Department
and Course Listings

The objectives of the Biology Department are to 1) provide a foundation in the natural and biological sciences that allows students to interpret and appreciate biological diversity and enter science-based careers, and 2) consistent with the liberal arts tradition, provide a basic knowledge of biological science and an understanding of the methods and limitations of scientific inquiry. The approach of the Biology Department is to involve students in the hands-on process of science and engage students in research as a means of developing skills and concepts needed to think critically about biological issues and problems. The biology major emphasizes breadth of experience in biology, while allowing students flexibility to pursue their own areas of interest within the field. Internships are available to prepare qualified students for careers in health-care professions or biological sciences. Students pursuing graduate studies, careers in health- care professions, or other careers in biology are encouraged to develop an independent research project and select upper-division courses in area(s) of interest.

The department has a "4-1"cooperative program with the University of Idaho whereby students can complete a bachelor of science degree (BS) in biology from Albertson College of Idaho and a master of natural resources degree (MNR) from the University of Idaho. See the "COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS WITH OTHER COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES" section of this catalog for specific requirements.

Fieldwork is an important part of the College’s biology program. The College is located in an area of diverse mountain and desert habitats which are accessible for field studies. In addition, departmental field trips to such locations as Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest are an important part of the field program.

The Biology Department houses laboratories for student research in molecular, cellular, organismal, and environmental biology. The Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History, the Harold M. Tucker Herbarium, and a student computer center are also located in Boone Science Hall.

A major in biology consists of a minimum of 34 credits distributed as follows:

The Lower Division Core (16 credits)
BIO 130   Frontiers in Genetics
BIO 220   Organismal Biology
BIO 221   Population and Environmental Biology
BIO 230   Molecular and Cellular Biology
BIO 260 Diversity of Life

The Upper Division Courses
One laboratory course from each of the following three groups. At least two of these three laboratory courses must emphasize experimental approaches (hypothesis testing, data collection, analysis & interpretation). Courses satisfying this criterion are indicated by an asterisk(*).
A laboratory course emphasizing molecular/cellular biology chosen from:
BIO 356   Molecular Biology and Development*
BIO 360   Microbiology
BIO 365   Immunology*

A laboratory course emphasizing organismal biology/physiology chosen from:
BIO 304 Mammalian Physiology
BIO 374 Animal Physiology*
BIO 375 Plant Physiology*

A laboratory/field course emphasizing ecological concepts chosen from:
BIO 318 Aquatic Ecology*
BIO 320   Marine Ecology
BIO 341   Tropical and Subtropical Ecology* and/or BIO 344A Coral Reef Ecology*
BIO 345   Ecology *

Elective upper-division credits (4 or more credits) to total at least 34 credits of biology. Internships and independent study credits do not fulfill this category.

Senior Capstone
BIO 400 Biology Seminar
BIO 499 Senior Comprehensive Examination

Additional sciences needed as prerequisites for courses in the major are: CHE 141, PHY 231/231L or PHY 271/271L and MAT 211. CHE 142, MAT 212 and GOL 101 are recommended. For a career in biology, or for graduate study, students should include: CHE 301-302, PHY 232/232L, or PHY 272/272L, MAT 151-152 and independent research in biology. Students desiring teacher certification must consult with a member of the Education department.

Biology Minor: consists of 20 credits including BIO 130, at least two courses chosen from BIO 220, 221, and 230, BIO 260 and at least one upper-division biology course. This minor is not open to students electing the biology major.

Human Biology Minor: A minor that emphasizes the biology of the human body. The minor consists of 20 credits including BIO 130; at least two courses chosen from BIO 220, BIO 226, BIO 230 and
two or more courses chosen from two or more of the following groups:
Cellular & Molecular Biology
BIO 102*, BIO 360, BIO 362, BIO 365 or BIO 371
Biochemistry/Neurochemistry
PSY 331 or CHE 412
Anatomy
BIO 351 or BIO 355
Physiology
BIO 304, BIO 374, PHE 319 or PHE 443.

*Note: students having completed BIO 130 and one course among BIO 220, BIO 226 or BIO 230 may not use BIO 102 in the cellular & molecular biology category. Only one course, either BIO 102 or BIO 360 may be counted. This minor is not open to students electing the biology major. However, it is recommended for students interested in health professions, psychology or exercise science.

