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R. Scot Duncan, Andrew Gannon, Pamela Hanson, Megan
Gibbons, Leo Pezzementi, Jeannette Runquist, H. Wayne Shew
Biology, the study of life from molecules to ecosystems, is one of the
most interesting and important areas of modern scientific inquiry, with
profound implications for society. Breakthroughs in basic research in
biology are leading to practical applications in medicine, agriculture,
and environmental management. The biology faculty of Birmingham-Southern
College offers its students the opportunity to participate in the excitement
of biology as part of a learning community of faculty and students through
investigative study in the classroom, laboratory, field, and library;
through collaborative undergraduate research projects; and through formal
and informal consultation, advising, and discussions. By participating
in these activities, students actively learn both the process and content
of modern biological science.
The introductory three-course sequence of the biology major introduces
students to some of the major concepts and approaches of biology: genetics,
evolution, ecology; biological organization and diversity, comparative
structure-function relationships; cell structure and function, energetics
and metabolism, gene structure and expression. The only upper-level
course required, genetics, emphasizes the centrality of this area to
all of biology. Other upper-level elective courses allow students to
investigate more thoroughly what interests them most among the many
facets of biological science. All students will undertake an undergraduate
research project as a capstone experience for their studies.
In addition to preparation for medical and dental
schools, a biology major at Birmingham-Southern College also provides
pre-professional training
for students interested in various paramedical fields (e.g. physical
therapy, and medical or surgical assistant’s programs). A biology
major will also prepare students for additional coursework and research
in graduate school in areas as diverse as molecular biology, physiology,
environmental studies, and conservation biology. Biology majors may enter
public school teaching with the appropriate courses in education for
certification. Immediate employment opportunities are available in academic
and industrial laboratories.
An interdisciplinary major in biology and psychology is available as
are pre-professional programs in biology/environmental studies, biology/pre-nursing,
and biology-psychology/pre-nursing (see the Interdisciplinary Majors
section of this catalog). Courses in biology can be combined with courses
in other disciplines for an interdisciplinary or individualized major
to meet special career goals.
Students majoring in biology with the intention of pursuing a health
career such as medicine or dentistry must meet the requirements indicated
below. Additional course requirements may be needed for entrance into
medical, dental or other professional programs. Students should consult
with the pre health advisor to ensure that they meet all additional requirements.
Chemistry courses required for the biology major may be used to meet
minor requirements in chemistry.
The following courses are required (13 units):
- BI 105, 115, and 125
- BI 301
- five elective units in BI, excluding BI 199, 299, 399, 298,
398, and 498
- one of the following course sequences: BI 470 and BI
472; BI 470 and BI 499; or BI 472 and BI 499
- CH 121 and 122
Note: Two of the eleven units in BI must be at the 400 level, exclusive
of BI 470, BI 472, and BI 499. Only one unit of BI 293, BI 393, or BI
493 may be applied toward the major; only one non-laboratory course (BI
363 or BI 415) may be applied toward the major.
The Biology faculty invite and challenge our majors to move beyond their
coursework and truly embrace the discipline. We strive to establish and
maintain a community of learners actively and personally seeking to become
scientists. Excellence in courses is needed, but only research experience
can transform a science student into a student scientist. Thus, as part
of the Foundations Curriculum, all biology majors will participate in
the Scholarship Foundations component by completing the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of two terms of research in biology (BI 470,
BI 472, BI 499). Research may be conducted off-campus if suitable
supervision can be arranged. Interdisciplinary research projects are
also encouraged.
These two terms may be completed in the fall and spring terms of
the senior year, the fall and interim terms of the senior year, the
spring
of the junior year and the fall of the senior year, the summer before
the senior year and the fall term of the senior year, the spring
term of the junior year and the summer before the senior year, or,
in exceptional
instances, the interim and spring terms of the junior year.
When
research is performed during the spring, summer, or fall terms, students
will register for Biology 470 or Biology 472, for one unit
of credit per term; in interim, students will register for Biology
499.
During the first term of Directed Research, students will consult
with their research advisors and the course facilitator to (a) develop
and
write a formal research proposal, (b) give an oral presentation of
the proposal to the class, and (c) begin their research. During the
second
term, students will (a) give a progress report, (b) finish their
research, (c) write a thesis in the form of a scientific article, and
(d) prepare
an oral presentation of their research project. During both terms,
students will lead discussions of research articles related to their
projects.
Students completing the first semester of Directed Research in either
fall, spring, or summer will enroll in Biology 470 and those completing
the second semester of research in either fall, spring or summer
will enroll in Biology 472.
- Give a twenty-minute oral presentation of their research results
and analysis to the discipline and the College community in their
Senior Conference. This presentation may be delivered on Honors Day
or during
discipline or divisional conferences scheduled during the fall, interim,
spring, or summer terms.
