Biology Major

Courses of Instruction

BIO 105 Ecological Basis of Environmental Issues: Introduces students to ecological principles that form the basis for understanding environmental issues, and to scientific concepts, laboratory, and field techniques used to study and assess natural and human-induced changes in ecosystems. Lab course designed for non-science majors.

BIO 106 Human Impacts on Marine Ecosystems: Introduces students to marine ecosystems and the impacts of human activities on marine flora and fauna. Addresses contemporary issues of exploitation, pollution and conservation, and their ecological consequences. Lab course designed for non-science majors.

BIO 107 Sustaining Biodiversity with Laboratory: Investigates patterns of biodiversity across biomes, human impact on wild populations and habitats, social and political issues at the local and global level, and the search for sustainable solutions to a world of expanding human populations with finite resources. Lab course designed for non-science majors.

BIO 109 Wild Florida: Interdisciplinary course that educates students about Florida's natural habitats, with an emphasis on botany, and provides students with an understanding of how humans historically interact with, and effect, these ecosystems. Lab course designed for non-science majors.

BIO 112 Biological Aspects of Nutrition: Examines foods, nutrients, and the biological processes by which humans ingest, digest, metabolize, transport, utilize, and excrete wastes. Covers current concepts in scientific nutrition and how they apply to personal health. Lab course designed for non-science majors.

BIO 113 Plants and Humanity: Explores human dependence on plants through investigations of plant structure and function, development, inheritance, diversity, and environmental interactions. Weighs value and limits of scientific approaches to improving world's food and biodiversity crises. Lab course designed for non-science majors.

BIO 115 Human Reproduction and Development: Examines human reproduction, pregnancy, parturition, and lactation. Explores development from fertilization to birth. Discusses congenital abnormalities and their basis in genetics and the environment. For non-science majors.

BIO 117 Bacteria, Viruses and Humans: Introduces world of microorganisms and their impact on human life. Presents basic principles of biology while probing diversity, genetics, and ecology of microorganisms; their uses in food, agriculture, and industry; and their ability to produce disease. Lab exercises involve quantitative and qualitative analysis of bacterial nutrition and procedures for identification and control of microbes. Lab course designed for non-science majors.

BIO 118 Introduction to the Forensic Sciences: Survey of the major disciplines within the forensic sciences. Focuses on the use of basic scientific principles and scientific method in crime investigations. Designed for non-science majors.

BIO 119 Conservation of Florida's Freshwater Ecosystems: Introduces students to the amazing diversity of Florida's freshwater ecosystems, while familiarizing them with the basic physical, chemical, biological, and ecological characteristics of these systems. Scientific concepts and laboratory and field techniques used to study, monitor, and conserve Florida's freshwater ecosystems also included. Lab course designed for non-science majors.

BIO 120/121 General Biology I and II: Includes cell structure and function, genetics and evolution, and diversity of organisms and ecology. Lab required. Intended for science majors.

BIO 203 Biology for Teachers:Prepares students to teach biology in elementary school. Incorporates principles and concepts of chemistry to demonstrate relationship to biology. Models integration of lab exercises, elementary activities, research projects, and educational technology. Lab course for education majors.

BIO 210 Introduction to Marine Science: Introduction to biological, physical, chemical, and geological processes in the oceans and coastal environments and their interaction. Introduces scientific concepts used to study marine ecosystems. For biology majors and minors. Prerequisite: BIO 121.

BIO 223 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy: Surveys anatomy of major groups of vertebrate organisms. Students dissect lamprey, shark, mud puppy, and cat. Lab required. Prerequisite: BIO 121.

BIO 229 Microbiology:Emphasizes metabolism, genetics, reproduction, and ecology of bacteria and viruses and their relationship to infectious disease and immunology. Develops basic research and microbiological lab skills. Lab required.Prerequisite: BIO 121.

BIO 234 Plant Kingdom:Surveys evolution of plant and fungi kingdoms and algal protists. Covers plant anatomy, morphology, reproduction, and structure of plant communities. Fieldwork teaches use of taxonomic keys to identify plants. Lab and fieldwork required. Prerequisite: BIO 121.

