Biology Courses (BIO)
BIO 1000. Seminar in Biology (1).Required of all majors in biology, this course is to be taken within the first year as a biology major at Belmont. The seminar is designed for the new major in biology: to introduce the departmental program of advising and coursework leading to graduation with a major in biology, to present the various university sources of academic support, to serve as a forum for the administration of the Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT), and to explain the requirements of graduate and professional schools and related careers to the study of biology and related sciences. Offered fall only.
BIO 1010. Biological Science (4). A study of the principles of biology and how these principles affect the student. Thematic emphases will be presented in the course title suffix. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. (This course does not count toward a major or minor in biology.) ($50.00 course fee)BIO 1023. Topics in Biology (3). A focused investigation of the conceptual framework of one or more sub-disciplines of the life sciences and its relevance to the complexities of biological systems in the natural world. Thematic emphases will be presented in the course title suffix. Three hours lecture per week. (This course does not count toward a major or minor in biology.)
BIO 1030. Biological Sciences: Microbiology (4). A study of the fundamental principles of biology with an emphasis on microorganisms. Topics include evolution, structure and function of microbial cells, metabolic pathways, molecular and Mendelian genetics, microbial diseases and immunity, and microbial diversity and ecology. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. (For Nursing majors only. This course does not count toward a major or minor in biology.) ($50.00 course fee).
BIO 1110. Principles of Biology I (4).An introductory study of molecular and cellular biology. Topics include the molecular basis of cellular processes, structure and physiology of cells, molecular and Mendelian genetics, and microevolution. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 1120. Principles of Biology II (4). .An introductory study of macroevolution, organismal biology and ecology. Topics include the structure and physiology of plants, the structure and physiology of animals, biodiversity, and ecological systems. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 1990-4990. Independent Studies (1-3). Courses designed with a professor for independent study purposes.
BIO 1895-4895. Special Topics (1-3). Special Topics or pilot courses.
BIO 1950-3950. Study Abroad (1-4). Study in another country through an official study abroad program, beginning through advanced level. Individual course titles indicating subject, hours, and location assigned for each unit taken. Courses may count towards major, minor and/or core as determined, in consultation with the program director, by the chair of the department. Repeatable with different topics.
BIO 2110. Medical Terminology (1). A course taught with a programmed text to develop a vocabulary of medical terms. Does not count toward a major or minor in biology.
BIO 2120. Basic Microbiology (4). Prerequisite: BIO 1110 (C- or higher) and sophomore status. A study of the morphology, structure, metabolism, genetics and control of microorganisms; disease resistance and the role of microorganisms in the disease process; environmental and applied microbiology. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2230. Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4). Prerequisite: BIO 1010 (C- or higher), BIO 1030 (C- or higher) or BIO 1110 (C- or higher) . A study of the cells and tissues as well as the skeletal, muscular, neural, and special sensory systems of the human body. Two hours lecture and 4 hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2240. Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4). Prerequisite: BIO 2230 (C- or higher). A study of the endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, and reproductive systems of the human body. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2330. Genetics (3). Prerequisite: BIO 1110 (C- or higher). A study of the principles of heredity including classical and molecular genetics. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2400. Zoology (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 1110 (C- or higher) or BIO 1120 (C- or higher). A study of the classification, anatomy, physiology, phylogeny and ecology of the Kingdom Animalia and the animal-like protists. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2500. Botany (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 1120 (C- or higher). A taxonomic study of the anatomy, morphology, physiology, phylogeny, and ecology of the Plantae and the plant-like Protista. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2910-2930. Biology Peer Tutoring (1-3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and completion of course in which student will peer tutor. Under the supervision of a faculty member, a student may serve as peer tutor for a course. Each peer tutor works with the professor to define the specific role in the class, which may include helping conduct classes or laboratory sections, leading study or discussion sessions, and helping students master the course material. The Peer Tutor does not grade or keep other records for the class. The third digit represents the credit for the course. Each of these courses may only be taken once. Does not count towards Biology major or minor.
BIO 3030. General Ecology (3, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 1120 (C- or higher) or permission of the instructor. A study of the basic principles of ecology and a survey of the major plant and animal communities. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3040. Cancer Biology (3, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 2330 (C- or higher) and junior status. A study of cancer as a model of uncontrolled cell growth. Topics include causes, types, prevention, and treatment of cancer, as well as a thorough examination of cancer cells at the molecular and cellular levels.Three hours lecture per week.
BIO 3140. Immunology ( 3, alternate years ). Prerequisite: BIO 2330 (C- or higher). An introduction to the principles of immunology and the mechanisms of the immune response. Three hours lecture per week.
BIO 3160. General Physiology (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: CEM 2810 (C- or higher) or permission of instructor, Co-requisites CEM 2820. The study of the functions of cells, tissues, and organs of living organisms. Both plant and animal physiology will be covered with major emphasis placed on animal physiology. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3200. Parasitology (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 1120 (C- or higher). An introduction to the morphology, physiology, ecology and taxonomy of the major parasites of man and domestic animals. Through lecture and laboratory experiences with slide-mounted and living specimens, students will become familiar with the life cycles of selected parasites, the drugs of choice in treating parasitic diseases and diagnostic procedures. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3250. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4, alternate years). Prerequisites: BIO 1120 (C- or higher). A survey of vertebrates and comparative study of organ systems. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week ($50.00 course fee).
