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.: CHE-141 and BIO-220. 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 both ENV-260 and BIO-220. 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-330. 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-317 Stream Ecology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO-221. This course examines the ecology of streams with an emphasis on the physical, chemical and biological organization of stream ecosystems. The course will also cover current theories in stream ecology as outlined in the primary literature. Students will learn laboratory and field methods for conducting stream research and will be expected to complete a field-based research project. 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 both ENV-260 and BIO-220. 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-320 Coastal Marine Ecology 3.0 cr.
Winter. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO 221. This course examines the ecology of coastal marine ecosystems (salt marshes, coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, open estuary, rocky shores) with an emphasis on the physical, chemical, and biological organization of each system. The course will also cover current developments in coastal marine ecology, including discussion of human impacts. Lectures and a 10-12 day field trip (Florida, Mexico, or Caribbean).
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) 1.0 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-330 Cell Biology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall, spring. Prereq.: BIO-120, BIO-220 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.
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 both 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 both 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 both 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 both ENV-260 and BIO-220, 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 both ENV-260 and BIO-220, 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 both 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 both 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-354 Selected Topics: Human Anatomy 2.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BIO-303 and permission. A two-hour laboratory and one-hour didactic/discussion course consisting of selected dissections on a cadaver and guided supervision of Human Anatomy students. Limited enrollment.
BIO-356 Molecular Biology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory
Fall. Prereq.: BIO-330. 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.: CHE-141 and BIO-220. 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 Immunology 3.0 cr. lecture
Prereq.: BIO-330. 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 lectures weekly.
BIO-365 Immunology Laboratory 1.0 cr.
This lab may or may not be scheduled along with the BIO-365 lecture. When the laboratory is scheduled with the lecture, it is a required co-requisite course.
BIO-371 Endocrinology 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: BIO-330. 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-330. 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 330; 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. Prereq.: BIO-220 and 330; 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. 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 guidelines. 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.