Biology

Faculty: Associate Professors Ghosh Kumar and Kohn (coordinator), and Assistant Professor Sarker 

Cottey’s biology program is designed to prepare students for further study in biological fields such as ecology, genetics, molecular biology, zoology, botany, and physiology. Pre-professional preparation for teaching, medicine, nursing, physical therapy, veterinary  medicine, and research is also an integral part of the advising and curriculum. 

The biology facilities are located in Grantham Hall with laboratories for biology classes and cadaver dissection and prosection. Located at BIL Hill is a natural field site that contains both woodland and wetland environments. 

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

BIO/CHE 150: History and Philosophy of Science

Credits 3
Presents an introduction to the history and philosophy of the sciences through examination of relevant scientific experiments, both modern and historical. Topics will include experimental design, laboratory safety and ethics, and data analysis. Students will also learn how to evaluate various sources for scientific merit.

BIO/ENV 120: Introduction to Environmental Science

Credits 3
Involves all basic sciences (geology, physics, chemistry, and biology) in introducing scientific study of biogeochemical cycles and energy flow through ecosystems. It especially considers impact of human activities on populations, communities, and ecosystems.

BIO/HBS 440: Molecular Mechanism of Disease

Credits 3
Provides insight into how molecular studies can be employed to expand medical research and aid in the development of novel treatments and therapeutics. The course will cover a number of areas selected by the participants. Possible topics include neurodegenerative disorders, prion diseases, cancer, and diabetes.

BIO 101: Introductory Biology

Credits 4
Basic concepts of cellular structure and function, patterns of inheritance, evolutionary mechanisms, ecological relationships, and environmental concerns. Introduces basic laboratory techniques, experimental method, and investigation of topics pertinent to study of living things. Not open to students with credit in BIO 107 or BIO 125.

BIO 107: Principles of Biology I with Lab

Credits 4
Lecture and laboratory emphasizing basic biochemistry, cellular morphology, metabolism and reproduction, and classical and molecular genetics. The laboratory introduces techniques related to biochemistry, molecular biology, and cellular biology. Students may start the Principles of Biology courses with either Principles of Biology I or II.

BIO 108: Principles of Biology II with Lab

Credits 4
Covers the basics of evolution, ecology, and the diversity of life. Students will explore organisms from every kingdom to discover how these organisms are related and the varied ways organisms interact with one another. The course consists of both lecture and laboratory components. In the laboratory, students will view specimens from every kingdom of life and develop analytical skills necessary for advanced study in biology. Students may start the Principles of Biology sequence with either Principles of Biology I or II.

BIO 115: Human Nutrition

Credits 3
This course provides an introduction to the science of nutrition: basic structure and function involved in the ingestion, digestion, absorption and metabolism of nutrients.

BIO 125: Botany with Lab

Credits 4
Lecture and laboratory introduce plant biology. The course will cover the structure and function of plant cells, tissues and organs, plants and the environment, and evolution of different plant species. In addition, the course will use artistic techniques and exploration to aid in student learning.

BIO 180: Introduction to Scientific Literature

Credits 1
Presents an introduction to study in biology through examination of the professional literature. The class will focus on construction of scientific literature, writing as a group, publication ethics and Institutional Review Boards, and citations. Additionally, students will learn about the submission process for journal articles and the scientific review process.

BIO 204: Genetics with Lab

Credits 4
Lecture and laboratory introduce the study of hereditary mechanisms with coverage of Mendelian and molecular genetics. The laboratory focuses on patterns and mechanisms of inheritance with emphasis on classical and molecular techniques.

BIO 207: Zoology with Lab

Credits 4
Lecture and laboratory examine anatomy, physiology, and evolutionary relationships among major taxa of animals. The course covers structure and function of organ systems with an emphasis on vertebrates, coupled with survey of diversity, specializations, and taxonomy of animal kingdom.

BIO 211: Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 w/ Lab

Credits 4
Lecture and laboratory examine anatomical and physiological topics needed to understand the basic working of human body..Lecture covers cellular physiology, tissues, musculoskeletal system, and the nervous system. Laboratory includes microscopic study of tissues, dissection of preserved mammals, and study of human materials as available, e.g., skeletons and models.

