Independent Study
The independent study program in biology is open to students of junior and senior
status who have demonstrated the potential to complete successfully an original
independent research project. Each student involved in the program selects a faculty
member who will direct the research. Students with a grade point average of 3.0
(B) or better may elect to do an independent study project which could lead to departmental
honors. An honors candidate is required to submit a thesis based on the laboratory
or field investigations and defend it before an examining committee chosen by the
research sponsor, Following successful completion of the defense, the candidate's
record is reviewed by the examining committee, whereupon a decision is made concerning
a recommendation to the Dean of the Faculty that the candidate graduate with departmental
honors (*).
Numerous student research papers have been presented at the Pennsylvania Academy
of Science meetings and at district meetings of BETA BETA BETA, National Biological
Society. Over the past fifteen years LVC students have won five first place awards
and three second place accolades at these district meetings. In addition, some papers
have been published in scientific journals. Independent study projects completed
by students during the past 10 years are listed below:
Botany
A botanical concentration should include:
BIO 302 Plant Diversity| The development and diversity of fungi, algae and land plants and the relationships between them. Field and laboratory work familiarizes the student with the structure and reproduction of algae and plants and with the identification and pollination of flowering plants in the local flora. |
| A study of the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of representative microorganisms. The laboratory emphasizes basic bacteriological techniques and procedures. |
| A study of the functioning of plants, with emphasis on vascular plants. |
| An examination of the basic concepts of ecology with extensive laboratory work and field experiences in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. |
| An introduction to elementary descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on conceptual understanding. |
For students interested in plant systematics, ecology, or plant physiology, the following courses are suggested as well as a computer course.
BCMB 401 Molecular Biology| Gene structure, function and regulation at the molecular level in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Recombinant DNA techniques (genetic engineering) and gene sequencing are covered in detail. |
| The study of the chemistry of the molecules of life. Topics covered include: the applications of pH & buffers, amino acid chemistry, protein structure & function, the thermodynamics of protein folding, protein purification & analysis, ligand binding, enzyme mechanisms and enzyme kinetics. |
| The continued study of the chemistry of the molecules of life. Topics covered include carbohydrate chemistry & metabolism, coenzyme mechanisms, electron transport & oxidative phosphorylation, lipid chemistry, membranes, lipid metabolism amino acid metabolism and the integrated function of intermediary metabolism & its metabolic control. |
| A study of many of the invertebrate phyla, concentrating on the physiological mechanisms controlling movement, metabolism, information, and control and reproduction. |
Health Professions
Health-professions schools require a sound science preparation along with a broad background in the humanities and social sciences. Thus, all medical schools require the following courses:
BIO 111 General Biology I| A rigorous study of basic biological principles, designed for science majors. Topics emphasized include basic biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, embryology, histology, and evolution. |
| This course, also rigorous and designed for science majors, covers concepts in animal and plant physiology, botany, and ecology. |
| Laboratory exercises include protein quantification, enzyme kinetics, isolation and identification of plant pigments, microscopy, and histological techniques. |
| Laboratory exercises include invertebrate dissections, sensory physiology, renal physiology, plant development in angiosperms, stomate response to environmental changes, and an ecological field study of predator-prey interactions. |
| An introduction to chemistry for the science major. First semester topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, calculations involving chemical concentrations, gas laws and bonding. |
| A continuation of first semester. Topics include kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, oxidation- reduction chemistry, thermodynamics, electro- chemistry and nuclear chemistry. |
| Laboratory course to accompany 111. Experiments cover stoichiometry, gas laws, quantitative analysis, equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical synthesis and the use of computers for collecting data. Students are introduced to instrumentation including infrared, UV-visible, and atomic absorption spectrometers. |
| Second semester laboratory course to accompany 112. Experiments cover stoichiometry, gas laws, quantitative analysis, equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical synthesis and the use of computers for collecting data. Students are introduced to intrumentation including infrared, UV-visible, and atomic absorption spectrometers. |
| An introduction to the principles of organic chemistry. The focus of the course is on the structure of organic molecules and how the structure of various functional groups affects their reactivity. The concepts of reactivity, structure and mechanism are applied to organic synthesis. |
| Second semester of an introduction to the principles of organic chemistry. The focus of the course is on the structure of organic molecules and how the structure of various functional groups affects their reactivity. The concepts of reactivity, structure and mechanism are applied to organic synthesis. |
| An introduction to the practice of classical organic chemistry and modern instrumental organic chemistry. The techniques of organic synthesis are taught along with instrumental methods including infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. |
| Second smester of an introduction to the practice of classical organic chemistry and modern instrumental organic chemistry. The techniques of organic synthesis are taught along with instrumental methods including infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. |
| This course will help the student develop his or her own voice while meeting the demands of academic and public expression. It will emphasize the development of clear, organized, and rhetorically effective written prose. Offered fall semester. |
