BIOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CREDIT HOURS

NOTE:  All students enrolled in a laboratory class must enroll simultaneously in the lecture component or show prior credit for the lecture

BIOL 100.  BIOLOGY SEMINAR
The course will provide training in the presentation and discussion of current biological problems, time management, study skills, preparation for standardized testing (orientation for GRE, MCAT and PCAT testing).  Invited guests will speak on trends in biological and biomedical sciences, and the requirements for graduate and professional schools.  The course is designed for freshmen and sophomore students and offered each semester.

1

BIOL 105.  INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY I
The course is designed for non-majors.  This is the first semester course of a two-semester introduction to biology.  It includes an introduction to evolutionary principles, a survey of the five kingdoms, cell chemistry, cell structure and function, cell cycle, tissues, respiration, photosynthesis, principles of inheritance, and evolution.  The course will be offered in the fall, spring, and summer of each year.

3

BIOL 105L.  INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY I LABORATORY
This is a course in laboratory practice designed to complement the lecture course.  Students must enroll simultaneously in 105 lecture or show prior credit for it.

1

BIOL 106.  INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY II
This is the second course of a two-semester introduction to biology.  The course is designed for non-majors.  It includes an introduction to the plant kingdom and the human organ systems.  The course will be offered in the fall, spring, and summer of each year.

3

BIOL 106L.  INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY II LABORATORY
Laboratory activities are coordinated with the lecture series.  Students must enroll simultaneously in BIOL 106 lecture or show prior credit for it.

1

BIOL 124.  GENERAL BIOLOGY I
The course is designed for science majors.  This is the first semester course of a two-semester general survey of the biological sciences.  It includes cell chemistry, cell structure and function, cell cycle, tissues, respiration, photosynthesis and a survey of four kingdoms of life, including monera, protista, fungi and plants.  This course provides an introduction to basic ecological and evolutionary principles.  The course concludes with an emphasis on the basic principles of genetics.  The course will be offered in the fall, spring, and summer of each year.

3

BIOL 124L.  GENERAL BIOLOGY I LABORATORY
This is the first semester laboratory course in a general survey of biological sciences.  Laboratory activities are coordinated with the lecture series.  Students must enroll simultaneously in 124 lecture or show prior credit for it.

2

BIOL 125.  GENERAL BIOLOGY II
This is the second course of a two-semester general survey of the biological sciences. The course, designed for science majors, is a comparative study of the five kingdoms of life including Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.  The course concludes with the study of the mammalian organ systems.   The course will be offered in the fall, spring, and summer of each year.

3

BIOL 125L.  GENERAL BIOLOGY II LABORATORY
This is the second semester laboratory course in a general survey of biological sciences.  Laboratory activities are coordinated with the lecture series.  Students must enroll simultaneously in BIOL 125 lecture or show prior credit for it.

2

BIOL 204.  PLANT DIVERSITY
This course includes a study of the classification, life history, morphology and reproduction of organisms from the prokaryotes to the flowering plants.  The lecture series cover representative life forms including bacteria, algae, slime molds, fungi, liverworts, and seedless and seed bearing vascular plants.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125).  The course will be offered in the fall of each year.

3

BIOL 204L.  PLANT DIVERSITY LABORATORY
This course includes field activities on diversity of plants beginning with monera (blue-green algae) to plantae.  Students are encouraged to collect specimens belonging to monera, fungi, and plantae kingdoms and observe the morphological and anatomical features.  (Prerequisites: BIOL 124L).  This course is offered in the fall of each year.

1

BIOL 205.  ANIMAL DIVERSITY
This course is designed to provide an in-depth investigation into the diversity of animal life from protozoans to chordates.  This is in respect to morphology, physiology, phylogeny, taxonomy and ecology.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125) The course will be offered in the spring of each year.

3

BIOL 205L.  ANIMAL DIVERSITY LABORATORY
This course provides hands-on activities involving diverse animal life from protozoans to chordates in correlation with the lecture series.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L and 125L).

1

BIOL 216.  MORPHOLOGY OF VASCULAR PLANTS
This course is a study of morphological, physiological, and taxonomical relationships of the higher cryptograms and the angiosperms.  Details of growth, development, life history, and evolutionary relationship of representative forms are covered.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124).  Offered every other year.

