Departments

Biology

Biology Courses

  • BIOL-B 351 Fungi (3 cr.) P: BIOL L101 and BIOL L102. R: Junior or senior standing or consent of the instructor. Morphology, life histories, classification, genetics, physiology, development, ecology, medical and economic importance of fungi. (Occasionally)
  • BIOL-B 352 Fungi Laboratory (2 cr.) P or C: B351.  R: Junior or senior standing or consent of instructor.  Laboratory and field studies of fungi and their activities. (Occasionally)
  • BIOL-B 355 Plant Diversity (4 cr.) P: an introductory biology course Study of major plant groups - algae to flowering plants. Information will be provided on classification, evolution, ecology, cytology, morphology, anatomy, reproduction, life cycle, and economic importance. Two lectures and one three- hour laboratory per week. (Fall)
  • BIOL-B 364 Summer Flowering Plants (5 cr.) P: one introductory biology course For those desiring a broad, practical knowledge of common wild and cultivated plants. (Summer I or II)
  • BIOL-E 111 Basic Biology by Examination I (3 cr.) Credit by examination for demonstrating an understanding of the basic facts and concepts of the lecture content of BIOL-L 102. Credit not given for both BIOL-E 111 and BIOL-L 102 or BIOL-L 111. Lecture credit only. One additional laboratory course must be included in the core program. (Occasionally)
  • BIOL-E 112 Basic Biology by Examination II (3 cr.) Credit by examination for demonstrating an understanding of basic facts and concepts of the lecture content of BIOL-L 101. Credit not given for both BIOL-E 112 and BIOL-L 101 or BIOL-L 112.
  • BIOL-L 100 Humans and the Biological World (3-5 cr.) Principles of biological organization, from molecules through cells and organizations to populations. Emphasis on processes common to all organisms with special reference to humans. Credit will be given for only one of the following introductory-level courses or sequences: BIOL-L 100, BIOL-L 104, BIOL-L 101 - BIOL-L 102, PHSL-P 130.
  • BIOL-L 101 Introduction to the Biological Sciences I (4 cr.) R: CHEM-C 105 concurrently An introductory course designed for prospective biology majors and students majoring in ancillary sciences. Principles of life processes including the chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, genetics, and evolution. (Fall, Spring)
  • BIOL-L 102 Introduction to the Biological Sciences II (4 cr.) Integrates a brief survey of the diversity of life with an emphasis on a comparative review of the major functional systems in diverse groups and an introduction to the principles of ecology. (Summer, Spring) 
  • BIOL-L 104 Introductory Biology Lectures (3 cr.) An introduction to living organisms. Designed for nonscientists with no background in biology. Does not count as a preprofessional course. Primary emphasis may vary with the instructor. Credit given for only one of the following: BIOL-L 100, BIOL-L 104, BIOL-E 112, or BIOL-Q 201.
  • BIOL-L 200 Environmental Biology and Conservation (3 cr.) Study of flora and fauna of northwest Indiana through laboratory and fieldwork. Emphasis on identification, classification, life histories, and habitats of organisms and their conservation as renewable resources. (Summer)
  • BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology (3 cr.) P: BIOL-L 101 Structure and function of DNA and RNA. DNA replication, mechanisms of mutation, repair, recombination, and transposition. Mechanism and regulation of gene expression. The genetic code, transcription, and translation. Introduces bacteriophages, plasmids, and the technology of recombinant DNA. (Fall)  
  • BIOL-L 215 Conservation Biology (3 cr.) P: sophomore standing. Fundamental ecology will be presented and applied to conservation of ecosystems and wildlife. In laboratory sessions, students will perform research on restoration of an ecosystem, for example, a prairie. This course is for nonmajors only. (Summer I)
  • BIOL-L 290 Introduction to Biological Research (1 cr.) P: BIOL-L 101 An introduction to the biological research at IU Northwest, preparing students to undertake BIOL-L 490 research projects. (Fall, Spring)  
  • BIOL-L 300 Social Implications of Biology (3 cr.) Biological aspects of social problems such as AIDS, genetic engineering, population explosion, eugenics, drug abuse, heredity, hazards of irradiation, etc. (Occasionally)
  • BIOL-L 302 Topics in Human Biology (3 cr.) P: nonmajor junior or senior standing Physiology, genetics, and biochemistry. Topics to be considered may vary from year to year: cancer, genetic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, blood groups, immune system, genetic damage, contraception and pregnancy, genetics of intelligence, environmental hazards, genetic engineering, etc. (Occasionally)  
  • BIOL-L 311 Genetics (3-4 cr.) P: BIOL-L 211 or consent of instructor. Principles governing the transmission of specific traits to the progeny of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, higher plants, and animals. Analysis at the level of the individual and population; interactions between genetic constitution and environment; application to the study of development, human genetic disease,and agricultural breeding. Credit not given for both BIOL-L 311 and BIOL-S 311. (Spring)   
  • BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology (3-4 cr.) P: BIOL-L 211. Current views of the structure and function of cellular organelles and components, with emphasis on the flow of information through the cell, the metabolism that supports cellular functions, and differences among different specialized cells.  Current techniques will be stressed. (Fall)
  • BIOL-L 316 Fundamentals of Human Sexuality (3 cr.) P: junior standing An exploration of the anatomical and physiological factors relating to the development of human sexuality with particular emphasis on the biological mechanisms involved in health and disease. (Summer I or II).
