WebsiteFaculty/Staff/Departments

   

• Biology Home
• Department Information
• Curriculum
  • Major in Biology
  • Minor in Biology
  • Sample Schedule
  • Course Descriptions
  • Scholarships
• Research
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Seitz Award
  • Butler Summer Institute
  • Biology Internships
  • Faculty Research Interests
  • Center for Urban Ecology
  • STRI Partnership
• Facilities & Resources
  • Overview
  • Friesner Herbarium
  • Butler Greenhouse
  • Learning Resource Center
  • Biology Links
• Faculty & Staff
  • Directory
  • Faculty Research Interests
• College of LAS Home

   

Course Descriptions

BI 100. Introductory Biology. A survey of the major concepts in the biological sciences. Lecture and Laboratory. A course for non-science majors. (U) (5)

BI 101. General Botany. Fundamental principles and methods of the plant sciences. Lecture, demonstration and laboratory. A course for non-science majors. No prerequisite. (U) (5)

BI 103. Genetics and Evolution. A study of the significant concepts in molecular, organismal and population genetics and of the theory of evolution. All topics will be taught within their historical and contemporary contexts. Lecture and laboratory. A course for non-science majors. (U) (5)

BI 104. Dinosaur Evolution. A study of the biology of dinosaurs as once-living organisms, emphasizing principles of their natural history, evolution and ecology. A lecture and laboratory course for non-science majors. A special emphasis will be placed on science as a way of knowing. (U) (5)

BI 105. Introductory Cell Biology. An introduction to the basic principles of cell biology for freshmen pharmacy students. The course will cover introductory chemistry, biochemistry, cell structure, metabolism, genetics, and embryology. Will not count for credit toward a major in biology. (U) (3)

BI 106. Environmental Biology. Application of scientific principles to understanding and managing the environment. Emphasis on the human relationship with the environment and possible solutions to environmental problems. (U) (5)

BI 120. Principles of Biology 1. An introductory course emphasizing the central role of evolution and the various methods of investigation in Biology. Topics include Darwinian evolution, ecology and the processing of matter and energy from cells to biomes. Co-requisite: BI121. (U) (3)

BI 121. Biological Investigations 1. An introductory course emphasizing the process of inquiry in Biology. Activities include ecological fieldwork and lab experiments with photosynthesis and respiration. Co-requisite: BI120. (U) (2)

BI 122. Principles of Biology 2. An introductory course emphasizing the central role of evolution and the various methods of investigation in Biology. Topics include genetics, neo-Darwinian evolution and an overview of biological diversity. Co-requisite: BI123. (U) (3)

BI 123. Biological Investigations 2. An introductory course emphasizing the process of inquiry in Biology. Activities include lab experiments and computer exercises in genetics and evolution and fieldwork demonstrating biological diversity. Co-requisite: BI122. (U) (2)

BI 257. Human Anatomy and Physiology. A course for non-major students to relate structure and function in the human body. Prerequisite: BI 120 & BI 122 or BI 100 (U) (5)

BI 301. Principles of Zoology. A survey of the basic principles of animal biology, covering the major animal groups, their evolutionary relationships and their structural and functional characteristics. Prerequisite: BI 120 & BI 122 (U) (4)

BI 302. Principles of Botany. A survey of the basic principles of plant biology, covering the major plant groups, their evolutionary relationships, and their structural and functional characteristics. Prerequisite:BI 120 & BI 122 (U) (4)

BI 303. Principles of Physiology. Analysis of the functions of all major systems of the vertebrates with emphasis on mammalian physiology. Prerequisites: BI 301 and one year of college chemistry. (U) (4)

BI 305. Vertebrate Histology and Microtechnique. A study of the structure of vertebrate tissues and the techniques used in microscope slide preparations. Prerequisite: BI 301 or permission of the instructor. (U) (4)

BI 310. Evolution. Analysis of organic evolution, the mechanisms of evolutionary changes and the evolution of higher forms of life. Prerequisite: BI 120 and BI 122. (U) (3)

BI 312. Biology of Non-Vascular Plants. The biology of algae, fungi, mosses, and liverworts, including structure, life histories, classification, physiology, ecology and experimental aspects of nonvascular plants. Prerequisite: BI 120 & BI 122. (U) (4)

BI 316. Mammalogy. This course will address the taxonomy, ecology, evolution, behavior, and economic importance of mammals. The laboratory portion of the course will emphasize the taxonomy of mammals and the observation and trapping/handling of small mammals. Prerequisite: BI301. (U) (4)

BI 322. Vertebrate Biology. Phylogeny, taxonomy, behavior and life histories of the vertebrates. Prerequisite. BI 301. (U) (4)

BI 323. Principles of Immunology. Basic concepts and techniques of immunology. Open to Pharmacy and P.A. majors only. Prerequisites: BI 120 & BI 122 or BI 105 or permission of the instructor. (U) (2)

BI 325. Principles of Pathogenic Microbiology. A course designed to provide students with a foundation in pathogenic microbiology. It will address microbiological concepts/principles regarding the mechanisms of infection and disease of major organ systems as well as their control. Open only to students of the College of Pharmacy and Health Science. Prequisite : BI 120 & BI 122 or BI 105. (U) (3)

BI 328. Parasitiology. A general survey of animal parasites with special reference to structure, physiology, life history and host-parasite relationships. Prequisite: BI 301 or permission of instructor. (U) (3)

BI 330. Tropical Field Biology. Introduction to the habitats, distribution and ecology of tropical fauna. Includes a field trip to a tropical habitat during the semester. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. (U) (3)