BIO 236 Invertebrate Zoology:Examines animal kingdom from motile protists (protozoa) through invertebrate chordates, with emphasis on evolution and organization of animal diversity. Required lab and fieldwork use as much live material as possible, especially faunal groups from Central Florida and Florida Keys. Prerequisite: BIO 121 .

Bio 237 Vertebrate Zoology:Surveys vertebrate chordates from jawless lamprey through fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Stresses structural and functional characteristics, evolutionary relationships, ecology, behavior, and distribution. Required lab and fieldwork focus on Florida fish and wildlife. Prerequisite: BIO 121.

BIO 245 Human Anatomy with Laboratory: Studies major human organ systems and their functional characteristics in normal and abnormal states. Designed primarily for students preparing for the study of physical therapy, occupational therapy, other allied health professions, and those biology or other majors not planning to attend medical, dental, or graduate school. Laboratory includes study of human bones, microscopic slides of tissues, and dissection of cats and other mammalian organs. Prerequisite: BIO 121 .

BIO 246 Human Physiology: Studies the function of human systems (cardiovascular, muscle, nervous, etc.) related to homeostasis. Designed primarily for students preparing for the study of physical therapy, occupational therapy, other allied health professions, and those biology or other students not planning to attend medical, dental, or graduate school. Laboratory involves physiological studies on humans and other mammals. Prerequisite: BIO 121.

BIO 270 Plant Growth and Development:Examines structural, biochemical, and molecular aspects of growth and development of angiosperms from seed germination to flowering to seed formation. Lab required. Prerequisite: BIO 121.

BIO 287/387 Tropical Field Biology:Explores ecology, diversity, biography, and behavior of terrestrial and aquatic organisms of American tropics. Compares representative ecosystems of Central America (lowland and mountain rain forests, mangroves, cloud forest, paramo) and Caribbean (coral reefs, turtle grass, intertidal). Prerequisite: BIO 121 or ENV 120.

BIO 308 Genetics:Analyzes prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetics at the level of molecule, cell, organism and population. Uses quantitative approach in presentation of concepts and in genetic analysis. Lab required. Prerequisites: BIO 121 and CHM 120.

BIO 311 Plant Physiology: Analyzes life processes of higher plants: water relations, mineral nutrition, cellular and long-distance transport, photosynthesis, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and hormonal control of development. Required lab includes student-directed investigations. Prerequisites: BIO 121 and CHM 220.

BIO 312 Animal Physiology:Studies animals at cellular and organismic levels: nervous, muscular, endocrine, excretory, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. Considers invertebrate and lower vertebrate physiology but stresses mammalian systems. Lab required. Prerequisites: BIO 121 and CHM 220 .

BIO 316 Ecology:Explores processes and organization of populations, communities, and ecosystems. Required lab uses standard field methodology to analyze aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of Central and South Florida, including the Keys and Everglades. Prerequisite: BIO 121 or ENV 120.

BIO 320 Medicinal Botany: Integrates the botany of major medicinal and crop plants with plant conservation, chemistry, and mode of action of compounds. Lab required. Prerequisite:CHM 220.

BIO 329 Microbial Physiology: Explores the structure of prokaryotic cells through investigations of the diverse chemistry, genetics, and metabolism of these microbes. Required laboratory includes student-designed research. Prerequisite:BIO 229.

BIO 330 Field Botany: Examines taxonomy, evolution, ecology, and environmental significance of local flora through directed observation, identification, and experimental analysis. Students describe and identify plant specimens obtained in field and interpret evolutionary and ecological relationships among plant groups. Lab required. Prerequisite: BIO 120 or ENV 120.

BIO 335 Marine Biology with Laboratory: Examines the adaptations of marine organisms to their environment, and the ecological principles and processes that structure their associations. Laboratory required and emphasizes studies of representative field areas on the Florida coasts. Prerequisites: BIO 210 and BIO 236.

BIO 340 Topics in Biology: Focuses on specialized topic such as epidemiology, immunology, medical microbiology, nutrition, parasitology, physiological ecology, or virology -- depending on faculty interest.

BIO 341 Molecular Biology: Describes structure of chromosomes and organization of genomes. Examines replication, repair, transcription, and translation of genetic information -- and methodology to study these processes. Prerequisite: BIO 229.

