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Biology

Biology

Courses

BI 100N: Biodiversity: Botany
This course is devoted to the understanding of the origins of life and the evolution and diversification of the living groups of plants.

BI 101N: Biodiversity: Zoology
This course is devoted to the understanding of the origins of animal life and the evolution and diversification of invertebrate and vertebrate groups.

BI 111N: Ecology and Evolution
Introduction to the basic concepts of ecology and evolution and how they relate to the diversity, structure, and function of life on earth.

BI 112N: Cells and Genes
Introduction to the primary concepts of cell biology and the fundamentals of genetics as they relate to the diversity, structure, and function of organisms.

BI 200: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Classification, evolutionary history, structure, neo-Darwinian evolution and evolutionary features as seen in anatomy of aquatic and terrestrial chordates.

BI 202: Cell Biology
Structure, function and the flow of energy as the unifying principle linking photosynthesis, anaerobic, aerobic respiration and expenditure of energy by the cell. Corequisite: CH 121N and Sophomore standing.

BI 204: Microbiology
Biology of microorganisms; microbiological techniques, isolation and identification of unknown organisms. Prerequisite: BI 112N or BI 202.

BI 207N: Medical Ethics
Are you state property? Explore the subtleties of decisions made by you and about you in the biomedical world. Topics to be covered include pharmaceutical development, human experimentation, medical crises, and individual case studies.

BI 211: Cellular Processes
Non-laboratory course focused on cellular organization and function, including biological molecules, cellular respiration, mitosis, cytoskeleton, cell signaling, and fundamentals of genetics. Intended for Marine Science students. Prerequisites: MS 101N and MS 102N.

BI 212: Genetics and Molecular Biology
Mendelian and transcription genetics from historical perpective. Experimental approach emphasized. Small lab groups participate in experimental design, and develop research skills in both classical genetic systems and molecular biology. Prerequisites: CH 121 and BI 112N or BI 211 with a grade of C- or better. Corequisite: CH 122.

BI 214: Animal Nutrition
Aspects of nutrition for domestic animals including dogs, cats, cattle, horses. Fundamentals of nutrition including vitamins and energetics. Also digestive anatomy and history of nutrition. Prerequisites: BI 202 and either Bi 101N or BI 200.

BI 220: Field Entomology
Introduction to the life history, ecology, behavior, and evolution of insects. This field-based course will also focus on collection and identification techniques. Students will develop a permanent insect collection. Prerequisites: BI 101N and sophomore standing.

BI 301: Principles of Ecology
Physical, chemical and biological relationships in natural communities. Field work in nearby ponds and Gulf shoreline. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. Prerequisite: BI 212 or BI 303.

BI 308: General and Molecular Physiology
Mammalian nervous, endocrine, muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, immune, reproductive systems. Macro and molecular aspects. Prerequisites: BI 202 and CH 122.

BI 314: Comp Physiology: Investigative
Physiological mechanisms of animals and general principles revealed through application of comparative methods. Creative project lab to develop research skills. Prerequisites: BI 202, CH 122, and Junior or Senior standing.

BI 351: Plant Ecology
Relationship of plants with their biological, physical, and chemical environments. Includes understanding the coexistence of plants in communities, landscape dynamics, productivity, environmental stresses, and principles of restoration exology. Prerequisite: BI212

BI 352: Animal Behavioral Ecology
Application of ecological principles to the study of animal behavior. Field course in local terrestrial and marine environments. Prerequisites: Junior standing and (MS 102N and BI 211) or (BI 111N and BI 112N).

BI 362: Biology of Amphibians & Reptil
Fundamental concepts in ecology through the study of amphibians and reptiles. Meets ecology requirement for biology, marine science and environmental studies majors. Prerequisite: BI 101N, BI 200, or BI 222.

BI 371: Conservation Biology
Examine problems such as species decline and endangerment, invasion by non-native species, habitat destruction and fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, and potential solutions, such as endangered species management, habitat restoration, ecosystem management. Prerequisite: (ES 270N or BI 100N or BI 111N or MS 102N) and any statistics course.

