Professors Mumme, Coates, Coenen, French, Humphreys, Kleinschmidt, Lundberg, Nelson, Ostrofsky, J. Palmer, Rankin, Wissinger, Wurst, Welsh
Biology, the study of life, is a discipline of astonishing variety. It encompasses not only the diversity of living things on the earth today, but also the diversity of levels (from molecules to cells to organisms to ecosystems) at which life can be studied. The Biology Department offers a modern, balanced, and comprehensive treatment of biology, emphasizing independent research, analysis of information, and integration among its subdisciplines and with other areas of the liberal arts, including related disciplines such as chemistry, mathematics, geology, physics and psychology. Many new discoveries in biology, such as those that are making genetic engineering a reality, are radically transforming our perception of what biology is and what it can mean to our everyday lives. More than ever, the social, political, economic and moral implications of these discoveries require not only that a liberally educated person understand the principles of modern biology, but also that a biologist be liberally educated.
The major in Biology leads to the Bachelor of Science degree and requires the successful completion of 34 semester credit hours in Biology, including Biology 220 and 221, FS Bio 201, a junior seminar (Biology 580), the two-semester senior project and seminar (Biology 600 and 610), and three 300-level biology courses, one from each of the three areas defined below.
Area A - Cellular and Molecular Biology
Biology 305 - Molecular Biology
Biology 315 - Developmental Biology
Biology 320 - Cell Biology
Biology 325 - Genetics
Appropriate courses at the Duke University Marine Laboratory (e.g., Biochemistry of Marine Animals, Molecular and Cellular Processes in Marine Organisms)
Area B - Organismal Biology and Physiology
Biology 310 - Microbiology
Biology 342 - Toxicology
Biology 360 - Plant Physiology
Biology 365 - Comparative Anatomy
Biology 380 - Animal Physiology
Appropriate courses at the Duke University Marine Laboratory (e.g., Marine Invertebrate Zoology, Physiology of Marine Animals, Coastal Ecotoxicology, Environmental Biochemistry)
Area C - Population Biology and Ecology
Biology 330 - Ecology
Biology 335 - Conservation Biology
Biology 340 - Evolution
Biology 344 - Stream Ecology
Biology 346 - Wetlands
Appropriate courses at the Duke University Marine Laboratory (e.g., Marine Ecology, Biological Oceanography, Marine Mammals, Ocean Ecosystems, Barrier Island Ecology, Estuarine Ecosystems)
In addition, Biology 385 (or another course in statistics) is highly recommended.
In order to obtain the necessary prerequisites for certain required Biology courses as well as to gain an adequate understanding of modern biology, a major must also complete 16-28 semester credit hours in mathematics and the physical sciences, including Chemistry 110 and 112, Chemistry 231, Mathematics 160 (or 157 and 158), and two additional four-credit courses in mathematics (Mathematics 170 or higher), chemistry (Chemistry 200-level or higher), or physics (Physics 101, 102, 110 or 120), to be determined in consultation with a Biology faculty member. Placement in Mathematics 170 or higher satisfies the Mathematics 160 requirement for the major, and placement in Chemistry 112 satisfies the Chemistry 110 requirement for the major.
All courses required for the major must be taken for a letter grade. Biology courses exceeding the minimum requirements for the major may be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis, but the department recommends that the number of Credit/No Credit courses be kept to a minimum. Majors are required to have a GPA of at least 2.0 in Biology at graduation. All Biology courses taken for a letter grade at Allegheny, including FS Bio 201, are included in the calculation, with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts.
All courses required for the major must be taken for a letter grade. Biology courses exceeding the minimum requirements for the major may be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis, but the department recommends that the number of Credit/No Credit courses be kept to a minimum. Majors are required to have a GPA of at least 2.0 in Biology at graduation. All Biology courses taken for a letter grade at Allegheny, including FS Bio 201, are included in the calculation, with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts.
Students who are eligible (GPA at least 3.0 and approval of Director of International Programs and Services) can participate in our cooperative program with the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina. Students typically participate for one semester in the junior year and take a full course load including an independent research experience. Students receive Allegheny grades and credit for Biology major (appropriate courses for Areas A, B, C, and Junior Seminar) and minor requirements. The spring program entails one-half semester at Duke and one-half semester at the Bermuda Biological Laboratory. Contact the Director of International Programs and Services in Reis Hall for more information on this program.
040 Plants and Society
An examination of the fundamental nature of plants, their importance to environmental health, and their impact on the development of society through forestry and agriculture. The basic structure and function of plants is considered in the context of their diversity in the plant kingdom. Genetic engineering of crop plants and plant disease are discussed in relation to their impacts on the environment and on human society.