  • BIOL-L 318 Evolution (3 cr.) P: BIOL-L 311 or BIOL-S 311 Provides a rigorous exploration of the theory of evolution; the conceptual core of biology. Topics include origins and history of life: the interplay of heredity and environment in shaping adaptations; molecular, behavioral, and social evolution; patterns of speciation, extinction, and their consequences; methods of inferring evolutionary relationships among organisms. Credit not given for both BIOL-L 318 and BIOL-S 318, or both BIOL-L 318 and BIOL-L 479. (Occasionally)  
  • BIOL-L 321 Principles of Immunology (3 cr.) P: BIOL-L 211 and CHEM-C 101 or CHEM-C 105 An introductory survey of the basic principles of immunology and their practical applications. (Spring)   
  • BIOL-L 323 Molecular Biology Laboratory (3 cr.) P: BIOL-L 211 Manipulation and analysis of genes and genomes. Gene cloning and library screening. Gene amplification and disease diagnosis. Gene mapping and southern blot analysis of complex genome structure. Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 323, BIOL-L 324, or BIOL-S 211.    
  • BIOL-L 331 Human Genetics (3 cr.) Principles of heredity at the molecular, cellular, individual, and population levels.  Credit not given for both BIOL-L 363 and BIOL-L 331.  
  • BIOL-L 363 Genetics and Humans (3 cr.) Principles of heredity at the molecular, cellular, individual, and population levels. Credit not given for both BIOL-L 363 and BIOL-L 331. (Fall)
  • BIOL-L 378 Biological Aspects of Aging (3 cr.) P: BIOL-L 100, PHYS-P 130, or the equivalent Biological mechanisms that alter cells with age and the effects those changes have on the human organism as a whole. Models for the aging process will be presented, as well as research done on the major systems of the body. (Summer I or II)
  • BIOL-L 391 Special Topics in Biology (1-3 cr.) P: consent of the instructor Study and analysis of selected biological issues and problems. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated with change in topics. (Fall, Spring, Summer I, Summer II)     May be repeated with change in topics
  • BIOL-L 403 Biology Seminar (1 cr.) Individual presentation of topics of current importance. Student cannot enroll for more than two semesters for credit. (Fall, Spring)    
  • BIOL-L 473 Ecology (3-4 cr.) P: 8 credit hours of biology courses above the 100 level Major concepts of ecology for science majors or science education majors; relation of individual organisms to their environment; population ecology; structure and function of ecosystems. Credit not given for both BIOL-L 473 and BIOL-S 309. Course serves as one option for capstone course for the biology major.(Fall)    
  • BIOL-L 474 Field and Laboratory Ecology (2 cr.) P: or concurrent: BIOL-L 473 and one course in organismal biology Introduction to research problems and techniques in the ecology of individuals, populations, and ecosystems. This course does not serve as the BIOL-L 473 lab. (Fall)   
  • BIOL-L 476 Regional Ecology (2 cr.) P: or concurrent: BIOL-L 473 or consent of the instructor Open to juniors and seniors only. Selective trips to ecological areas to study both the flora and fauna of a biome. (Summer I or II)   
  • BIOL-L 482 Restoration Ecology (3 cr.) P: 8 credit hours of biology courses at or above the 300 level This course presents the fundamentals of ecology and restoration ecology to the restoration / reestablishment of natural ecological communities. The lab will feature actual restoration / reestablishment of wetlands, prairies, savannas, woodlands, and forests of Northwest Indiana. (Fall)   
  • BIOL-L 483 Conservation Biology (3 cr.) P: 8 credit hours of biology courses at or above the 300 level This course will present scientific fundamentals applied to conservation of endangered species, biodiversity, and ecosystems. The lab will feature field experiments that evaluate the level of success of various conservation projects (e.g., plant diversity, animal diversity, ecosystem function) in Northwest Indiana. (Fall)   
