Major Requirements / Minor Requirements / Course Listings
Biology students have the option of pursuing a major or a minor in the department. Students begin their program by developing comprehensive knowledge about life processes on the ecosystem, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels. Our faculty members help students focus that knowledge within deeper fields of specialization, such as animal behavior, biochemistry, molecular biology, human anatomy, neuroscience, ecology, genomics, and systematics. We encourage our students to explore the numerous fields of study available to biologists before identifying an area on which to concentrate, including interdisciplinary programs such as biochemistry, biomedical humanities, and neuroscience. This exploration takes place in the classroom, in the laboratory, in the field, and between faculty members and students.
Below is a listing of the requirements for a Biology major. Use this as a guide, but refer to the College Catalog and your advisor for current requirements.
The foundation in Biology is provided by the core curriculum and is required of all students. The core curriculum consists of three introductory courses Biology 141, 142, and 230 and one upper level course, Biology 365. The three introductory courses must be taken before proceeding to most of the upper level courses. Biology 365 can be taken any time after the introductory courses are completed.
Upper Level Courses
The upper level courses build upon the core curriculum and provide the student with both breadth and specialization in biology. This combination is achieved through required categories that allow choice among courses to accommodate the individual interests of the student.
I.
Organismal Biology and Systematics - 8 semester hours
required, one in each category, A and B. One course must be
an animal biology course (Biology 223, 320, 326, or 327) and
one must be a plant biology course (Biology 213, 315/316,
331, or 332).
A.
Biodiversity and Phylogeny - Biology 213,223,315/316, or
320.
B.
Structure and Function - Biology 326, 327, 331, or 332.
II. Integration and Synthesis - One course (3-4
semester hours) required from among Biology 328, 329, 335,
340, 341, 342, 343, 366, 415, or 430.
III. Electives - Two courses (6-8 semester hours)
required. Courses may be selected from any of the above (I
and II) or from Biology 215, 234, 300, 302, 303, 321, 338,
368, or 378.
IV. Apprenticeship Experience - 3 or 4 semester hours
required from among Biology 481, 482, 498, or Education 423
(teaching biology).
Apprenticeship Experience
The apprenticeship or APEX experience
is designed as the culmination of a student's program in
biology. The APEX experience allows the student to apply his
or her expertise in a variety of contexts. This concrete
experience can be achieved through an independent or
collaborative research project, an internship, or student
teaching of biology in middle or secondary school. All
students will prepare and submit a scientific paper to the
faculty supervisor, and will present a public lecture based
upon their apprenticeship experience. Majors are required to
meet with their Biology faculty advisor no later than the
advising period in the fall semester of the junior year to
discuss options for the apprenticeship experience.
Modern biologists need background in other disciplines to enhance their insight into biological phenomena and to understand the role of biology in society The following correlative courses are required: Chemistry 120 and 121 (or Chemistry 135); Chemistry 220; Physics 113 or 213; Mathematics 108 or 198.
One course addressing the ethical and historical aspects of science, chosen in consultation with the student's advisor in the Biology Department is strongly recommended. Examples include: Interdisciplinary 301, 302, 303, 306, 307, 308, 309, 311, 317, 318, 321, 344, 360, 361, 362, 370, 374, 375 Philosophy 240, 265, 270, or Environmental Studies 150.
Further courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics are required for some professional and graduate programs. Biology students planning to attend graduate or professional schools should investigate professional requirements for a reading knowledge of French, German, or Spanish, or facility in a computer language.
Requirements for Honors in
Biology
To be a candidate for honors in the APEX program in biology,
a student must satisfy the College requirements for honors
and must initiate and complete a high quality
apprenticeship. The student must conduct himself/herself in
a professional manner from inception to culmination of the
apprenticeship experience.
The Biology Minor
The minor requires a minimum of six courses including
Biology 141, 142 and 230 and three additional courses chosen
in consultation with, and with the approval of, the
student’s biology faculty advisor, in addition to an advisor
in the student’s major department.
An introduction to various
ecosystems in temperate, tropical, desert, montane, and
marine environments covering the diversity of plant and
animal species and their structural and functional
adaptations. Each time the course is offered it concentrates
on a particular geographic area and its distinctive habitats
and organisms, interactions and interrelationships among the
organisms, and the abiotic factors that constrain
populations. Designed for students majoring outside the
sciences who have taken no other biology courses. Cannot be
counted toward a biology major.