- Write a thesis in formal research style presenting the experimental
results and analysis. A committee of three, including the research
sponsor and a course facilitator for BI 470 or BI 499 must read and
approve the
thesis.
- Take the E. T. S. Major Field Achievement Test in Biology.
Internships, interim projects, and teaching experience may not count
toward the minor.
The following courses are required (6 units):
- BI 105, 115, and 125
- BI 301
- one additional unit in BI at the 300 level or above
- CH 121
The biology faculty as a whole will decide on
honors for each candidate, based on the student’s performance
in the College, in the Biology Major, and in the Biology Honors Program.
At a minimum, students must
meet the following requirements:
(1) Earn a grade point average of 3.75 in all courses and a grade point
average of 3.75 in courses in the Biology Major.
(2) Score at or above the 80th percentile nationally on the E. T. S.
Major Field Test in Biology.
BI 103 Introduction to Forensic Science: Using Science to Solve Crimes
(1)
An introduction to the field of criminalistics. Study will focus on the
use of biology and chemistry in solving crimes. The course will consider
actual criminal cases and how they were solved by use of forensic techniques.
In addition, simulated crime scenes will be used to provide students
an opportunity to “solve” crimes using forensic science.
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. This course may
not be counted toward the biology major. This course will fulfill the
lab science requirement as part of Disciplinary Foundations.
BI 105 Population and Ecosystem Biology (1)
An introduction to genetics, evolution, and ecology. Topics include classical
genetics, mechanisms of evolution, and ecosystem structure, dynamics,
and diversity. Designed for students who plan to major in biology or
one of the natural sciences and/or who are pre health. Also recommended
for non science majors interested in ecology or conservation. Three
lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Fall, Spring.
BI 115 Organismal Biology (1)
An introduction to the biology of organisms. Topics include levels of
biological organization, biological diversity, plant and animal structure
and function, and comparative study of structure function relationships
in living organisms. Designed for students who plan to major in biology
or one of the natural sciences and/or who are pre-health. Three lectures
and one three-hour laboratory per week. Fall, Spring.
BI 125 Cell and Molecular Biology (1)
An investigation of the fundamental properties of cells. Topics include
cell structure and function, energetics and metabolism, gene structure
and expression, and the techniques used to study these phenomena. Designed
for students who plan to major in biology or one of the natural sciences
and/or who are pre-health. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory
per week. Prerequisites: BI 115 and CH 121. Fall, Spring.
BI 149 Cancer: Biology and Beyond (1)
A study of the development, progression, and treatment of cancer. The
fundamentals of cell biology are learned by exploring the differences
between normal and cancerous cells. In addition, the psychological
and socioeconomic impacts of the disease are studied. Three lectures
and one three-hour laboratory per week. This course may not be counted
toward the biology major. This course will fulfill the lab science
requirement as part of Disciplinary Foundations.
BI 206 Field Botany (1)
A study of the plants and fungi native to the southeastern United States,
particularly Alabama, with special emphasis on identification, classification,
distribution, and ecology. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory
per week. One weekend field trip is required. Prerequisites: BI 105
and 115 or consent. Spring.
BI 208 Archaeology (1)
An introduction to the prehistory of the southeastern United States with
emphasis on Alabama prehistory. Students participate in a mock archaeological
dig, artifact analysis, and site report preparation. Two lectures and
one three-hour laboratory per week.
BI 232 Invertebrate Zoology (1)
An introduction to the invertebrate animals with an emphasis on their
diversity, morphology, physiology and ecology. Three lectures and one
three-hour laboratory per week. One weekend field trip is required.
Prerequisites: BI 105 and 115. Fall of even-numbered years.
BI 301 Genetics (1)
A study of the structure, function, and transmission of the genetic material.
Topics from classical and molecular genetics are covered. Three lectures,
one three-hour laboratory, and one DHAR laboratory per week. Prerequisites:
BI 105, 115, and 125, MA 115 or equivalent, and junior standing. Fall.
BI 303 Physiology (1)
A study of the functions of organ systems and their role in regulation
of body processes. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory, and one
DHAR laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BI 105, 115, and 125. Spring.
BI 304 Microbiology (1)
An introduction to basic and applied microbiology. Fundamentals of bacteriology,
virology, and immunology are covered. Laboratory work includes basic,
clinical, and diagnostic microbiology. Two lectures, one three-hour
laboratory, and one DHAR laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BI 115
and 125. Spring.
BI 314 Conservation Biology (1)
A study of the population and ecosystem level processes required to understand
and conserve biodiversity. Emphasis is placed upon the genetics and
demographics of populations, the implications of species interactions
and community influences on conservation, and management and sustainable
development case studies. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory
period per week. Prerequisites: BI 105 and 115, or ES 150. Fall of
odd-numbered years.