BIO 3300. Animal Behavior (3). Prerequisite: BIO 1110 (C- or higher), and six additional credits in Biology or six credits in Psychology or a combination of the two.This course is an examination of the evolution of animal behavior and the mechanisms which underlie that behavior. The course will include the genetic, neural and hormonal basis of behavior. Behavioral strategies such as foraging, territoriality, vigilance and defense, sexual selection, social behavior, parental care, kin selection and communication will be studied to understand how they increase the fitness of the individual and adapts a population to its environment. We will briefly address sociobiology, the application of these theories to human behavior. In the laboratory, we will study various aspects of behavior directly, culminating in a complete independent animal behavior experiment. Two hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. (Course fee $50).
BIO 3600. Histology Laboratory (1, every third year). Prerequisite: BIO 1120 (C- or higher). A microscopic study of animal tissues, organs and organ systems. Three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee).
BIO 3700. Biological Research I (1). Prerequisites: Sixteen hours biology and CEM 1620, and MTH 1160 (MTH can be taken as a co-req.). Discussion of biological research including project design and literature review.
BIO 3750. Molecular Biology of the Cell: Macromolecular Structure and Cellular Reactions (4, alternate years). Prerequisites: BIO 1110 and CEM 2810. This course emphasizes the anabolic and catabolic reactions necessary for the production and utilization of macromolecules utilized by all cells. Particularly important is its emphasis on laboratory techniques and the interpretation of published literature. ($50.00 course fee).
BIO 3800. Molecular Biology of the Cell: Molecular Genetics (4, alternate years). Prerequisites: BIO 2330 (C- or higher) , and CEM 2810 (C- or higher). This course emphasizes the chemistry of molecules important in cellular processes of the transmission of genetic information. Particularly important is its emphasis on laboratory techniques and the interpretation of published literature in the field of molecular genetics. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3850. Molecular Biology of the Cell: Structure and Function of the Cell (4, alternate years). Prerequisites: CEM 2810 (C- or higher) and BIO 1110 (C- or higher) or permission of the instructor. This course will cover the cellular aspects of biology, including processes common to all cells as well as processes specific to certain cell types. Laboratory experimentation and the presentation of data will be emphasized. Interpretation of published literature in cell biology will also be stressed. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 4200. Pharmacology (3, alternate years). Prerequisites: BIO 3160 (C- or higher) or BIO 2240 (C- or higher). Pharmacology encompasses the study of the effects of chemical substances on living organisms. This course examines four basic areas in Pharmacology: (1) principles of drug action, (2) pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism, (3) pharmacology of the nervous system, and (4) drug design. There will be three lecture hours per week.
BIO 4250. General Embryology (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: Junior Status and BIO 1110 (C- or higher) and BIO 1120 (C- or higher). A study of the comparative embryology of the vertebrates. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 4500. Neurobiology (3, alternate years). Prerequisites: Junior Status and BIO 3160 (C- or higher) or BIO 2230 (C- or higher). An examination of the structure and function of the nervous system. The effects of molecular approaches to neuroscience and their impacts on the understanding of sensory, motor, and cognitive functions of both simple and more complex systems will be addressed. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 4700. Biological Research II (3). Prerequisite: BIO 3700 (C- or higher). Completion of an independent laboratory or field research project under the supervision of a selected faculty member. A poster of the student's work must be presented at the School of Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium (SURS). ($50.00 course fee)
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (R – Undergraduate Research).
BIO 4710. Senior Seminar (1). Prerequisite: BIO 4700 (C- or higher). The student will write and present a research paper based on research done in BIO 4700 at the Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium and take the MFAT in Biology.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (R – Undergraduate Research).
BIO 4980. Internship in Biology (3). Prerequisite: Sixteen hours biology and permission of the department chair.A cooperative education assignment in which the student is placed with a participating business organization for a semester. The student must apply one semester prior to the anticipated work period. The student must have at least a 2.5 GPA to be eligible. The student's program of study may be extended for an additional semester. (May be repeated once; however, only 3 hours may be used as biology electives). Background checks are now required 21 days before registration for BIO 4980. Contact the instructor for details regarding the approval process. Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica).
In addition to the preceding courses offered on campus, Belmont students have the unique opportunity to take courses at the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS). Credit for courses taken at IMS will be automatically transferred to Belmont. Permission to enroll in these courses must be obtained from the Chairperson, Department of Biology, Belmont University.
The Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) is located at Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and offers courses that are oriented toward the marine environment. Typical course offerings include:
IMS-MAR-300. Marine Science I: Oceanography. Prerequisites: MTH 1110 (or equivalent), BIO 1120, CEM 1610.
IMS-MAR-301. Marine Science II: Marine Biology . Prerequisite: BIO 1120.
IMS-MAR-403. Marine Invertebrate Zoology. Prerequisites: 12 semester hours of BIO including BIO 2400, Zoology.
IMS-MAR-404. Parasites of Marine Animals. Prerequisites: BIO 1120 and consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-405. Marine Ecology. Prerequisites: 12 semester hours of BIO including BIO 2400, Zoology and BIO 2500 Botany.
IMS-MAR-406. Fauna/Faunistic Ecology Tide Marshes . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-407. Principles of Marine Aquaculture . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-408. Marine Ichthyology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-409. Marine Microbiology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-410. Marine Fisheries Management . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-420. Marine Phycology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-421. Coastal Vegetation . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-422. Salt Marsh Plant Ecology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-423. Marine Mammals . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-430. Comparative Histology of Marine Organisms . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-441. Marine Chemistry . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-443. Environmental Estuanine Chemistry . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-457. Marine Science for Teachers . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-458. Marine Science for Elementary Teachers . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-459. Coastal Ecology for Teachers . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-482. Coastal Marine Geology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-490. Aquarium Management . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
The Department of Education has approved the following courses for education credit: IMS-MAR 457, and IMS-MAR 458.
Contact the Biology Department, Belmont University, for additional information on courses at the Institute of Marine Sciences.