BIOB - Biology-General

BIOB 100IN Organism Function: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

(F, Sp) This course examines biological origins and diversity of life on Earth, emphasizing biodiversity of principal biomes, origins of biodiversity, and exploring form, function, and adaptation of relevant biological systems, including photosynthesis, nutrition and immunity. The course also explores relevant ecological relationships among organisms with an emphasis on animals and plants. Offered fall and spring.

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Investigate the origins, adaptations, and the diversity of Life on Earth
Explore key physiological adaptations of animals and plants.
Introduce concepts of ecology and biological conservation relevant to understanding and studying our changing world.

BIOB 104 Scientific Thinking: 1 Credits (1 Lec)

(Sp) This course will help students develop scientific thinking skills that will help them learn science and answer questions in everyday life. The course will cover fundamental elements of scientific reasoning, such as how to test hypotheses, interpret correlations, and find hidden variables in uncontrolled experiments. In addition, this course will explore how cognitive limitations, mental biases, attitudes, political beliefs, and heuristics can interfere with rational thinking. Offered in spring.

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Be able to identify and interpret controlled and uncontrolled research studies, including studies with hidden variables.
Be able to use hypothetico-deductive reasoning to test hypotheses.
Be able to identify associations between variables in data.
Be able to describe alternative causal models to explain associations.
Be able to describe qualitatively the goals of statistics and the need for large, representative samples.
Be able to describe cognitive limitations that interfere with scientific thinking, including: faulty pattern recognition, confirmation bias, hindsight bias, myside processing, heuristics, overconfidence, and limits to memory and observation.

BIOB 105CS Introduction to Biotechnology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

(F) Introduction to an ever-growing industry. Course is designed to demonstrate the significance of biotechnology in today's world. Lecture series presented by research professors, social scientists, and industrial experts.

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identify current trends in biotechnology that will be likely to impact their daily life.
distinguish between the fields of biotechnology open to them for their possible career paths.
acquire the analytical skills to understand the dangers and positive aspects of various biotech applications.
identify and evaluate the areas of open opportunities for research on campus.
design and draft a hypothetical research project based on their understanding of potential applications of biotechnology.

BIOB 110CS Plant Science: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

Provides an understanding of basic plant science principles and the related environmental components that impact society. Current questions in plant biology, agriculture, and ecology are used to develop problem-solving skills and integrative thinking.

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define basic plant biology terminology,
describe basic plant biological concepts,\\n
compare the validity of evidence gathered through various sources of information
understand and employ information literacy, and \\n
apply knowledge of diverse cultures, histories, values, or conflicts that have shaped the US and other world societies’ use of current plant biotechnology.

BIOB 140R Honors Molecular Biology: 4 Credits (2 Lec, 2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: Restricted entry through the Honors Program. An introduction to molecular biology research with an emphasis on how gene expression is regulated in cells and organisms. Hands-on learning of basic techniques in cell and molecular biology will culminate in an independent research project. PREREQUISITE: Restricted entry through the Honors Program. An introduction to molecular biology research with an emphasis on how gene expression is regulated in cells and organisms. Hands-on learning of basic techniques in cell and molecular biology will culminate in an independent research project

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Apply basic molecular biology techniques in a research laboratory setting;
Gain an appreciation for the process of scientific research and its dynamic nature (for example, by finding out that not everything will work);
Revisit formulation of hypotheses. Learn how to keep a lab notebook;
Learn aspects of gene regulation to the level required to develop independent research projects in the course;
Begin to use the sources that scientists use for their research. This will include learning how to search for, find, obtain, read and interpret scientific literature and how to use various databases and online tools;
Begin to learn how to give effective scientific oral presentations, along with effective construction of slides;
Step into the role of teachers during the outreach project to pass on a small part of what they have learned to middle- or high school students. Designing these projects will deepen what they have learned;
Learn about responsible conduct of research and gain confidence to join research labs early during their college career.

