BIO

Group A (choose one): 4 credit hours

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Four hours lecture each week In this survey of human impact on the environment, students will study how the earth functions as an ecosystem, transferring energy and recycling nutrients. A study of populations, communities and biomes illustrates the biodiversity of life on earth. An understanding of human population dynamics lays the foundation for information about human impact on the environment, including pollution, ozone depletion, greenhouse and carcinogenic toxins such as synthetic organic chemicals. The limits to earth’s ability to support human life and modern society are examined, including a discussion of global food production, renewable and nonrenewable resources, and ethical, political, and economic considerations. A project-based immersive experience will be a component of the course. Offered fall.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Three hours lecture and three hours lab each week All life depends on plants, organisms that represent the essential first step in transferring the sun’s energy to Earth’s food webs. Botany studies the plant kingdom, including its descent from green algae ancestors. This course explores the relationship among various groups of plants (phylogeny), how they are named and categorized (taxonomy), the biodiversity of non-vascular and vascular plants, their structure and function (photosynthesis, respiration, anatomy, histology, nutrition, physiology), and their interrelationships with other organisms (ecology, symbiosis, economic botany). The laboratory component of this course may include local field trips. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

“C” or better in BIO 101

A course whose content may vary from term to term according to the needs of the academic department, student demand, or the interests of the faculty member.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Three hours lecture and three hours lab each week This course will emphasize the comparative approach to the study of vertebrate animals, contrasting living species to their extinct ancestors, and tracing the similarities among organisms to show their common lineage. Lecture topics will include the classification, natural history, comparative anatomy, physiology, ecology and behavior of animals within each vertebrate class. Laboratories will supplement lecture topics through microscope work, dissections, anatomical models, and field collections. Offered fall of even-numbered years. 54 | 2026-27 William Peace University Academic Catalog

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

“C” or better in BIO 101

Three hours lecture and three hours lab each week This course is designed to give an overview of the diversity of life forms representing all the major invertebrate phyla. The course will cover the anatomy, physiology, classification, ecology, and behavior of invertebrate organisms with special emphasis on evolutionary common ground among the major groups. It will include the importance of both beneficial and detrimental invertebrates in ecology and modern living and the relationship between the invertebrates and many advances in molecular biology. In the laboratory, students will study microscope slides, anatomical models, preserved specimens and dissections of representative animals. Offered spring of even-numbered years.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

“C” or better in BIO 101

Three hours lecture and three hours lab each week Ecology focuses on the relationships among living organisms and their physical and chemical environment in addition to providing an overview of the major biomes of the world. This course utilizes scientific methodology to understand how different organisms grow and adapt to changing climatic and environmental situations. The application of ecological principles to local environments is emphasized, and contemporary ecological environmental issues are discussed. Students get hands-on training in collection and analysis of ecological data through laboratory experiments and local field trips. Offered fall.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

“C” or better in BIO 101

Environmental Studies Minor Electives 1. Biodiversity/Science Elective (choose 1 course)

Subject

BIO

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Chemistry:

Subject

BIO

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Three hours lecture and three hours lab each week This course covers the essentials of human histology, structure, and function. The human body is studied from the cellular perspective to the gross anatomical 55 | 2026-27 William Peace University Academic Catalog

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

“C” or better in BIO 101

Three hours lecture and three hours lab each week This class builds on the basic concepts from BIO 380 and offers advanced concepts of human physiology. It is designed for biology majors and pre-professional students interested in allied health careers. It covers detailed physiological mechanisms on the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. Emphasis is placed on the integrated relationship of cells and organs while incorporating diseases and clinical topics. The laboratory is exclusively geared toward physiology with computer-based and hands-on clinical experiments, which examine body function through measurements of muscle contraction, blood chemistry, heart and renal function, lung capacity, and various other parameters. Offered spring.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

