101 General Biology I, II, S. 3 Hr. Coreq. BIOL 103. Introductory course in biology: cellular, organismal, and population genetics, including reproduction, growth and development, and evolution.
102 General Biology I, II, S. 3 Hr. Coreq. BIOL 104. Introductory biology: energetics and physiology of cells, organisms, and populations, including regulation and control of multicellular organisms.
103 General Biology Laboratory I, II, S. 1 Hr. Coreq. BIOL 104. Experiments in biology: genetics and evolution; reproduction, growth, and development of cells, organisms, and populations.
104 General Biology Laboratory I, II, S. 1 Hr. Coreq. BIOL 102. Experiments in biology: materials exchange, actions of enzymes, photosynthesis and respiration, and physiology of organisms.
105 Environmental Biology I. 3 Hr. (Intended for non-biology majors.) Population growth and human impacts on the environment, including ecosystem destruction, biological diversity, pollution, and global climate change are explored to obtain the concepts necessary to understand complex environmental issues of our time.
106 Environmental Biology Laboratory I. 1 Hr. Coreq: BIOL 105. Field and laboratory exercises explore fundamental ecological concepts and environmental problems, such as biodiversity, pollution, and natural resource utilization.
115 Principles of Biology I. 4 Hr. An introductory course presenting basic principles of modern biology. This course represents the first in a four-course, integrated sequence required of biology majors. Topics include ecology and evolution, organismal biology, and cellular/molecular biology.
117 Introductory Physiology II. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 115 or BIOL 101, 102, 103, and 104. Continuation of BIOL 115. The diversity of reproductive, developmental, functional, and integrative mechanisms in plants and animals.
122 Human Sexuality I. 3 Hr. A study of biological, behavioral and societal aspects of sexuality. Issues considered include changing fecundity, social-legal implications, sex roles, sexually transmitted diseases, populations, erotica, aging, dysfunctions, decision-making skills for sex related issues.
219 The Living Cell I. 4 Hr. PR: (CHEM 115 or 117); and BIOL 117. Continuation of BIOL 117. Structure, function and diversity of cells with an emphasis on gene expression and cellular phenotype including cell chemistry, energetics, and regulation of cell activities.
221 Ecology and Evolution 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 219. Continuation of BIOL 219. Basic concepts in evolution and ecology including Darwin’s theory of natural selection, modern population genetics, speciation, population growth and regulation, demography, community ecology, ecosystem dynamics, and human ecology.
235 Human Physiology I, II. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 and BIOL 103 and BIOL 104. (Intended for nonbiology majors.) An introductory course in the function of the human
293 A-Z Special Topics I, II, S. 1-6 Hr. PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses
301 History of Biology I. 3 Hr. PR:( BIOL 101 and BIOL 103 and BIOL 102 and BIOL 104) or BIOL 115. History of development of biological knowledge with philosophical and social backgrounds
302 Biometry 3 Hr. PR: STAT 211. Application of quantitative methods and statistics to biological data with emphasis on hands-on hypothesis construction, experimental design, data analysis, and biological interpretation of statistical results
310 Advanced Cellular/Molecular Biology II. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 219. Advanced study of fundamental cellular activities and their underlying molecular processes. Cellular structure and organization, protein structure and function, transcription, translation, and control of gene expression
311 Advanced Cellular/Molecular Biology Laboratory II. 1 Hr. Coreq: BIOL 310. Experimental approaches to the study of cellular systems.
312 Introduction to Virology I. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 219. Survey of viruses, their modes of replication, their contribution to molecular biology, the significance of viral diseases in agriculture and medicine, and the contemporary use of viruses in biotechnology
313 Molecular Basis of Cellular Growth I. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 219. Study of the integration of events as they regulate the growth and division of cells. Topics include hormones as cell effectors and the cancer cell as a model system.
314 Molecular Genetics II. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 115 and BIOL 117 and BIOL 219. Theoretical and practical knowledge in genetics as a field of study and tool for investigating biological problems are presented. The laboratory is a logical sequence of experiments providing actual research experience in molecular genetics
315 Developmental Biology II. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 115 and BIOL 117 and BIOL 219. A molecular genetic analysis of the mechanisms by which multicellular organisms develop from single cells. With lab.
