65 courses with the subject BI, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
BI 001Non-Credit Biology Internship Provides students an overview of an organization as well as
providing an opportunity for practical application of the skill developed in students' area of concentration. Note: see the chapter "Special Programs" under Internships; listed as Intern ship:(Title); must be 6 weeks long. Prerequisite: permission.
BI 101General Biology I General Biology I, the first course in the Biology POE core, is structured4
around five story modules that cover core concepts in biology, including photosynthesis, horizontal gene transfer, metabolism, muscle function, transcription, translation, signaling, sexual development, environmental toxicology, and epidemiology. Class discussion will explore the role of science in shaping current societal views. Pre-Requisite or Co-Requisite: FYC-101 (WK-SP)
BI 118Human Anatomy & Physiology I Human Anatomy & Physiology I is the first of a two-course4
sequence that will explore the human body from the simplest level of atoms to the most complex level as an organism. It is primarily designed for Exercise Science and Kinesiology students, as well as students pursuing majors in Health Sciences. Students will learn about some of the major organ systems (i.e., skeletal, muscular), which will be supported by laboratory experiences.
BI 119Human Anatomy & Physiology II This is the second of a two-course sequence that will4
continue exploring the human organism. It is primarily designed for Exercise Science and Kinesiology students, as well as students pursuing Health Sciences. Students will learn about some of the major organ systems (i.e., cardiovascular, respiratory) not covered in A&P I. Prerequisite: BI-118 or ESK-105.
BI 159Natural History of Florida This course examines the diverse, unique ecosystems of1
Florida. A combination of lectures and discussions are supplemented by a week-long trip to Florida. We will explore Florida's ecosystems through first-hand experiences.
BI 190Human Biology Course is a non-majors approach to the basic chemistry and biology of the3
human body, as well as how humans fit into society and environment. Emphasis will be on applying scientific process to current health topics. (N, WK-SP, CTGES)
BI 209Cell & Molecular Biology We will undertake a comprehensive introduction to the3
fundamental concepts of cell and molecular biology. We will explore the structure and function of cells, the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular processes, and the interactions between cells in multicellular organisms through a combination of lectures, activities, and discussions. Prerequisites: BI-101 and BI-102.
BI 216Remote Field Course I Join us in learning about the U.S. Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona2
Utah, and Colorado) and plan on visiting the sites discussed in class and examining the impact on the indigenous people. The course uses an interdisciplinary approach. The RFC seminar course (BI-216) is scheduled during the spring semester and is paired with BI-217 during the summer term, during which students and instructors travel to the various locations studied during the seminar. Students must take both courses to fulfill the U.S. Experience general education requirement. The total fee for the experience is split between the two courses, with half on the spring semester billing and the other half on the summer term billing. Prerequisite or corequisite: FYC-101. (SW-US)
BI 217Remote Field Course II Join us in learning about the U.S. Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona2
Utah, and Colorado) and plan on visiting the sites discussed in class and examining the impact on the indigenous people. The course uses an interdisciplinary approach. The RFC seminar course (BI-216) is scheduled during the spring semester and is paired with BI-217 during the summer term, during which students and instructors travel to the various locations studied during the seminar. Students must take both courses to fulfill the U.S. Experience general education requirement. The total fee for the experience is split between the two courses, with half on the spring semester billing and the other half on the summer term billing. Prerequisite: BI-216. (SW-US)
BI 289Frontiers of Biology Seminar series required in all Biology POEs in the sophomore year1
consisting of research seminars given by invited speakers and members of the department, both faculty and students. Descriptions of independent research, internship and study abroad opportunities as well as reports by students and faculty on experiences in these programs will be presented.
BI 290Nutrition This course covers basic principles and facts about nutrition, explores the role of3
nutrition in human health, and considers a range of societal and political issues surrounding food and nutrition in the U.S. and abroad. Prerequisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109. (N, WK-SP)
BI 300General Ecology Examines the interactions of living organisms with their physical3
chemical, and biotic environments. Special attention is given to the environmental, biological, and historical factors affecting the distribution, abundance, adaptation, and diversity of species in natural communities.
