BIOL 200 Principles of Biology I

This course is first in a sequence of courses for undergraduate preparation for biology majors. Areas of focus include cellular and molecular biology, bioenergetics, genetics, evolution and ecology. The laboratory portion of the course emphasizes scientific methodologies focusing on observations, experimentation, record keeping, data collection and analysis, and presentation of outcomes. The course sequence also provides excel- lent preparation for those students intending to pursue post-graduate studies in the medical sciences. Prerequisite: CHEM 120 and MATH 070 or MATH 070D or MATH 073  or MATH 73B or appropriate assessment.

BIOL 201 Principles of Biology II

This course continues the sequence of undergraduate preparation for biology majors. The course is a survey of the diversity of life on earth, focusing on the relationships between structure and function. Topics deal with classification, development, evolutionary relationships and ecological functions of living organisms. Laboratories will emphasize life forms, experimentation and dissections. Field trips will be used to examine organisms in their natural settings. Prerequisite: BIOL 200.

BIOL 205 Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

This course is designed for Life Science majors and introduces them to the basic concepts of biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular genetics; including protein structure and function, DNA structure and replication, transcription, RNA processing, translation, and recombinant DNA technology. Students will also be introduced to the science of biotechnology by providing both the theory and hands-on experience with laboratory protocols that include the isolation, purification, and cloning of a gene; including the use of restriction enzymes, electrophoresis, library construction, blotting and hybridization and sequencing. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) will be explained in detail, particularly how it has revolutionized research in molecular biology, medicine, forensics, systematics and evolutionary biology. Prerequisite: BIOL 200; CHEM 130

BIOL 206 Principles of Genetics

This course is designed for Life Science majors as a continuance of their general biology studies. This course will cover a variety of topics relevant to the study of genetics, ranging from classical to nontraditional Mendelian genetics, from bacterial and viral genetics to human genetics, and include studies on molecular techniques and their applications. Other topics will include chromosome analysis, population genetics and genomics. Prerequisite: BIOL 200