An introduction to
vascular plant taxonomy using the local flora. This course
emphasizes field identification of plants using scientific
and local names. Students are introduced to morphology
through the use of taxonomic characteristics in field guides
and keys. Characteristics of the most abundant families of
local plants are presented. Cannot be counted toward a
biology major.
An introduction to field
techniques in animal behavior and ecology. This is off
campus and has a required field trip fee. Prerequisites:
permission. Cannot be counted toward a biology major. Also
listed as Psychology 106.
A concept oriented approach to the basics of biology emphasizing both the unity and diversity life. Topics include the scientific method, evolution, the cellular basis of life, genetics, population biology, reproduction and development, human anatomy and physiology, behavior, ecology and a survey of the diversity of life forms on earth. Laboratories emphasize the scientific method and utilize the resources of the James Barrow Field Station. $25.00 laboratory fee.
Basic principles of plant
biology are covered with special emphasis on the historical
and economic impact of plants on humans. The uses of plants
for food, fiber and fuel are examined along with plant
structure and diversity. Poisonous, medicinal and
hallucinogenic plants also are discussed. The laboratory
emphasizes plant diversity and study of the econmonic
products derived from plants. $25.00 laborotatory fee.
Beginning with a brief
history of the philosophical underpinnings of scientific
thought and the culture in which it arose, the course will
proceed to examine exactly how, from a current scientific
perspective, the environment sustains us and how its
different components function as a system that has
the ability to react dynamically to changes. The course will
also compare what the science of ecology tells us as to how
some non-western primal societies (Australian Aborigine,
Native American) view the natural world and its cycles of
growth, death, and renewal. The ways in which the values of
western thought and those of primal societies differ vis a
vis the natural world, and the consequences of those
differences in the past and present will also be examined.
Laboratory experience will consist of several directed
inquiry studies and field trips to local areas of
interest. Cannot be counted toward a biology major. Also
listed as Environmental Studies 122.
A study of animal
diversity and its evolutionary, genetic, and ecological
origins. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationships of
organisms with one another and their environment within an
evolutionary perspective. Topics include origins of biology,
evolution of life on early earth, diversification of
multicellular animal fife forms and their adaptations to the
environments in which they live, their modes of reproduction
and life cycles, inheritance, population genetics,
population ecology and community ecology. The laboratory
emphasizes topics covered during lectures. $25.00 laboratory
fee.
Introduction to plants.
The course surveys the diversity evolution and reproduction
of green plants as well as the morphology, anatomy and
physiology of vascular plants. Principles of evolution and
ecology and the environment of the major terrestrial biomes
are also covered. The laboratory emphasizes topics covered
during lectures. $25.00 laboratory fee.
Classification, identification, ecology, evolution, and comparative morphology of non vascular plants, including algae, fungi, lichens and bryophytes. Emphasis on the evolutionary development in complexity of structure and of reproductive patterns. Field work includes identification of mushrooms appearing here in early fall and bryophytes. Individual projects combine basic ecological principles with the study of the local flora. Required field trip fee. Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142, or permission.
Topics covered include types of experimental design and control, problems of definition, measurement, reliability and validity descriptive statistics, statistical inference and ethics in experimentation. Laboratories provide experience in human behavioral research, with an emphasis on methodology, analysis, and interpretation of data. Also listed as Psychology 215. Offered yearly.
An introduction to the
vertebrates. Five representative vertebrate dissections with
major emphasis on mammalian anatomy in comparison with other
forms. The ethology and life cycles, significance in
evolution, comparative morphology and taxonomy of the
vertebrates are studied in the laboratory, zoological
gardens, museurns, and James H. Barrow Field Station. Local
field trips in the spring. Required field trip fee.
Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142, or permission. $25.00
laboratory fee.
A study of the structure and function of cells. Topics include: research techniques in cell biology; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure; chemical bonds; structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids; cell Metabolism; enzyme function; photosynthesis; replication, protein synthesis and the control of gene expression; and cell motility. The laboratory emphasizes experimental techniques. Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142, Chemistry 121 or 135 completed or taken concurrently. $25.00 laboratory fee.
The fundamental principles involved in the structure and function of the human body. Topics include biochemistry, cell structure, tissue histology, and structure and function of the integumentary, skeletal, nervous, immune, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive and endocrine systems. Laboratory includes study of the human skeleton and anatomy of the cat and simple experiments in human physiology. Prerequisites: Biology 141 or 120, Chemistry 115 or 120.