BIOB 160 Principles of Living Systems: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)

COREQUISITE: CHMY 121IN and CHMY 122IN or CHMY 141. (F, Sp) Introduction to cellular organization and function. Topics covered include synthesis and function of macromolecules, cell organelles and structure, energy transformations in living systems, respiration, photosynthesis, the cell cycle, classical genetics, molecular genetics, and biotechnology. Common final

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Describe basic concepts in the chemistry of living systems and apply these to the analysis of metabolic processes, structural properties, and biological activities of cells\\n
Identify the major cellular and intracellular components of eukaryotic cells and compare and contrast their structures and functions\\n
Describe the processes and genetic consequences of cell division and Mendelian genetics and apply this understanding to the inheritance of biological traits\\n
Define the components of a gene, a chromosome, and a genome and recognize the major molecules and processes that specify and transmit information in living systems

BIOB 170IN Principles of Biological Diversity: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)

(F, Sp) This course examines the biology, ecology, and evolutionary relationships among living organisms. All forms of life will be considered, from single celled prokaryotes to multicellular eukaryotic plants and animals. Offered fall and spring.

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Students completing BIOB 170 will be able to use scientific methods to test hypotheses.
explain how life on Earth has evolved.
describe the major types of organismal diversity on Earth.
explain how organisms interact with each other and their environment.

BIOB 205 Methods in Biotechnology: 4 Credits (4 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB 105CS. This course will challenge students in the biotech major to learn a series of essential molecular techniques focusing on research and faculty interaction. The techniques learned will be highly applicable to the biotech industry, giving students a post-graduation competitive edge

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Students learn team skills in formulating and solving complex problems in biotechnology.
Students develop laboratory skills in molecular methods necessary to approach such problems.
Students use modern laboratory equipment for analysis of microbes and products at the biochemical and genetic level.
Students develop sampling practices that permit statistical analysis of data obtained from their experiments.
Students develop computer search skills in genomics and in literature searching relative to their projects.
Students are prepared in the fundamentals necessary for research positions in a diversity of biotech labs on or off campus.

BIOB 260 Cellular and Molecular Biology: 5 Credits (3 Lec, 2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: CHMY 141 or CHMY 151. (F, Sp) Introduction to biological macromolecules, cell structures and function, and gene structure and expression. The laboratory portion will include both wet labs and computer-based modules

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identify the basic building blocks of biological systems (i.e. carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, nucleotides and DNA/RNA)
describe the structure and function of the basic cellular structures found in living organisms
explain basic cellular processes such as cell-to-cell communication, respiration, the cell cycle (mitosis and meiosis), and gene expression
apply general biological concepts to novel situations (i.e. use an understanding of electron transport processes used for cellular respiration in mitochondria to speculate how electron transport processes associated with photosynthesis work in chloroplasts)

BIOB 280 Miracle molds, magic mushrooms: Fungi in our world: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB 100, 110, 170 or BIOM 103 A presentation of the fungi and their roles in nature and in shaping past and present civilizations. The historical and practical significance of fungi as decayers, as pathogens, as food, and as sources of mind-altering chemicals will be emphasized

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describe the unique characteristics that define the fungal kingdom\\n
describe the various roles that fungi play in nature\\n
explain how fungi have helped shape our world with concrete examples
contrast the beneficial and detrimental roles of fungi in regard to human society
gain an awareness of fungi in the world around us through reading current news articles
apply critical thinking skills for analyzing human situations involving fungi

BIOB 290R Undergraduate Research: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Sophomore standing and consent of instructor. Directed undergraduate research. Course will address responsible conduct of research
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

BIOB 291 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Lec, 1-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: None required but some may be determined necessary by each offering department. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

BIOB 305 Science Communication in Ecology: 1 Credits (1 Lec)

(Sp) Junior standing. Assists professionals in communicating about their work and ﬁndings with a variety of audiences. Students will practice making presentations, writing short blog or news release posts, and interacting with individuals. The focus will be on writing and verbal communication, but with some discussion of visual methods including video. Offered in spring, on demand.

