253.535.7561
www.nsci.plu.edu/biol
To learn biology is more than to learn facts: it is to learn how to ask and answer questions, how to develop strategies which might be employed to obtain answers, and how to recognize and evaluate the answers which emerge. The department is therefore dedicated to encouraging students to learn science in the only way that it can be effectively made a part of their thinking: to independently question it, probe it, try it out, experiment with it, experience it.
The diversity of courses in the curriculum provides broad coverage of contemporary biology and allows flexible planning. Each biology major completes a three-course sequence in the principles of biology. Planning with a faculty advisor, the student chooses upper-division biology courses to meet individual needs and career objectives. Faculty members are also committed to helping students investigate career opportunities and pursue careers which most clearly match their interests and abilities. Students are invited to use departmental facilities for independent study and are encouraged to participate in ongoing faculty research.
FACULTY: Alexander, Chair; Auman, Carlson, Crayton, Ellard-Ivey, Garrigan, Gee, Hansen, Lerum, Main, D.J. Martin, McGinnis, Smith, Teska.
BACHELOR OF ARTS or BACHELOR OF SCIENCE MAJOR: The major in biology is designed to be flexible in meeting the needs and special interests of students. For either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree the student must take the principles of biology sequence (161, 162, 323). Completion of this sequence (or an equivalent general biology sequence at another institution) is required before upper-division biology courses can be taken. Each of these courses must have been completed with a grade of C- or higher. Courses not designed for biology majors (111, 116, 201, 205, 206) ordinarily cannot be used to satisfy major requirements. Independent study (491) and cooperative education may be used for no more than 4 of the upper-division biology hours required for the BS degree, and for no more than 2 of the upper-division biology hours required for the BA degree. Students who plan to apply biology credits earned at other institutions toward a PLU degree with a biology major should be aware that at least 14 hours in biology, numbered 324 or higher and including 499, must be earned in residence at PLU. Each student must consult with a biology advisor to discuss selection of electives appropriate for educational and career goals. Basic requirements under each plan for the major are listed below.
Bachelor of Arts: 34 semester hours in biology, including 161, 162, 323, and 499, plus 20 additional upper-division biology hours. Required supporting courses: Chemistry 120 (or 125) and Mathematics 140. Recommended supporting courses: Physics 125 (with laboratory 135) and Physics 126 (with laboratory 136).
Bachelor of Science: 42 semester hours in biology, including 161, 162, 323, and 499, plus 28 additional upper-division biology hours. Required supporting courses: Chemistry 120 (or 125), 232 (with laboratory 234), and one additional upper-division chemistry course with laboratory; Mathematics 151; Physics 125 (with laboratory 135) and Physics 126 (with laboratory 136), or Physics 153 (with laboratory 163) and Physics 154 (with laboratory 164).
BIOLOGY SECONDARY EDUCATION: Students planning to be certified to teach biology in high school should plan to complete a BA or BS in biology. Upper-division biology course selection should be made in consultation with a biology advisor. See the School of Education section of the catalog for biology courses required for certification.
MINOR: At least 20 semester hours selected from any biology courses. A grade of C- or higher must be earned in each course, and total GPA must be at least 2.00. Course prerequisites must be met unless written permission is granted in advance by the instructor. Applicability of non-PLU biology courses will be determined by the department chair. At least 8 of the 20 credit hours in biology must be earned in courses taught by the Biology Department at PLU; for students applying only 8 PLU biology hours toward the minor, those hours cannot include independent study (491) or cooperative education hours.
111 Biology and the Modern World – NS, SM
An introduction to biology designed primarily for nonbiology majors.