“C” or better in BIO 380

Two hours lab each week This medical-based lab-only course concentrates on the characteristics, composition, and functions of adult and embryological human tissues and organs. In addition, students will differentiate between healthy and pathological samples. The sources of study will be prepared slides and computer imagery. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

“C” or better in BIO 380

A course of study addressing a specific topic or problem of interest to a student, designed collaboratively by the student and faculty member(s), and resulting in a paper, report, presentation, or other assessable evidence of value added to the student’s educational experience. A contract of expectations by the student and by the supervising faculty member(s) must be approved by the advisor and the Vice President for Academic Affairs prior to registration. No more than eight (8) semester hours toward the baccalaureate degree can consist of directed study credit. 58 | 2026-27 William Peace University Academic Catalog

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

Junior or senior status

Four hours lecture each week Ethology strives to use evolutionary principles as a foundation for exposing students to conceptual, theoretical, and empirical approaches to animal behavior. Topics include methodology and techniques used by behavioral scientists in research; behavioral ecology as it relates to social and environmental processes; the evolution of behavior patterns and social processes; and the neurophysiology and endocrinology controlling behavioral patterns. Assigned readings from the scientific literature and inquiry-based activities and assignments will be used to explore these topics. Offered spring of odd- numbered years.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

“C” or better in BIO 101 and one other advanced Biology course

Four hours lecture each week (one weekend field trip) Major/Minor; “C” or better in BIO 101; completion of at least three other biology courses Evolutionary Biology is the study of evolution by means of natural selection. Topics covered include origin of cosmos and prebiotic evolution, types of selection, population genetics, isolating mechanisms and speciation, evolution of sex, modes of reproduction, 56 | 2026-27 William Peace University Academic Catalog

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

senior standing in the Biology Major/Minor or Environmental Studies

Three hours lecture and three hours lab each week Cell Biology focuses on the structure and function of cells. It examines the molecular processes that are fundamental to life, including molecular genetics, metabolism, cell signaling, cell division, and differentiation. Laboratory experiments illustrate the techniques that are currently used to study cells and include staining, cell fractionation, immunological detection methods, and DNA/protein gel electrophoresis. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

“C” or better in BIO 101, CHE 111, and CHE 112

Three hours lecture and three hours lab each week Prerequisite; “C” or better in BIO 101, CHE 111, and CHE 112 Genetics is the study of genes and how the information that they encode specifies phenotypes. A review of classical Mendelian genetics and cytogenetics lay the foundation for exploring chromosome structure, molecular biology, recombinant DNA techniques, and population genetics. In the laboratory, these concepts are reinforced through activities such as DNA isolation and manipulation, PCR, DNA electrophoresis, Mendelian inheritance problem-solving, and population genetics studies. Offered fall of even-numbered years.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

member; both major and cumulative GPA at least 3.0 The student, with the assistance of a faculty sponsor, will plan and conduct a small research project following standard scientific methods. Interested students should approach a desired sponsor among the biology faculty with a proposal for a research project. Enrollment will be limited, and students will be selected based on GPA, interest in the topic, and potential for successful completion of the project. This course is the prerequisite to BIO 499 Independent Research in Biology II. BIO 498 and BIO 499 must be completed to satisfy the required pre-professional experience in the Peace Core curriculum and can fulfill the PDS 490 level internship requirement. Requires at least 80 hours of work during the semester. Offered fall semester.

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

Junior or senior standing and permission of the sponsoring faculty

faculty member; major and cumulative GPA at least 3.0 Students will process the data collected in BIO 498, which will culminate in an oral and written presentation on the research project. BIO 498 and BIO 499 must be completed to satisfy the pre-professional requirement in the Peace Core curriculum and can fulfill the PDS 490 internship requirement. Requires at least 80 hours of work during the semester. Offered spring semester. 57 | 2026-27 William Peace University Academic Catalog

Subject

BIO

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Credit unit

credit hours

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

peace.edu

Prerequisite

BIO 498 and junior or senior standing and permission of the sponsoring