| This course continues to help the student develop his or her own voice while meeting the demands of academic and public expression. In addition to emphasizing the development of clear, organized, and rhetorically effective written prose, this course also focuses on speaking, reading, and research skills. Offered spring semester. |
| A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. |
| An introduction to the fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure, with laboratory work in each area. |
| A continuation of PHY 103. Fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure, with laboratory work in each area. |
In addition, many schools recommend the following courses:
BIO 201 Genetics
| A study of the principles, mechanisms and concepts of classical, molecular, and population genetics. The laboratory stresses key concepts of genetics utilizing both classical and molecular approaches. Laboratory exercises include analysis of nucleic acids, genetic crosses, and studies of bacteria and plasmids. |
| Comparative anatomy with special attention to the structure and function of mammalian systems and special references to humans. Intensive laboratory work involves dissections and demonstrations using the cat as a model. |
| An organismal and molecular approach to the study of animal development using typical invertebrate and vertebrate organisms. The laboratory includes the study of slides as well as experiments on fertilization, regeneration and metamorphosis. |
| The study of chemical systems from a molecular perspective. Basic concepts of quantum chemistry applied to atomic and molecular structure. Thermodynamic laws and functions applied to mechanical, thermal, and material equilibrium in gases, liquids, and solids. Also included are electrochemical systems, as well as kinetic and transport processes occurring in gases, in solutions, and at solid surfaces. |
| Second semester of a study of chemical systems from a molecular perspective. Basic concepts of quantum chemistry applied to atomic and molecular structure. Thermodynamic laws and functions applied to mechanical, thermal, and material equilibrium in gases, liquids, and solids. Also included are electrochemical systems, as well as kinetic and transport processes occurring in gases, in solutions, and at solid surfaces |
Biological courses that are not specifically recommended but should help in a health-professions school are:
BCMB 401 Molecular Biology
| Gene structure, function and regulation at the molecular level in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Recombinant DNA techniques (genetic engineering) and gene sequencing are covered in detail. |
| The study of the chemistry of the molecules of life. Topics covered include: the applications of pH & buffers, amino acid chemistry, protein structure & function, the thermodynamics of protein folding, protein purification & analysis, ligand binding, enzyme mechanisms and enzyme kinetics. |
| The continued study of the chemistry of the molecules of life. Topics covered include carbohydrate chemistry & metabolism, coenzyme mechanisms, electron transport & oxidative phosphorylation, lipid chemistry, membranes, lipid metabolism amino acid metabolism and the integrated function of intermediary metabolism & its metabolic control. |
| A study of cell ultrastructure and the microscopic anatomy of vertebrate tissues, including the structure and function of membranes and organelles, cell motility and excitability, and vertebrate tissue similarities and specialization in relation to function. Laboratory includes the preparation and staining of sections using selected histochemical and histological procedures as well as a variety of microscopic techniques. |
| A study of the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of representative microorganisms. The laboratory emphasizes basic bacteriological techniques and procedures. |
| A study of the principles of vertebrate body function, with emphasis on the mechanisms by which cells and organs perform their functions and the interactions of the various organs in maintaining total body function. |
| An introduction to the anatomical, physiological and biochemical factors underlying the immune response. The course begins with a discussion of non-specific immunity, cellular immunity and antibody-mediated immune responses. The course then moves into a study of contemporary immunological topics which are discussed with respect to major research papers in each area. Topics include autoimmunity, histocompatibility, immunogenetics and acquired immune deficiencies. |
Marine Biology and Ecology
Students in the marine biology and ecology programs should choose courses in:
BIO 212 Animal Behavior| A study of the basic concepts of invertebrate and vertebrate behavior with emphasis on the development, genetics, physiology and evolution of behavior. Laboratory exercises include ethogram construction, avian foraging, aggressive display analysis and estrous cycle regulation. |
| The development and diversity of fungi, algae and land plants and the relationships between them. Field and laboratory work familiarizes the student with the structure and reproduction of algae and plants and with the identification and pollination of flowering plants in the local flora. |
| A study of the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of representative microorganisms. The laboratory emphasizes basic bacteriological techniques and procedures. |
| A study of the functioning of plants, with emphasis on vascular plants. |
| An examination of the basic concepts of ecology with extensive laboratory work and field experiences in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. |
| A study of many of the invertebrate phyla, concentrating on the physiological mechanisms controlling movement, metabolism, information, and control and reproduction. |
| An intensive study of ecosystem ecology, examining the interactions of biotic and abiotic factors within freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. This course will examine recent research to demonstrate how ecosystems respond to anthropogenic influences. |
Additional suggested courses are:
BIO 322 Vertebrate Physiology
| A study of the principles of vertebrate body function, with emphasis on the mechanisms by which cells and organs perform their functions and the interactions of the various organs in maintaining total body function. |
Zoology
A biology major concentrating in zoology should take:
Please contact the Registrars Office for more information.
Cooperative Programs
The Department of Biology also offers several cooperative programs which have more
specialized curricula than the major in biology. These programs are:
- Forestry and Environmental Management
- Medical Technology
Forestry and environmental studies, medical technology and nuclear medicine technology
are programs in which the student spends three years at Lebanon Valley College and
one or two years at the cooperating institution.