BI 339. Philosophy of Biology. A study of philosophical problems in biology. The course explores both theoretical problems within biology, like the evolution of altruism and problems of taxonomy, and philosophical problems that are influenced by biological theory, including the nature of morality and the status of religious belief. Prerequisite: BI 120 & BI 122 or permission of instructor. (U) (3)

BI 350. Cell Biology. The structure and function of cells, including the properties of macromolecules, membrane structure, cell organelles, cell metabolism and energy relationships, cell division and gene expression. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BI 120 & BI 122. (U) (4)

BI 355. Plant Development. An introduction of the cellular and molecular mechanisms important in the development of members in the plant kingdom, from multi-cellular algae to flowering plants. The laboratory will include techniques important in investigating developmental phenomena such as scanning electron microscopy and tissue culture. Prerequisites: BI 120 & BI 122. (U) (4)

BI 357. General Genetics. An introduction to the basics of both classical and modern genetics, with emphasis on human heredity. Prerequisites: BI 120 and BI 122. (U) (4)

BI 358. Genomics & Gene Evolution. This course will introduce students to the new, rapidly expanding fields of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics, as well as the overarching field of systems biology. The students will also learn what these new approaches reveal about how genes and genomes evolve. Prerequisites: BI 120 and BI 122. (U) (4)

BI 363. Plant Physiology. Introduction to how plants work, including housekeeping functions (photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, water relations, metabolism), growth and reproduction, defenses, and responses to the environment. Laboratories include necessary anatomy but emphasize biochemistry and molecular biology. Prerequisites: BI 120 & 122, and CH 106 or CH 107. (U) (4)

BI 364. General Ecology. Fundamental concepts of ecology and their application to environmental problems, illustrated by field and laboratory investigations. Prerequisites: BI 100 or BI 120 & BI 122. (U) (4)

BI 365. Physiological Animal Ecology. Course introducing students to the vast array of physiological adaptations that enable animals to survive under a variety of environmental conditions. Adaptations to environmental parameters will be addressed with the goal of understanding how such adaptations affect patterns of distribution and abundance among animals. Prerequisite: BI 120 & BI 122. (U) (4)

BI 370. Conservation Biology. This course will focus on the biological principles that must be the anchor for the management and/or preservation of native flora and fauna. Conservation biology, however, is by necessity a multidisciplinary endeavor, and the course also deals with the social, political, and economic factors that weigh on conservation decisions. Prerequisite: BI 120 & BI 122. (U) (4)

BI 401, 402, 403. Independent Study. Open to juniors and seniors who wish to do research with a biological sciences faculty member in an area of the animal and plant sciences. Permission of the faculty member and the chairman of the biological sciences department required. (U) (1,2,3)

BI 405, 406, 407, 408, 409. Topics in Biology. Study of a current biological topic. Prerequisites: junior, senior or graduate standing and permission of the instructor. (U) (1,2,3,4.5)

BI 410. Microbiology. Basic principles of microbiology and associated laboratory techniques. Lecture, demonstration and laboratory. Prerequisites: BI 120 & BI 122 and college chemistry. (U) (4)

BI 412. Local Flora. Collection, identification, classification, uses and ecology of Indiana flowering plants. Learning the use of identification keys will be stressed. Prerequisite: BI 100 or BI 120 & BI 122 or an equivalent biology course recommended. (U) (3)

BI 415. Indiana Natural History. Study of the various forces that have influenced the landscape of Indiana (geological, climatological, ecological and human), focusing on the natural areas that illustrate and preserve our natural heritage. Lecture, lab and field trips. Prerequisites: BI120 and BI122. (U) (4)

BI 420. Animal Behavior. The adaptive behavior of animals is approached from physiological, developmental, ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Prerequisite: BI 301 or permission of the instructor. (U) (4)

BI 425. Landscape Ecology. This course will focus on ecological patterns and processes at the landscape level. An emphasis will be placed on spatial analyses of native flora and fauna using geographic information systems software applications. Students will conduct individual research projects. Prerequisite: BI 120 & BI 122. (U) (4)

BI 430. Developmental Biology. A study of embryonic development from the formation of gametes, through fertilization, and up to the development of the multicelled organism. Emphasis will be on the anatomical changes during development and on the cellular and molecular events causing these changes. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: BI 120 & BI 122 or permission of the instructor. (U) (4)

BI 440. Practical Molecular Biology. Theory and practice of methods used to study genes and their expression. Laboratory emphasizes gene isolation and sequence analysis. Two lectures, two 3-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite: BI 350 or CH 352. (U) (4)

BI 458. Molecular Genetics. Molecular structure, biochemical function of the gene as illustrated by the original research literature, viruses and eukaryotes cells. Prerequisite: BI 350 or BI 357 or CH 461. (U) (3)

BI 480. Biology Capstone. This course provides a capstone experience, a chance to put into practice the knowledge and analytical skills learned as a Biology major. The course will explore a specific area of Biology through reading and discussion of the scientific literature and preparation of a review paper. Open only to senior biology majors. (U) (3)

BI 490. Internship in Biological Sciences. A course offering the student supervised work/research experience in a setting pertinent to the major area of study but outside the department. Permission of the department head is required. (U) (3)

BI 491, 492, 493. Undergraduate Tutorial and Research. Individual laboratory research under a faculty member in the department. This course will allow the superior student to study material and techniques not normally included in the departmental course offerings. Designed in part as preparation for advanced work at the graduate level. Prerequisites: 20 hours of biology, academic standing that will permit award of departmental honors on graduation and permission of the department chairman. (U) (3, 6, 9)

BI 499. Honors Thesis. (U) (3)