Environmental Studies Minor. For a description of this interdisciplinary minor, see the Environmental Studies section of the catalog.

Interdisciplinary (IND)

LOWER DIVISION

SCI-101 Science 3.0 cr.
Spring. A multidisciplinary approach to science, scientific methods, and major theories of science. Includes topics in biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics, with emphasis on living systems. Students may fulfill the General Graduation Requirement in natural sciences by taking this course and one other four-credit laboratory course in any of the natural sciences.

UPPER DIVISION

WRI-399T.01 Advanced Writing in a Discipline 3.0 cr.
Spring 2003. Prereq.: WRI 150, permission, and junior standing at the time of registration. A writing-intensive course focused on writing for or about a particular discipline. this course emphasizes document planning, drafting, and revision, including analysis of audience, argument and persuasion, use of reference materials, editing, and document design. Course theme varies among sections. Spring 2003 section has an additional prerequisite: completion of the natural science general graduation requirement. This section, "Science and Nature Writing", focuses on essays in natural history, health sciences and public health, and the environment. Weekly writing and revision, final portfolio. required field trips. Readings from contemporary biologists, nature writers, and journalists. (ADVANCED WRITING)

Biology (BIO)

LOWER DIVISION

BIO-102 Biology of Human Disease 4.0 cr.
Winter, spring. Emphasis on pathogenic organisms and human immune responses. This is a laboratory course designed for students not majoring in biology. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-105 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4.0 cr.
Fall. Anatomy and physiology of the human body; cell structure and function; tissues; skeletal, muscular, circulatory, and nervous systems. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly. This course is designed for students not majoring in biology. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-108 Human Genetics 3.0 cr.
Winter, spring. Genetics and genetic technology as applied to humans. Topics include classical (Mendelian) inheritance, genes and gene expression, inherited disorders, analysis of pedigrees, sex determination, gene therapy, and genetic privacy. (NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE)

BIO-128 Biology of Extreme Environments 3.0 cr.
Winter. Adaptation of life to extreme conditions. Topics include ancient and arctic climates, deserts, hydrothermal vents, hot springs, deep sea, high altitudes, origin of life, and evidence of extraterrestrial life. Intended for students not pursuing a biology major. (NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE)

BIO-129 Murder, Medicine, & Magic 3.0 cr.
Winter. A study of ethnobotany and the uses that people have made of plants. Topics include the uses of plants in various cultures for foods, fibers, shelter, beverages, medicines, rituals, and other ends. Emphasis will be placed on basic botanical principles (e.g. taxonomy, anatomy, evolution, chemistry), and the human needs (physiological, behavioral, cultural) that plants satisfy. (NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE)

BIO-130 Frontiers in Genetics 2.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Fundamental concepts in the biology of inheritance are developed with emphasis on scientific problem-solving--collection, analysis, and interpretation of genetic data. Emphasis on frontier areas of genetics including human genetics, genetic engineering, and biotechnology. Readings, lectures, discussions, lab activities, and computer simulations. Six hours per week for six weeks. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-133 Endangered Earth 3.0 cr.
Winter. Ecological principles and their applications to human environmental problems. Topics include population growth, productivity and food production, habitat destruction, biodiversity, extinction, atmospheric changes, and other conservation issues. Lecture/discussion. (NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE)

BIO-140 Idaho Natural History 4.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Natural history, flora, fauna, and ecological relationships of the local area. Three lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly. This course is designed for students not majoring in biology. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-205.1 Uncharted Territories 3.0 cr.
(Same as ENG 205.1) Winter. Analysis of texts that both concern biology and literature and challenge existing literary/biological paradigms. Requires a reading and travel journal and a final comprehensive written project that reflect the ways in which the winter Sawtooth experience informs the assigned texts and vice versa. Assigned texts include works by Oliver Sacks, Peter Hoeg, Diane Ackerman, Loren Eiseley, John Horgan, and Michel Foucault. (LITERATURE)

