SC 118 - Integrated Science 2 (4 credits, 3 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: SC 117 or SC 119 -- This course is only for those not taking any future science courses. The student analyzes major concepts, laws and theories of biological sciences and relates them to balances in nature. A strong emphasis is placed on environmental concerns and human biology. The primary focus of the laboratory centers on the design and implementation of an investigative project.

SC 119 - Foundations for Natural Science 1 (4 credits, 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab., 1 hr study group)
Prereq.: NSS 128 or IN 125 or concurrent registration; MT 050 or equivalent; corequisite ALG 051 or CM 105Q -- The student studies concepts (matter, energy and change) which are common to all natural sciences. She learns how these concepts are applied to chemical reactions and physical changes. She practices methods of chemistry and physics in the laboratory.

SC 120 - Foundations for Natural Science 2 (4 credits, 3 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: SC 119 or 117 & CH 050 -- The student analyzes major concepts, laws and theories of biological and physical sciences and relates them to balances in nature. A strong emphasis is placed on cell functioning, particularly on the structure and function of the plasma membrane, energy metabolism, and genetics. The primary focus of the laboratory centers on the design and implementation of an investigative project. This course is required for all students planning to take additional science courses.

BI 221 - Biology of Plants (4 credits, 2 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: SC 120 -- The emphasis of this course is on the development, physiology, and ecology of plants, particularly with regard to the critical role plants have in basic science research and in the rapidly growing field of biotechnology or agribiology.

BI 222 - Biology of Animals (4 credits, 2 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: SC 120 -- This course provides an overview of the animal kingdom and an introduction to the areas of biology that concern animals, such as ecology, evolution, behavior, taxonomy, anatomy, and physiology.

BI 231 - Human Anatomy and Physiology (4 credits, 2 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: SC 120; CH 113 or CH 221 -- The student focuses on developing abilities to explain the basic physiological processes of all the organ systems and to describe selected aspects of the homeostatic regulatory mechanisms of each system.

BI 251 - Microbiology (4 credits, 2 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: SC 120; CH 113 or CH 221 -- Primarily through laboratory work, e.g., microscopy, staining dilution, and culturing techniques, the student examines the form, structure, metabolic activity, and growth patterns of selected microbes. Using student generated data and research skills, the student identifies an unknown organism, and designs and implements an independent investigative learning experience. She studies the contributions of microbiology to basic science and its interface with current societal issues.

Note: The BI 300-304 courses are part of a series of rotating courses. More are being developed.

BI 301 - Microecology (3 credits, 3 hrs. lec.)
Prereq.: SC 120 -- .

BI 302 - Virology (3 credits, 3 hrs. lec.)
Prereq.: SC 120 --

BI 303 - Evolutionary Ecology (3 credits, 3 hrs. lec.)
Prereq.: SC 120, Level 3 analysis -- How did animals and plants get to be the way they are? Why do some animals cooperate while others do not? Why do some poisonous animals look like harmless ones. Why do some plants live one year and die while others live for centuries? Evolutionary ecology looks at how the living and non-living world has shaped the ecology of species.

BI 304 - Developmental Biology (3 credits, 3 hrs. lec.)

BI 325 - Cellular Biology (4 credits, 3 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: SC 120; CH 113 or CH 221; BI 251; completion of Analysis, Level 3 -- In this course the student studies current knowledge and research in the area of cell signalling and communication, and control of growth, division, and differentiation. She learns how to handle animal cells in culture, including examining her own chromosomes.

BI 328 - Biochemistry (4 credits, 3 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: CH 221-- The structures of the main classes of biomolecules and their metabolic functions are the central themes of the course, The student analyzes the relationship between structure and function, the function of metabolic pathways, and regulation and integration of those pathways. In the laboratory work, the student engages in analysis and solution of biochemical problems related to her career goals.

BI 331 - Advanced Topics in Biology (3 credits, 2 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: BI 231 -- The student analyzes in depth the functioning and integration of related systems. The topics selected could include: neurophysiology, cardiovascular physiology, exercise physiology and endocrinology.

BI 338 - Physiological Mechanisms of Disease (4 credits, 4 hrs. lec.)
Prereq.: BI 231 -- This course deals primarily with the physiological bases of illness and the treatments used. Starting from the principles of physiology, the student learns to understand disease in terms of the damage it causes to the body, the body's attempt to compensate, and the methods used to help the body compensate. She uses and interprets the technical terminology associated with disease and its treatment.

BI 341 - Ecology (4 credits, 3 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: MT 123 and one of the following: BI 221, BI 222, or BI 251 -- The student examines the relationships of organisms or groups of organisms to their environment and studies the interrelatedness among organisms. Her extensive field work and long-term research assist her in analyzing complex environments. Throughout this course, the student develops the skills of system analysis and the use of models. She analyzes and formulates model environmental impact statements using her ecological tools.

BI 361 - Genetics (4 credits, 3 hrs. lec., 2 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: BI 251 -- The student works with information concerning the specification of biological traits, especially the nature of this information and the mechanisms of its transfer from one generation to the next. The course includes classical and molecular genetics with an emphasis on human research in contemporary issues.

BI 383/483 - Internship (2-4 credits.)
Prereq.: BI Departmental Consent -- The student applies her analytical and problem-solving abilities in researching a specific problem in an industrial, health-related, or other appropriate facility in the Milwaukee area.

BI 425 - Molecular Biology (4 credits, 4 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: BI 251; BI 325 or CH 328 -- In this course the student integrates and applies knowledge from biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, and organic chemistry to the analysis of molecular mechanisms of living organisms. The course focus is on gene expression and current techniques for manipulating the genes.

BI 441 - Animal Behavior (4 credits, 3 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.)
Prereq.: BI 222 or BI 231or BI 341 ; Problem Solving, Level 4 and Analysis Level 4 -- The student investigates mechanisms underlying patterns of animal behavior and their ecological, physiological, and evolutionary basis. She identifies differences and commonalities between the fields of comparative psychology, behavioral ecology, and neurophysiology in their approach to examining animal behavior. She focuses on the selective value of various behaviors and uses behavioral models to describe and interpret behavior.

BI 443 - Chronobiology (3 credits, 3 hrs. lec.)
Prereq.: any BI 300 level -- The student concentrates on the temporal dimension of the rhythmic patterns observed through the living world. She is introduced to several theories detailing the biological basis of rhythmic patterns, and she explores and evaluates these theories. She analyzes selected research studies of human rhythmic patterns, their manipulations, and the interpretation of the data that suport these changes.

BI 452 - Immunology (3 credits, 3 hrs. lec.)
Prereq.: BI 215; BI 231 -- The student examines the complex mechanisms, theories and models that the living system uses to respond to what is foreign to itself or to self-destruct. This includes evaluation of antigen-antibody specificity and reactions, autoimmunity, diagnostic testing, and analysis of medical case studies dealing with immunological problems.

BI 491 - Biology Seminar (2 credits, 2 hrs. seminar.)
Prereq.: Biology Major, Senior Standing -- The student addresses the question, "What does it mean to be a biologist in the 21st century?" She does this in readings and discussions on the philosophy of science, independent research on one aspect of the question, and oral and written presentations of her research.

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Last update: 2/11/03 by Rebecca Burton, Dept. of Biology, Alverno College