Biology
Degrees and Certificates
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Biology Major -
Biology Minor
Courses
BI 104: Principles of Biology
Concepts and principles common to the living world; protoplasmic and cellular nature of living things; metabolism, its biochemical and biophysical foundation; heredity; evolution; ecological relationships. Three lectures, one lab per week.
Semester Offered
Fall
Spring
Online - Fall
Online - Summer
BI 130: Plants and People
Overview of plant cellular and macroscopic structure, function, evolution and diversity leading into technological applications of plants. Technologies used in agricultural production of food, fiber, fuel and medicine will be covered. Ecological and social issues raised by agricultural technologies will also be discussed.
Semester Offered
Fall
BI 149: Special Topics in Biology
Advanced students wishing to undertake special projects or research problems can do so in this course.
Prerequisites
varies by topic.
BI 210: General Botany
General structure, physiology, reproduction, heredity and ecology of plants, brief survey of plant world. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.
Prerequisites
BI 104 or permission of instructor.
Semester Offered
Spring
BI 212: Vertebrate Zoology
A study of the general biology and natural history of the vertebrates, including the morphology, physiology, ecology and evolution of vertebrates with emphasis on North American species. The laboratory section of this course focuses on comparative anatomy of the vertebrates. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.
Prerequisites
BI 104.
Semester Offered
Fall odd
BI 215: General Zoology
A study of the form and function, characteristics, and evolutionary development of the different phyla in the Kingdom Animalia. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.
Prerequisites
BI 104.
Semester Offered
Fall even
BI 249: Special Topics in Biology
Advanced students wishing to undertake special projects or research problems can do so in this course.
Prerequisites
varies by topic.
BI 250: Introduction to Cell Biology
Class Program
Study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, including membrane systems, organelles and reproduction.
Prerequisites
BI 104.
Semester Offered
Spring
BI 275: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Foundations and concepts of Human Anatomy and Physiology, starting at the cellular level and advancing into the nervous, endocrine, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.
Prerequisites
C or better in BI 104. CH 111 is recommended, but not required.
Semester Offered
Fall
Spring
BI 285: Human Anatomy & Physiology II
Advanced concepts in Human Anatomy and Physiology, including the nervous, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, integumentary, immune, and reproductive systems. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.
Prerequisites
C or better in BI 104, BI 275. CH 111 is recommended, but not required.
Semester Offered
Fall
BI 300: Ichthyology
Natural history of the fishes, including taxonomy, biology, ecology, and evolution with an emphasis on local species. Three lectures and one 3-hour lab per week.
Prerequisites
BI 104 and BI 212 or BI 215.
Semester Offered
Fall even
BI 305: Ornithology
Biology of birds with an emphasis on field identification of local avian species as well as anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution, and behavior of birds in general. Three lectures and one 3-hour lab per week.
Prerequisites
BI 104 and BI 212 or BI 215.
Semester Offered
Spring even
BI 306: Herpetology
Natural history of the amphibians and reptiles, including ecology, biology, evolution, and anatomy with an emphasis on local species. Three lectures and one 3-hour lab per week.
Prerequisites
BI 104 and BI 212 or BI 215.
Semester Offered
Spring odd
BI 310: Mammalogy
(Lab BI 309) In lecture, students will be introduced to the diversity of mammals and be exposed to the taxonomy, form and function, distribution, natural history ecology, conservation and economic importance of mammals with emphasis put on Missouri and regional species. In Laboratory, students will be introduced to approximately 72 representative species of mammals that are located in Missouri and the region and will be expected to master the techniques and processes used in taxonomy and systematic for identifying mammals from laboratory and field collections.
Prerequisites
BI 104 and BI 212 or BI 215.
Semester Offered
Spring even
BI 315: Research Methods
Class Program
The biological sciences encompass a wide range of subjects, but in all fields, the ability to interpret and communicate a variety of data is crucial. This course will focus on research techniques employed across fields of biology through the use of seminal papers from multiple eras. Students will also deliver papers in formal presentations to their peers. Finally, students will complete a literature review that ties together their interests with analytical techniques they have explored during the semester and in previous science courses.