BI 301General Ecology Lab Students work together as research teams to carry out original1
investigations on the ecology of local species and natural communities. Emphasis on ecological research design, data collection and analysis, and oral and written presentation of results. Field trips are included.
BI 305Biostatistics This course deals centrally with quantitative and statistical methodology in4
the biological sciences. It includes experimental design and the conventions of generating, analyzing, interpreting and presenting biological data. Counts as a math course for graduate and professional school requirements. Prerequisites: BI-102 or BI-106 or ESS-100. (N, QS, CTGES)
BI 310Physiology A combined laboratory and lecture course which examines the function of4
cells, tissues, organs, and systems. Physical, Mathematical, chemical, and anatomical concepts are integrated to gain a comprehensive appreciation of the dynamics of living organisms. Students are introduced to the use of physiological instrumentation, experimental design, collection and statistical analysis of data, and preparation of scientific manuscripts. Laboratory experiments amplify and complement the lectures. Pre-Reqs: BI-102 or BI-106; CH-232 or CH-242. (N)
BI 312Altered Ecosystems This course explores the ecological implications of abrupt natural and4
anthropogenic changes to ecosystems. A major focus will be on how ecosystems respond to these changes over time. Topics covered in this course will include concepts in classical ecology, ecosystem ecology, as well as contemporary theories on restoration ecology. Focus on local altered ecosystem case studies will aid to reinforce principles of ecosystem ecology and field trips to local sites will be used for student projects.
BI 314Talk Nerdy to Me Talk Nerdy To Me is a course designed for anyone interested in more3
effectively communicating scientific ideas to non-specialists. Students will write short popular science articles, illustrate comics, create video explanations, and refine oral presentation skills to present recent research advances or their own research data. All student output will be produced for public consumption and outreach online and in public formats. There will be a strong emphasis on peer evaluation and review.
BI 315Grant Writing for STEM This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and3
practices of effective grant writing. Through a blend of lectures, workshops, and peer-review sessions, students will learn how to develop compelling research proposals, effectively communicate their research ideas, and navigate the grant submission and review process. Prerequisite or corequisite: FYC-101. Also requires junior or senior standing. (WK-FR)
BI 316Advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology A comprehensive approach to the study of3
cells, with emphasis on molecular techniques and understanding the primary literature. Analysis of the cell at the molecular level emphasizes a unity in the principles by which cells function. Prerequisite: CH-312 or
BI 317Principles of Genetics This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles3
and mechanisms underlying heritability and genetic variation. Students will explore Mendelian genetics, DNA structure and replication, gene expression, and the role of genetics in evolution, medicine, and society. This will be done through a combination of lectures, discussion, and recitation. Prerequisites: BI-101 and BI-102.
BI 318Developmental Biology This course offers comprehensive investigation of the concepts3
and mechanisms of development, including ganetogenesis, fertilization, pattern formation and organogenesis. The course examines classical and molecular approaches examining problems of development. Students are expected to present research from current literature in the field. Prerequisite: BI- 102. (N)
BI 324Ornithology This course provides a comprehensive survey of the comparative biology3
ecology, and behavior of birds with a special focus on issues pertaining to conservation and management. Laboratory activities focus on field identification of birds and research and monitoring techniques. Several field trips are possible. Prerequisite: BI-101 or BI-105. (N)
BI 325Plant Ecology Primarily an ecology course, but also included is a significant amount of3
plant identification and/classification and plant epochology. The ecology portion will cover the whole spectrum of this fast-growing field; from communities and ecosystems to theory and adaptation.