BIO 342 Biostatistics: Applies principles and practices of statistics to biological problems. Covers experimental design, descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric testing of hypotheses, regression, correlation, and interpretation of results. Prerequisite: MAT 109, MAT 110, or MAT 111.

BIO 344 Biology Journal Club: Assists students in advanced biology courses in developing the skills necessary to read, comprehend, and abstract material from primary source journals.

BIO 350 Introduction to Biochemistry with Laboratory: Concepts of biochemistry emphasizing enzymes (kinetics and mechanisms of action), an integrated view of metabolism (pathways and their regulation), molecular biology (replication-transcription-translation), and cellular communication. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite:BIO 121 and CHM 220 .

BIO 360 Cellular Biology: Correlates structure and function of cell. Discusses energy, enzymes and metabolism, membrane structure, transport, endomembrane system, communication, and growth and division. Lab required. Prerequisites:BIO 121 and CHM 220.

BIO 370 Developmental Biology: Studies gametogenesis, fertilization, and patterns of embryonic development, differentiation, and morphogenesis. Stresses concept of development program in animals established during gametogenesis, activated at fertilization, and expressed in subsequent development. Lab required. Prerequisites:BIO 121 and CHM 220 .

BIO 381 Vertebrate Histology and Microtechnique: Discusses structure and function of vertebrate cells and tissues. Involves microscopic examination of tissues and preparation of slides. Lab required. Prerequisite: BIO 121.

BIO 385F Marine Biology Laboratory: Central Pacific: Studies marine life of the Central Pacific Ocean, based at the marine laboratory of the University of Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, and on the island of Hawaii. Comprehensive, in-field ecological survey/analyses of representative tropical marine ecosystems of the Central Pacific, including coral reefs, rocky intertidal, sandy shoreline, mangrove communities, estuarine areas, etc. Prerequisite: BIO 210.

BIO 386F Marine Biology Laboratory: Caribbean: Studies marine life of the tropical Atlantic/Caribbean Sea, based at the Bellairs Marine Research Institute, McGill University, Barbados. Comprehensive, in-field ecological survey/analyses of representative tropical marine ecosystems of the Caribbean, including coral reefs, rocky intertidal, sandy shoreline, mangrove communities, brackish ponds, etc. Prerequisite: BIO 210.

BIO 387F Marine Biology Laboratory: Florida: Studies marine life of Florida, based at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and Pigeon Key Marine Laboratory, Florida Keys. Fieldwork carried out along the eastern coast of Florida and in the Florida Keys will consist of comprehensive ecological survey/analyses of representative marine ecosystems including coral reefs, rocky intertidal, sandy shoreline, mangrove communities, brackish ponds, etc. Prerequisite:BIO 210.

BIO 429 Immunology: Investigates structure and function of immune system; concept of "self" vs. "foreign," tolerance, and immunological memory. Focuses on host defense systems of mammals with emphasis on human adaptive and nonadaptive immunity. Also examines causes and effects of immune deficiencies. Prerequisite: senior standing or consent.

BIO 435 Senior Seminar in Marine Biology: Students direct analysis and discussions of integrative topics in marine biology. Emphasizes readings of classical and contemporary primary scientific literature. Prerequisite: marine biology major and senior standing.

BIO 440 Senior Seminar: Topics in Biology: Students direct analysis and discussion of integrative topics. Emphasizes readings of classical and contemporary primary scientific literature. Prerequisite: senior standing.

BIO 462 Evolution: Scientific and philosophical material on processes and mechanisms of evolution. Capstone seminar. Prerequisite: senior standing.

BIO 296/396/496 Biological Internship: Pairs students with professional scientists.

BIO 297/397/497 Directed Studies in Biology: Tutorial on subject of student interest. May include library, lab, or fieldwork.

BIO 298/398/498 Independent Study: Library Research: Investigates literature on specific topic determined by student in conjunction with faculty sponsor. May be taken separately or as prelude to BIO 399/499 for two-term research project. Students meet as group every other week to report on activities.

BIO 399/499 Independent Study: Biological Research: Pursues lab, field, or theoretical work on topic of student interest. Students meet as group every other week to report on activities.