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Biology Courses
133.Evolution and Ecology. 4 cr. hrs. This is the first of a four semester introductory sequence of courses for the biology major and introduces students to the topics of evolution and ecology. The principles of ecology are studied from the individual to ecosystem level. The principles of evolution are examined, including macro and microevolutionary processes. The course includes one lab. Required of all biology majors. Corequisite: BIO 135. Fall semester.

134. Biological Diversity and Design. 4 cr. hrs. Survey of living organisms, including bacteria,protists, fungi, plants and animals, emphasizing their importance to the biosphere, their ecological niches and the design of their physiological systems. Morphology and physiology will be studied beginning with simple organisms and progressing to more complex ones. Biodiversity will be explored by comparing how phyla in similar habitats adapt to external physiological stresses. With ever-increasing complexity, the design and function of major physiological systems will be examined. This course includes one laboratory session each week. Required of all biology majors. Prerequisites: None. Spring semester.

135. Introduction to Biological Investigation. 1 cr. hr. An introduction to skills necessary to be a successful biology major, including computer literacy, library research, scientific writing and keeping laboratory and field notebooks. Research opportunities, both in the department and off campus through internships, will be discussed, as well as career options in biology. Ethical issues relevant to biological research will be examined. Prerequisite: must be an intended biology major. To be taken concurrently with BIO 133, fall semester.

233. Cell and Molecular Biology. 4 cr. hrs. An introduction to the cellular and molecular levels of biological organization. The students will investigate the numerous, complex events which occur in the life of a cell. The structure and function of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells will be explored. This survey includes the principles of bioenergetics, cell metabolism and its regulation, photosynthesis, membrane transport, enzyme catalysis, gene expression, and the cell cycle. The laboratory experience will utilize cellular and molecular biological techniques to explore these concepts further. This course includes one laboratory session each week. Required of all biology majors. Prerequisites: CHE 122 or currently enrolled in CHE 122. Fall semester.

234. Genetics. 4 cr. hrs. This course involves the study of classical and population genetics. Classical genetics will include the study of Mendelian genetics, chromosomal and cytogenetics, and quantitative inheritance. Student learning will occur mainly by solving problems, group work and investigative laboratories. This course includes one laboratory session each week. Required of all biology majors. Prerequisites: BIO 233; GEN 103 or equivalent. Spring semester.

243. Human Anatomy. 4 cr. hrs. An introduction to the form of the human body. All organ systems will be considered. Some aspects of development of postnatal growth will also be discussed. Does not apply toward a biology major. Prerequisite: BIO 134 recommended. Fall semester. The course includes one lab period per week.

250. Physiology. 4 cr. hrs. A comprehensive study of the systems vertebrates (including humans) and invertebrates use to maintain a constant internal environment. A comparison of the mechanisms each animal uses in response to external stresses and the dynamics of each physiological mechanism will also be examined. This course includes one laboratory session each week. Prerequisites: BIO 134; CHE 113 or 122. Spring semester.

309. Conservation Biology. 4 cr. hrs. Conservation Biology applies ecological principles to practical issues in the conservation
of nature and natural resources. Topics of special interest in conservation biology are species diversity, demography, disturbance, habitat fragmentation, genetics, reserve design, economics, politics, and the role of humans in disturbed ecosystems. Practical application of ecological theory will be stressed in both the lecture portions of the course as well as in the lab where students will examine habitat fragmentation, resource utilization, species diversity, etc., in the expanding urban landscape
of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The course includes one lab period per week. Prerequisites: BIO 133.

310. Plant Biology. 4 cr. hrs. A survey of photosynthetic organisms, including their morphology, physiology, ecology, systematics and economic importance. The course includes one lab period per week.
Prerequisites: BIO 133, 134.

312. Invertebrate Zoology. 4 cr. hrs. A study of the morphology, life histories, evolution, and ecological and economic significance of the major invertebrate groups and phyla. This course includes one laboratory session each week. Prerequisites: BIO 133 and 134.

321. Microbiology. 4 cr. hrs. Study of the structure, physiology, genetics, taxonomy and ecology of bacteria and viruses, including study of the immune response to those agents. Prerequisites: BIO 134 or equivalent; CHE 113 or 122 or currently enrolled in CHE 122. Fall semester. The course includes two lab periods per week.

351. Cell Biology. 4 cr. hrs. A study of the structure, function, and molecular biology of cells. Prerequisites: BIO 233, 234, CHE 122; Organic Chemistry strongly recommended. The course includes one lab period per week.

352. Developmental Anatomy. 4 cr. hrs. This course combines a traditional comparative vertebrate anatomy course with elements of a developmental biology course to give students a solid grounding in the evolution and development of vertebrate morphology. Student learning will occur primarily through lecture, text and supplemental readings, as well as dissections of a range of representative vertebrates. This course includes one laboratory session each week. Prerequisites: BIO 133, 134, 233, or by instructor’s consent.

357. Animal Behavior. 4 cr. hrs. This course will consider the underlying principles that determine how an animal behaves. Animal behavior will be considered from a variety of perspectives, including: genetic, physiological, evolutionary, and ecological. The course includes one lab period per week. Prerequisites: BIO 133, BIO 134.

444. Plant Ecology and Conservation. 4 cr. hrs. This course will examine the biology, ecology, and conservation of plants. Topics to be considered include, among others: the ecology of small populations, the genetics of conservation, and invasion by non-native plants. The course includes one lab session per week. Prerequisites: BIO 133, BIO 134.

450. Biochemistry. 4 cr. hrs. A detailed course in biochemistry which includes a study of the occurrence, structure, function, and metabolism of biologically important molecules. There is an emphasis on molecular species such as carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The course includes work in the laboratory. The course may be credited toward a biology, biochemistry, or chemistry major, as the student elects, but it cannot count towards more than one major. Prerequisite: BIO 233, CHE 301, and/or currently enrolled in CHE 302, and admission to the major (Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry). Spring semester in even numbered years. Also listed as CHE 450.

452. Molecular Genetics. 4 cr. hrs. A detailed experimental analysis of the molecular biology of genes. Emphasis will be placed on the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, especially as it relates to the progression of the cell cycle. In addition, the role of molecular genetics in the areas of molecular diagnostics, gene therapy, and biotechnology will be considered. The course includes one lab session per week–the laboratory will emphasize molecular techniques to manipulate DNA and analyze gene expression. Prerequisites: BIO 234. Spring semester in odd numbered years.

453. Ecology. 4 cr. hrs. The study of ecological principles and how they relate to ecosystem, population and community ecology. Application of principles to specific problems will be emphasized. Field work will include investigation of ecological principles as well as independent data collection and statistical analysis. The course includes one field trip/lab per week. Saturday field trips or trips covering several days may occur. Prerequisites: BIO 133.
360, 361, 460, 461.

Senior Thesis. 0.5-3 cr. hrs. each A three-credit (minimum) laboratory, field or library research project required for the major. BIO 360 (0.5 -3 cr. hrs.), the first course in the Senior Thesis, is generally taken the fall of the junior year and will involve mainly library research. BIO 461 (0.5-3 cr. hrs.) is generally taken the last semester of the senior year and will require presenting, in written and oral form, the results of the research project. BIO 361 and 460 (1-3 cr. hrs. each) will involve lab, field or library research. Prerequisites: admission to the major and G.P.A. minimums of 2.5 in biology and 2.5 overall (+’s and –‘s are used in grade calculation for admission to the major).