Biology

Division of STEAM

Faculty: Edward Franklin, Brenda Gustin, Eriko Heise, Robert Koble, David Pindel, Donna Moore Powers, Matthew Skerritt

Courses

BIOL 1010: Life on Earth I

Class Program
Credits 3

Explores the biological principles that govern living organisms; surveys bacteria, protists, fungi and plants; and investigates reproduction and growth of plants. Emphasizes the ecology of the groups at individual and community levels. Designed for non-science majors. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Science.

Semester Offered
Fall

BIOL 1020: Life on Earth II

Class Program
Credits 3

Surveys the animal kingdom with emphasis on diversity, complexity, ecology and sustainability. Emphasizes animal biology, including organ systems and genetics. Designed for non-science majors. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Semester Offered
Spring

BIOL 1030: Introduction to Environmental Science and Sustainability

Class Program
Credits 3

Students learn the interrelationships between humans and their environment by exploring the effects of the environment on organisms as well as sustainable solutions in the context of people, the planet, and profits. Topics include human population, biodiversity, ecosystem services, energy use, global climate trends, and food and water security. Designed for non-science majors. Cannot receive credit for this course if previously received credit for BIOL 1500. Lecture/Laboratory. Prerequisites: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Semester Offered
Fall,
Spring,
Summer

BIOL 1050: Introduction to Human Biology

Class Program
Credits 3

Covers body chemistry, the organ systems, human genetics, and human ecology. Laboratory offers but does not require vertebrate dissection. Designed for non-science majors. Lecture/Laboratory. Prerequisites: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Semester Offered
Fall,
Spring,
Summer

BIOL 1060: Introduction to Biology - Food Science

Class Program
Credits 3

Surveys basic biological principles with an emphasis on food science. Includes the characteristics and diversity of life, food requirements of the human body, environmental impact of food production, food resources, and sustainability issues. Laboratory activities reinforce relationships between biological principles and food. Designed for non-science majors. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Semester Offered
Fall,
Spring

BIOL 1070: Botany for Gardeners

Class Program
Credits 3

The principles of plant biology, including growth, development, life cycles, nutrient requirements, and genetics, and its application to agriculture and food production. Conventional and organic methods used to cultivate soil fertility and prevent plant predation and disease as way to promote human and environmental sustainability. Includes maintaining garden plots at Spencer Crest Nature Center. Designed for non-science majors. Lecture/laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010.  

Semester Offered
Summer

BIOL 1210: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology I

Class Program
Credits 4

Presents an introduction to Anatomy and Physiology including organization of the human body, biochemistry, cells, genetics, and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Laboratory activities reinforce and expand these topics. Course is not recommended for students in the Mathematics and Science program. Prerequisites: High school biology and chemistry with a grade of 75% or higher or college biology and chemistry. Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010. Lecture/laboratory. Lab fee. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Science.

Semester Offered
Fall,
Summer

BIOL 1220: Principles of Anatomy & Physiology II

Class Program
Credits 4

Continues from BIOL 1210 an introduction to Anatomy and Physiology including the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Laboratory activities reinforce and expand these topics. Course is not recommended for students in the Mathematics and Science program. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: BIOL 1210. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

 

Semester Offered
Spring,
Summer

BIOL 1500: Environmental Science

Class Program
Credits 4

Explores interrelationships between organisms and the environment. The impact of human activities such as pollution, resource use and population growth. Basic ecological concepts provide a foundation for understanding environmental problems and global change. Labs will illustrate the complexity associated with environmental change and emphasize sustainability. Laboratory includes the observation of plants, algae, bacteria, and animals. For Math/Science and Environmental Science students. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab Fee. Cannot receive credit for BIOL 1030 after successfully completing BIOL 1500. Prerequisites: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010, high school biology or one semester of college biology. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Semester Offered
Fall

BIOL 1510: General Biology I

Class Program
Credits 4

The modern aspects and techniques of biology will be emphasized. BIOL 1510 will cover scientific methodology, biochemistry, cell structure and physiology, genetic mechanisms, plant structure and physiology, taxonomy, and bacterial, protist, fungal, and plant diversity. For math/science students. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: Placement into college-level math; eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010, 75% or higher in high school biology and high school chemistry or 75% or higher in high school biology and concurrent enrollment in CHEM 1010 or 1020. Successful completion of any 3 or 4 credit college biology course may substitute for high school biology. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Semester Offered
Fall

BIOL 1520: General Biology II

Class Program
Credits 4

Emphasizes the modern aspects of biology and its techniques. Includes evolution, animal diversity, human and animal anatomy/physiology, animal behavior, reproduction and development, and ecology. Laboratory requires dissection of a preserved fetal pig and various vertebrate organs, as well as the use of living invertebrates and fish. For math/science students. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: Placement into college-level math; eligible to take ENGL 1010 and 75% or higher in high school biology and high school chemistry or 75% or higher in high school biology and concurrent enrollment in CHEM 1010 or 1020 or BIOL 1510. Successful completion of any 3 or 4 credit college biology course may substitute for high school biology. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

Semester Offered
Spring

BIOL 1550: History of Biological Ideas (Honors)

Class Program
Credits 3

An introduction to the history of some major themes in biology. Includes research, discussion, and analysis of the development of major underlying themes and concepts in biology. Areas covered may include anatomy/physiology, medicine, reproductive biology/genetics, evolution, and microbiology/disease. Students completing this course will earn three credits of Honors. Lecture, readings, discussions, and presentations. Does not satisfy lab science requirements. Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and one semester of college biology. Meets SUNY General Education in Natural Sciences and SUNY Core Competency in Critical Thinking and Reasoning.