Human population, attitudes, land use, and climate changes are explored in relation to wildlife. Game and non - game species management plans are reviewed. Laws, values, ethics, endangered species, zoos, and poaching are a few of the topics studied. Major substantive questions regarding future habitat and species decline are examined. The student will develop a better understanding of the relationships between wildlife and humans for food, space, habitat and, ultimately, survival. Laboratories will cover management techniques and wildlife identification, and will include field experience. Prerequisites: At least one of the following courses: Biology 120,122,141,142; or permission of the instructor. Also listed as Environmental Studies 250.
An introduction to selected topics of current interest in biology. Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142, or permission.
A student selects a
professor whose interests are compatible with the student's.
They develop a program of investigation of the literature,
observations, and applicable techniques in this area. A
paper covering these activities is submitted to the
sponsoring professor. Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142, or
permission.
Study of various ecosystems in temperate, tropical, desert, montane, and marine environments covering the diversity of plant and animal species and their structural and functional adaptations. Each time the course is offered it concentrates on a particular geographic area and its distinctive habitats and organisms, interactions and interrelationships among the organisms, and the abiotic factors that constrain populations. May be taken more than once for credit if taken in different geographic areas, but may serve only once toward a biology major. Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142, or permission. Also listed as Environmental Studies 300.
An in depth survey of vascular plants in the field, emphasizing identification, morphology and ecology. Techniques for sampling plant communities are presented along with techniques for preservation of botanical materials. Characteristics of major plant families are presented. Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142, or permission.
303 Field Zoology and Ecology 4 hours
An in depth study of field techniques in animal behavior and ecology. Methods for the sampling of animal populations, including description of home ranges and territories and individual behaviors of animals are presented. Techniques for quantifying variables affecting abundance, distribution and behavior are studied. This is an off campus course and has a required field trip fee. Offered May term. Prerequisites: Psychology 101, Biology 141, or permission. Also listed as Psychology 303.
Survey of vascular plant diversity, morphology, life history, and evolution including fern allies, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. Some topics on principles and methods of classification are introduced. Laboratory work on each of the divisions of vascular plants complements and illustrates lecture material. This course is linked with Biology 316. Prerequisites: Biology 141,142, or permission.
A continuation of Biology 315 with emphasis on diversity, evolution, and classification of the families of flowering plants. Principles and methods of classification also are covered and continued from Biology 315. Laboratory work is on recognition, identification, and keying vascular plants in the field and laboratory. Most of this course is done off campus in the southeastern U.S. or another destination during the spring 3 week term or the summer. Required field trip fee. Prerequisites: Biology 315.
The rise of animal
multicellularity is traced from the precambrian through the
various evolutionary radiations of the cambrian explosion to
produce a survey of phylogeny, paleobiology, morphology,
physiology, development, behavior, and ecology of
invertebrates conducted in a comparative manner. Recent
advances in our understanding of invertebrate evolution from
current primary literature are incorporated into the class.
Terrestrial, freshwater and marine forms are studied in
lecture, laboratory, and field trip experiences. Evolution
of phylum and class adaptive radiations are emphasized.
Required field trip fee. Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142 or
permission
Relationships between animal parasites and their hosts from the perspectives of evolution, adaptations, life cycles, parasite damage to hosts, and host defenses against parasites. Molecular to ecological aspects of parasitology are covered. Parasites of wildlife, domestic animals, and humans are studied and the impact of parasitic diseases on human populations worldwide are considered. The laboratory emphasizes techniques of microscopy (light and electron), preparation and identification of specimens, Diagnostic techniques, and life cycle investigations. Prerequisites: Biology 141, 142, 230. $25.00 laboratory fee.
Life processes of animals, including locomotion, metabolism, nutrition and digestion, water balance, excretion, reproduction, endocrine function, circulation, respiration and temperature regulation. Laboratory experiments illustrate these topics with emphasis on physiological techniques, experimental design and analysis and computer simulation and data analysis. Prerequisite: Biology 223 or 320 and 230. Required field trip fee.
