Course Descriptions
Required Core Courses
Electives: Environmental Biology
Electives: Morphological Biology
Electives: Functional Biology
Other Electives
Foundations of Biology
Provides a firm foundation for students majoring or minoring in the biological sciences.
BIOL348 (3)
General Ecology
Ecological principles as applied to individual, population, community, and ecosystem levels of organization. Labs feature the characterization of ecological systems using standard field and lab techniques.
BIOL372 (3)
Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology I
Mechanisms of heredity are considered in light of classical population and molecular genetics. Labs feature experience in Drosophila genetics, chromosome analysis, statistical techniques, and recombinant DNA technology.
BIOL372 (3)
Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology II
Information from molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, physical chemistry, and electron microscopy are integrated to present the cell as a functional unit. Labs provide experience in the collection and analysis of quantitative data about cells.
BIOL449 (3)
Historical and Philosophical Biology
Examination of biological, paleontological, and geological concepts
central to the study of historical events in biological systems. Considers the interactions of data, theories, and extra scientific concepts in historical biology, within the particular context of a biblical worldview.
BIOL451, 452 (1, 1)
Questions in Biology: Analysis, Evaluation and Answers
Lectures, discussions, and individual work centered around asking and answering important questions in the life sciences; research in biology, discussions on important issues in origins; discussions on major topics in bioethics. Attendance at monthly research seminars required.
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Principles of Environmental Science
Study of basic ecological principles as applied to human activities.
BIOL479 (3.5)
Marine Ecology (offered only at Marine Station)
A study of interspecific, intraspecific, and community relationships
demonstrated by marine organisms.
BIOL487 (3)
Biogeography
The distribution of plants and animals in relation to their environment,
including consideration of major biogeographic regions of the world and the role of distribution in adaptive change and diversification of life in the past and present.
BOT450 (3)
Medical Botany
Designed as an interface between botany, medicine, anthropology and pharmacology to define the impact plants have with the remedial, harmful or psychoactive health of humans.
BOT468 (3.5)
Marine Botany (offered only at Marine Station)
A systematic study of marine plants found in Puget Sound, with a survey of marine plants from other areas.
BOT475 (4)
Biodiversity of Vascular Plants
A taxonomic and morphological study of vascular plants emphasizing the plants found in the Great Lakes area.
ZOOL454 (3-4)
Vertebrate Zoology
Covers the various specialties of vertebrate biology, including herpetology,
ornithology, and mammalogy.
ZOOL458 (3.5)
Marine Invertebrates (offered only at Marine Station)
Biology of invertebrates studied in the marine environment of Puget Sound. A survey of the various phyla is conducted by studying the living animals in the field, and by tide pool observation, dredging, and scuba diving.
ZOOL459 (3-4)
Entomology
Study of the fundamental aspects of insect biology.
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Paleobiology
Covers various specialities including History of Life; Vertebrate Paleontology; Paleobiology of Dinosaurs. Origins, history, adaptations,
diversity, and paleoecology of ancient organisms as documented by the fossil record.
BOT430 (3)
Plant Anatomy
A study of cell and tissue structure and organ development in vascular plants.
ZOOL315 (3)
Animal Development
A study of the cellular and tissue-level events that result in the development of integrated organisms. Vertebrate development is
emphasized in the lab using frog and chick models.
ZOOL316 (1)
Human Embryology
Acquaints students with the process of human development and
embryology.
ZOOL465 (3)
Histology
Microscopic anatomy, cytology, ultrastructure of tissues and organ systems are correlated with function.
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Immunology
Topics include organs and cells of the immune system, antigens, immunoglobulins, the MHC, antibody diversity, tolerance and memory, complement, cell mediated immunity, regulation, hypersensitivity,
autoimmune diseases, transplantation, and tumor immunology.
BIOL419 (1)
Immunology Lab
A theoretical and practical study of techniques used in modern
immunology. Includes immunoserological methods; isolation and
detection of immunoglobulin molecules in immune serum by SDSPAGE,
western blotting, and immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) methods; enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), in vitro phagocytosis.
BIOL445 (3)
Molecular Genetics
An advanced consideration of the structure, function, and manipulation
of nucleic acids and application of molecular information in other disciplines.
