Courses of Study - William Jewell College

Courses of Study – Biology
CHE 122 or currently enrolled in CHE 122. The
course includes two laboratory sessions each week.
Fall semester of even numbered years.
351. Cell Physiology. 4 cr. hrs. A study of the
structure, function, and molecular biology of cells.
Prerequisite: BIO 233. The course includes one laboratory
session each week. Fall semester of odd
numbered years.
352. Developmental Biology. 4 cr. hrs. This
course combines a traditional comparative vertebrate
anatomy course with elements of a developmental
biology course to give students a solid
grounding in the evolution and development of vertebrate
morphology. This course includes one laboratory
session each week. Prerequisite: BIO 233.
Spring semester of even numbered years.
357. Animal Behavior. 4 cr. hrs. This course will
consider the underlying principles that determine
how an animal behaves. Animal behavior will be
considered from a variety of perspectives, including:
genetic, physiological, evolutionary, and ecological.
The course includes one lab period per week.
Prerequisites: BIO 133, BIO 134. Spring semester
of even numbered years.
444. Plant Ecology and Conservation. 4 cr. hrs.
This course will examine the biology, ecology, and
conservation of plants. Topics to be considered
include, among others: the ecology of small populations,
the genetics of conservation, and invasion
by non-native plants. The course includes one laboratory
session each week. Prerequisites: BIO 133,
BIO 134. Spring semester of odd numbered years.
450. Biochemistry. 4 hrs. A detailed course in
biochemistry which includes a study of the occurrence,
structure, function, and metabolism of biologically
important molecules. There is an emphasis
on molecular species such as carbohydrates, lipids,
amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The
course includes work in the laboratory. The course
may be credited toward a biology, biochemistry, or
chemistry major, as the student elects, but it cannot
count towards more than one major. Prerequisites:
BIO 233, CHE 301, and/or currently enrolled in
CHE 302, and admission to the major (Biology,
Chemistry, or Biochemistry). Spring semester in
even numbered years. Also listed as CHE 450.
452. Molecular Genetics. 4 cr. hrs. A detailed
experimental analysis of the molecular biology of
genes. Emphasis will be placed on the transcriptional
and post-transcriptional regulation of gene
expression, especially as it relates to the progression
of the cell cycle. In addition, the role of molecular
genetics in the areas of molecular diagnostics, gene
therapy, and biotechnology will be considered. The
course includes one laboratory session each week
emphasizing molecular techniques to manipulate
DNA and analyze gene expression. Prerequisite:
BIO 234. Spring semester in odd numbered years.
453. Ecology. 4 cr. hrs. The study of ecological
principles and how they relate to population, community,
and ecosystem ecology. Application of principles
to specific problems will be emphasized. Field
work will include investigation of ecological principles
as well as independent data collection and statistical
analysis. The course includes one field trip/lab
per week. Saturday field trips or trips covering several
days may occur. Prerequisites: BIO 133, 360, 361,
460, 461. Fall semester of odd numbered years.
360, 361, 460, 461. Senior Thesis. 0.5-3 cr. hrs.
each. A three-credit (minimum) laboratory, field or
library research project required for the major. BIO
360 (0.5 -3 cr. hrs.), the first course in the Senior
Thesis, is generally taken the fall of the junior year
and will involve mainly library research. BIO 461
(0.5-3 cr. hrs.) is generally taken the last semester of
the senior year and will require presenting, in written
and oral form, the results of the research project.
BIO 361 and 460 (1-3 cr. hrs. each) will involve lab,
field or library research. Prerequisites: admission to
the major and G.P.A. minimums of 2.5 in biology
and 2.5 overall.
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