An examination of the physiological correlates of behavior with emphasis on the nervous and endocrine systems. Beginning with neuroanatomy, the course will examine vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems, sensory and motor processes, mechanisms of arousal, and nervous system development. Laboratories focus on the relations between physiology and behavior, and will prepare students for further independent work. Also listed as Psychology 327. Prerequisites: Biology 141, Psychology 101 and either Biology 215 or Psychology 215. $25.00 laboratory fee.
A survey of the modern field of animal behavior, tracing its origins from European ethology and American comparative psychology. Extensive coverage will be given to the topic of vertebrate social behavior, including social organization, sexual behavior, aggressive behavior, and parent offspring interactions. Efforts will be made to integrate results from field and laboratory research. Laboratories emphasize techniques for recording, quantifying, and analyzing behavior. Required field trip fee. Also listed as Psychology 328. Prerequisites: Biology 141, Psychology 101, and either Biology 215 or Psychology 215.
The study of adaptations of plants and animals through an experimental investigation of the physiological ecology, functional morphology and behavior of organisms from diverse environments. Offered as part of the Germany study abroad program.
Structure, growth, and development of seed plants. Emphasis particularly on the microscopic structure of basic plant tissues and on the process of morphogenesis which determines the overall structure of plants. Laboratory work primarily on the histology of stems, leaves, and roots but also including study of embryonic development and practical work on the preparation of plant tissues for microscopic examination. Prerequisites: Biology 230, Biology 315 and 316 recommended.
Life processes of plants, including photosynthesis, respiration, translocation, tropisms, mineral nutrition, and effects of plant hormones. Laboratory experiments illustrate these topics and place special emphasis on long term projects and reports. Prerequisites: Biology
230 and Chemistry 220 completed or taken concurrently Offered in alternate years. $25.00 laboratory fee.Examination of the historical development and modem interpretation of evolution and the theories proposed to account for the change of organisms over time. Topics considered include origin and age of the earth; chemical evolution and the origin of life; population genetics, structure, variation, and distribution; adaptation and selection; speciation; evolution above the species level; hybridization; polyploidy; apomixis; homology; and phylogeny. Prerequisite: Biology
365.A broad survey of most aspects of the nature of bacteria and viruses and humans' interaction with them. Topics include the structure, nutrition and growth of bacteria, classification of representative bacteria, metabolic pathways peculiar to bacteria, microbial ecology, use of microorganisms in food, microbial genetics, structure and reproduction of viruses, and an introduction to immunology and human diseases. The laboratory focuses on fundamental techniques in microbiology, including the isolation of bacteria from nature and the identification of unknown bacteria. Offered once per year. Prerequisite: Biology
230. $25.00 laboratory fee.
A comparative study of vertebrate development. Gametogenesis, fertilization, organogenesis of the vertebrate classes, histology of representative tissues, endocrine function in reproductive processes, implantation and review of the major contributions of experimental embryology. Prerequisites: Biology
230, and 223 or 320. $25.00 laboratory fee.The relationships of organisms to one another and their environment. Topics include climatology, biomes, biogeography, community structure and dynamics, population biology competition, species, niche theory, energy flow and nutrient cycles, and terrestrial, Iotic, lentic, and marine communities. Students are required to complete a field project and present recent ecological research papers to the class. Development of sampling and data interpretation skills are emphasized in the projects which are usually conducted at the James H. Barrow Field Station. Prerequisites: Junior standing and one of the following: Biology
213, 223, 315 and 316, or 320.An off-campus (EMS) course conducted during alternate December sessions at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. As an introduction to the ecology of the marine environment, this course will examine the relationships that occur among various marine organisms and their biotic and abiotic environments as well as the methodologies and thinking used to obtain this information. Readings from the text will be supplemented by primary literature from the well established GCRL Library. Field investigations will be conducted in a number of different local onshore and offshore environments using GCRL vessels. Fees will be charged for room, board, and field trips. Prerequisites: Junior standing and one of the following: Biology 213,223,315 and 316, or 320.
Behavioral ecology concerns the natural history or adaptations of animals to their environments. This course win examine many contemporary and classic studies of the evolutionary ecological approach to understanding animal behavior. Particular emphasis will be placed on studies of social insects, birds, and primates. Laboratories will provide hands on experience in identifying, quantifying, and interpreting relationships between animals and their environments. Also listed as Psychology 343. Prerequisites: Psychology 101, 215; Biology 141.
