Upper Division Courses
BIO-303 Human Anatomy 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Prereq.: BIO-220. A study of the structures of the human body, including musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, renal, digestive, endocrine, and reproductive systems with emphasis on the interactions between body systems. Laboratory activities include dissection of cats, study of a prosected human cadaver, and interactive computer studies. This course is designed for pre-health professions students, thus clinical applications will be emphasized.
BIO-304 Human Physiology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Spring. Prereq: BIO-220 and BIO-230. A study of the physiology and morphology of human cells, tissues and organs, with emphasis on selected human organ systems. Three lectures/discussion and one three-hour laboratory weekly.
BIO-306 Conservation Biology 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260. 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-316 Genetics 3.0 cr.
Prereq: BIO-120 and BIO-230. This course incorporates both classical and molecular approaches to study the structure and function of DNA, genes, chromosomes, the genome, and gene expression. Possible topics include, but not limited to, classical genetic concepts, oncogenes and cancer; cloning and gene therapy; Human Genome Project, sex determination and sex chromosomes, genetic screening, and population genetics.
BIO-318 Aquatic Ecology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260 and BIO-220. 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 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260 and BIO-120. 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 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq: BIO-220 or BIO-129. Field based investigation of diversity, history, and adaptations of plants with emphasis on local examples. Methods of taxonomic identification and classification emphasized. Two lectures and one four-hour laboratory period weekly. Some weekend field trips are required.
BIO-324 Natural History Preparation (for Australia, Costa Rica, Baja, Hawaii) 1.0 to 2.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq: BIO-220 and ENV-260 or coreq. BIO-221. Preparation for off-campus field trips.
BIO-325 Natural History (of Australia, Costa Rica, Baja, Hawaii) 1 to 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260, BIO-324 and permission. An evolutionary synthesis of topics in zoology, botany, geology, geography, and anthropology.
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 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260 and BIO-220, or permission. Descriptive and experimental approaches to interpreting evolutionary relationships, taxonomy, and distributions of plants. Projects involve phonetic and cladistic analyses of Southwestern Idaho plant species. Two lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly.
BIO-336 Ornithology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260 and BIO-220. 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 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Spring. Alt. Years. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260 and BIO-220. 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 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260, BIO-324 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 1.0 to 2.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq: BIO-221or ENV-260, BIO-324 and permission. A study of coral reef formation, marine habitats, species diversity and ecological relationships on coral reef ecosystems.
BIO-345 Ecology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260 and BIO-220. 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 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq: BIO-221 or ENV-260 and BIO-220. Vertebrate classification, life histories, adaptations, distribution, and evolution. Three lectures, one four-hour laboratory weekly and occasional field trips.
BIO-355 Selected Topics: Human Anatomy 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq: BIO-303 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 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Prereq: BIO-230. A detailed study of the mechanisms of spatial and temporal control of gene expression. Emphasis will be placed on recombinant DNA and bioinformatics techniques.
BIO-360 Microbiology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Prereq: BIO-230. 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-361 Pathobiology 3.0 cr.
Prereq: BIO-304. Concepts of pathobiology, to include causes, physiological mechanisms, symptoms, and patterns of pathogenesis of human disease.
BIO-365.1 Immunology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
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-230. Study of hormones and the mechanisms by which hormones regulate genetic and cellular function, and metabolism.
BIO-372 Developmental Biology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Prereq: BIO-230. Study of the main principles of animal developmental biology on the molecular, cellular, and organismal level. Three lecture/discussions and one three-hour lab weekly.
BIO-374 Animal Physiology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Prereq: BIO-220 and 230; 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 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Alt. years. BIO-220 and 230; PHY-231 or 271 recommended. Nutrition, gas exchange, water relations, transport, metabolism, growth and development of plants with emphasis on environmental influences. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly.
BIO-395 or 495 Research Methods & Techniques 2.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq: Completion of lower division biology core or permission of instructor. A laboratory course in selected areas such as "cell biology and toxicology" or "molecular biology" or "bioinformatics". Working in a research group students critically evaluate scientific literature and solve problems using laboratory techniques typical of the selected area of study. Students enrolled in this course will be actively engaged in laboratory research and will be expected to conduct research projects outside of the scheduled class time period. (INDEPENDENT WORK)
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 Liberal Arts Core 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-400 Biology Seminar 2.0 cr.
Winter, 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. Readings, lectures, and discussions. May be repeated for credit with different topics. (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 cr.
Fall. A written comprehensive examination designed to measure the full range of students' understanding of biology. To pass BIO 499, a student must pass the written exam according to the criteria set by the Biology Department. Students failing to score a passing grade must pass an Oral Comprehensive exam given by the biology faculty in the following Winter or Spring term.