045 Biology of the Algae
An examination of the basic biology of the algae and their role in ecosystems and interrelationships with humans. Local algal flora in area streams and lakes are sampled during field trips and investigated in the laboratory. Topics include ecology, physiology, cellular biology, and taxonomic diversity of the algae, and the effects of algae on the environment and human society. One laboratory per week.
050 Basic Ecology
An introduction to the study of interactions between organisms and their physical and biological environment, including aspects of behavior and evolution. The laboratory emphasizes field methods for investigating populations, communities, and ecosystems in this region. One laboratory per week.
060 Cancer: Causes & Consequences
An examination of the medical and societal consequences of the disorders collectively known as cancer. Topics addressed include the series of events by which a cell can escape its normal constraints and take on cancerous properties, the advantages and limitations of current treatments, the reasons numerous headline-generating breakthroughs have yet to translate into a cure, and the relative role of scientific, emotional, and economic considerations in influencing decisions about screening, treatment, medical coverage, and research funding. One laboratory per week.
067 Microbes and People
An interdisciplinary introduction to the science and social impact of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes. Topics include the biology of pathogens (such as HIV, influenza, mad cow disease, and bioterrorism agents), beneficial microbes, epidemiology and disease prevention, and the effects of infectious disease in terms of individual, public, and global health. One non-infectious laboratory per week.
070 Human Heredity
A study of the principles, practices, and results of the genetic analysis of humans. Family studies, clinical information, and molecular approaches to the study of the genetic basis for human physical characteristics, behaviors, and disorders are explored, as are the scientific, ethical, and social implications of issues such as genetic counseling, the Human Genome Project, and gene therapy. One laboratory per week.
071 Biotechnology
An examination of biotechnology, emphasizing the impact of recombinant DNA technology on this industry. Topics covered include manipulation of genes, expression of foreign genes in organisms, and application of biotechnology in the health and agricultural industries. Ethical and social considerations of genetic engineering as it applies to biotechnology are discussed. Laboratory experiments including DNA sequencing and fingerprinting and those emphasizing important concepts in recombinant DNA technology are included. One laboratory per week.
072 The Neurosciences
A survey of recent advances in our understanding of the nervous system. The interdisciplinary nature of this field of study is emphasized by discussion of a broad range of disciplines as they relate to the neurosciences, including anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, physics, chemistry, physiology and psychology. One laboratory per week.
077 Principles of Biology
An introduction to biological principles for non-biology majors. Topics include molecular and cellular biology, genetics, organismal diversity and physiology, ecology and evolution. Explicit connections will be made between principles and their applications in medicine, agriculture and environmental sustainability. One laboratory per week.
078 The Biology of Behavior
An investigation of biological principles of animal behavior through the study of physiological, genetic, developmental, ecological and evolutionary processes. One laboratory per week.
082 Insects and Humans
A study of the basic biology of insects, with an emphasis on the interrelationships between insects and humans. These interrelationships include the beneficial roles of insects in agriculture, their negative impact as pests and disease vectors, and ways in which insect populations and activities can be controlled. One laboratory per week.
220 Organismal Physiology and Ecology
An introduction to the biology of organismal form and function (physiology) and the interaction of organisms with their environment (ecology). We take a comparative approach to the diversity of physiological systems that have evolved in different organisms to meet the environmental challenges that they face (energy, water balance, excretion of wastes, communication, reproduction, gas exchange, defense). We also consider how the interactions between organisms and their physical and biological environment (other organisms) affect the distribution and abundance of populations and ecosystems. Three lectures and one discussion period per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 101 or 110.
221 Genetics, Development and Evolution
An introduction to the central role of genetics in modern biology. Topics include an examination of how genetic information is expressed and regulated, how it directs organismal development, how it is passed from one generation to the next, and how it is modified via the evolutionary process. Three lectures and one discussion period per week. Prerequisite: Biology 220.
305 Molecular Biology
A study of the molecular components of replication and gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The molecular aspects of gene structure, function, and regulation are emphasized, as are current methods for the study of these topics. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221, and Chemistry 231.
310 Microbiology
A study of prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes with particular emphasis on their interactions with other organisms and the environment. Microbial life is investigated and related to the topics of antibiotic action and resistance, biodegradation of toxic compounds in the environment, and the interaction between microorganisms and plant and animal immune systems. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221, FS Bio 201 and Chemistry 231.
315 Developmental Biology
An examination of the development of organisms, with an emphasis on the molecular, cellular, physiological and genetic aspects of developmental processes. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221, FS Bio 201 and Chemistry 231.
320 Cell Biology
A study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells. Topics include current methods in cell biology and molecular genetics, the structure and function relationships of major organelles and cytoskeletal elements, interactions between cells, regulation of cell division and cell death, and signal transduction pathways. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221, FS Bio 201 and Chemistry 231.
325 Genetics
A study of the mechanisms of inheritance at the molecular, organismal, and popluation levels. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221, FS Bio 201 and Chemistry 231.