BI 315 Animal Behavior (1)
An examination of the immediate causes and evolutionary explanations
for the behavior of animals. Emphasis is placed on exposure to historical
perspectives and current ideas about animal behavior, training in the
methodology of behavioral experimentation, and development of independent,
critical thought. Topics include sexual selection, bird song learning,
and aggressive behavior. Three lectures and one three hour laboratory
per week (one weekend field trip may be required). (Also listed as
PY 315.) Prerequisites: BI 105, BI 115, and PY 101, or consent. Spring.
BI 322 Vertebrate Field Zoology (1)
A field-oriented study of the native vertebrate animals of the southeastern
United States with special emphasis on identification, classification,
and ecology. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. One
weekend field trip is required. Prerequisites: BI 105, 115, 125. Spring.
BI 350 Ethnobotany and Economic Botany (1)
An examination of the relationships between plants and people, historically
as well as in the twenty-first century. Topics include biochemistry
and uses of natural plant products, material uses of plants, plants
as food, poisonous plants, plant biotechnology and commercial applications
of plants and plant products. Two lecture and one three hour laboratory
per week. Prerequisites: BI 105, 115, and 125 or consent. Fall.
BI 363 Current Topics in Biology (1)
An in-depth study of the current literature on a topic or topics selected
by the instructor. Prerequisites: junior standing as a BI major and
consent.
BI 402 Cell Biology (1)
A study of eukaryotic cells at the molecular level. Topics include protein
biosynthesis, membrane structure and function, gene expression and
regulation, cellular and subcellular structure, and the cell cycle.
Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory, and one DHAR laboratory
per week. Prerequisites: BI 115 and 125, CH 122, and junior standing;
BI 301 is strongly recommended. Spring.
BI 405 Recombinant DNA Technology (1)
A course investigating the impact of genetic engineering in the biological
sciences. Emphasis is placed on the techniques of gene cloning and
analysis, and how these techniques are used as tools in basic research
in signal transduction, oncogenes, evolution, and nervous system function;
and in applied research in agriculture, medicine, and industry. The
social impact of recombinant DNA technology is also discussed. Three
lecture/discussions and one three hour laboratory each week. Some laboratory
work outside the scheduled laboratory time is also required. Prerequisites:
BI 105, 115, 125, and 301; CH 121. Spring.
BI 411 General Ecology (1)
A study of organisms at the population, community, and ecosystem levels
of biological organization. Emphasis is placed on organism-environment
and organism-organism interactions. Three lectures and one three-hour
laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BI 105, another Biology lab course,
and junior standing or consent. (Note: ES 150 can substitute for BI
105 or the second lab course.)
BI 408 Biochemistry (1)
An introduction to the structure, chemistry, and metabolism of carbohydrates,
proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Three lectures, one three-hour
laboratory, and one DHAR laboratory per week. (Also listed as CH 408,
this course may be counted for credit in either biology or chemistry.)
Prerequisites: BI 115 and 125, and CH 212, or consent. Fall.
BI 415 Evolution (1)
A study of the basic theories and processes of organic evolution with
emphasis on sources of variability and the organization of variability
in populations, population genetics, and the origin of species by natural
selection. Prerequisites: BI 105, 115, 125, and 301.
BI 425 Comparative Vertebrate Embryology (1)
A descriptive study of the development of vertebrates from gametogenesis
through organogenesis. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory, and
one DHAR laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BI 105, 115, and junior
standing. Spring.
BI 442 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (1)
A study of the phylogenetic development of chordate systems with special
emphasis on the comparative morphology of a series of vertebrates.
Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory, and one DHAR laboratory
per week. Prerequisites: BI 105, 115, and junior standing. Fall.
BI 293, 393, 493 Independent Study (½,
1)
Directed research for advanced students. Prerequisite: consent.
BI 298, 398, 498 The Teaching Experience in
Biology (½, 1)
BI 470, 472, 499 Directed Research (1)
An advanced exploration of the practices and techniques of biological
research focusing on the design, conduction, and presentation of experiments,
data analysis, and information retrieval. Two units are required, one
of which may be in the interim or summer session. During the first
term, students will consult with their research advisors and the course
facilitator to (a) develop and write a formal research proposal based
on literature related to the topic, (b) give an oral presentation of
the proposal to the class, and (c) begin their research. During the
second term, students will (a) give a progress report, (b) complete
their research, (c) write a thesis in the form of a scientific article,
and (d) prepare an oral presentation summarizing the results of their
research. During both terms, students will lead discussions of research
articles related to their projects. Students will be expected to devote
as much time to this course as that required of an upper-level laboratory
course. Research may be conducted off-campus if suitable supervision
can be arranged. Interdisciplinary research projects are also encouraged.
Students conducting their first term of research in the fall, spring,
or summer will register for BI 470. Students conducting their second
term of research in the fall, spring, or summer will register for BI
472. During interim, students register for BI 499.
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