Prerequisites
EN 160, MA 200, Junior or Senior Standing. Must be Biology major or have permission of instructor.
Semester Offered
Fall
BI 316: History of Science
Class Program
Biographical approach to scientific thought from ancient through modern civilization.
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor.
Semester Offered
Fall odd
BI 320: Principles of Microbiology
Biology of microorganisms; the handling, culture and identification of bacteria. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.
Prerequisites
BI 104. BI 250 and CH 111 are recommended, but not required.
Semester Offered
Fall
BI 323: Genetics
Principles of genetics, examined at the molecular, cellular, organism and population levels of organization. Laboratory work demonstrates Mendelian inheritance and the cytological basis of genetics. Three lectures, two labs per week.
Prerequisites
BI 104, MA 200.
Semester Offered
Spring
BI 332: Ecology
Relationships of living organisms to their environment; analysis of structure and succession of natural communities; analysis of population control mechanisms; current problems in ecology. Three lectures, one three hour lab per week.
Prerequisites
BI 104, MA 200, junior/senior standing, or permission from instructor.
Semester Offered
Spring
BI 335: Dendrology
Identification of trees, shrubs, and woody vines. Emphasis will be on Missouri native species, but will also include a few important ornamental species. Basic ecology of trees including preferred habitats of major species, economic uses and function in forest systems. This course is designed for those interested in conservation biology and wildlife ecology, but open to anyone with an interest in plants and trees. Field trips are required.
Prerequisites
BI 210 or permission of instructor.
Semester Offered
Fall odd
BI 349: Special Topics in Biology
Advanced students wishing to undertake special projects or research problems can do so in this course.
Prerequisites
varies by topic.
BI 376: Independent Study
Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.
Prerequisites
Permission of the instructor, division dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
BI 401: Internship in Biology
Internship under supervision of college personnel and cooperating facility.
Prerequisites
Biology major and permission of division dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Semester Offered
Arranged
BI 403: Entomology
A study of the structure, function, evolution and impact of the insect group; experience on collection, curation, and identification of the major orders and families.
Prerequisites
BI 104.
Semester Offered
Fall odd
BI 404: Wildlife Ecology and Management
Class Program
The application of ecological principles to the management of vertebrate populations and their habitats to meet the needs of those populations and the needs of people.
Prerequisites
BI 332, junior/senior standing, or permission of instructor.
Semester Offered
Spring odd
BI 413: Field Biology
Through intensive field investigation, along with readings on the biology of a specific ecological area and arranged seminars, the student will be exposed to an ecosystem typically outside of Missouri (e.g., the Chihuahuan Desert). An extended field trip to the area of interest is required.
Prerequisites
Junior/Senior standing, BI 332 (may be taken concurrently). Course may be repeated for credit for a maximum of 6 hours.
Semester Offered
Spring
BI 420: Conservation Biology Seminar
Conservation Biology is a highly interdisciplinary field that studies biodiversity, the natural processes that control it and the maintenance of biodiversity under the increasing pressures of humans. This course will utilize lecture, articles from the primary literature and presentations from researchers in the field of conservation biology. This course is a capstone course for the Conservation Concentration within the biology major. Students will be required to write an extensive literature review and give a presentation.
Prerequisites
BI 332, Junior or Senior standing.
Semester Offered
Spring even
BI 425: Evolution Seminar
Class Program
Discussion of recent papers in population genetics and evolutionary processes. Topics include the genetic structure of populations, genetic drift, natural selection, co-evolution, speciation, and the fossil record. Two meetings per week.
Prerequisites
BI 323.
Semester Offered
Fall even
BI 430: Taxonomy of Higher Plants
Classification and identification of flowering plants; local flora and field techniques. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.
Prerequisites
BI 210 or permission of instructor.
Semester Offered
Fall even
BI 449: Special Topics in Biology
Advanced students wishing to undertake special projects or research problems can do so in this course.
Prerequisites
varies by topic.
BI 476: Independent Study
Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.
Prerequisites
Permission of the instructor, division dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs.