Biology Department

Biology

Biology Faculty

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Biology

The Major

There are five categories of courses within the biology curriculum, each designed for different needs. The first group (BIOL 103 through 115) consists of courses for non-majors that may include consideration of scientific methodology as well as subject matter of interest to non-scientists. These courses may not be taken for credit toward the bachelor of science or bachelor of arts in biology.
The second category (BIOL 131, 133, 235, and 240) is part of both the major and minor requirements and consists of courses that introduce key aspects of biology.

Courses in the third group (BIOL 260 through 360) are designed to provide a firm foundation in basic sub-disciplines. By careful selection with a faculty advisor, students can tailor a program to fit individual career goals. Most of the courses in this category have prerequisites and are taken by majors, but non-majors who have the prerequisites often enroll.

The fourth category (BIOL 403 through 460) provides an opportunity for biology majors to take part in research under faculty supervision. A two-semester sequence is required of all B.S. majors except those taking departmental honors (BIOL 499).

In courses in the fifth category, the biology seminars (BIOL 394, 495, and 496), junior and senior students present and share the results of their research.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

To receive a B.S. degree, the student must complete:

BIOL 131 and133 Principles of Biology
BIOL 235 Genetics or BIOL 240 Molecular Genetics

Six additional courses selected from BIOL 235 through 360 (except 341), by contract with department faculty

BIOL 394 Biology Seminar
BIOL 495-496 Senior Seminar

6 credits of coursework selected from BIOL 403 through 460, or departmental honors project work (BIOL 499)

Related Field Requirements
CHEM131-132 General Chemistry
CHEM 231-232 Organic Chemistry
MATH 121-122 Calculus I and II
PHYS 220-221 Fundamentals of Physics (or PHYS 231-232)
Degree contracts must be approved by the first semester of the junior year or, in the case of upper-division transfer students, the end of the first semester of residence.

Bachelor of Arts Requirements

Students who are not planning to take post-graduate work in biology may wish to consider the bachelor of arts in biology combined with a major or minor in another discipline. To receive a B.A. degree, the student must complete:

BIOL 131 and133 Principles of Biology
BIOL 235 Genetics or BIOL 240 Molecular Genetics
CHEM131-132 General Chemistry
CHEM 231-232 Organic Chemistry
PHYS 220-221 Fundamentals of Physics (or PHYS 231-232)

Three additional courses selected from BIOL 235 through 360 (except 341), by contract with department faculty

BIOL 394 Biology Seminar
BIOL 495-496 Senior Seminar
Completion of Senior Seminar paper

Degree contracts must be approved by the second semester of the junior year or the end of the first semester of residence in the case of upper-division transfer students.

Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is designed to prepare students for careers in biochemistry and molecular biology, in the related fields of cell biology, microbiology, molecular genetics, or in the health sciences. Students who satisfactorily complete the required courses will receive a bachelor of science degree with two majors, one in Biology and one in Chemistry. For program requirements please refer to the catalog or the program web page.

Premedical and Other Health Professions

Premedical students should refer to the Premedical program description in the "Integrated Programs of Study" section of the catalog or the program web page.

Teaching Credential Subject Matter Program in Biology

Students who wish to be certified to teach science must pass the PRAXIS, SSAT, and CBEST examinations. The best preparation for the examinations is a B.S. or B.A. in biology or another science. Students must meet with the science credential advisor, the director of the Center for Science and Mathematics, and with an advisor in the Education Program for information concerning certification and the teacher education preparation program. Most students complete the teacher preparation program, including student teaching, during a fifth year after graduation. Please refer to the Education Program chapter of the catalog for a more detailed list of requirements.

The Minor

To earn a minor in biology, students must complete:
BIOL 131 and 133 Principles of Biology
BIOL 235 Genetics or BIOL 240 Molecular Genetics

Three additional courses selected from BIOL 235 through 360 (except 341), by contract with department faculty.

Advanced Placement in Biology

For students not majoring in biology, those who score 3 or 4 on the Advanced Placement Test receive 4 credits and MS3 credit for the LAF requirements. Those who score 5 on the Advanced Placement Test receive 4 to 6 credits and MS3 and/or MS1 credit for the LAF requirements.

For students majoring in biology, scores of 3 receive 4 credits depending upon an evaluation of AP essays, high school record of study, and an interview with department faculty. Scores of 4 or 5 may receive 4 to 8 credits as determined by evaluation of AP essays, high school record of study, and an interview with department faculty.

Departmental Honors

The Department of Biology offers the opportunity for honors research to those outstanding biology majors desiring to undertake substantive original research during their senior year. Application to pursue honors must be made to the Biology Department during the second semester of the junior year. Students selected for honors will carry out, with the guidance of a member of the department faculty or other departmentally-approved professional, an empirical research project that includes:

problems definition and experimental design;
literature search;
laboratory or field data collection and analysis;
preparation of a manuscript suitable for submission to a selected journal;
a public presentation and defense of the project before an examining committee consisting of members of the department and at least one person outside the department.

More specific guidelines regarding format and a timetable for completion of honors projects are available from the Biology Department.

