2009-11 Marian University Course Catalog, fall 2010 edition

BIO 374
Vertebrate Biology 3 credits
Prerequisite: completion of BIO 201, 202, 203, and 204. This
course is designed to familiarize students with morphological
and anatomical features of vertebrate animals from a
comparative evolutionary perspective. The morphological
and anatomical forms of vertebrates will be examined in the
context of their functional significance and evolutionary
history. The presentations will cover both historical and
modern views on comparative anatomy, the underlying
biology of tissue-organ systems, and evolutionary
perspectives on the origin, maintenance, and diversification
of form among the vertebrates. Three hours of lecture and
one three-hour laboratory period per week. (ADD)
BIO 398
Directed Junior Research 1-4 credits
Under the guidance of a faculty sponsor, students identify a
research topic, perform a literature review, create a research
design, gather and analyze data, and report their findings
with an APA-style manuscript and formal presentation.
Papers deemed to be of sufficient quality by the faculty
sponsor may be presented at a regional research conference.
(ADD)
BIO 410
Advanced Cell Biology 5 credits
Prerequisites: BIO 201, 202, 203, 204, CHE 311, and CHE 312.
A study of molecular and cellular biology with emphasis on
the molecular bases of cellular metabolism, membrane
phenomena, internal and trans-nuclear cellular
communication, and structure-function relationships. This
course will provide upper-level students the opportunity to
learn about the biology of the cell at a level of great depth.
This is the kind of course expected to be in the background of
anyone going on to professional or graduate school in the
biological sciences. Three hours lecture and two three-hour
laboratory sessions per week. (FAL)
BIO 415
Molecular Genetics 5 credits
Prerequisites: BIO 201, 202, 203, 204, CHE 311, and CHE 312.
This course presents the current ideas in molecular biology
including the transfer and expression of genetic information,
the interaction and hybridization of genes, molecular
mutagens, and molecular evolution. In particular, this course
will focus on the transmission and expression of genetic
information. In the laboratory, students will examine the
structure and function of the genetic material at the
molecular level, replication and repair of the genetic material,
and the regulation and expression of genetic information.
Three hours lecture and two three-hour laboratory sessions
per week. (SPR)
BIO 425
Endocrinology 4 credits
Prerequisites: 201, 202, 203, 204. This course examines the
form and function of vertebrate endocrine system (including,
but not limited to, humans). We will be studying a wide range
of taxa that inhabit a variety of environments. The endocrine
system works in conjunction with all known portions of an
organism’s cellular, tissue, and organ systems in order to
chemically communicate changes in an organism’s internal as
well as external environment. The study of the endocrine
system is of paramount importance due to its wide scope of
influence. The endocrine system not only functions to
maintain homeostasis within an individual, but also
communicates changes in the environment that an individual
inhabits and allows that individual to make the appropriate
changes to ensure survival. We will explore how the
endocrine system works to accomplish four broad scale goals
of survival: 1) to promote normal development, 2) to
maintain homoeostatic balance, 3) to allow an organism to
interact and react with the changing environment, and 4) to
allow for reproduction. Students interested in graduate
school as well as professional school (pre-med, pre-vet,
dental, nursing, PT, genetic counseling, biochemistry, and
health outreach/education) will find this course particularly
useful. Three hours lecture and three hours lab each week.
(2FE)
BIO 434
Advanced Physiology of Exercise 4 credits
Prerequisites: (1) BIO 201, 202, 203, 204, and (2) CHE 110-111
or CHE 311-312. This course presents students with the
structural and metabolic aspects of the adaptations to human
physical exercise. Both acute and chronic adaptations to
exercise as well as disuse will be addressed. This presentation
will presume complete familiarity with medical-level
physiology and biochemistry. Opportunities to make simple
non-invasive measurements will be provided in the
laboratory sessions. Three hours lecture and three hours
laboratory per week. (SPR)
BIO 440
Principles of Bioinformatics 4 credits
Prerequisites: (1) BIO 201, 202, 203, 204, CHE 311-312, and
MAT 310. This course presents the essential components of
bioinformatics as a scientific discipline for the organization
and analysis of DNA sequence data. In this course, students
will be provided with an overview of the scope of modern
tools designed to solve practical problems in sequence data
analysis and management, comparisons of available
databases, and computational analysis tools relevant to
biological research. Three hours lecture and three hours
laboratory per week. (FAL)
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