BIO-220 Organismal Biology 4.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BIO 130. The biology of individual and major taxonomic groups of organisms: development, functional morphology, anatomy, and physiology. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-221 Population & Environmental Biology 4.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BIO 130 or 220; prereq. or coreq.: MAT 211. The biology of populations and communities: population genetics, evolution, ecology, and animal behavior. Three lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-230 Molecular & Cellular Biology 4.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Prereq.: BIO 130 and CHE 141. Introduction to the components of cells and processes that occur in living cells. Topics include cell structure and function, genetic events, regulation of gene expression, and the chemical pathways of metabolism. Readings, lectures, discussions, and laboratory activities. Three lectures and one three-hour lab weekly. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-226 Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BIO 105 or 220. Advanced studies of the human body including the cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, and urinogenital systems. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-260 Diversity of Life 2.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: completion of two courses among BIO 220, 221, or 230. A survey of living organisms with an emphasis on biological classification, phylogeny reconstruction, biological diversity, and comparative morphology. Readings, lectures, discussions, and lab activities. Six hours per week for six weeks.

UPPER DIVISION

BIO-304 Mammalian Physiology 4.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BIO 220 and 222. A study of the physiology and morphology of mammalian cells, tissues and organs, with emphasis on selected mammalian organ systems. Three lectures/discussion and one three-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-306 Conservation Biology 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: BIO 221. Application of scientific principles to conservation of biological diversity, with emphasis on patterns and explanations for diversity, threats to and value of diversity, habitat relationships and extinction processes, and conservation strategies.

BIO-310 Advanced Field Techniques 1.0 to 4.0 cr.
Prereq.: BIO 221 and permission. Students design and conduct a field study resulting in a paper and oral presentation. Offered in conjunction with scheduled field trips. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission.

BIO-318 Aquatic Ecology 4.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO 220 and 221. This course examines the ecology of freshwater and marine environments with emphasis on primary production, nutrient dynamics, population dynamics, and community organization. Two lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly. Some weekend field trips are required.

BIO-319 Ichthyology 4.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO 221. A study of the evolution, classification, diversity, morphology, and biogeography of marine and freshwater fishes. Two lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly. Some weekend field trips are required. Extra fee. Limited enrollment.

BIO-322.1 Field Botany 4.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO 220. Field based investigation of diversity, history, and adaptations of plants with emphasis on local examples. Methods of taxonomic identification and field experimentation. Two lectures and one four-hour laboratory period weekly. Some weekend field trips are required. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-324 Natural History Preparation (for Australia, Costa Rica, Baja) 1.0 cr.
Fall. Preparation for off-campus field trips. This course is not graded until the end of the term in which the field trip is taken.

BIO-325 Natural History (of Australia, Costa Rica, Baja) 2-3.0 cr.
Winter. Australia. Prereq.: BIO 221 and permission. An evolutionary synthesis of topics in zoology, botany, geology, geography, and anthropology.

BIO-328 Brain, Mind, & Senses 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BIO 220 or permission. Selected topics in neurobiology of animals, including humans. Topics span molecular, cellular, organ, and organismal levels of neuronal function: impulses, neurotransmitters, synapses, learning and memory, sensory processes, functional neuroanatomy, animal consciousness, and brain dysfunction. Lecture/discussion.

BIO-332 Evolution 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: lower division core. The study of organic evolution as an organizing principle of biology, including a synthesis of principles of population genetics, paleontology, ecology, and molecular, developmental and organismal biology.

BIO-333 Plant Biosystematics & Biogeography 4.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO 221 or permission. Descriptive and experimental approaches to interpreting evolutionary relationships, taxonomy, and distributions of plants. Projects involve phenetic and cladistic analyses of Southwestern Idaho plant species. Two lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-336 Ornithology 4.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO 221. A field oriented introduction to avian biology with emphasis on classification, identification, structure, distribution, ecology and habits of birds. Two lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-339.1 Mammalogy 4.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. Years. Prereq.: BIO 221. Biological principles as applied to mammals with emphasis on adaptations, behavior, evolution, classification, and ecological relationships. Three lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly. Some overnight field trips may be required.

BIO-341 Tropical & Subtropical Ecology 2-3.0 cr.
Winter. Australia. Prereq.: BIO 221 and permission. A study of the origin, structure, composition, species diversity, and ecological relationships of tropical and subtropical biotic communities.