3

BIOL 216L.  MORPHOLOGY OF VASCULAR PLANTS LABORATORY
This is a laboratory course on cryptograms and the angiosperms to complement the lecture series.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124L).

1

BIOL 217.  GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY
This course includes a study of microorganisms and their classifications; general properties of bacteria; characterization of non-bacteria microorganisms; the isolation, cultivation, metabolism, physiology, genetics and control of bacteria.  Infection, immunity and hypersensitivity are discussed.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125).  Offered in the fall and spring semesters of each year.

3

BIOL 217L.  GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY
This course is designed to give students a hands-on approach to the basic understanding of microorganisms, in particular their safe handling, cultivation, and identification.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L and 125L).

1

BIOL 220.  PATHOGENIC MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
This course is an in depth study of pathogenic micro-organisms including bacteria, chlamydia, rickettsia, mycoplasmas, fungi, viral agents, and prions, and their interactions with the host.  The host defense system will be discussed in detail. (Prerequisite: BIOL 217).  Offered every fall semester.

3

BIOL 220L.  PATHOGENIC MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises will focus on the isolation, characterization and identification of microorganisms, the demonstration of some virulence factors, and on immunological techniques applicable to disease diagnosis.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 217L)

1

BIOL 221.  IMMUNOLOGY AND SEROLOGY
This course is a study of cellular and humoral mechanisms of immunity, nature of antigen-antibody interactions, biosynthesis of antibodies, hyper-sensitivities, and basic concepts of immunological disorders.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 217).  Offered every other year.

3

BIOL 221L.  IMMUNOLOGY AND SEROLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises involving antigen-antibody reactions and cellular immunity techniques are coordinated with basic principles in lecture. (Prerequisite:  BIOL 217L)

1

BIOL 231.  DEVELOPMENTAL ANATOMY
This course is designed to acquaint students with phylogenetical and anatomical changes in selected vertebrate animals.  The study of the animal organ systems and their related organs will be detailed by dissection and an overview of their developmental processes.  (Prerequisites: BIOL 124 and 125).  Offered every fall semester.

3

BIOL 231L.  DEVELOPMENTAL ANATOMY LABORATORY
The laboratory sessions will permit students to extend experiences gained during the formal lecture periods via hands-on dissection activities and observations.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L and 125L).

1

BIOL 270.  DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
This course includes a study of the comparative developmental processes in vertebrate embryos with special emphasis on the frog and chick.  Studies in the frog begin with cleavage and continues through the tadpole stage, and in the chick from cleavage through the ninety-sixth hour of incubation.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125).  Offered every spring semester.

3

BIOL 270L.  DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY
This course includes a study of patterns of cleavage of both frog and chick eggs.  The process of early development in frog and chick embryos will be made by studying microscopic slides of serial sections (both transverse and sagittal) of frog and chick embryos.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L and 125L).

1

BIOL 273.   HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
This course is a study of human structures and functions at cellular, organ and system levels, and homeostasis.  (Prerequisites: BIOL 106 and 106L, or BIOL 125 and 125L).  Offered in the fall, spring and summer of each year.

3

BIOL 273L.  HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises include histological and macroscopic anatomy with emphasis on functional aspects of systems, and are carried out along with comprehensive dissection.  This course is to be taken in conjunction with Biology 273.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 106L or 125L).

1

BIOL 274.  HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
This course is a continuation of Human Anatomy and Physiology 273. The course focuses on human structures and functions at cellular, organ, and system levels, and homeostasis. (Prerequisite:  BIOL 273).  Offered in the fall, spring and summer of each year.

3

BIOL 274L.  HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises include histological and macroscopic anatomy, with emphasis on functional aspects of systems.  Laboratory exercises include animal dissection.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 273L).

1

BIOL 279.  INTRODUCTION TO MARINE SCIENCE
This course is an introduction to physical, chemical, geological and biological processes in the oceans and coastal environments and their interactions.  Interrelationship of man and the marine environment is included.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124 and 125).

3

BIOL 279L.  INTRODUCTION TO MARINE SCIENCE LABORATORY
Laboratory activities will cover water analysis for physicochemical factors; phytoplankton and zooplankton identification and morphological studies; and interrelationships between abiotic and biotic factors in the marine ecosystems (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L and 125L).

1

BIOL 301.  ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
This is a study of physiological processes with emphasis on the human organ systems and how they relate to the functions of other animal systems in maintaining homeostasis.  The course will focus on body fluid compartments, membrane potentials, action potentials, acid-base physiology, renal, endocrine, reproductive, respiratory and cardiovascular physiology.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125).  Offered every other year.