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Design a presentation of technical material for a specific audience.
Identify a core message and convey it in accessible language in spoken or written media.
Demonstrate appropriate use of communication tools such as metaphor, active listening, and analogy.
Identify appropriate visual methods (graph, info-graphic, video) that will clearly present the identified goal information.

BIOB 318 Biometry: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: C- or better in any 100 level or above Math course. (F) Analysis and interpretation of biological data. Topics include: measures of center and spread, probability, analysis of frequency data and proportions, comparing numerical values, comparing means of two of more groups, linear regression, correlation and modern statistical methods

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Students will be able to:
Characterize a set of data from a frequency distribution (shape, center, and spread).
Compute and interpret measure of center and spread from a set of data.
Compute probabilities from the normal distribution.
Compute probabilities from the binomial distribution.
Compute the mean and variance of a binomial variable.
Understand the difference between a population and a sample.
Compute and interpret confidence intervals for means and proportions.
Complete and understand all steps for testing hypotheses for a single mean, single proportion, two proportions, two independent sample means, and paired sample means.
Design an experiment to compare two sample means.
Compute the correlation coefficient and the intercept and slope for a regression equation from a set of data.
Complete and interpret all steps for testing hypotheses on the correlation coefficient and regression coefficient.

BIOB 375 General Genetics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB 160, BIOB 260, or BIOM 360. Introduction to classical and molecular genetics of eukaryotes, with emphasis on transmission genetics, the structure and regulation of genes, and mechanisms of genetic change

BIOB 410 Immunology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Junior or senior standing and BIOB 160 or BIOB 260 or BIOM 363 (BIOB260 or BIOM363 are strongly recommended). (F, Sp) Fundamentals of cellular and molecular immunology including consideration of structure, genetics and function of immunoglobulin, T-cell receptors and major histocompatibility antigens; regulation of the immune response; transplantation and immunological diseases

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Explain the distinction between innate and adaptive immunity and how these two types of host defenses differ with regard to combating infections.\\n
Describe organization of the cells and organs of the immune system and how they relate to the processing of foreign substances and the development of the immune system.\\n
Explain how the cells interact with each other in the formation of an immune response.
Explain the molecular basis by which the immune system identifies pathogens\\n
Explain cell and molecular mechanisms mediating antigen-antibody interactions, antigen processing and presentation, and genetic mechanisms that result in diversity in immunoglobulin structure responsible for antigen recognition.
Describe cell mediated effector responses, inflammation and the roles that cytokines and complement cascades play in the mediation of these processes.\\n
Demonstrate the basis of immune response to infectious agents, vaccinations, immunodeficiency, autoimmune reactions, and hypersensitivity reactions.

BIOB 420 Evolution: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB 375 or BIOH 320. (F, Sp) For seniors in biology. Evolutionary theory is presented and takes two principle directions, the study of evolutionary history and the study of the biological mechanism of evolution including mutation, genetic drift, migration, and natural selection

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Describe the interaction of the four fundamental processes of evolution: mutation, migration (gene flow), genetic drift, and natural selection
Predict the evolutionary response to selection on quantitative traits using the concept of heritability
Interpret phylogenetic trees and use phylogenetic and other methods for inferring the history of biological evolution using genetic and other data
Apply analytical methods to questions related to natural selection, adaptation, heritability, population management, forensics, and epidemiology
Explain why accepting the truth of biological evolution is not the issue compared to valuing "the principles of reasoning and educated discourse that now make belief in evolution obligatory"

BIOB 424 Ethical Practice of Science: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing and at least one three-hundred level series of any science course. (Sp) Examines the evolution of the scientific process with specific focus on the ethical responsibilities of scientists and to examine policies and procedures developed by the scientific community to ensure integrity in the research process. Co-convened with BIOB 524

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summarize the history of scientific misconduct.
explain the regulations regarding scientific misconduct.
discuss the regulations governing use of humans and animals in research.
analyze situations involving scientific integrity and effectively resolve these situations using ethical approaches.
analyze and critique the social implications of scientific misconduct.
express and present on current ethical topics in science.

