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:

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. Prerequisite BIO 112 or permission. 4 credits.
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.

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 proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Topics covered include amino acid chemistry, protein structure, molecular weight determination, ligand binding, enzyme kinetics, enzyme and coenzyme mechanisms, membrane systems, membrane transport, intermediary metabolism, metabolic control, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.
The study of the chemistry of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Topics covered include amino acid chemistry, protein structure, molecular weight determination, ligand binding, enzyme kinetics, enzyme and coenzyme mechanisms, membrane systems, membrane transport, intermediary metabolism, metabolic control, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.
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:

A rigorous study of basic biological principles, which is designed for science majors. Topics emphasized include cell biology, genetics, taxonomy, histology, and evolution.
This course, also rigorous and designed for science majors, covers concepts in physiology, botany, embryology, and ecology.
Laboratory exercises include enzyme kinetics, carbohydrate analysis, isolation and identification of plant pigments, microscopy, and histological techniques. Must be taken concurrently with Biology 111. 1 credit.
Laboratory exercises include shark anatomy, invertebrate dissections, animal development, plant development in angiosperms, Stomate response to environmental changes, animal taxonomy, and an ecological field study. Must be taken concurrently with BIO 112. 1 credit.
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. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry of permission. 3 credits.
A continuation of first semester. Topics include kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, oxidation- reduction chemistry, thermodynamics, electro- chemistry and nuclear chemistry. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry or permission. 3 credits.
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 intrumentation including infrared, UV-visible, and atomic absorption spectrometers. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 111. 1 credit.
Laboratory course to accompany CHM 112. Experiments cover stoichiometry, gas laws, quantitative analysis, equilibrium, electro- chemistry, chemical synthesis and the use of computers for collecting data. Students are introduced to instrumentation including infrared, UV-visible, and atomic absorption spectrometers. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 112. 1 credit.
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. Prerequisite: CHM 112. 3 credits.
A continuation of the first semester. 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 systhesis. Prerequisite: CHM 112. 3 credits.
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. Prerequisite or corequisite:CHM 114 and CHM 213. 1 credit.
A continuation from CHM 215. 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. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHM 214. 1 credit.
Helps the student find his or her own voice within the demands and expectations of public expression. Both courses emphasize the development of clear, organized and rhetorically effective written prose. 3 credits.
Helps the student find his or her own voice within the demands and expectations of public expression. Emphasizes the development of clear, organized and rhetorically effective written prose. This course also emphasizes speaking, reading and research skills. Prerequisite: ENG 111 or permission of chairperson. 3 credits.
A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. MAS 161 is a prerequisite for MAS 162. 3 credits per semester.
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. 4 credits.
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. 4 credits.

In addition, many schools recommend the following courses:

A study of the principles, mechanisms and concepts of classical and molecular 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, bacteriophages 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 thermodynamic laws and functions, including phase and reaction equilibria. Systems under study include ideal and real gases, ideal and non-ideal solutions, and multi-component phase transitions. Also included are electrochemistry, kinetic and transport processes, and surfaces. Prereqisite: CHM 112, MAS 162, and PHY 104 or 112. 3 credits.
The study of chemical systems from a molecular perspective. Basic concepts of quantum chemistry and statistical theory applied to atomic and molecular structure. Prerequisite: CHM 311. 3 credits.

Biological courses that are not specifically recommended but should help in a health-professions school are:

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 proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Topics covered include amino acid chemistry, protein structure, molecular weight determination, ligand binding, enzyme kinetics, enzyme and coenzyme mechanisms, membrane systems, membrane transport, intermediary metabolism, metabolic control, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.
The study of the chemistry of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Topics covered include amino acid chemistry, protein structure, molecular weight determination, ligand binding, enzyme kinetics, enzyme and coenzyme mechanisms, membrane systems, membrane transport, intermediary metabolism, metabolic control, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.
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:

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. Prerequisite BIO 112 or permission. 4 credits.
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:

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:

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.