Biology courses

(4 credits)(IGE option under Science and the Natural World) An introduction to an understanding of Earth's basic life support systems, the impact of human activity on such systems, and the ethical basis and strategies for human response to environmental degradation. Note: Includes 1 1/2 hours of lab per week. Does not count toward a biology major or minor.

(4 credits)(NWCore option under Science and the Natural World) An introduction to the structure and function of the human body. Note: Includes 1 1/2 hours of lab per week. Does not count toward a biology major or minor. A fee is associated with this course.

A fee is associated with this course (http://www.nwciowa.edu/tuition/fees).

This course explores life processes common to plants, animals, and protists; cell structure and function; biodiversity; an introduction to genetics; biochemistry and development; evolution and ecology. Laboratory exercises explore each topic using the scientific method. Hypothesis forming, data analysis and reporting are essential components of the laboratory. Accompanying materials introduce students to Christian perspectives on current issues in molecular genetics, evolutionary theory and creation stewardship. (4 credits) (NWCore option under Science and the Natural World) Note: Does not count toward a biology major or minor.

An introduction to molecular and cellular biology, with an examination of the processes common to living organisms and an introduction to the diversity of life, emphasizing unicellular organisms. This introduction will provide students with a basic understanding of macromolecules, cell structure and function, respiration and photosynthesis, the cell cycle, meiosis, genetics, mechanisms of evolutionary change, and Christian perspectives on evolutionary biology. (4 credits) (NWCore option under Science and the Natural World) Note: Three lectures and 3 hours of laboratory work per week.

General Biology II is an introduction to organismal biology emphasizing the diversity of life forms. Representative organisms from the plant and animal kingdoms will be emphasized. Students will also be introduced to basic ecological concepts and Christian perspectives on stewardship. (4 credits)

An introduction to the anatomical structures of the human body. The focus of the course will be on structures of: cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. The systems studied will include (but not necessarily limited to) integument, bone, skeletal system (including joints), muscle, cardiovascular, nervous, lymphatic, endocrine, respiratory, renal, reproductive and gastrointestinal.Concurrent requisite: CHE101 or 111.(4 credits)

An introduction to the physiology of the human body. The focus of the course will be on homeostasis and the function of: biomolecules, cells and tissues, organs and organ systems. The contribution of each of the following organ systems to physiologic homeostasis will be examined: nervous, muscle, cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, renal, reproductive and gastrointestinal. Prerequisite: CHE101 or 111; Concurrent requisite: CHE102 or 112. (4 credits)

A fee is associated with this course.

A seminar which applies Christian perspectives to selected problems in the field of biology.(4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)

An introduction to the principles of heredity and their practical applications. Prerequisites: BIO115SN or 116. (4 credits) (Writing intensive) Note: Includes 3 credits of lab per week. A fee is associated with this course (http://www.nwciowa.edu/tuition/fees).

A study of the morphology and physiology of microorganisms with special emphasis on bacteria and viruses. Those organisms that have an economic or medical importance will be highlighted, and basic laboratory techniques will be stressed.Prerequisites: BIO115, 116 and CHE101, 102 or CHE111, 112.(4 credits)

A study of the processes determining the distribution and abundance of organisms in space and time, their exchange of matter and energy with their environment, the measurement of these phenomena, and the application of ecological knowledge in the care of creation. Prerequisites: BIO115 and 116 (4 credits)

A study of the gross structure of the systems of the human body.Prerequisite: BIO102, 115 or permission of instructor.(4 credits)

A study of the mechanisms by which the human body functions. Emphasis will be given to nerve and muscle function, and thereafter to hormonal control and the integrated systems that allow for respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproductive activities.Prerequisites: BIO102 or 115 and CHE101, 102 or CHE111, 112 or permission of instructor.(4 credits)

Courses and topics not taught on a regular basis are assigned to this category. Extended field trips for which credit is offered also fall into this category.(2-4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)

An in-depth study of the major groups of vertebrate species. Topics include vertebrate taxonomy, classification, comparative vertebrate anatomy, physiology, behavior, and life histories. Prerequisites: BIO115 and 116. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

A study of the microscopic structure of cells, tissues and organs in vertebrate animals with special emphasis on human tissues. An effort is made to correlate structure and function and highlight important pathologies. Prerequisites: BIO115 and 116. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

An introduction to principles of classification of plants and characteristics of major plant families with emphasis on the plants of the Midwest. Includes field study and laboratory practice in identifying, collecting and preserving plants.Prerequisites: BIO116 or permission of instructor.(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

A study of the structure and function of cells and of their subcellular organelles. Structural detail will be described to the level of macromolecular assemblages. Wherever possible, function will be described in terms of the molecular mechanisms that underlie biological processes. Note: Includes 3 lectures and 3 hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: BIO115SN, 116, and CHE101, 102, or CHE111, 112. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department) (Writing intensive) A fee is associated with this course.