3

BIOL 301L.  ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY
This course supplements and reinforces lecture concepts and provides hands-on experience in the study and analysis of physiological processes. (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124L and 125L).

1

BIOL 302.  GENETICS
This course is an introduction to genetic information, including mendelian inheritance; cellular division; gene mapping; DNA structure; recombinant DNA techniques; control of gene expression and quantitative and population genetics.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124, BIOL 125, and CHEM 111).  Offered in the fall and spring of each year.

3

BIOL 302L.  GENETICS LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises will reinforce and supplement materials learned in lecture, and will include DNA fingerprinting, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for DNA and RNA, fly cross, and other exercises in genetics.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124L, 125L and CHEM 111L).

1

BIOL 304.   INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY
This course is an introduction to the systematic study of the reactions of living organisms to chemicals and chemical modulation of physiological functions, especially in disease states and pharmaco-dynamics at the molecular and macromolecular levels.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124 and 125; CHEM 111 and 112).  Offered every other year.

3

BIOL 304L. INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory activities involve the simulation of chemical reactions and their physiological functions in living organisms.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L and 125L; CHEM 111L and 112L).  Offered every other year.

1

BIOL 306.  PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
This course is a study of biochemical principles, reactions of organic compounds in the living cell, metabolic pathways, energy, and biosynthetic processes.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125, and CHEM 241).  Offered once every other year.

3

BIOL 306L.  PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY  LABORATORY
Laboratory activities emphasize reactions of organic compounds, energy, and biosynthetic processes.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L and 125L; CHEM 241L).  Offered once every other year.

1

BIOL 314.  SYSTEMATIC BOTANY
This course includes the identification and classification of vascular plants with special emphasis on the angiosperms.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125).  Offered every other year.

3

BIOL 314L.  SYSTEMATIC BOTANY LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises include the identification and classification of vascular plants with special emphasis on angiosperms, collection of plant samples through field trips, and preparation of herbarium.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L).  Offered every other year.

1

BIOL 315.  PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
This is a study of the basic principles of plant physiology with emphasis on higher plants.  Topics covered include growth and development, mineral nutrition, transport, water relations and metabolism.   (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and CHEM 241).  Offered every other year.

3

BIOL 315L.  PLANT PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY
This course provides laboratory activities on physiological reactions in plant tissues:  plant stress, growth and development, and mineral nutrition. (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L; CHEM 241L).  Offered every other year.

1

BIOL 324.  CELL BIOLOGY
This is the study of the structure and function of cellular components including, the membrane, organelles, and macromolecules found in cells of plants, animals and bacteria.  In addition, the course integrates the use of metric measurements, biological solutions and instrumentation in the study of cell biology.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125).  Offered every fall semester.

3

BIOL 324L.  CELL BIOLOGY LABORATORY
The course supplements and reinforces lecture concepts and provides hands-on experience in analysis of cellular activities.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124L and 125L).

1

BIOL 325.  MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
This course is a study of the mechanism and regulation of DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis in procaryotes and eukaryotes. Basic principles of recombinant DNA technology and applications in biomedical fields are discussed.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 217 and BIOL 324).  Offered every spring semester.

3

BIOL 325L.  MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises are coordinated with lectures, and provide hands-on experience in modern molecular biology techniques. (Prerequisites:  BIOL 217L and 324L).

1

BIOL 332.  PRINCIPLES OF MYCOLOGY
This is a general study of the classification, structure, function and ecology of fungi.  The roles of fungi in medicine and in the pathology of plants are emphasized.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124).  Offered every other year.

3

BIOL 332L.  PRINCIPLES OF MYCOLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory exercises involve the identification, classification, cultures, and relationships between fungi and biogeochemical cycles (Prerequisite:  BIOL 124L).  Offered every other year.

1

BIOL 341.  PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY
This course is a study of the concepts of ecosystems, populations, biogeochemical cycles, biogeography, communities of organisms, overpopulation and pollution problems.  (Prerequisites: BIOL 124, 125 and MATH 250).  Offered every spring semester.

3

BIOL 341L.  PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY LABORATORY
Principles of general ecology including the concepts of ecosystems, populations, biogeochemical cycles, biogeography, communities of organisms, overpopulation problems are studied.  Exercises include field trips to study local flora and fauna and their relationships to the environment.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L and 125L).