BIO-344 Coral Reef Ecology 2.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: BIO 221, 324 and permission. A study of coral reef formation, marine habitats, species diversity and ecological relationships on the Great Barrier Reef.

BIO-345 Ecology 4.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. Years. Prereq.: BIO 221. Interrelationships between plants, animals, and their environments. Emphasizes population interactions and community organization. Laboratory emphasizes techniques of ecosystem analysis. Three lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-349 Vertebrate Natural History 4.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. Years. Prereq.: BIO 221. Vertebrate classification, life histories, adaptations, distribution, and evolution. Three lectures, one four-hour laboratory weekly and occasional field trips.

BIO-350 Comparative Anatomy 4.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO 220. Comparative anatomy of vertebrate types. Emphasizes development, comparison of the various systems and organs, and essential histology: function and evolution. Three lectures and two three-hour laboratories weekly.

BIO-351 Histology 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO 220. Microscopic anatomy of tissues and organs with emphasis on the mammals. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-355 Selected Topics: Human Anatomy 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: BIO 105, 350 and permission. A laboratory-only course consisting of selected dissections on a cadaver, including muscles of the extremities, neck, shoulder, and trunk. Two three-hour laboratories weekly. Discussion sessions arranged. Limited enrollment.

BIO-356 Molecular Biology & Development 4.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BIO 222. A detailed study of the mechanisms of spatial and temporal control of gene expression. Emphasis will be placed on the application of recombinant DNA techniques to the study of animal and plant development.

BIO-360 Microbiology 4.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BIO 222. Morphology and physiology of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa, with emphasis on bacteria and on medically important microorganisms. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-362 Oncology & Virology 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: BIO 222. Molecular mechanisms controlling the cell cycle and the changes in this control that result in cancer. Viruses will be examined as carriers of cancer genes and for insights they provide into cell function. Lectures/discussion.

BIO-365.1 Immunology 4.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BIO 230. Study of immune responses at molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. Application of this knowledge to study autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, immunodeficiency, and manipulation of the immune system in the treatment of human diseases. Three lecture/discussions and one 3-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-371 Endocrinology 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO 222 or 230. Study of hormones and the mechanisms by which hormones regulate genetic and cellular function, and metabolism.

BIO-374 Animal Physiology 4.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BIO 220 and 222; PHY 231 or 271 recommended. Comparative study of temperature, respiration, circulation, energy metabolism, homeostasis, and neuromuscular function. Three lectures/discussion and one three-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-375 Plant Physiology 4.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. Years. BIO 220 and 222; PHY 231 or 271 recommended. Nutrition, gas exchange, water relations, transport, metabolism, growth and development with special emphasis on environmental influences. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-396 or 496 Biology Research 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: permission. A laboratory or field research problem culminating in a paper written according to departmental guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)

BIO-397 or 497 Internship 1.0 to 6.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: junior or senior standing and permission. Internships are designed to give students experience in the fields of their interest. A written summary of the internship and a seminar are presented to the department at the conclusion of the internship. NOTE: BIO 497 (but not 397) fulfills the general graduation requirement for independent work. See internship guidelines.

BIO-398 Readings & Conference 1.0 to 2.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: permission. Independent reading and weekly conference with a faculty supervisor. Appropriate for fields of special interest, but will not substitute for required courses.

BIO-399T.1 Developmental Biology 3 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BIO 222 or permission. Lecture and discussion of classical studies and current molecular approaches in developmental biology.

BIO-400 Biology Seminar 2.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Prereq.: senior standing and completion of two courses in the upper-division biology core. A capstone seminar course focused on topics that integrate molecular, cellular, organismal, and population level processes; course topic varies among sections. Readings, lectures, and discussions. (INDEPENDENT WORK)

BIO-494 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: permission. Library research in biology. Critical review of literature pertaining to a problem or specialized topic in biology culminating in a paper written according to department guide lines. See independent study guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)

BIO-499 Senior Comprehensive Examination 0.0 cr.
Prereq.: senior standing. A written comprehensive examination designed to measure the full range of students' understanding of biology.