Semester Offered
Spring

BIOL 1560: Current Issues Life Science (Honors)

Class Program
Credits 3

This course will explore and analyze many of the current issues and controversies that involve the various life sciences, with the goal of getting students too critically think about these issues, develop and defend personal positions, and understand the science behind them. The course is divided into four broad modules: the nature of science, health, society, & medicine, genetics & molecular biology, and environmental science & sustainability. It includes research, discussion, analysis, and presentations. Students completing this course will earn three (3) credits of Honors. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 and one semester of college biology. Lecture, readings, discussions, and presentations. Does not satisfy lab science requirements. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Science and SUNY Core Competency in Critical Thinking and Reasoning.

Semester Offered
Fall

BIOL 2010: Microbiology

Class Program
Credits 4

A study of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoans. Emphasizes the anatomical, cultural, physiological, and reproductive characteristics of true bacteria and practical applications of microbiology including aspects of disease. Various techniques and procedures used in microbiology labs including, culture, enumeration, and identification. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisite: One year of college biology courses numbered 1200 or higher OR one semester of college biology courses numbered 1200 or higher and one semester of college chemistry OR BIOL 1210 with a C or better. Meets SUNY General Education requirement in Natural Science.

Semester Offered
Fall,
Spring,
Summer

BIOL 2020: Human Anatomy & Physiology I

Class Program
Credits 4

This course presents the human body: its chemical, molecular, cellular, genetic and tissue components; skeletal and muscular structure and function; nervous system, neural control mechanisms, sensory pathways, and structures. Laboratory requires microscopy, dissection of a preserved cat cadaver and various vertebrate organs. This course is intended for math and science majors. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab Fee. Student is recommended to take CHEM 1020 or equivalent. Prerequisites: Two college biology courses. 

Semester Offered
Fall

BIOL 2030: Human Anatomy & Physiology II

Class Program
Credits 4

This course is the continuation from BIOL 2020 involving the presentation of the human endocrine, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, excretory, and reproductive systems. Laboratory requires microscopy, dissection of a preserved cat cadaver, various vertebrate organs and physiology lab exercises. This course is intended for Math and Science majors. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: BIOL 2020. 

Semester Offered
Spring

BIOL 2040: Ecology

Class Program
Credits 4

Examines the relationship between organisms and their environment with special attention paid to the concepts of species interaction, biodiversity, competition, predation, animal behavior, adaptation and sustainability. Populations, communities, ecosystems and the biosphere will also be studied. Students will have the opportunity to explore topics and areas of ecology that are of interest to them. Laboratory includes the study of ponds, streams, forests, and cemeteries, as well as the use of live invertebrates. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010 and two college biology courses.

Semester Offered
Fall

BIOL 2050: Cell Biology

Class Program
Credits 4

This course presents an introduction to the molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic cell function. Topics include biochemistry of the cell, bioenergetics and catalysis, the subcellular organelles, metabolism, intracellular transport, and intercellular communication. Laboratory exercises complement these topics by utilizing current techniques in molecular cell biology. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: Any two college biology courses or instructor consent. One college chemistry course recommended.

 

Semester Offered
Fall

BIOL 2060: Genetics

Class Program
Credits 4

This course presents an introduction to modern genetics. Topics include the transmission of hereditary information, DNA structure and replication, gene expression and regulation, mutation, DNA repair, and bacterial genetics. Laboratory exercises complement these topics by utilizing current techniques in molecular biology. Lecture/Laboratory. Lab fee. Prerequisites: Any two college biology courses or by permission of the instructor. One college chemistry course recommended.

Semester Offered
Spring

BIOL 2080: Evolution

Class Program
Credits 3

Examines the basic concepts of evolution, including natural selection, significance of behavior, and sexual reproduction, adaption, speciation, and the history of life on earth. The historical framework of evolutionary thought, as well as modern aspects and applications of the theory, will be studied and discussed. Students will be able to explore topics and areas of evolution that are of special interest to them. Prerequisites: Eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010 and two college biology courses. Lecture only. Fulfills upper-level science requirements. Does not satisfy lab science requirements. Meets SUNY Core Competency in Critical Thinking and Reasoning.

Semester Offered
Spring

BIOL 2090: General Botany

Class Program
Credits 4

Presents a study of the plant world from plant cells to ecology. Emphasizes plant growth, structure, function, and interactions with their environment. Designed for students interested in plant medicinal chemistry and botanical studies. Laboratory includes the study of unique plants including exotic and hemp plants. Prerequisites: One year of college biology with a grade of C or higher, preferably BIOL 1510-1520. Lecture/laboratory. Lab fee.