A fee is associated with this course (http://www.nwciowa.edu/tuition/fees).

The basis of the immune system throughout the animal kingdom is the ability to recognize "self" from "not-self." This course will investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that allow organisms to recognize, control and eliminate such not-self entities as bacterial pathogens, foreign tissue grafts and even transformed cells. Prerequisites: BIO115SN, 116 and CHE101, 102 or CHE111, 112. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department) (Writing intensive) Note: Includes 3 lectures and 3 hours of lab per week.

A survey of the pharmacologic basis of therapeutics beginning with an introduction to the principles of pharmacology. This is followed by a survey of the more important drugs used in medicine with emphasis on mechanism of action, clinical use, and adverse effects. Prerequisites: BIO222 and CHE101, 102 or CHE111, 112. (4 credits)

A fundamental course surveying biomolecules, catabolism, bioenergetics and biosynthesis. Prerequisites: CHE321 and 322. (4 credits)

(4 credits)(Writing intensive) This course focuses on the structure and function of nucleic acids and examines the biochemical techniques involved in gaining knowledge regarding replication, transcription and translation of genetic information, and control of gene expression. Note: Includes 3 hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: BIO115, CHE321 and 322.

A fee is associated with this course (http://www.nwciowa.edu/tuition/fees).

Advanced studies of the function and structure of local ecological communities and/or life forms. Courses will emphasize the use of fieldwork, research projects and/or primary literature.Prerequisites: BIO205 or permission of instructor.(2-4 credits; a minimum of 4 credits will be offered per year)

In this course, students will design, implement, and interpret experiments that will uncover the function of phage genes. Students will generate a gene expression library for a phage genome collaboratively. Then, each student will test the ability of a subset of phage gene products to modulate bacterial host phenotypes. Students will screen genes of interest against the bacterial host proteome to identify putative host target(s) using a two-hybrid assay. Putative interactions revealed by the two-hybrid assay will represent phage-host interaction pairs, linking phage genes to host phenotypes, proteins, and processes. SEA-GENES is part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's (HHMI) Science Education Alliance (SEA). Prerequisites: BIO115/116, CHE101/102 or 111/112, BIO202 or BIO203 with preference given to students who have completed (or are taking concurrently) both BIO202 and BIO203 and/or are in the Honors Program and are taking this course with an honors component. (2 credits) Note: A fee is associated with this course.

Introduction to the structure and function of the nervous system, emphasizing neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and aspects of neuropathology. Multiple levels will be explored from the molecular and cellular levels through brain and spinal cord networks that contribute to complex behavioral and cognitive function.Prerequisites: BIO102 or 221 or permission of instructor.(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

Interdisciplinary lectures, discussions and presentations related to the reading and critiquing of literature on selected topics in the area of neuroscience and persons. Student-led discussions and presentations (oral and written) will be emphasized. Possible topics include: artificial/machine intelligence, clinical neuroscience and neuropathology, cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience and Christianity, neuroscience of emotion, neuroethics, neuromodeling, neuroscience of mental illness, neurophilosophy, neurotheology and social neuroscience; consideration of NAPs-related student research may also be included.Prerequisite: BIO340 or permission of instructor.(2 credits; alternate years, consult department)

Courses and topics which are of special interest to faculty and students but which are not offered on a regular basis may be assigned this number. Examples of such offerings would be developmental biology, cardiovascular physiology and virology. Extended field trips for which credit is offered also fall into this category. Prerequisites: appropriate 200-level biology courses. (2-4 credits; non-yearly, consult department)

The experience acquaints the student more fully with the profession of physical therapy. Most professional schools of physical therapy require applicants to have had practical experience. Prerequisites: sophomore class standing, physical therapy pre-professional, minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. (2 credits)

