Biology
BIOL 1401 (4-3-2) Principles of Biology
Introductory course dealing with the basic principles applicable to all living organisms. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the human body systems, human diseases, and advances in medicine, especially those related to human genetics. Interactions between humans and other living organisms, bioethics, as well as human impact on the environment will also be examined. Does not fulfill Biology requirements for BA or BS in Biology, Cell Biology, or Macrobiology. Lab fee.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer, Online.
BIOL 1405 (4-3-2) Modern Concepts in Biology I
An introductory course on the unifying principles common to all levels of biological organization. Emphasis will be placed on cell biology and general physiology. This will include energy metabolism, photosynthesis, biochemistry, genetics, systematic and taxonomy of viruses, prokaryotes, and Protista. Required of all biology majors, natural science majors, and pre-allied health majors. Lab fee.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall.
BIOL 1406 (4-3-2) Modern Concepts in Biology II
A continuation of the study of biological concepts, with an emphasis on plant and animal anatomy and physiology. This includes systematic and taxonomy of phytoprotists, fungi and animals, anatomy and physiology of plants and animals, and ecology. Required of all biology majors, natural science majors, and pre-allied health majors. Lab fee.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Spring.
BIOL 1409 (4-3-3) Microbiology for Nursing
Fundamentals of microbiology, microbial genetics, including eukaryotic microbes and viruses, epidemiology, and immunity. This course will not satisfy the general studies natural sciences laboratory requirements. Lab fee.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall.
BIOL 2302 (3-3-0) Medical Terminology for Health Professions
An introductory course in the language of medicine and healthcare. The course will be structured on the foundational use of suffixes, prefixes, and root words and explore terminology of micro and macro anatomy, basic disease processes, surgery, and pharmacology as utilized in health-related professions. This course will not satisfy the general studies natural sciences laboratory requirements.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Spring, Fall.
BIOL 2305 (3-3-0) Introduction to Nutrition (S-L)
An introductory level course investigating the scientific approach to the essential nutrients for human growth and development with an emphasis on clinical application. Nutrition is the study of nutrients and their ingestion, digestion, absorption, metabolism, and storage. Students will also investigate food choices and the impact on wellness and health as well as sources, functions, and interactions of nutrients and other health-promoting substances. This course will not satisfy the general studies natural sciences laboratory requirement. This course contains a field-based service-learning component.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOL 2405 (4-3-3) Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Study of the structure and functions of the systems of the human body. The course will cover the anatomy and physiology of the cell, tissues, and organs, an introduction to the body, and the integumentary, skeletal, and muscular systems. Lab fee.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Fall.
BIOL 2406 (4-3-3) Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Continuation of BIOL 2405. Study of the structure and functions of the systems of the human body. The course will cover the nervous, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, endocrine, and reproductive systems, as well as the development of the human body. Lab fee.
Requisites: BIOL 2405.
Offered: Spring.
BIOL 3101 (1-1-0) Introduction to Scientific Literature
(NASC 3101)
Introduction to various sources and types of scientific articles. Both oral and written critiques of assigned articles will be required.
Requisites: Completion of 16 credit hours of BIOL, CHEM, ENGR, GEOL, PHSC, and/or PHYS courses.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOL 3301 (3-3-0) Special Topics in Biology
This course concentrates on various areas of study in biology through the offering of various course topics. Some selected topics may contain a required field or travel component. This course is an opportunity for students to learn other biological topics and specialties that are not found in other classes. May be repeated for credit when content changes. Grade replacement for special topics courses may only be accomplished under special topics courses with the same topic and content.
Requisites: Instructor approval required. Some offerings of this course may include travel-study, with the attending additional costs and requirements.
Offered: Periodically.
BIOL 3302 (3-3-0) Introduction to Public Health
The course provides students with an overview of Public Health, its core functions, essential services, and the wide range of fields that Public Health encompasses. It will introduce students to the idea of population-based health and the importance of community in Public Health.
Requisites: None.
Offered: Periodically.
BIOL 3401 (4-4-0) Biochemistry
(CHEM 3401)
This course pertains to the study of cellular chemistry: including presentation of solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics of enzymes, the structure and metabolic pathways of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, cellular membrane composition and function, and the storage and utilization of genetic information.
Requisites: CHEM 3403.
Offered: Fall.
BIOL 3402 (4-3-3) Ecology (S-L)
A study of the interrelationships between plants and animals and their environment with emphasis on ecosystems, energy flow, populations, and community structure and function. This course contains a field-based service-learning component. Lab fee.
Requisites: BIOL 1405 and 1406.
Offered: Fall, Periodically.
BIOL 3403 (4-3-3) Vertebrate Embryology
Study of the early developmental processes of representative vertebrates with major emphasis on human embryonic development. Lab fee.
Requisites: BIOL 1405, 1406 and 2406.
Offered: Periodically.
BIOL 3404 (4-3-3) Genetics (S-L)
Study of the principles of heredity including classical and molecular genetics. This course contains a field-based service-learning component. Lab fee.
