COURSES FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS 

The following courses are designed for non-science majors and may not be used to fulfill requirements for the biology major or minor.  They will fulfill the collegiate Natural Science Inquiry Learning Domain requirement and may (check class schedule) fill the laboratory requirement.

BIOL 100  Concepts in Biology (NS) 
BIOL 101  Concepts in Biology (NS-L) 
The structure, function, heredity, evolution, and ecological interactions of living systems with emphasis on those concepts having major implications for humans and society.
 
BIOL 102  Natural History (NS-L)
The variety of organisms and ecosystems, with special emphasis on the geological and biological history of Arkansas.  Field laboratories expose students to the major taxonomic groups of organisms.

BIOL 103  Biology of the Human Body (NS-L)
The structure and function of human organ systems, with emphasis on the maintenance and perpetuation of the living state.

BIOL 104  Environmental Biology (CW,NS-L)
An introduction to principles of ecology as they relate to the human concerns of overpopulation, resource management, pollution, and environmental ethics.

BIOL 105  Plants in Human Affairs (NS)
A consideration of useful and harmful plants in human cultures.  Emphasis is on plant origins, historical significance, economic importance, aesthetic uses, active ingredients, and their botanical relationships.

BIOL 106  Neotropical Biology (NS-L)
An introduction to the diversity, structure, function, and history of tropical ecosystems.  Course is taught during the summer semester in Costa Rica.   Students who take this course cannot also receive credit for BIOL 102 Natural History. 

BIOL 107  Biology of the Human Body (NS)
The structure and function of human organ systems, with emphasis on the maintenance and perpetuation of the living state.



BIOLOGY CORE 
The following five courses are required for all biology majors and must be completed by the end of the junior year.


BIOL 150   Cell Biology (NS-L)
The structure and function of cells with emphasis on evolutionary principles, basic biochemistry, and scientific epistemology.  Laboratory course.  This is a prerequisite for all other biology courses.

BIOL 210  Botany 
Survey of algae, nonvascular, and vascular plants, with emphasis on the origin, structure, development, and physiology of flowering vascular plants.  Laboratory course.  Prerequisite: BIOL 150.

BIOL 220  Zoology
A survey of the major phyla, classes, and orders of animals,  with emphasis on basic body plans and organization, development, phylogenetic relationships, and the structure and function of representative organ systems.  Laboratory course.  Prerequisite: BIOL 150.

BIOL 250  Genetics
Fundamental principles of heredity, including both Mendelian and molecular genetics. Emphasis is on those principles with the greatest implications to understanding biological systems in general, and humans in particular.  Laboratory course.  BIOL 210 or 220, or consent of instructor.

BIOL 365  Ecology and Evolution
Study of biotic and abiotic interactions among organisms, and the evolutionary processes that have shaped life. Major topics include population and community interactions, biomes, forces of genetic change, adaptation, conservation biology, and the geological and biological history of the Earth. Laboratory course. Prerequisite: BIOL 210 and 250.


BIOLOGY ELECTIVES 

 BIOL  300  Comparative Animal Behavior (W2) 
Study of the genetic, developmental, physiological, ecological, and evolutionary bases of adaptive behavior of animals, including humans. Laboratory course.  Prerequisite:  BIOL 220 or both PSYC 295 and BIOL 101.  Cross-listed as PSYC 300.
 
BIOL 310  Developmental Biology  (W2)
A survey of the development of a variety of animals, with emphasis on the molecular processes involved. The embryology of vertebrates is stressed. Laboratory course.  Prerequisite: BIOL 250.

BIOL  320  Animal Physiology  (W2)
Study of the mechanisms of homeostatic regulation in animals with an emphasis on mammalian and other vertebrate organ systems.  Laboratory course.  Prerequisite:
BIOL 220.

BIOL  340  Microbiology 
Biology of bacteria and viruses. Laboratory includes culturing, identification, isolation from environment, and experimentation. Laboratory course.  Prerequisite: BIOL 250. 

BIOL  360   Biology of Algae and Fungi (W2)
Comparative ecology, physiology, and morphology of algae and fingi.  Laboratory course.  Prerequisite:  BIOL 210.

BIOL  370  Plant Physiology (W2)
Study of the essential plant processes with emphasis on mineral nutrition, water relations, photosynthesis, hormones, and the influence of external factors. Laboratory course.  Prerequisite: BIOL 210.

BIOL  430  Immunology (W2)
Principles of immunology with an emphasis on the role of experimentation in the development of current immunological concepts.  The laboratory will include experiments to demonstrate principles and the use of immunological techniques for scientific investigation.  Laboratory course.  Prerequisites: junior or senior standing and completion of BIOL 250 and one course in chemistry.

BIOL  440  Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Phylogenetic relationsips and anatomical systems of vertebrates, with emphasis on cartilaginous fishes and mammals. Laboratory course. Prerequisite: BIOL 220.

BIOL  450  Advanced Cell Biology 
An examination of current models for intracellular processes such as membrane and cytoskeletal structure, compartmentalization, transport, signaling, and the control of cell division.  Emphasis on current research and theory.  Laboratory course. Prerequisite: BIOL 250.

BIOL  460  Evolution (W2)
The mechanisms of evolution, principles of population genetics, selection and adaptation, and the history of life on Earth. Biological diversity and evolutionary issues for conservation and medicine are also covered. Laboratory course. Prerequisite: BIOL 250.

BIOL  470  Advanced Genetics 
Current research and paradigms in molecular genetics with emphasis on adaptive and developmental gene regulation, molecular evolution, manipulation for gene engineering, genomics, proteomics, and their implications. Laboratory course.  Prerequisite: BIOL 250.

BIOL  480  Field Ecology (W2) [GA]
Studies of ecological patterns and processess in Arkansas ecosystems followed by comparative studies in non-Arkansas field sites.  Comparative field study sites will alternate each year between Costa Rica and a US ecosystem such as the American Southwest or the Everglades.  These comparative field studies entail an additional cost to the student.  Laboratory course.  Prerequiseite:  BIOL 365. 

BIOL  490  Advanced Topics
Texts, review papers, and or original literature will be used to provide extended or integrated coverage of selected areas of biology.  Prerequisite:  junior or senior standing; check course announcements for specific prerequisites.

BIOL  497  Biology Seminar 
Reviews of current literature and oral presentations by students based on library or original research.  Non-credit, graduation requirement for all biology majors.  Prerequisite:  BIOL 365 and senior standing.

BIOL  X99  Independent Research [UR]
Original research using scientific methodology of hypothesis testing, data collection, and analysis. Requirements include a formal research proposal, a final written report in conventional scientific format, and an oral presentation.  Students must select an advisor within the Biology Department to oversee and evaluate the study.  Specific requirements and options (such as off-campus projects or summer research) can be obtained from the Biology Department.  This credit will not count toward the four electives required for a major.  Prerequisite: junior or senior standing and consent of the Department.