316 Developmental Biology II. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 115 and BIOL 117 and BIOL 219. A molecular genetic analysis of the mechanisms by which multicellular organisms develop from single cells.
321 The Total Science Experience II. 2 Hr. PR: BIOL 221. The capstone course for biology majors in which students become research scientists for the semester
336 Vertebrate Embryology II. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 115, 117, 219 and 221. An experimental and descriptive analysis of vertebrate development.
337 Physiological Psychology I. 3 Hr. PR: 9 Hr. Psychology, behavior, physiology, or graduate standing. Introduction to physiological mechanisms and the neural basis of behavior. (Also listed as PSYC 426.)
338 Behavioral Ecology 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 221. Consideration of the influences of environmental factors on short-and long-term regulation, control, and evolution of the behavior of animals.
339 Aquaculture 3 Hr. PR: (BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 and BIOL 103 and BIOL 104) or BIOL 115. An introduction to the farming and husbandry of freshwater and marine organisms. Overnight field trips are voluntary.
340 Invertebrate Zoology II. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 219 and 221. The evolution of animals without vertebral columns. The laboratory includes field trips, including one that takes an entire weekend. (Dissection kit required.)
348 Basic Neurobiology 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 115 and BIOL 117 and BIOL 219. This course provides an introduction to neuroscience. Basic neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and the relationship between the central nervous system, physiology, and behavior will be covered. Neuroscientists from the medical center will provide guest lectures
350 Plant Physiology II. 4 Hr. PR: CHEM 115 and CHEM 116 and (BIOL 101 and BIOL 103) or BIOL 117. Physiochemical processes of plants.
351 Comparative Evolutionary Biology of Plants I. 4 Hr. PR: (BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 and BIOL 103 and BIOL 104) or (BIOL 115 and BIOL 117). Evolutionary history, morphology, life cycles, and ecology of extant and extinct groups, including: cyanobacteria, lichens, algae (green, red, and brown), bryophytes, ferns, fern allies, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. Laboratory emphasizes comparative analysis of living specimens. One of two field trips at student’s expense.
352 Anatomy and Development of Plants II. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 117 or PLSC 206. A comparative study of vegetative and reproductive structures (cells, tissue, and organs) of bryophytes and vascular plants with emphasis on flowering plants. Laboratories focus on living plants and include observation of plant development from spores, seeds, and cuttings. One field trip.
353 Flora of West Virginia S. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 101 and BIOL 103 and BIOL 102 and BIOL 104 or BIOL 115. Identification of local woody and herbaceous seed plants, with emphasis on common native and introduced species. Conducted primarily through field trips to nearby areas with the use of dichotomous keys to determine the scientific names of observed specimens.
361 Plant Ecology I. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 221. Introduction to the four divisions of plant ecology, including physiological ecology, population ecology, community ecology, and ecosystem ecology
362 Limnology I. 4 Hr. PR: (BIOL 101 and BIOL 103) or BIOL 115 or WMAN 224 or consent. Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of inland waters with emphasis on the structure and function of stream ecosystems. (Also listed as WMAN 446.)
363 Plant Geography II. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 221. World-wide distribution patterns of plants and factors related to these distributions-including dispersal. Limiting factors, climate, isolation, evolutionary history, plate tectonics, pleistocene glaciations, and human activities. Plant communities and soils of polar, temperate, and tropical biomes are discussed.
386 Undergraduate Research I, II. 1-4 Hr. PR: Written consent of chair and a 2.7 grade-point average in biology. Individual laboratory or field experiments supervised by a faculty member
410 Cell and Molecular Biology Methods I. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 219. Introduction to the theory and application of basic analytical tools used in molecular biology. Selected topics included are hydrodynamic methods, chromatography, electrophoresis, and general laboratory methods.
411 Introduction to Recombinant DNA I. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 219. An introductory course covering the basic principles and techniques of recombinant DNA technology, includes molecular cloning, isolation of plasmid DNA, agarose/acrylamide gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme mapping, nucleic acid hybridization, and DNA sequencing
412 Cell Structure and Function 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 221. Students gain hands-on experience in methodologies used to study cell structure and function. Light and florescence microscopy are used to address cell signaling, signal transduction, exocytosis, apoptosis, and regulation of gene expression in reproductive endocrinology.