Requisites: BIOL 1405 and 1406.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOL 3405 (4-3-3) Special Topics in Biological Science
This course concentrates on various areas of study in the biological sciences through the offering of various course topics with a laboratory component. Some selected topics will also contain a field or travel component. This course is an opportunity for students to learn other biological topics and specialties that are not found in other laboratory classes. May be repeated for credit when content changes. Grade replacement for special topics courses may only be accomplished under special topics courses with the same topic and content. Lab Fee.
Requisites: Instructor approval required. Some offerings of this course may include travel-study, with the attending additional costs and requirements.
Offered: Periodically.
BIOL 3406 (4-4-0) Pathophysiology
An introduction to pathophysiological changes that occur in all major body systems. Common disease processes will be included as examples.
Requisites: BIOL 2406.
Offered: Fall.
BIOL 3407 (4-3-3) General Botany
Study of the structure, function, reproduction, and economic importance of representatives of each of the major plant groups with emphasis on the vascular plants. Lab fee.
Requisites: BIOL 1405 and 1406.
Offered: Spring, Periodically.
BIOL 3408 (4-3-3) General Zoology
A systematic study of the structure and functions of representative members of the major phyla in the animal kingdom with emphasis on invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Lab fee.
Requisites: BIOL 1405 and 1406.
Offered: Spring, Periodically.
BIOL 3409 (4-3-3) Microbiology
Study of the morphology, metabolism, cultural characteristics, and taxonomy of microorganisms with major emphasis on disease-producing bacteria. Lab fee.
Requisites: BIOL 1405 and 1406.
Offered: Spring, Periodically.
BIOL 4011 (0-3-0) Life Science 7-12 Seminar
(BIOL 5011)
This required course is designed to help students prepare for the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES). The course will focus on content and sample questions from state authorized preparation manuals distributed by the Educational Testing Service. Information will also be gleaned from the state publication Proficiencies for Teachers in Learner-Centered Schools and other appropriate sources. Students must score a minimum of 85% on the TExES post-test in order to be authorized by the College of Education to take the TExES examination. This course is taken for credit only and does not affect the student’s GPA (CR/NC).
Requisites: Educator Preparation Program admission.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOL 4101 (1-1-0) Biology Seminar
This required course is designed for students completing their degree in biology. It will provide the students with information and coursework that will prepare them for post-graduate opportunities. Topics will include studies on professionalism, interviewing, and writing a curriculum vitae.
Requisites: Senior standing.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOL 4301 (3-1-6) Senior Project
An upper-level course designed to instruct the student about procedures and methodologies involved in biological research. The course will include learning how to review research literature, design and develop experimental research protocols, analyze data collected, and write and present the student research in a scientific format.
Requisites: Instructor approval required.
Offered: Fall, Periodically.
BIOL 4303 (3-3-0) Cell Biology
This course is designed to introduce science majors to the basic elements of Cell Biology. Major concepts to be discussed include the cellular processes of transcription, translation, protein interactions, and cell structure.
Requisites: BIOL 3404 and CHEM 1402.
Offered: Periodically.
BIOL 4304 (3-3-0) Immunology
This course is an introduction to the principles and concepts of immunology. This includes innate immunity, humoral and cell-mediated immunity, the organs and cells of the immune system, B and T cell responses, genetic basis for immune specificity, immune effector mechanisms, immune system in health and disease, autoimmunity, and transplant immunity.
Requisites: BIOL 3404.
Offered: Periodically.
BIOL 4305 (3-3-0) Nutrition
Study of the six classes of nutrients and their effects on health. Special emphasis on personal dietary practices and on current issues in nutrition including weight control, fad diets, dietary aspects of cardiovascular disease, and sports nutrition.
Requisites: BIOL 2406 and CHEM 1401.
Offered: Periodically.
BIOL 4307 (3-3-0) Bioethics
Bioethics studies the underlying ethical questions of biomedical practice within a healthcare setting, an industrial setting, and in scientific research and development. Case studies of different ethical dilemmas will be discussed, and students will seek out additional case studies to present. This course desires to develop moral wisdom by creating knowledge of ethics and ability to think ethically and act morally within the biological world (biomedically, scientifically, and bio-industrial settings).
Requisites: BIOL 1401, 1405, or 1406.
Offered: Periodically.
BIOL 4402 (4-3-3) Molecular Genetics
A course on the unifying principles of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. This will be a practical course to teach the techniques needed for research in modern molecular biology. Techniques will include cloning, transformation, Southern blot, PCR, DNA sequencing, protein isolation, Western blot, and 2-D gels. Required for Bioinformatics Concentration. Lab fee.
Requisites: BIOL 3404.
Offered: Periodically.
BIOL 4403 (4-3-3) Histology
Study of the microscopic anatomy of vertebrate tissues with emphasis on the human. Lab fee.
Requisites: BIOL 2406.
Offered: Periodically.