BIO 212: Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 w/ Lab

Credits 4
Lecture and laboratory examine anatomical and physiological topics needed to understand basic working of human body. Lecture covers respiratory, sensory, excretory, digestive, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Laboratory includes microscopic study of tissues, dissection of preserved mammals, and study of human materials as available, e.g., skeletons and models.

BIO 250: Ecology with Lab

Credits 4
An introduction to the interactions between living organisms and their physical, chemical, and biological environment. Several levels of ecological organization are examined including the study of different types of populations, communities, and ecosystems. Topics include population structure and growth, species interaction, nutrient cycling, and applications to current environmental management issues. The laboratory portion provides practical applications of topics in ecology including population structure and growth, species interaction, nutrient cycling, and environmental management issues

BIO 295, 395, 495: Research in Biology

Credits 1 3

Independent research in biology under direction of a faculty member. Students beginning a research project should register for BIO 295. After gaining at least one semester of experience in the research lab, and in consultation with the faculty sponsor, the student may register for BIO 395. After at least one semester of experience in BIO 395, students who have demonstrated exceptional research skills will be permitted to register for BIO 495, with the permission of their faculty sponsor. Repeatable.

BIO 301: Molecular Biology with Lab

Credits 5
Lecture and laboratory introduce the structure and synthesis of macromolecules. Lecture covers various aspects of gene structure, function, and regulation. Laboratory emphasizes isolation and quantitation of DNA, recombinant DNA technology, and exercises which demonstrate the regulation of gene expression.

BIO 310: Cell Biology

Credits 3
Structure and function of eukaryotic cells. Emphasis on molecular approaches to understand cell structure, function, communication and regulation. Students will participate in the reading and discussion of primary literature, and will gain skills in experimental design and data interpretation. The course concludes with a discussion of cells in their social context by focusing on animal development, and stem cell biology.

BIO 320: Animal Behavior

Credits 3
This course covers the fundamentals of animal behavior. Students will learn about behavioral interactions both within and between populations of animals from the mechanisms that control behavior to the evolutionary processes through which behavioral patterns have evolved. Some examples of topics in animal behavior include: communication and social interactions, mating behavior, parent-offspring interactions, and foraging behavior.

BIO 330: Introduction to Virology

Credits 3
Introduction to Virology covers various aspects of pathogenic and non-pathogenic viruses, molecular mechanisms of infection, and host-pathogen interaction. Students will have opportunity to select a viral disease and write a review which would create an opportunity of application of their knowledge and strengthen scientific writing skills.

BIO 350: Evolution

Credits 3
This course will cover evolutionary principles at the genetic, organismal, and population levels. Topics include genetic and phenotypic variation, natural selection, adaptation, speciation, macroevolution, and phylogenies.

BIO 360: Microbiology with Lab

Credits 4
Lectures investigate the unseen world of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes with special emphasis on microbial structure, metabolism, classification, methods of control, disease progression, and antibiotic resistance. The laboratory includes basic microbiological techniques such as propagating, counting, staining, aseptic techniques, growth analysis, and identification of various microbes. This course features applied learning in the form of diagnostic case studies. This is a writing-intensive course where they write research and review papers.

BIO 390: Communicating Science

Credits 1
Scientific communication is a key skill in a scientist’s toolbox. In this class, students will learn how to present scientific research in both written and oral formats. They will also begin to define and research a topic for their Capstone.

BIO 490: Biology Capstone

Credits 3
As a culmination of their time in the program, students will present both a written and oral presentation of original literature or laboratory research.

CHE/BIO 150: History and Philosophy of Science

Credits 3
Presents an introduction to the history and philosophy of the sciences through examination of relevant scientific experiments, both modern and historical. Topics will include experimental design, laboratory safety and ethics, and data analysis. Students will also learn how to evaluate various sources for scientific merit.

ENV/BIO 120: Intro to Environmental Science

Credits 3
Involves all basic sciences (geology, physics, chemistry and biology) in introducing scientific study of biogeochemical cycles and energy flow through ecosystems. It especially considers impact of human activities on populations, communities, and ecosystems.

HBS/BIO 440: Molecular Mechanism of Disease

Credits 3
Provides insight into how molecular studies can be employed to expand medical research and aid in the development of novel treatments and therapeutics. The course will cover a number of areas selected by the participants. Possible topics include neurodegenerative disorders, prion diseases, cancer, and diabetes.