To be awarded honors, students must complete all components of the project as outlined above at a level of academic performance acceptable to the examining committee.

Study Abroad

Students wishing to study abroad for a semester or two can usually do so by careful scheduling, arranged with the help of their faculty advisors.

Course Descriptions (BIOL)

103 Issues and Techniques in Genetic Engineering.

Fall (4), Interim (3), Spring (4). An explanation of current developments in modern molecular biology that affect the lives of non-scientists. Topics such as DNA testing and genetically-engineered foods, vaccines, and drugs are discussed. Provides basic information about DNA and an opportunity to perform techniques used in genetic engineering. Offered as needed. NU or EV only.

106 The Nature of Life.

Fall (4), Interim (3) or Spring (4). A nonteleological account of life using concepts about genes, protein synthesis, reproduction, sex, and evolution. Three hours lecture. NU only. Offered as needed.

107 Concepts of Biology.

Fall (4), Interim (3) or Spring (4). An exploration of various concepts selected from evolution, ecology, genetics, physiology, morphology, development, and behavior. Four hours lecture/laboratory.

108 Nature Study.

Fall (4) or Spring (4). Biological phenomena observable in natural flora and fauna, including ecology, behavior, life cycles, and evolution. Emphasis is on understanding plants and animals observed in nature. Four hours lecture/discussion.

109 Contemporary Issues in Ecology.

Fall (4), Interim (3) or Spring (4). Environmentally oriented issues of current concern as they relate to fundamental generalizations about ecology. Sharpens the layman's critical powers of observation and analysis and provides tools for intelligent decision-making. Two hours lecture, one hour discussion. Offered as needed.

114 Bioethical Issues.

Fall (4), Interim (3) or Spring (4). Current ethical issues in medicine including abortion, euthanasia, genetic manipulation, research consent, and allocation of medical resources are examined through analysis of relevant cases. Offered as needed.

131-133 Principles of Biology.

Fall (4), Spring (4). An introduction to the study of life from molecules, cells, and genes, to functioning organisms in their environments. Laboratory work emphasizes quantitative data collection and analysis while introducing students to biochemical, genetic, physiological, and field techniques. Prerequisite for 133: BIOL 131 or permission. NU or EV only.

235 Genetics.

Fall (4), Spring (4). Genetics above the molecular level including life cycles, patterns of inheritance, genic balance, crossing over, evolution, populations, probability, linkage, and pedigree analysis. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: BIOL 131-133.

240 Molecular Genetics.

Fall (4), Spring (4). Aspects of molecular biology and genetics, focusing on the molecular basis of heredity and genetic engineering. Laboratory includes molecular and biochemical techniques. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 131-133. NU or EV only.

260 Topics in Biology.

Fall (1-4), Interim (1-3), Spring (1-4). Topics of current interest in biology are covered including conservation biology, immunology, and popular genetics. Prerequisite: permission. Offered as needed.

331 Ecology.

Fall (4) or Spring (4). An analysis of the biotic and abiotic factors that control the distribution and abundance of plant and animal species. Course emphasizes ecological relationships of individuals and populations. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 131. Offered in alternate years.

334 Comparative Physiology.

Fall (4) or Spring (4). A comparison at the cellular, organ, and whole animal levels of physiological adaptations exhibited by various invertebrate and vertebrate animals, including humans. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 133. Offered as needed.

336 Botany.

Fall (4) or Spring (4). Comprehensive exploration of plants from cellular to organismal level. Topics include anatomy, morphology, fundamentals of physiology, and systematics. Labwork and fieldwork are stressed. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 131 or sophomore standing. Offered as needed. NU only.

337 Vertebrate Anatomy.

Fall (4) or Spring (4). Comparative study of vertebrates as whole organisms. Laboratory work is entirely on anatomical structure. Lectures primarily cover morphology and evolution. Six hours laboratory/lecture. Offered in alternate years.

338 Cell Biology.

Spring (4). Structure and function of cells, with emphasis on events outside the nucleus. Study of cytoskeleton, bioenergetics, intracellular communication, control of cell division, and sorting of proteins to appropriate organelles. Laboratory includes fluorescence microscopy, in vitro reconstitution of cellular processes, subcellular fractionation. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory/discussion. Prerequisite BIOL 131-133 and 235 or 240, or permission. Biology 240 recommended. Offered in alternate years.

339 Zoology.

Fall (4) or Spring (4). An investigation of the major animal phyla, illuminating the widely different ways in which functioning animals are constructed. Emphasis on protozoans and arthropods. The course involves dissection and provides experience in recognizing and culturing invertebrates. Six hours laboratory/lecture. Prerequisites: BIOL 131-133. Offered as needed.

340 Conservation Biology.

Fall (4), Interim (3), or Spring (4). Analysis of the ecology, population biology, and behavior that is needed to understand the process of extinction. Prerequisites: BIOL 131-133 or permission. Offered as needed.

341 Observations in the ER.

Fall (1) or Spring (1). Provides an opportunity to observe in the emergency room at Loma Linda University Medical Center and to explore some of the issues generated by those observations. May be repeated for degree credit up to 2 credits, with preference given to non-repeating students. CN only.

