**Review** Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026

BIO 408 Workshop

A variety of workshops on special topics within the discipline. Goals and objectives will emphasize the acquisition of general knowledge and skills in the discipline. S/U or letter graded.
1- 3

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

ST - Repeatable under different subtitles and course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 411 Field Techniques in Biology

(1 Lecture, 1 Laboratory) The most common field techniques for both plant and animal biology, focusing on biodiversity.
2

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required and Course Fee Required

BIO 422 Directed Studies

Individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a faculty member. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.)
1- 3

Special Notes

Please note while there is no limit on total credits, this course is only repeatable for a maximum of six credits per semester (concurrent enrollment of two times).

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 425 Molecular Genetics

Examination of protein synthesis, DNA replication, gene expression, gene structure, and regulation of gene expression.
3

Prerequisites

BIO 220 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 427 Economic Botany

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Study of the identification, properties, uses, and distribution of plants used by people in the past, present, and future.
4

Prerequisites

BIO 111 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required and Course Fee Required

BIO 438 Ornithology

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Study of the evolution, general biology, diversity, ecology and behaviors of birds. Laboratory emphasis will be on identification. Field trips required.
4

Prerequisites

BIO 111 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required and Course Fee Required and Participation Fee Required

BIO 442 Molecular and Cellular Laboratory

(4 laboratory) Study of the theory and techniques currently used to investigate cells and molecules. Development of the laboratory and problem solving skills to successfully conduct experiments.
2

Prerequisites

(BIO 220 with a minimum grade of D-) and (Concurrent Prerequisite BIO 425 or Concurrent Prerequisite BIO 450 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required and Course Fee Required

BIO 448 Pathobiology

Causes and mechanisms of disease at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Cellular homeostasis and adaptive mechanisms, histopathology, toxins/toxicants, infectious disease, senescence, and target tissues.

3

Prerequisites

(BIO 220 with a minimum grade of D-) and (BIO 341 or BIO 541 with a minimum grade of D-) and (BIO 350 or BIO 552 or BIO 553) with a minimum grade of D-)

Offered

Generally offered Fall Even Years

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: BIO 448 and BIO 578

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 450 Cell Physiology

Study of the structural and functional relationships among biological macromolecules, cell organelles, and cell processes.
3

Prerequisites

(BIO 220 with a minimum grade of D-) and (CHEM 231 or CHEM 331 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 455 Introductory Biology Curriculum and Instruction

Study of assessment, curriculum development, and learner-centered pedagogical approaches. Students taking this course will serve as undergraduate teaching assistants for BIO 110 (via BIO 494)
2

Prerequisites

BIO 110 with a minimum grade of D-

Corequisites

BIO 494

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 460 Science Communication

Students will examine strategies and theories to communicate science with non-science audiences. The course focusses on development of real-world products to communicate science.

3

Special Notes

BIO 460 cannot be retaken for credit  if credit for COMM 461 or BIO 495 Special Topics course "Scientific Communication" has already been completed.

Offered

Generally offered Spring Annually

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: BIO 460 and COMM 440

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 461 Ecoclimatology

Identify/describe how plants, animals, and ecological communities will respond to global change across different scales (temporal, spatial, etc.). Introduction to global climate models and using relevant climate and ecological data to predict future change.

3

Prerequisites

(BIO 111 or MET 205 with a minimum grade of D-)

Offered

Generally offered Spring odd years

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: BIO 461 and ESCI 461

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 462 Conservation Biology

Examination of the fundamental principles of conservation biology (biodiversity, habitat degradation, extinction, restoration, planning) with discussion of current topics (climate change, single species conservation, conservation genetics, landscape vs ecosystem conservation, sustainable development).
3

Prerequisites

BIO 111 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 465 Evolution

History of evolutionary thought, evolution as a population genetics process, and reconstruction of evolutionary history using phylogenetic methodology.
3

Prerequisites

BIO 220 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 466 Animal Physiological Ecology

Study of animal function and how environmental conditions influence the physiology of animals. Emphasis will be on vertebrate systems but invertebrates will be included.
3

Prerequisites

(BIO 110 and BIO 360 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 468 Disturbance Ecology

Study of disturbance effects on ecosystem structure and function.
3

Prerequisites

(BIO 110 and BIO 360 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 476 Pharmacology

Cell biology and/or biochemistry recommended. A mechanistic study of pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs) and pharmaco dynamics (drug actions and interactions). Examples of important bioactive chemicals will be discussed.

3

Prerequisites

(BIO 210 with a minimum grade of D-) and (BIO 246 or BIO 350 or BIO 552 with a minimum grade of D-)

Offered

Generally offered Spring Annually

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 481 Introduction to Neurobiology

The molecular, cellular, and anatomical principles and network properties of the nervous system will be studied, with a focus on human biomedical applications.

3

Prerequisites

BIO 210 with a minimum grade of D-

Offered

Generally offered Summer Annually

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 488 Foundations of Biomedical Research

Critical data interpretation and evaluation, rigorous experimental design, consideration of variables, authentication of resources, sharing, record keeping, and transparency. S/U graded.
1

Offered

Generally offered Fall Annually

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 489 Biomedical Research Ethics

Provide training in the basic ethical and regulatory requirements for performing research. This course will incorporate online training materials with discussion, case studies to help students' best practice in performing research activities. S/U graded.
1

Offered

Generally offered Spring Annually

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 491 Seminar in Biological Sciences

Invited speakers will present topics in content biology and biology education. Graduate students will also present final defenses of their theses or dissertations. S/U graded.

1

Special Notes

Please note only 1 credit will count toward upper division BIO electives.

Offered

Generally offered Fall and/or Spring Annually

Class Restriction

Include Junior and Senior

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 492 Internship in Biological Sciences

On-the-job experience in professional areas under the supervision of an area specialist. S/U graded.
1- 3

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 9 credit hours

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 493 Clinical Internship in Biological Sciences

On the job experience in a clinical setting under the supervision of an area specialist. A minimum of 37.5 hours of contact work is required per credit hour. S/U graded.
1- 3

Prerequisites

BIO 220 with a minimum grade of D-

Class Restriction

Include Junior and Senior

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 9 credit hours

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

BIO 494 Practicum in College Biological Science Instruction

Gain experience assisting in teaching an introductory biological science laboratory.
1- 2

Repeatable Status

Course may be repeated 2 times

BIO 495 Special Topics in Biology

Advanced study for qualified undergraduates in an area of the biological sciences.
1- 3

Special Notes

Prerequisites vary depending on the title and subject being offered.

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

ST - Repeatable under different subtitles and course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required