BI 372: Parasitology
An ecological and evolutionary approach to parasitism. A broad survey of parasites of humans and animals, with emphasis on parasite life cycles and anatomy. Genetic, immunological, pathological and economic aspects of parasite-host relationships. Prerequisites: BI 303 or permission of instructor.

BI 373: Restoration Ecology
Focuses on understanding how natural processes recover from a variety of disturbances. Study of practices for restoring ecosystems. A multi-scale approach will be used with distinct emphasis on coastal wetlands. Prerequisites: (MS 288 or BI 100N or BI 111N) and (MS 289 or BI 101N or BI 112N or ES 270N).

BI 397: Neuroscience
This course covers topics in neuroscience: whole body--basics of the central and peripheral nervous systems and molecular level--neurotransmission and biochemical regulation. Neurological function and dysfunction will also be considered. Prerequisite: BI 202.

BI 406: Advanced Topics in Botany
Subjects investigated determined by student interest. Prerequisite: MS 288.

BI1 410: Biology Junior Seminar
Exploration of current biology research topics, biology internship opportunities. and strategies for gaining internships. BI1 410 Biology Junior Seminar and BI2 410 Biology Senior Seminar are required for one course credit. Required for both BA and BS programs. Juniors only. Prerequisite: BI 303.

BI2 410: Biology Senior Seminar
Student presentation and discussion of current research papers in biology. Both BI1 410 Biology Junior Seminar and BI2 Biology Senior Seminar are required for one course credit. Required for both BA and BS programs. Seniors only.

BI 412: Receptor Pharmacology
Investigate major classes of therapeutic drugs, cell surface receptors, and intracellular signaling pathways. Explore rationales and mechanisms underlying clinical pharmacotherapy for a variety of human diseases. Prerequisites: BI 112 and (BI 202 or BI 211) and (BI 212 or BI 303) and CH 122.

BI 420: Advanced Ecology and Evolution
Read and evaluate scientific literature and conduct a semester-long independent field research project on selected topic. Prerequisites: B or better in BI 301.

BI 422: Advanced Topics in Genetics
Selected topics from contemporary areas of genetics. Gene regulation in embryological development, oncogenes, immunogenetics, genetic engineering, human genetics. Biological and social implications. Prerequisite: BI 303 or BI 305.

BI 424: Developmental Biology
Molecular and morphological mechanisms underlying the development of body plans and organ systems in the embryos of marine and terrestrial species. Current scientific literature, modern experimental techniques, independent laboratory research projects. Prerequisites: BI 202 and BI 303 and instructor's permission.

BI 430: Independent Research: Biology
For students interested in pursuing careers in biology, intensive instruction in use of laboratory and/or field equipment. Various methodology approaches, current and historical, used in scientific investigation. Prerequisites: CH 222, BI 202, 303, and instructor's permission.

BI 498: Integrating Biology
A comprehensive review and integration of topics in biology through faculty-led and student-led discussion. Students will be evaluated on participation and periodic evaluations including at least one standardized exam (the major fields test).

BI 499: Independent Research - Thesis
Upon invitation, Seniors may design and carry out a creative research program, usually resulting in a written dissertation which is defended in the spring of the senior year.

Life After Eckerd

Approximately two-thirds of Eckerd Biology graduates have continued with postgraduate study at many of the most prestigious medical and graduate schools in the nation. Eckerd College has been ranked near the top of all U.S. colleges and universities in terms of the percentage of its alumni who have gone on to earn Ph.D. degrees and Eckerd students have scored in the highest percentiles of the GRE and MCAT exams.

The James Center

Center for Molecular and Life Sciences

Equipped with the latest in eco-conscious innovations, educational technology and scientific instrumentation, the James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences will advance our efforts to prepare tomorrow’s leaders in the sciences, and will quickly become the hub of the Natural Sciences at Eckerd College. Discover the James Center.