  • BIOL-L 490 Individual Study (arr-12 cr.) P: written permission of faculty supervising research Must complete a written assignment as evidence of each semester's work and present an oral report to complete more than 6 credit hours. (Fall, Spring, Summer I, II)    
  • BIOL-L 498 Internship in Professional Practice (1-6 cr.) Provides an opportunity for students to receive credit for selected career-related work. Evaluation by employer and faculty sponsor on a satisfactory / unsatisfactory basis. (Fall, Spring)    
  • BIOL-L 499 Internship in Biology Instruction (3 cr.) P: consent of departmental chairperson Supervised experience in teaching undergraduate biology courses. May be repeated once for credit. (Fall, Spring, Summer)      May be repeated once for credit
  • BIOL-M 200 Microorganism in Nature and Disease (4 cr.) R: high school chemistry and biology Principles of microbiology, including the study of major microbial groups, cultivation, physiology and genetics, destruction, and control of microorganisms in nature and disease. For students in programs requiring one semester of microbiology (not premedical or medical technology students). Includes laboratory (Fall, Spring, Summer I)
  • BIOL-M 215 Microorganism Laboratory (1 cr.) BIOL-M 200 must be taken concurrently. Introduction to basic techniques and procedures of microbiology laboratories. Emphasis on aspects useful to nursing students. Growth and transfer of living microorganisms, aseptic techniques, and the staining of and identification of bacteria. (Fall, Spring, Summer I)
  • BIOL-M 310 Microbiology (3-4 cr.) P: CHEM-C 105 - CHEM-C 106, BIOL-L 211, or permission of instructor Application of fundamental biological principles to the study of microorganisms. Significance of microorganisms to humans and their environment. (Fall)     
  • BIOL-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.) P: BIOL-M 310 C: BIOL-M 310 Laboratory exercises and demonstrations to yield proficiency in the principles and techniques of cultivation and the use of microorganisms under aseptic conditions. (Fall)     
  • BIOL-M 430 Virology: Lecture (3 cr.) P: BIOL-L 211 and BIOL-L 311 or BIOL-M 310 R: BIOL-L 312 Viruses of plants, animals (including humans), and bacteria: emphasis on molecular biology of viral systems. Viruses and human disease such as cancer and AIDS; viruses and their evolution. (Occasionally)     
  • BIOL-M 440 Medical Microbiology (3 cr.) P: BIOL-M 310 or permission of instructor Microorganisms as agents of disease; host / parasite relationships; epidemiology; chemotherapy. (Occasionally) This course may fulfill the capstone requirement.     
  • BIOL-N 213 Human Biology Lab (1 cr.) Laboratory to accompany Human Biology Lecture.  Students must be concurrently enrolled in Human Biology (P130) lecture.  Consent of instructor is required. (Fall)
  • BIOL-Z 317 Developmental Biology (3 cr.) P: BIOL-L 311 Analysis of developmental processes that lead to the construction of whole organisms from single cells. Includes the principles of embryology and analysis of mutations affecting development. (Occasionally)
  • BIOL-Z 318 Developmental Biology Laboratory (2 cr.) P: BIOL-L 211, BIOL-L 311, BIOL-L 317 C: BIOL-L 317 A laboratory about developing organisms, with emphasis on vetrebrate embryology and organogenesis.    
  • BIOL-Z 406 Vertebrate Zoology (3-4 cr.) P: BIOL-L 101 and BIOL-L 102 Morphology, ecology, life history, physiology, and general biology of vertebrates. (Spring)     
  • BIOL-Z 466 Endocrinology (3 cr.) P: BIOL L211 and CHEM C341 or the equivalent, organic chemistry, and at least junior standing Experimental procedures and results relative to glandular interrelationships; mode of actions of hormones and their role in behavior of organisms. (Occasionally) This course may fulfill the capstone requirement.

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