413 Molecular Endocrinology I. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 219. Hormonal action is discussed at the cellular and molecular levels. Topics include hormone production and regulation, receptor kinetics and activation, and receptor output
414 Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory I. 1 Hr. Coreq: BIOL 413. Experimental techniques used to study hormones and receptors
415 Plant Development I. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 115 and BIOL 117 and BIOL 219 and BIOL 221 and (organic chemistry or biochemistry.) Experimental studies of plant growth and development
436 General Animal Physiology I. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 115 and BIOL 117 and BIOL 119 and BIOL 221. In-depth, current treatment of physiological principles which operate at various levels of biological organization in animals of diverse taxonomic relationships. Understanding is developed from background lectures and student analyses in discussion sessions of research literature
437 General Animal Physiology Laboratory I. 1 Hr. Coreq: BIOL 436. After learning basic techniques, students are provided the opportunity to design, execute, and report upon an independent research project in physiology
438 Animal Behavior I. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 221 and ((BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 and BIOL 103 and BIOL 104) or BIOL 115). Introduction to animal behavior (ethology) emphasizing the ecology and evolution of individual and social behaviors. Laboratory includes independent investigation of behavioral phenomena. Offered in even-numbered years
439 Neuroethology II. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 117 and BIOL 219 and (BIOL 337 or BIOL 438). Explores the way behavior is controlled in a wide variety of animals so the similarities and differences in neural mechanisms can be better understood. (Offered in odd-numbered years.)
440 Comparative Anatomy I. 4 Hr. PR: BIOL 115 and 117 and BIOL 219 and BIOL 221 or consent. A functional and evolutionary study of vertebrate structure. (Dissection kit required.)
441 Vertebrate Microanatomy II. 5 Hr. PR: BIOL 115 BIOL 117 and BIOL 219 and BIOL 221. Structural and functional approach to the study of tissues and organs of vertebrates
450 Plant Systematics I. 4 Hr. PR: (BIOL 101 and BIOL 103 and BIOL 102 and BIOL 104) or BIOL 117. Study of the taxonomy of flowering plants worldwide and related topics in angiosperm classification and evolution. Laboratories emphasize characteristics of selected families of monocotyledons and dicotyledons using living and herbarium material
461 Principles of Evolution I. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 221. Introduction to the study of evolution, including genetics of evolutionary change, speciation and adaptation molecular evolution, the history of life, extinction, co-evolution, and the origins of humans
462 Methods in Ecology and Biogeochemistry II. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 221. Introduction to the theory and application of basic analytical tools used in ecology and biogeochemistry. Topics include sampling of terrestrial and aquatic organisms and their environment and the chemical analyses of biological material. (Offered in odd years.)
463 Global Ecology I. 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 221. The Earth viewed as a changing biogeochemical system. Topics include the structure, composition, and dynamics of the ecosphere, nutrient cycles, changing atmospheric composition, climate change, ozone depletion, land-use change, biological invasions, and changes in biodiversity. (Offered in odd-numbered years.)
464 Quantitative Genetics 3 Hr. PR: BIOL 221. Relationship of gene and genotype frequencies in populations of diploid organisms and the effects of mutation, selection, and non-random mating in relation to single gene pairs. Application of these concepts to multigenic inheritance of quantitative traits.
486 Honors Investigation and Thesis I, II, S. 1-4 Hr. (May be repeated for credit; max. credit 12 hr.) PR: Second semester of junior year, recommendation of advisor, biology majors only. Permission required. Supervised readings, investigation, and study
490 Teaching Practicum I, II, S. 1-3 Hr. PR: Consent. Teaching practice as a tutor or assistant
491 Professional Field Experience I, II, S. 1-18 Hr. PR: Consent (May be repeated up to a maximum of 18 hours.) Prearranged experiential learning program to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.
492 Directed Study 1-6 Hr. PR: Consent. Directed study, reading, and/or research
493 A-Z Special Topics I, II, S. 1-6 Hr. PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses
494 Seminar I, II, S. 1-3 Hr. PR: Consent. Presentation and discussion of topics of mutual concern to students and faculty
495 Independent Study 1-6 Hr. Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings.
496 Senior Thesis I, II, S. 1-3 Hr. PR: Consent
498 Honors I, II, S. 1-3 Hr. PR: Consent. PR: Students in Honors Program and consent by the Honors director. Independent reading, study, or research.