Biology Courses Offered

The following courses are offered within the Biology Department:

 

BIOL 102: Environmental Awareness (3 credit hours – Fall)

This course is intended to enable students to gain a better appreciation of their relationship to nature. The complex web of the inter-relationships between the issues of overpopulation, environmental pollution, increasing industrialization, depletion of nonrenewable resources, and hunger will be explored. This course will help each student recognize how value judgements affect his / her dealings with nature.

 

BIOL 110: General Biology (4 credit hours – Fall and Spring)

Biology includes a study of the unifying concepts of modern biology with emphasis on physiology, genetics, development, species diversity, ecology, and evolution. Includes laboratory.

 

BIOL 201: Biology Seminar (1 credit hour – Fall and Spring)

This is a weekly seminar course with discussions focused on books or articles of current biological interest. Each student is required to write a final essay on some topic covered during the semester. A minimum of four credits (or one credit per year of residence at KWU) in this course is required to complete a biology major.

 

BIOL 221: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (3 credit hours – Fall)

Students will study the historical aspects of Human A & P, the basic chemistry and biochemistry of the human body, become familiar with cell biology, learn the intricacies of human tissue histology, and learn the anatomical and physiologic intricacies of the skin, skeletal system, and nervous system. Neurophysiology will be emphasized with considerable information applied to life-style choices.

 

BIOL 222: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (3 credit hours – Spring)

Students will study the detailed anatomy and physiology of the sensory, cardiovascular, immune, endocrine, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. The laboratory will involve hands-on experience with the study of the human skeleton and muscles and internal organs of the cat. The laboratory will also involve interactive computer software, with particular emphasis on instruction in physiology.

 

BIOL 225: Vertebrate Zoology (4 credit hours – Odd year Fall)

This is a comparative study of the major groups of vertebrates. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 110 or by consent of instructor.

 

BIOL 226: General Microbiology (4 credit hours – Fall and Spring)

An introductory study of microorganisms is provided. Applications to the health sciences are emphasized. Includes laboratory.

 

BIOL 250: Botany (4 credit hours – Odd year Spring)

The course is a survey of the importance of plants in living communities, focusing on plant diversity, adaptation, structure and function. Includes laboratory.

 

BIOL 286: Special Topics (Variable credit – On demand)

 

BIOL 290: Independent Study (Variable credit – On demand)

See Independent Study under Alternate Means to Academic Credit for a more detailed description.

 

BIOL 318: Genetics (4 credit hours – Even year Fall)

Genetics is the study of the concepts and principles of inheritance as they are applied at the molecular, cellular, organismic and population levels of biological organization. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 110 or by consent of instructor.

 

BIOL 335: Entomology (4 credit hours – Odd year Spring)

This is an introduction to the study of insects. Emphasis is on classification, structure, physiology, ecology and relation of insects to plants and other animals. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 110 or by consent of instructor.

 

BIOL 350: Ecology (4 credit hours – Even year Spring)

Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environments. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 110 or by consent of instructor.

 

BIOL 400: Immunology (4 credit hours – On demand)

Theories of infection and immunity, nature of immune bodies and demonstrations of bacterial activity in vitro and in vivo with clinical diagnostic techniques are covered. A laboratory is included. Prerequisite: BIOL 226.

 

BIOL 420: Invertebrate Zoology (4 credit hours – Even year Spring)

A systematic study of the morphology, taxonomy, physiology and phylogeny of invertebrate animals is covered in the course. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 110 or by consent of instructor.

 

BIOL 460: Internship (Variable credit – On demand)

 

BIOL 485: Special Topics (Variable credit – On demand)

 

BIOL 490: Independent Study (Variable credit – On demand)

See Independent Study under Alternative Means to Academic Credit, for a more detailed description or contact the department faculty.