BOT470 (3)
Plant Physiology
Study of plant functions including water relations, metabolic pathways,
growth regulators, and photomorphogenesis.
ZOOL464 (4)
Systems Physiology
Functional processes used by animals in adjusting to their external
environment and controlling their internal environment. Labs involve the firsthand analysis of selected aspects of the major functional systems.
ZOOL484 (3)
Animal Behavior
Behavior of animals including considerations of social interactions,
learning processes, instinct, motivation, experimental methods, and the
analysis of behavior patterns characteristic of various species.
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Electron Microscopy in Biological Investigations
The theory, functions, and use of the transmission and scanning
electron microscopes.
BIOL446 (2)
Electron Microscopy Laboratory
Lab preparation of tissues for transmission and scanning electron
microscopy with hands-on experience with the ultramicrotome and both T.E.M. and S.E.M. instruments. Acceptable photographs with interpretations required with lab reports on appropriate research projects.
BIOL447 (3)
Tissue Culture
Study of theory, application, and techniques useful for propagating
tissues in the research laboratory. Topics include sterile techniques,
nutrition, media preparation, establishment and maintenance of primary and secondary cultures, enumeration, and analysis.
BIOL475 (3)
Biology of Bacteria
Study of the properties of bacteria that illustrate their function and
relationship to other living systems. Topics include structure and function, classification, and interaction with the environment.
ZOOL425 (3)
Parasitology
Emphasis on better known parasites of humans and animals. Attention
given to ecological factors concerned with host-parasite contact, pathogenicity and pathology, and treatment and effect on parasitized populations.
ZOOL475 (3)
Neurobiology
The neural basis of behavior, with some emphasis on the human
nervous system, including cellular and molecular approaches to neuron function, development of neurons and circuits, and neuroendocrine
mechanisms. Labs develop skills in electrophysiology and neuroanatomy.
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Electives: Environmental Biology
Electives: Morphological Biology
Electives: Functional Biology
Other Electives
REQUIRED CORE COURSES
BIOL165,166 (4, 5)Foundations of Biology
Provides a firm foundation for students majoring or minoring in the biological sciences.
BIOL348 (3)
General Ecology
Ecological principles as applied to individual, population, community, and ecosystem levels of organization. Labs feature the characterization of ecological systems using standard field and lab techniques.
BIOL372 (3)
Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology I
Mechanisms of heredity are considered in light of classical population and molecular genetics. Labs feature experience in Drosophila genetics, chromosome analysis, statistical techniques, and recombinant DNA technology.
BIOL372 (3)
Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology II
Information from molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, physical chemistry, and electron microscopy are integrated to present the cell as a functional unit. Labs provide experience in the collection and analysis of quantitative data about cells.
BIOL449 (3)
Historical and Philosophical Biology
Examination of biological, paleontological, and geological concepts
central to the study of historical events in biological systems. Considers the interactions of data, theories, and extra scientific concepts in historical biology, within the particular context of a biblical worldview.
BIOL451, 452 (1, 1)
Questions in Biology: Analysis, Evaluation and Answers
Lectures, discussions, and individual work centered around asking and answering important questions in the life sciences; research in biology, discussions on important issues in origins; discussions on major topics in bioethics. Attendance at monthly research seminars required.
Back to top
ELECTIVES: ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
BIOL208 (4)Principles of Environmental Science
Study of basic ecological principles as applied to human activities.
BIOL479 (3.5)
Marine Ecology (offered only at Marine Station)
A study of interspecific, intraspecific, and community relationships
demonstrated by marine organisms.
BIOL487 (3)
Biogeography
The distribution of plants and animals in relation to their environment,
including consideration of major biogeographic regions of the world and the role of distribution in adaptive change and diversification of life in the past and present.
BOT450 (3)
Medical Botany
Designed as an interface between botany, medicine, anthropology and pharmacology to define the impact plants have with the remedial, harmful or psychoactive health of humans.
BOT468 (3.5)
Marine Botany (offered only at Marine Station)
A systematic study of marine plants found in Puget Sound, with a survey of marine plants from other areas.