BIOB 425 Adv Cell & Molecular Biology: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB 260, BIOH 320, and BCH 380 or BCH 441. In-depth study of cell structure and function. This course is co-convened with BIOB 525

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Read an original peer reviewed scientific paper in cell or molecular biology, interpret the results and suggest the next logical experiments.
Understand the role of the cytoskeleton in the cell and how it pertains to cellular processes such as chemotaxis and migration.
Describe vesicular trafficking as it relates to synapses, protein and cell cargo delivery
Understand the role of motor proteins, how they function and their contribution to cell signaling
Understand and be able to draw out cell signaling pathways such as G protein couple receptor pathways and receptor tyrosine kinase pathways.
Describe the major proteins; and their roles in promoting cell-cell adhesion and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion.

BIOB 428R Molecular neurological disease: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

BIOB 430 Plant Biotechnology: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Lab)

COREQUISITE: BIOB 375. (Sp) Humans have historically altered plants to meet food and fiber needs. Our ability to transfer genes from organism to organism is accelerating this process. The principles of plant genetic engineering will be discussed along with hands-on laboratory

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Explain the history of plant improvement from simple plant selection to modern day transgenic plants.
Explain the process required to research, develop, and improve plants using molecular biology including the creation and testing of transgenic plants.
Demonstrate proficiency in DNA preps, PCR, agarose and acrylamide gels, DNA sequence analysis and the use of publicly available sequence databases

BIOB 438 Developmental Mechanisms: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB 425. This course will focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms which drive developmental processes

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Describe the major developmental events that set up the vertebrate body plan, including gastrulation.
Explain how neurulation occurs in vertebrates to set up the central nervous system.
Explain how the peripheral nervous system forms, understanding how neural crest cells migrate and the signaling interactions that occur to direct ;the ;neural crest in their migration.
Explain the signaling interactions that lead to the formation of neurons.
Explain how axons elongate and form synapses, and how cell-cell adhesion and cell-signaling contribute to the specificity of neural connections.
Explain how the vertebrate eye develops, understanding how evolution has preserved the genetic pathway in eye formation from invertebrates to vertebrates.
Understand the basic techniques involved in studying development, including in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, ectopic expression, crispr, and the generation of knockout and transgenic animals.

BIOB 441 Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB375. Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics will root recent genetic findings into a classical genetic context, with a primary goal of empowering students to read and interpret classical and current literature in the field of genetics and apply genetic analysis to research problems

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Students will compare and contrast foundational genetic theories with more modern findings.
Students will interpret, discuss and apply findings from modern genetic scientific literature.
Students will practice genetic analysis utilizing a number of genetic tools and techniques.
Students understanding of genetics will become more nuanced so that they are better able to evaluate genetic research.

BIOB 476R Gene Construction: 4 Credits (1 Lec, 3 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: BCH 380 and BCH 441. The goals are to provide upper level students with the opportunity of designing and building their own genes. The goal of the course is to use this design experience to learn basic techniques in cell and molecular biology

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Design their own DNA constructs encoding complex, hybrid gene products that produce chimeric proteins with the aid of commonly used software packages.
Design their own cloning strategy to build the constructs
Create PCR primers sufficient to amplify the different coding regions and plasmid components.
Amplify DNA regions and isolate the DNA, set up and trouble shoot ligation independent cloning reactions.
Critique the lab work and notebooks of colleagues to constructively help them find solutions
Test and improve prototypes.
Read and interpret the methods section of biomedical research papers that use molecular approaches to create novel plasmids, coding regions, and heterologous expression systems.

