Biology Ecological Science Major
| Requirements
|
| AuSable or biology electives 4
|
| BIO 115 - General Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
|
| BIO 116 - General Biology: Ecology and Organismal Biology
|
| BIO 205 - Ecology
|
| BIO 330 - Topics in Ecology
|
| MAT 116 - Statistics for the Natural and Social Sciences
|
| Choose one course: 4 |
| BIO 202 - Genetics |
| BIO 327 - Biochemistry:Molecular Genetics |
| Choose one course: 4 |
| AUS 311 - Field Botany |
| AUS 315 - Woody Plants |
| BIO 309 - Plant Taxonomy |
| Choose one course: 4 |
| BIO 212 - Invertebrate Zoology |
| BIO 280 - Vertebrate Zoology |
| Cognate requirements:
|
| Choose one sequence: 8 |
| CHE 101 - College Chemistry |
| CHE 102 - College Chemistry |
|
|
| CHE 111 - General Chemistry |
| CHE 112 - General Chemistry |
| Total credits required: 47
|
Field experience:
All biology ecological science majors are required to complete at least one field experience. This requirement can be met in one of two ways:
Option 1: Completion of an approved AuSable course. A list of approved AuSable courses is posted in the department and available from the registrar.
Option 2: Complete an approved summer field research or professional employment experience. Submission of a form requesting approval of a summer experience must be submitted to the department chair at least 60 days prior to the initiation of the experience. Experiences will not be approved retroactively.
An introduction to principles of classification of plants and characteristics of major plant families with emphasis on the plants of the Midwest. Includes field study and laboratory practice in identifying, collecting and preserving plants.Prerequisites: BIO116 or permission of instructor.(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
An introductory course in organic and biological chemistry. The content is especially suited to meet the needs of students whose programs require only one year of chemistry.Prerequisite: CHE101.(4 credits)
Topics in probability and statistics with an emphasis on problems in the sciences: discrete and continuous distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing, p-values, correlation, simple linear regression. Prerequisite: C- or better in MAT090 or an ACT math score of 20 or above (SAT 480 or above). (3 credits)
An introductory course in inorganic chemistry. The treatment of topics is predominantly descriptive and the content is especially suited to meet the needs of students whose programs require only one year of chemistry.(4 credits)
An introductory course in chemistry that emphasizes physical and inorganic concepts, problems and calculations. Topics include chemical reactions, stoichiometry, properties of gases, thermochemistry, theories of atomic structure, and chemical bonding. The general chemistry sequence (Chemistry 111 and Chemistry 112) is recommended for students with good math / science preparations who intend to proceed to advanced courses in chemistry, the biological sciences or engineering.Prerequisites: high school chemistry and ACT math and natural science scores above the 74th percentile.(4 credits)
A continuation of Chemistry 111. Topics covered include kinetics, thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, acid-base chemistry and nuclear chemistry.Prerequisite: CHE111 or consent of the instructor.(4 credits)
General Biology I emphasizes the unity of life, examining the processes common to living organisms, and introduce the diversity of life, examining unicellular organisms. This introduction will provide students with a basic understanding of macromolecules, cell structure and function, respiration and photosynthesis, the cell cycle, meiosis, the relationship between gene structure and function, mechanisms of evolutionary change and Christian perspectives on evolutionary biology. (4 credits)
General Biology II is an introduction to organismal biology emphasizing the diversity of life forms. Representative organisms from the plant and animal kingdoms will be emphasized. Students will also be introduced to basic ecological concepts and Christian perspectives on stewardship. (4 credits)
An introduction to the principles of heredity and their practical application.Prerequisites: BIO115 or 116.(4 credits)
A study of the processes determining the distribution and abundance of organisms in space and time, their exchange of matter and energy with their environment, the measurement of these phenomena, and the application of ecological knowledge in the care of creation. Prerequisites: BIO115 and 116 (4 credits)
An in-depth study of the major groups of vertebrate species. Topics include vertebrate taxonomy, classification, comparative vertebrate anatomy, physiology, behavior, and life histories. Prerequisites: BIO115 and 116. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
This course focuses on the structure and function of nucleic acids. Topics include replication, transcription and translation of genetic information, and control of gene expression.Prerequisites: CHE321 and 322.(4 credits)
Advanced studies of the function and structure of local ecological communities and/or life forms. Courses will emphasize the use of fieldwork, research projects and/or primary literature.Prerequisites: BIO205 or permission of instructor.(2-4 credits; a minimum of 4 credits will be offered per year)