1

BIOL 342.  ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Students will investigate the basic elements of environmental biotechnology (EB) and discover career opportunities in the biotechnology industries.  Students will demonstrate a mastery of terminology, basic understanding of bioremediation, remedies for environmental pollution, research methodologies, the role of genetics in environmental science, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, and bacterial culture as well as descriptions of gene expression, gene manipulation, DNA cloning and applications in genetics, environmental science, and industry.  Students will evaluate the impact of environmental biotechnology on human society, agriculture and the global environment (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 & 124L, BIOL 125 & 125L, five credits of inorganic chemistry.)

3

BIOL 342L.  ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY LAB
Laboratory exercises will reinforce the interdisciplinary concepts that are covered in lecture series (gel electrophoresis, extraction of DNA, compare DNA in samples collected from different environmental conditions, application of mathematical, chemical and physics principles and formulae to solve environmental problems). All lab activities are mandatory and will be graded. No make ups for lab activities and tests.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 & 124L, BIOL 125 & 125L, five credits of inorganic chemistry.)

1

BIOL 370.  PRINCIPLES OF PARASITOLOGY
This is the study of important protozoans, helminths, arthropods and cyclostomes which parasitize man, domestic animals and wildlife.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125).  Offered every other year.

3

BIOL 370L.  PRINCIPLES OF PARASITOLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory activities focus on identification, collection, and preservation of protozoans, helminths, arthropods, and cyclostomes which parasitize animals and humans.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124L and BIOL 125L).  Offered every other year.

1

BIOL 404.  MARINE ECOLOGY (LUMCON)
This course includes a study of relationships of marine and estuarine organisms to environmental factors, interactions among organisms, ecological processes of energy and materials flow, the field studies of communities and ecosystems of the Louisiana coastal zone.  Offered summer only for five weeks at a Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium Coastal Laboratory.  (Prerequisites:  General Biology, Invertebrate or Vertebrate Zoology, Introductory Chemistry and permission of instructor).

3 (graduate or undergraduate)

BIOL 405.  COASTAL MARINE GEOLOGY (LUMCON)
This course includes geomorphologic features of estuarine, coastal and continental shelf environments; erosional, depositional and geochemical processes; and field and laboratory methods.  (Prerequisites:  Physical and historical geology, chemistry or minerology).

4 (graduate or undergraduate)

BIOL 407.  MARINE INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
This course includes a general study of the classification, structure, function and ecology of marine and estuarine invertebrates, emphasizing those of the Louisiana Gulf Coast.  (Prerequisites:  BIOL 124 and 125) The graduate and undergraduate courses are also offered at LUMCON.

4 (undergraduate)

BIOL 408.  MARINE VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (LUMCON)
This course is a general study of the marine chordates with particular emphasis on the fishes, including classification, structure, function and ecology. (Prerequisite:  Sixteen semester hours of Zoology).

4 (graduate and undergraduate)

BIOL 409.  SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN MARINE SCIENCE (LUMCON)
This course includes directed undergraduate research and study at a coastal laboratory of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium.  (By arrangement.)

4

BIOL 410.  ADVANCES IN ECOLOGY
This is the study of the concepts of pollution, recycling, population growth and its demands on renewable and non-renewable resources, food resources, alternative sources of energy and cost effective procedures in energy conservation through classroom instruction.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 341).  Offered once a year.

3

BIOL 410L.  ADVANCES IN ECOLOGY LABORATORY
Laboratory activities reinforce and impact the lecture series through field trips and special surveys.  (Prerequisite:  BIOL 341L).

1

BIOL 494-495.  SENIOR SEMINAR
This course involves presentation and discussion of current biological problems and research interests, independent library research, workshops on manuscript writing and proposal/grant writing, instrumentation in laboratories, and use of animals in research.  Students are required to give oral and written critiques and summaries of scientific papers.  The course is open to Biology and Biology Education majors.  Offered once a year - 494 in Fall Semester, and 495 in Spring Semester.

2

BIOL 496.  SENIOR COMPREHENSIVE
All majors are required to pass a comprehensive examination.  Students must register for the course IN THE SEMESTER PRIOR TO THE ONE IN WHICH THEY PLAN TO GRADUATE.  The course will only be offered in the Fall and Spring.

0