Fundamental concepts chosen from all areas of modern biology. Lecture,
laboratory, and discussion. F (4)
115 Diversity of Life – NS, SM
An introduction to the rich
diversity of living organisms, their evolution, classification, and
ecological and environmental significance. This course also
examines the threats to bio-diversity as well as
conservation strategies. Includes lecture, discussion, lab, and
field trips. Not intended for biology majors. J (4)
116 Introductory Ecology – NS, SM
A study of the interrelationships between organisms and their
environment examining concepts in ecology that lead to understanding
the nature and structure of ecosystems and how humans impact
ecosystems. Includes laboratory. F (4)
161 Principles of Biology I: Cell Biology – NS, SM
Cellular and molecular levels of biological organization; cell
ultrastructure and physiology, Mendelian and molecular genetics, energy
transduction. Includes laboratory. Co-registration in Chemistry (104,
120, or 125) recommended. F (4)
162 Principles of Biology II: Organismal Biology – NS, SM
An introduction to animal and plant tissues, anatomy, and physiology,
with special emphasis on flowering plants and vertebrates as model
systems, plus an introduction to animal and plant development. Includes
laboratory. Prerequisite: 161. S (4)
201 Introductory Microbiology – NS, SM
The structure, metabolism, growth, and genetics of microorganisms,
especially bacteria and viruses, with emphasis on their roles in human
disease. Laboratory focuses on cultivation, identification, and control
of growth of bacteria. Prerequisite: CHEM 105. F (4)
205 Human Anatomy and Physiology – NS, SM
The first half of a two-course sequence. Topics include matter, cells,
tissues, and the anatomy and physiology of four systems: skeletal,
muscular, nervous, and endocrine. Laboratory includes cat dissection
and experiments in muscle physiology and reflexes. Not designed for
biology majors. F (4)
206 Human Anatomy and Physiology – NS, SM
The second half of a two-course sequence. Topics include metabolism,
temperature regulation, development, inheritance, and the anatomy and
physiology of five systems: circulatory, respiratory, digestive,
excretory, and reproductive. Laboratory includes cat dissection,
physiology experiments, and study of developing organisms. Not designed
for biology majors. Prerequisite: 205. S (4)
323 Principles of Biology III: Ecology, Evolution, and Diversity – NS, SM
Evolution, ecology, behavior, and a systematic survey of life on earth.
Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: 162 or consent of department chair. F (4)
324 Natural History of Vertebrates – NS, SM
Classification, natural history, and economic importance of vertebrates
with the exception of birds. Field trips and laboratory. Prerequisite:
323. F (4)
326 Animal Behavior – NS
Description, classification, cause, function, and development of the
behavior of animals emphasizing an ethological approach and focusing on
comparisons among species. Includes physiological, ecological, and
evolutionary aspects of behavior. Prerequisite: 323 or consent of
instructor. S (4)
327 Ornithology – NS, SM
The study of birds inclusive of their anatomy, physiology, behavior,
ecology and distribution. Special emphasis on those attributes of birds
that are unique among the vertebrates. Labo-ratory emphasis on field
identification, taxonomy, and anatomy/topology. Prerequisite: 323 or
consent of instructor. S (4)
328 Microbiology - NS, SM
The structure, physiology, genetics, and metabolism of microorganisms
with emphasis on their diversity and ecology. The laboratory emphasizes
design, implementation, and evaluation of both descriptive and
quantitative experiments as well as isolation of organisms from natural
sources. Prerequisite: 323; one semester organic chemistry recommended.
S (4)
329 Entomology – NS, SM
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, the most diverse group
of animals on earth. This course examines insect structure, physiology,
ecology, and diversity. The laboratory emphasizes identification of the
common orders and families of North American insects. Prerequisite:
323. F (4)
332 Genetics – NS
Basic concepts considering the molecular basis of gene expression,
recombination, genetic variability, as well as cytogenetics, and
population genetics. Includes tutorials and demonstration sessions.
Prerequisite: 323. S (4)
333 Comparative Ecology of latin America
A comparative study of the structure and function of biotic
communities, and the ecological and evolutionary forces that have
shaped plants and animals. Topics include dispersal, natural selection,
physiological ecology, natural history, and systematics. Conservation
biology, development, and indigenous rights will be highlighted. Taught
in Central or South America. Prerequisite: 323 or consent of
instructor. a/y J (4)
340 Plant Diversity and Distribution – NS, SM
A systematic introduction to plant diversity. Interaction between
plants, theories of vegetational distribution. Emphasis on higher plant
taxonomy. Includes laboratory and field trips. Prerequisite: 323. S (4)
348 Advanced Cell Biology – NS, SM
Deals with how cells are functionally organized, enzyme kinetics and
regulatory mechanisms, biochemistry of macromolecules, energy
metabolism, membrane structure and function, ultrastructure, cancer
cells as model systems. Laboratory includes techniques encountered in
cellular reasearch: animal/plant cell culture, cell fractionation, use
of radiotracers, biological assays, membrane phenomena,