330 Ecology
Study of the interrelationships of organisms and environment. Interactions are studied at the individual, population, and community levels. Onelaboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220,221 and FS Bio 201 (or Environmental Science 110) and Mathematics 158 or 160.
335 Conservation Biology
The study of biological diversity and the increasingly severe effects of human society on populations and communities of wild organisms. Emphasis on local and global patterns of diversity, causes and consequences of declines in diversity, and ways to work with natural or managed systems to maintain or restore diversity. The laboratory emphasizes learning local flora and fauna, investigating local conservation biology issues, and using tools and techniques of wildlife and natural resource management to understand and resolve conservation problems. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221 and FS Bio 201 or Environmental Science 110.
340 Evolution
An examination of modern evolutionary biology, focusing on the process & pattern of evolutionary change. Topics include sources of genetic variation, natural selection and adaptation, molecular evolution, speciation, macroevolution, and the reconstruction evolutionary history. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221 and FS Bio 201.
342 Toxicology
An introduction to the study of substances toxic to plants and animals. Special emphasis is given to the toxicology of pesticides and herbicides and their mode of action. One laboratory per weekemphasizes quantitative analysis of toxins and toxic effects. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221 and FS Bio 201 or Environmental Science 110.
344 Stream Ecology
Study of the physical and biological characteris- trics of stream ecosystems. The laboratory emphasizes field study of local aquatic habitats. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221 and FS Bio 201 or Environmental Science 110.
346 Wetlands
A study of the ecology and conservation of marshes, swamps, and bogs. Emphasis is on “ecosystem services” (hydrologic filters, pollutant sinks, productivity, biodiversity), on the history of wetlands destruction, and on current regulation and management approaches. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221 and FS Bio 201 or Environmental Science 110.
360 Plant Physiology
An exploration of plant growth, development, transport processes, and adaptations to the environment. Current molecular, cellular, biochemical, and genetic approaches to the study of plants are emphasized. The laboratory focuses on plant responses to hormones and environmental factors. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221, FS Bio 201 and Chemistry 231.
365 Comparative Anatomy
Organ systems of chordate animals are studied in relation to evolu- tionary relationships and adaptive specializations. Two laboratories per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221 and FS Bio 201.
380 Animal Physiology
Emphasis is placed on the nervous system and the endocrine system as the two communication systems in the body underlying the regulation of physiological function. Other systems, such as those involved in circulation, respiration, digestion, excretion, and fluid regulation, are discussed, primarily from a cellular perspective. One laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 220, 221, FS Bio 201 and Chemistry 231.
385 Biostatistics
Introduction to quantitative methods with biological applications. Content includes descriptive statistics, probability distributions, tests of significance and curvefitting techniques. Cannot be taken for credit after completion of Economics 320, Political Science 299, Psychology 206-207, or Mathematics 345. Prerequisite: Mathematics 158 or 160.
500 Internship in Allied Health Care at the Meadville
Liason: Professor Wurst
The intern will work at Meadville Medical Center with the department of physical therapy and/or other supportive health care fields. Requirements include written reports that describe the intern’s hospital responsibilities and that demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of the hospital work to fundamental concepts in biology. The student is evaluated by the supervising hospital personnel and the supervising faculty member. Prerequisite: Approval of the faculty and hospital advisors.
523 Internship in Conservation Biology with the Erie National Wildlife Refuge
Liason: Professor Wissinger
The internship enables the student to become familiar with the operation of a National Wildlife Refuge and participate in activities relating to wildlife conservation. The student, faculty liaison, and Refuge internship coordinator jointly agree on a project that is formalized in a project proposal. Evaluation is in consultation with the Refuge contact and based on a reflective journal, a midterm progress report and literature review, and a final report that includes an analysis of the results of the study. Prerequisite: Biology 220.
527 Internship in Fisheries Biology with the Pennsylvania Fish Commission
Liaison: Professor Wissinger
The internship is designed to permit students to gain experience in the operation of a fish culture station and to participate in fishery management practices. In spring, the internship is in cooperation with the Linesville Hatchery near Pymatuning Lake, and in the fall with the Fairview Hatchery on Lake Erie. The student, faculty liaison, and Hatchery internship coordinator jointly agree on a project that is formalized by the student in a project proposal. Evaluation is based on a midterm progress report that includes a literature review, and on a final report that includes an analysis of the results of the study. Prerequisite: Biology 220.
580 Junior Seminar
Biology 220, 221 and FS Bio 201 are prerequisites for the Biology Junior Seminar. The following courses are sections of Biology 580.
Limnology
Study of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of lakes and impoundments. The laboratory emphasizes field study of area lakes. One laboratory per week.