BIOB 480 Conservation Genetics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB 375 or BIOH 320, and BIOB 420, and STAT 216Q. (F) Introduces the theory and practice of conservation genetics, focusing primarily on animals. Case studies will be used liberally, and emphasis will be placed on interpreting genetic data. Readings will include primary literature. Co-convened with BIOE 548. Offered in the fall

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Explain basic concepts of population genetics and how they can be applied to fish and wildlife management.
Practice critical thinking, especially analysis and evaluation.
Demonstrate quantitative skills (especially probability and statistics).
Apply independent learning.
Review complex scientific papers.
Gain a practical understanding of how real scientific research is conducted.

BIOB 484 Population Genetics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB 375. BIOB 420. Introduction to theory and empirical data on genetics of populations. Topics covered include modeling natural and artificial selection, nonrandom mating, gene flow and effective population size as factors influencing the maintenance of genetic variation in populations. The approach emphasizes the development of simple mathematical models to illustrate fundamental conceptual issues in the field

BIOB 490R Undergraduate Research: 1-4 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior or Senior standing and approval of instructor and approval of department head. Undergraduate research which may culminate in a research paper, journal article, or undergraduate thesis. Course will address responsible conduct of research
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

BIOB 491 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Course prerequisites as determined for each offering. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

BIOB 492 Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, consent of instructor and approval of department head. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

BIOB 494 Seminar/Workshop: 1 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, consent of instructor, and as determined for each offering. Topics offered at the upper division level which are not covered in regular courses. Students attend and write critiques of seminar presentations by professional biologists
Repeatable up to 4 credits.

BIOB 497 Educational Methods: Biology: 2 Credits (4 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: Junior or senior standing, consent of instructor and department head. (F, Sp) Provides deeper contact with a subject for those considering an academic profession. This provides experience in a teaching laboratory under detailed academic supervision in recognition that teaching enhances learning. Includes the preparation, organization, presentation of materials, and student evaluation
Repeatable up to 4 credits.

BIOB 498 Internship/Cooperative Edu: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, consent of instructor and approval of department head. An individualized assignment arranged with an agency, business, or other organization to provide guided experience in the field
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

BIOB 499 Senior Thesis/Capstone: 2 Credits (2 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Senior standing in the Cell Biology & Neuroscience Department or in the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology Department and consent of instructor. Senior capstone course. Students are expected both to present and to discuss advanced topics from the current biomedical literature. These topics will expand upon material presented in regular courses in the biomedical science curriculum. Students will write at least one major paper

BIOB 524 Ethical Practice of Science: 3 Credits (3 Other)

(Sp) This course exposes students to the ethical issues and federal requirements they will likely encounter throughout their careers and helps develop skills for resolving ethical issues encountered in scientific research. Co-convened with BIOB 424.

View Course Outcomes:

summarize the history of scientific misconduct.
explain the regulations regarding scientific misconduct.
discuss the regulations governing use of humans and animals in research.
analyze situations involving scientific integrity and effectively resolve these situations using ethical approaches.
analyze and critique the social implications of scientific misconduct.
express and present on current ethical topics in science.

BIOB 525 Adv. Cell & Molecular Biology: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: BIOB 260 and BCH 380 or BCH 441, and BIOB 375 or BIOH 320 In-depth study of cell signaling, structure and function. This course is co-convened with BIOB 425

BIOB 530 Plant Biotechnology: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Lab)

Humans have historically altered plants to meet food and fiber needs. Our ability to transfer genes from organism to organism is accelerating this process. The principles of plant genetic engineering will be discussed along with hands-on laboratory. Students will design and analyze the results of plant biotechnology experiments.

View Course Outcomes:

Understand the history of plant improvement from simple plant selection to modern day transgenic plants.
Understand the process required to research, develop, and improve plants using molecular biology including the creation and testing of transgenic plants.
Demonstrate proficiency in DNA preps, PCR, agarose and acrylamide gels, DNA sequence analysis and the use of publicly available sequence databases.
Demonstrate proficiency in sequence analysis and DNA marker design and use.
Understand and be able to interpret and judge scientific literature reporting results involving the use of plant biotechnology in plant improvement.

BIOB 591 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits ()

Course prerequisites as determined for each offering.