Biology Major
To major in biology, students must satisfy the distribution of courses described as required biology courses for a biology major and the complementary science and mathematics courses. Within the scope of this four-year biology major, the student may select courses that are tailored to his or her specific career goals. Students may take a broad-based course of study, giving them a well-rounded education in biology, or choose an area of concentration.
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science with a major in biology
Required 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. |
| 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. |
| Each senior student is required to do independent library research on an assigned topic and to make an oral presentation to the biology faculty and students. |
| 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. |
Two courses from the area of Cellular/Molecular Biology:
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. |
| This course takes an in-depth look at the biological and physiological processes that give rise to complexity of the nervous system and ultimately allow for complex function. It examines the biology of vertebrate nervous systems, with particular emphasis on the human nervous system. Topics include cellular and molecular biology of the neuron, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, nervous system development and plasticity, mechanisms of learning and memory, and sensory and motor systems. |
| 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. |
| A study of the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of representative microorganisms. The laboratory emphasizes basic bacteriological techniques and procedures. |
| 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. |
Two courses from the area of Organismal Biology:
BIO 221 Mammalian Anatomy| 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. |
| 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 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 physiology course:
BIO 307 Plant Physiology| A study of the functioning of plants, with emphasis on vascular plants. |
| 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. |
| A study of many of the invertebrate phyla, concentrating on the physiological mechanisms controlling movement, metabolism, information, and control and reproduction. |
One course from the area of Population Biology:
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. |
| An examination of the basic concepts of ecology with extensive laboratory work and field experiences in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. |
| This course is an introduction to organic evolution and evolutionary mechanisms/processes including a study of the origins, history, and evidence supporting evolution and evolutionary concepts. Examples of topics to be covered include history of evolution, classification and phylogeny, biological diversity, variation and genetic drift, natural selection, phenotypic traits, speciation, reproductive success, evolution and development, and macroevolution. Evolution will be examined from several perspectives, from molecular to ecological levels, and over different time scales. The course will cover both plant and animal evolution. Laboratory exercises will be drawn from the online publication, Spreadsheet Exercises in Ecology and Evolution. |
One of the following physics sequences:
Fall:
PHY 103 General College Physics I| 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. |
| Laboratory course to cover the fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure. |
Spring:
PHY 104 General College Physics II| 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. |
| A continuation of PHY 105. Laboratory course to cover the fundamental concepts and laws of the various branches of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure. |
OR
Fall:
PHY 111 Principles of Physics I
| An introductory course in classical physics, designed for students who desire a rigorous mathematical approach to college physics. Calculus is used throughout. The first semester is devoted to mechanics and heat with laboratory work in each area. |
Spring:
PHY 112 Principles of Physics II
| Second semester of Principles of Physics. An introductory course in classical physics, designed for students who desire a rigorous mathematical approach to college physics. Calculus is used throughout. The second semester is devoted to electricity, magnetism and optics with laboratory work in each area. |
One of the following mathematics classes:
MAS 111 Analysis I| A calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. |
| A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. |
| An introduction to elementary descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on conceptual understanding. |
Areas of concentration in the biology major include botany,
health professions, marine biology and ecology,
and zoology.
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 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.