BOT475 (4)
Biodiversity of Vascular Plants
A taxonomic and morphological study of vascular plants emphasizing the plants found in the Great Lakes area.
ZOOL454 (3-4)
Vertebrate Zoology
Covers the various specialties of vertebrate biology, including herpetology,
ornithology, and mammalogy.
ZOOL458 (3.5)
Marine Invertebrates (offered only at Marine Station)
Biology of invertebrates studied in the marine environment of Puget Sound. A survey of the various phyla is conducted by studying the living animals in the field, and by tide pool observation, dredging, and scuba diving.
ZOOL459 (3-4)
Entomology
Study of the fundamental aspects of insect biology.
Back to top
ELECTIVES: MORPHOLOGICAL BIOLOGY
BIOL428 (3)Paleobiology
Covers various specialities including History of Life; Vertebrate Paleontology; Paleobiology of Dinosaurs. Origins, history, adaptations,
diversity, and paleoecology of ancient organisms as documented by the fossil record.
BOT430 (3)
Plant Anatomy
A study of cell and tissue structure and organ development in vascular plants.
ZOOL315 (3)
Animal Development
A study of the cellular and tissue-level events that result in the development of integrated organisms. Vertebrate development is
emphasized in the lab using frog and chick models.
ZOOL316 (1)
Human Embryology
Acquaints students with the process of human development and
embryology.
ZOOL465 (3)
Histology
Microscopic anatomy, cytology, ultrastructure of tissues and organ systems are correlated with function.
Back to top
ELECTIVES: FUNCTIONAL BIOLOGY
BIOL418 (2)Immunology
Topics include organs and cells of the immune system, antigens, immunoglobulins, the MHC, antibody diversity, tolerance and memory, complement, cell mediated immunity, regulation, hypersensitivity,
autoimmune diseases, transplantation, and tumor immunology.
BIOL419 (1)
Immunology Lab
A theoretical and practical study of techniques used in modern
immunology. Includes immunoserological methods; isolation and
detection of immunoglobulin molecules in immune serum by SDSPAGE,
western blotting, and immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) methods; enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), in vitro phagocytosis.
BIOL445 (3)
Molecular Genetics
An advanced consideration of the structure, function, and manipulation
of nucleic acids and application of molecular information in other disciplines.
BOT470 (3)
Plant Physiology
Study of plant functions including water relations, metabolic pathways,
growth regulators, and photomorphogenesis.
ZOOL464 (4)
Systems Physiology
Functional processes used by animals in adjusting to their external
environment and controlling their internal environment. Labs involve the firsthand analysis of selected aspects of the major functional systems.
ZOOL484 (3)
Animal Behavior
Behavior of animals including considerations of social interactions,
learning processes, instinct, motivation, experimental methods, and the
analysis of behavior patterns characteristic of various species.
Back to top
OTHER ELECTIVES
BIOL444 (1)Electron Microscopy in Biological Investigations
The theory, functions, and use of the transmission and scanning
electron microscopes.
BIOL446 (2)
Electron Microscopy Laboratory
Lab preparation of tissues for transmission and scanning electron
microscopy with hands-on experience with the ultramicrotome and both T.E.M. and S.E.M. instruments. Acceptable photographs with interpretations required with lab reports on appropriate research projects.
BIOL447 (3)
Tissue Culture
Study of theory, application, and techniques useful for propagating
tissues in the research laboratory. Topics include sterile techniques,
nutrition, media preparation, establishment and maintenance of primary and secondary cultures, enumeration, and analysis.
BIOL475 (3)
Biology of Bacteria
Study of the properties of bacteria that illustrate their function and
relationship to other living systems. Topics include structure and function, classification, and interaction with the environment.
ZOOL425 (3)
Parasitology
Emphasis on better known parasites of humans and animals. Attention
given to ecological factors concerned with host-parasite contact, pathogenicity and pathology, and treatment and effect on parasitized populations.
ZOOL475 (3)
Neurobiology
The neural basis of behavior, with some emphasis on the human
nervous system, including cellular and molecular approaches to neuron function, development of neurons and circuits, and neuroendocrine
mechanisms. Labs develop skills in electrophysiology and neuroanatomy.
Back to top