Physiology of Reproduction/Behavior
An examination of the physiological bases of animal reproduction and the behaviors that accompany the reproductive process. The laboratory utilizes insects as model systems to examine reproductive behaviors, effects of hormone applications, and effects of gland/ organ removal (microsurgery). Additional techniques include tissue culture, as well as the biochemical, radiochemical and immunological identification and quantification of various hormones. One laboratory per week.
Developmental Genetics
An examination of the experimental approaches and the major animal model systems used to investigate the genetic influences on animal development. One laboratory per week. Recommended: Biology 315 or Biology 325.
Animal Behavior
An examination of animal behavior from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. Topics include the genetics and development of behavior, behavioral aspects of resource use and predator-prey relationships, male and female reproductive strategies, parental care, and social behavior. One laboratory per week.
Plant-Microbe Interactions
An examination of the interactions between plants and microorganisms, focusing on the molecular physiology of signal exchange in plant-microbial symbioses. Laboratory investigations emphasize the modification of plant development by microbial symbionts and provide opportunities to work with genetic model systems and reporter gene analysis. One laboratory per week. Recommended: Biology 360, 310, or 305.
Hormone Disruption
A study of disruption of normal hormone function by known and suspected environmental pollutants. Laboratory and field studies emphasize techniques used to detect hormone disruption in cells, tissues, nerves, and behavior as well as measurement of endocrine disrupters in the environment. One laboratory per week.
Signal Transduction
An examination of the central role played by signal transduction pathways in the process of cellular differentiation. Particular emphasis is placed on evolutionarily conserved pathways involved in development in a wide range of organisms, including examples of signaling defects implicated in cancer and other human disorders. The laboratory includes experience in tissue culture, histochemical staining, and fluorescence imaging techniques. One laboratory per week. Recommended: Biology 305, 315, 320, or 325.
Oxidative Stress Response
An examination of biotic and abiotic stresses that produce reactive oxygen species in plants and the response mechanisms involved in sensing and reducing these toxic compounds. In the laboratory, oxidative stress response is investigated at the proteomic and genomic levels using molecular biological techniques. One laboratory per week.
Sensory Neurobiology
An examination of the structure and function of the sensory systems of invertebrates and vertebrates with emphasis on mechanisms at the cellular level. The laboratory provides experience in electrophysiological techniques and computer simulations as they are used to illustrate the function of neurons and sensory organs in a wide variety of experimental animals. One laboratory per week. Recommended: FS Neu 201.
Cellular Neurobiology
An examination of the nervous system at the level of single cells and molecules, with special emphasis on voltage-gated ion channels and ligand-gated receptors. The laboratory uses molecular and electrophysiological techniques to study structure and function of nervous system proteins. One laboratory per week. Recommended: FS Neu 201.
Ecology of Freshwater Wetlands
An examination of the structure and function of local wetland ecosystems and interactions with adjacent aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The laboratory emphasizes field study of hydrologic and chemical analysis, and identification of wetlands flora and fauna. One laboratory per week.
Pathogenic Bacteriology
An exploration of bacterial pathogens and how they cause disease. Students study principles of pathogenic microbiology, including where disease-causing organisms come from, how they are transmitted to a host, what factors they use to cause damage to the host and perpetuate their own survival, how the disease is treated, and how transmission can be prevented. The laboratory focuses on factors contributing to virulence using standard microbiology and molecular biology techniques. One laboratory per week. Recommended: Biology 305, 310, or Chemistry 353.
590 Independent Study
Designed for students who desire to pursue advanced work. Work may consist of experimental laborat ory research or of a problem based entirely upon library research. Enrollment only by permission of the department. Arranged by consultation. Credit: One to four semester hours.
600 Senior Project/Seminar I
Individual senior research projects will be developed in group and individual meetings with the project advisor and other appropriate faculty members. Pertinent literature is examined in order to identify proper experimental approaches, designs, techniques, and methods of data analysis. Oral and written research proposals and progress reports are presented and discussed. Credit: Two semester hours.
610 Senior Project and Seminar II
A continuation of Biology 600. Group and individual meetings are held to evaluate the progress of individual student research projects. Emphasis is placed on data analysis and interpretation, and on modes of presentation of research findings. Students will complete a written thesis, oral defense, and present their findings at the departmental senior project symposium. Credit: Four semester hours.
FS BIO 201 Communication in a Discipline
Investigative Approaches in Biology
An investigative laboratory course that emphasizes experimental design, modern experimental techniques and instrumentation, analysis and interpretation of data, and written and oral presentation. The course consists of three multi-week project modules designed to illustrate investigative approaches at different levels of biological organization—molecular/cellular, organismal/physiology, and population/ ecosystem. There is an emphasis on independent and cooperative laboratory/field work, and on writing and speaking in the sciences. One two-hour recitation/discussion and three-hour lab period per week. Four credits. Prerequisite: Biology 220.
