231 and BIOL 313 or 433.
450 Special Topics. 4.
Possible courses include: Dendrology, Vertebrate Social Behavior, Genetic Engineering, Human Disease. May also be offered at the 250 and 350 levels.
460 Independent Study. 1-4.
May also be offered at the 260 and 360 levels.
470 Senior Thesis. 1-4.
Individual experience in biological research and writing of a professional paper.
490 Departmental Honors. 4-8.