Under the overall supervision of the pre-veterinary advisory committee the student will spend time in clinic and on call observing the work of local veterinarians. An attempt will be made to expose the student to as many different veterinary specializations as possible.Prerequisites: junior class standing, veterinary medicine pre-professional.(2 credits)

The student would work under the supervision of persons involved in conservation work at the site of the cooperating agency.Prerequisite: junior class standing and prior arrangement.(2 credits; non-yearly, consult department)

An introduction to the pathophysiology associated with the disease states of the human body. The focus of the course will be on disruptions in homeostasis as the result of organ system malfunction or failure. The pathophysiology associated with the following systems will be examined: blood, cells and cell growth, nervous, muscle, cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, renal, reproductive and gastrointestinal. Prerequisites: BIO122 or 222 and CHE102 or 112. (4 credits)

A research experience for biology ecological science majors in fulfillment of the department's field skills requirement. The research experience course shall be designed to provide credit and documentation of a field experience. During enrollment in the research experience course, the student shall, under supervision of department faculty, analyze data collected during the field experience, organize and synthesize such data into a professional scientific paper, submit such a paper to an appropriate, peer-reviewed journal and make subsequent response to the journal pursuant to publication. Departmental approval required.(1 credit)

(4 credits may apply toward the major)

A research seminar of in-progress studies in chemistry and biology by Northwestern students, faculty and selected invited guests from other institutions. Features presentation, discussion, analysis and critique of original research.Prerequisite: permission of instructor.(1/4 credit; non-yearly, consult department)

Science and Christian Faith is a senior seminar course designed for biology and chemistry majors. The course revisits the three FYS course questions: Who am I? Who are my neighbors? How will we live in the world? Our thoughtful examination of these three questions will draw on knowledge gained from your biology and chemistry courses, but also integrates broadly with your liberal arts education (religion, philosophy, etc.) as we explore questions of origins, creation care, and bioethics and through the lens of Christian faith and theology. The readings, written assignments, oral presentations, and discussions will lead us to consider how God calls us, as scientists and people of faith, to be agents of redemption in our world. Prerequisites: senior biology or chemistry major. Junior biology or chemistry majors who cannot take this course during their senior year may request permission from their advisor who will consult with the department chairs to register. (3 credits) (Cross-referenced in chemistry)

(3 credits) Students will learn about the molecular structure of DNA, RNA, and protein and the processes of the central dogma of biology: replication, transcription, and translation. We will learn the basic anatomy of a gene and how gene structure regulates gene expression. We will examine, in depth, the inheritance of genes during eukaryotic cell division and sexual reproduction and the consequences of mutation and DNA repair. We will compare and contrast genetics and genomics and examine the molecular structure of the human genome. Throughout the course we will consider the genetic basis of inherited disease and relate this to the central dogma of biology and also carefully examine ethical issues raised by modern genetics.

(3 credits) Building on the foundation of molecular genetics, this course focuses on heredity. Students will review Mendelian genetics with applications to human genetics and genomics and will connect Mendelian inheritance of dominant and recessive traits to meiosis and gamete formation. Students will learn how to construct a pedigree from a family history, to analyze a pedigree, and to explain a pedigree to patients. Students will also learn about extensions of Mendelian genetics including aneuploidy, mosaicism, pleiotrophy, multifactorial traits, penetrance, and expressivity. Students will consider the complex relationship between genes, the environment, and the interactions of other genes in the context of genomics in addition to the relationship between phenotype and genotype and the impact of genetics on fetal development.

(3 credits) Building on the foundation of molecular and Mendelian genetics, this course focuses on the genetics and genomics of populations. Both single-gene and complex diseases will be covered. Students will use statistics and evaluate experimental design from population studies in order to draw conclusions about individual disease risk.

(3 credits) This course focuses on the applications of personalized medicine. Students will learn about the Human Genome Project and its implications for human health and disease. Comparative and functional genomics, transcriptosomics, and proteomics will be studied. Students will learn how genomes are sequenced and data bases are mined (bioinformatics). Students will learn how genetic testing and screening is done and the implications of genetic testing and screening for patients. Ethical, social, cultural, and legal implications of genomic medicine will be considered.

(3 credits) Building on the foundation of molecular and Mendelian genetics, this course focuses on pharmacogenetics and the use of gene therapy in human health.

(3 credits) Building on the foundation of genetics and genomics, this course focuses on the ethical, legal, cultural, economic, psychological, and social implications of genetic and genomic medicine.