343 Microbiology.

Fall (4) or Spring (4). Study of microorganisms: their structure, taxonomy, metabolism, genetics, and interactions with humans. Laboratory includes cell culture, microbe isolation and identification, and bacterial genetics. Six hours lecture/laboratory. Prerequisites: BIOL 131-133 and 235 or 240, or permission. Offered as needed.

344 Human Physiology.

Fall (4), Spring (4). Functioning of the human body at the cellular, systems, and whole animal level. Emphasis on nervous, endocrine, renal, and cardiovascular systems and their interrelationships. Analysis of research papers. Prerequisites: BIOL 131-133. NU or EV only. Offered as needed.

346 Aquatic Biology.

Interim (3). Ecology, ecological physiology, and natural history of selected aquatic organisms. Biology of rivers, lakes, and the marine intertidal and subtidal zones. Introduction to physical oceanography, limnology and potamology. Implications for water pollution control, water resource development, and water-related human activities. Field trips.
Two hours lecture, six hours laboratory. Recommended: BIOL 331, 336, 339. Offered in alternate years.

348 Developmental Biology.

Spring (4). A descriptive and experimental approach to the development of selected vertebrate and invertebrate animals from fertilization through aging. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: BIOL 131-133, BIOL 235 or 240, or permission. Offered as needed.

352 Animal Behavior.

Fall (4). Evolution of social behavior, with an emphasis on the ecological factors that mold species' social organization. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Offered as needed.

353 Biological Evolution.

Spring (4). An analysis of the status of neo-Darwinism, emphasizing areas of controversy. Essays and problem sets provide training in evolutionary reasoning. Three hours lecture. Prerequisites: BIOL 131 and 235 or permission. Offered as needed.

354 Environmental Science.

Interim (3). Advanced review of selected environmental problems and the scientific and technical approaches to their solution or amelioration; interdisciplinary and holistic thinking is emphasized. Case studies. Two hours lecture, six hours laboratory/discussion. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing and permission. Offered in alternate years.

355 History and Philosophy of Biology.

(4). Origin and development of biological concepts. Three hours lecture/discussion. Prerequisite: 18 credits of biology courses. Not regularly offered.

360 Advanced Topics in Biology.

Fall (4), Spring (4). Recent research developments in biology. Topics vary with semester. Examples include Human Genetics, Developmental Genetics, and Cell Regulation. Emphasis is on the use of molecular techniques and the interconnections of fields commonly divided into separate courses. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: BIOL 235, 240, and permission. Can be repeated for degree credit for a maximum of 8 credits with the instructor's permission. Offered as needed. EV or NU only.

394 Biology Seminar.

Spring (0). Recent advances in biology presented in a seminar format by Redlands faculty, seniors, and visiting scholars. May be repeated for degree credit. CN only.

403 Research in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Fall (1-3), Interim (1-3), Spring (1-3). Genes, proteins, and cellular processes studied through experimental work. Three hours laboratory/discussion; three hours independent work. Prerequisite: permission. May be repeated for degree credit for a maximum of 6 credits. NU or EV only. Offered as needed.

404 Research in Evolution and Behavior of Vertebrates.

Fall (2-3), Interim (0-2), Spring (2-3). Evolution and/or behavior of selected vertebrates studied through experimental work. Three hours laboratory/discussion; three hours independent work. Prerequisites: BIOL 235 and permission. Offered as needed.

405 Research in Molecular Biology of Development.

Fall (3), Spring (3). Research in developmental biology of vertebrate embryos using molecular and embryological techniques. Three hours laboratory/discussion, three hours independent work. Prerequisite: permission. Man be repeated for degree credit for a maximum of 6 credits. Offered as needed. EV or NU only.

406 Research in Biosystems Modeling.

Fall (2-3), Interim (0-2), Spring (2-3). Analysis modeling and simulation of biological systems, especially using computers. Applications to actual design and planning projects. Two hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: permission. Offered as needed.

408 Research in Physiology of Vertebrates.

Fall (2-3), Interim (0-2), Spring (2-3). Physiological analysis of selected vertebrate systems studied through experimental work. Three hours laboratory/discussion; three hours independent work. Prerequisites: BIOL 334 or 344 or permission. Offered as needed.

460 Research Topics in Biology.

Fall (1-3), Interim (1-3), Spring (1-3). Selected areas of biology studied through experimental work. Areas selected range from the molecular and cellular level to plants and animals, to ecology and the environment. Three hours laboratory/discussion; three hours independent work. Man be repeated for degree credit for a maximum of 6 credits. Offered as needed. EV or NU only.

495-496 Senior Seminar.

Fall (1), Spring (1). Biology seniors present seminars on their capstone paper (B.A.), senior research (B.S.), or honors research (B.A. or B.S.). CN only.

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Director of Academic Computing Comments and Questions to webmaster@uor.edu
All contents copyright (C) 2000 University of Redlands All rights reserved Revised, Spring 2000	University of Redlands 1200 East Colton Ave., Box 3080 Redlands, California 92373 (909) 793-2121
URL: http://newton.uor.edu/Departments&Programs/BiologyDept/Biology.html