A survey of both modem and classical genetics. Topics include Mendelian ratios, 1.,, meiosis, sex-linked traits, gene linkage, epistasis, mutation, gene repair, recombination, population genetics, and recombinant DNA theory and its relationship to classical genetics (via DNA fingerprinting and molecular mapping techniques). The laboratory will demonstrate a wide variety of these topics. Offered every semester during the 12-week term. Prerequisite: Biology 230. $25.00 laboratory fee.
Biochemistry studies the molecules and chemical reactions in living organisms. Topics include the structure and chemical properties of major macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides, and lipids) of living organisms, the role of enzymes and enzyme pathways by which these molecules are synthesized and degraded, and the cellular mechanisms which regulate and integrate metabolic processes. The laboratory emphasizes tools of biochemical analysis (spectrophotometry, chromatography, electrophoresis, centrifugation) in an examination of physical, chemical, and biological properties of biologically important molecules. Also listed as Chemistry 366. Prerequisites: Chemistry 320, Biology 230. $25.00 laboratory fee.
This course will examine some topics introduced in Basic Biochemistry in greater detail, as well as selected topics in biochemistry such as biological information flow, biochemical studies in disease, and ecological biochemistry. The laboratory will extend the students' opportunities in analysis of biomolecules and their properties. Also listed as Chemistry 368. Prerequisite: Biology/Chemistry 366. $25.00 laboratory fee.
A survey of immunology; including antibody-antigen interactions, B- and T-cell biology, hypersensitivity, immune disorders, and AIDS. Immunological techniques studied in the laboratory include induction of the immunological response, titration, agglutination, immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Offered every other year. Prerequisite: Biology 230. $25.00 laboratory fee.
Includes various topics or upper level specialty courses. Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission.
Topics build on the material provided in Biology 230 and deepen students' understanding of processes such as methods in molecular biology, translational control, transcriptional control, and RNA and protein processing. Molecular aspects of topics like developmental biology, the control of the cell cycle, or cancer will be studied through the use of primary literature. The laboratory Will cover a range of molecular techniques. Offered every other year in a 12-week term. Prerequisite: Biology 365 or permission. $25.00 laboratory fee.
An examination of vertebrate endocrine systems including control mechanisms, hormone biosynthesis and metabolism, and specific endocrine organs such as the pancreas, pituitary and hypothalamus. The laboratory provides experience in experimental design, statistical analysis, interpretation and presentation of data, using both field and laboratory investigations. Prerequisites: Biology 230, Biology 223 or 320 and Biology 326.
Includes various topics or upper level specialty courses. Prerequisites: senior standing and permission. Apprenticeship Courses.
Students who have an original idea or topic for research may solicit support from a sponsoring faculty member and carry out the research. The student must submit a research proposal to the department that outlines the research problem, the methods to be used, possible results, and an estimate of the resources needed. The student Will submit a final report to the sponsoring faculty member and a public presentation to the department if he or she is using this for the apprenticeship. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing and permission.
This course provides an opportunity for collaborative research among students and faculty. No more than ten juniors and seniors will work with a faculty member on a defined research project. While the faculty member will guide the research project, all members of the team will work together to delineate the role(s) each will play in carrying out the project. Students may use the research project to fulfill the appreniceship requirement, but a written contract between the instructor and the student must be agreed upon by both prior to registration for the course. The topic of research will vary as different members of the faculty offer this apprenticeship opportunity. Possible topics include: Recombinant Biology, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Histology, Animal Physiology, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Parasitology, Plant Anatomy and Systematics, Animal Behavior, and Ecology. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and permission. $25.00 laboratory fee.
This course provides an opportunity for collaberative research among students and faculty. No more than six students will work with a faculty member on a defined research project. While the faculty member will guide the research project, all members of the team will work together to delineate the role(s) each will play. Students may use this research as the basis for their senior seminar (Chemistry) or AP*EX requirement, but only with prior written consent of the instructor. Also listed as CHEM 483.
This apprenticeship provides field experience in various areas of biology and is typically done off campus. A student selects an internship in consultation with a deparmental advisor. Internships are tailored to help students gain experience for a career in biology. Students are placed in zoological and botanical gardens, biological field stations, universities, hospitals, government agencies, and private institutions, with emphasis on practical application of biology. Each student submits to the faculty advisor a journal of his or her daily activities and a paper that succinctly details the most important aspects of the internship. Each student also gives a public presentationto the department if he or she is using this for the apprenticeship.