spectrophotometry, respirometry. Prerequisite: 323 and one semester of
organic chemistry
or consent of instructor. S (4)
351 Natural History of the Pacific Northwest – NS, SM
Introduction to the natural history of the Pacific Northwest: geology,
climatology, oceanography, ecology, common life forms, and human
impact. Includes local one-day field trips and three-day trips to the
Olympic Peninsula and the Columbia Gorge and Basins. Prerequisite: 323
or consent of instructor. Su (4)
361 Comparative Anatomy – NS, SM
Evolutionary history of the vertebrate body, introduction to
embryology, and extensive consideration of the structural and
functional anatomy of vertebrates. Includes laboratory dissections
following a systems approach. Mammals are featured plus some
observation of and comparison with human cadavers. Prerequisite: 323. S (4)
364 Plant Physiology – NS, SM
Physiology of plant growth and development. Emphasis on seed-plants,
but includes other plant groups as model systems. Topics include:
photosynthesis, secondary plant metabolism including medicinal
compounds, hormones, morphogenesis. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite:
323; organic chemistry recommended. S (2)
365 Plant Anatomy – NS, SM
Tissue organization and cellular details of stems, roots, and leaves of
seed plants, with emphasis on development and function. Includes
laboratory. Prerequisite: 323. J (2)
403 Developmental Biology – NS, SM
The embryonic and larval development of multicellular organisms
(primarily animals). Examples are chosen from popular contemporary
model systems, and the emphasis is on cellular and molecular aspects of
development. The laboratory includes descriptive and quantitative
experiments, as well as student-planned projects. Prerequisite: 323. F S
(4)
407 Molecular Biology – NS, SM
An introduction to molecular biology, emphasizing the central role of
DNA: structure of DNA and RNA, structure and expression of genes,
genome organization and rearrangement, methodology and applications of
recombinant DNA technology. Laboratory features basic recombinant DNA
techniques. Prerequisite: 323. F (4)
411 Histology – NS, SM
Microscopic study of normal cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems
of vertebrates. The emphasis is mammalian. This study is both
structurally and physiologically oriented. Includes laboratory.
Prerequisite: 323. F (4)
424 Ecology – NS
Organisms in relation to their environment, including organismal
adaptations, population growth and interactions, and ecosystem
structure and function. Prerequisite: 323. F (4)
425 Biological Oceanography – NS, SM
The ocean as environment for plant and animal life; an introduction to
the structure, dynamics, and history of marine ecosystems. Lab, field
trips, and term project in addition to lecture. Prerequisite: 323. S
(4)
426 Ecological Methods - NS, SM
An examination of methodology used for discerning structure and
function of natural ecosystems: description of the physical
environment, estimation of population size, quantifying com-munity
structure, and measurement of productivity. Includes an introduction to
general statistical techniques. Writing of scientific papers and a
focus on accessing the scientific literature. Lecture, laboratory, and
field work. Prerequisite: 323 or consent of instructor. S (4)
427 Conservation Biology and Resource Management – NS, SM
Integrated within a framework of conservation biology, a technical
introduction to the principles and policies of forestry, fisheries,
wildlife, and land management. Laboratories include learning techniques
of resource management and identifying common fish, wildlife, and
trees. Essential field trips view resource management and utilization
in action. Prerequisite: 323 or consent of instructor. F (4)
441 Mammalian Physiology – NS, SM
An investigation of the principles of physiological regulation. Part I:
fundamental cellular, neural, and hormonal mechanisms of homeostatic
control; Part II: interactions in the cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal,
and neuromuscular organ systems. Laboratory allows direct observation
of physiological regulation in living animals. Prerequisites: 323, CHEM
120; anatomy and biochemistry recommended. F (4)
448 Immunology – NS
Consideration of the biology and chemistry of immune response,
including theoretical concepts, experimental strategies and
immunochemical applications. Prerequisites: Any two of the following
courses in Biology: 328, 332, 348 or 350, 403, 407, 411, 441. S (4)
475 Evolution – NS
Evolution as a process: sources of variation; forces overcoming genetic
inertia in populations; speciation. Evolution of genetic systems and of
life in relation to ecological theory and earth history. Lecture and
discussion. Term paper and mini-seminar required. Prerequisite: 323. F
(4)
491 Independent Studies
Investigations or research in areas of special interest not covered by
regular courses. Open to qualified junior and senior majors.
Prerequisite: written proposal for the project approved by a faculty
sponsor and the department chair. F S (1–4)
499 Capstone: Senior Seminar – SR
The goal of this course is to assist students in the writing and
presentation of a paper concerning a topic within biology which would
integrate various elements in the major program. A proposal for the
topic must be presented to the department early in the spring term of
the junior year. The seminar may be linked to, but not replaced by,
laboratory independent study or intern-ship experience. F J S (2)