BI-326. Prerequisites: BI-101 or BI-105 and Junior or Senior standing. (N)
BI 326Plant Ecology Lab The first 10 weeks are devoted to laboratory work on the identification of1
the local entophyte flora. Students are required to make a personal collection representing a minimum of 8 families and are expected to become proficient in using a scientific manual. During the 5th and 6th week there is a mandatory all day field trip to collect forest data. An extensive paper on forest succession will be due by semester's end. Corequisite: BI-325. Prerequisite: BI-101 or BI-105. (N)
BI 327Botany This course will provide an in-depth examination of the biology of plants. In lecture4
and lab we will examine plant reproduction and development, morphology and physiology, evolution and biodiversity, and ecology and conservation. Particular attention will be paid to the aspects of plant biology that are unique to this branch of life and/or are of critical importance to human or other biotic interactions (e.g. photosynthesis, pollination, agriculture, etc.). Prerequisite: BI-101 or BI-105. (N)
BI 333Plant Diversity This course explores the diversity of plants through the scientific field of4
plant systematics, and through the practice of plant taxonomy: the description, identification, naming, and classification of plants. We will focus our attention on studying and identifying the regional flora as well as the major vascular plant families. This will be done through a combination of field and literature study.
BI 339Organic Evolution Presents the theory and facts of organic evolution through a review of3
modern and historical research on the subject. Major topics include population genetics, adaptations, evolutionary ecology, systematics, the fossil record, molecular evolution, ontogeny and phylogeny, macroevolution, co-evolution, human evolution, and sociobiology. Prerequisite: BI-101 or BI-105. (N)
BI 340Medical Microbiology A lecture and lab course focusing on the biology of microorganisms4
and microbial interactions with humans. Foundational concepts of microbial cell structure, diversity, metabolism, genetics and impacts on humans are discussed along with medical, biotechnical, and environmental aspects of microbiology. Lab provides hands-on experiences with microbiological techniques and handling microorganisms safely and aseptically. Note: A special fee is assessed. Prerequisite: BI-102 or BI-106, and CH-144. (N)
BI 344Winter Dendrology We will explore the woody plants of Central Pennsylvania with an eye4
towards species identification and forest ecology. In addition to identification, we will spend time trying to understand morphological variation and its causes, the causes and consequences of species global and local distribution patterns, as well as species life-history traits and their roles in forest community ecology.
BI 361Vertebrate Zoology Lab Frequent field trips, for observation and specimen collection are2
followed by exercises in identification, specimen preparation, and museum techniques to illustrate and augment the concepts and content of the lecture. Corequisite: BI-360. (N)
BI 362Animal Behavior Behavior is a result of the nervous system interacting with the4
environment. Animal Behavior will explore the proximate and ultimate causes of behavior. Special attention will be paid to the role and function of the nervous system in behavior as well as the interplay between genetics and the environment. The lab portion of the course is a co-requisite and will explore basic experimental design for studying animal behavior in the lab and in the field. Pre-Req: BI-101 or BI-105. (N)
BI 367Comparative Anatomy A study of the structural organization of the human body organized3
around the major body systems with an emphasis on structure function relationships. To gain deeper understanding of structure function relationships, we will study human anatomy in relation to our position within the vertebrate lineage, comparing human anatomical features with those of other vertebrates.
BI-101 or BI-105 and BI-102 or BI-106. Corequisite: BI-368. (N)
BI 368Comp Anatomy Laboratory Provides additional content to support the lecture using1
human models, online resources and dissection of selected representative vertebrates with an emphasis on amniote, mammalian and human anatomy. Note: A special fee is assessed. Corequisite: BI367. (N)
BI 380Biology Research Methods Offered by faculty members in the Biology department for2-4
students interested in learning to conduct meaningful and responsible research. Students enroll in a section aligned with their research interest to generate novel data, while mastering the important components of research common to each of the diverse areas of Biology. Prerequisite: BI-101. Requires sophomore, junior, or senior standing. (N, CW, CTGES)
BI 384Experiential Ecology This course will gain students real-world hands-on experience in the4
ecological disciplines, while helping them make connections with both government, non-profit, and private organizations in the environmental field. This course will be comprised of lectures, reflective essays, exams, and field experiences that will include a community outreach project aimed to improve water quality in the
BI 389Biology Research Seminar Lectures, discussions and student exercises covering such1
topics as ethics in research, writing effective research proposals and the effective written and oral communication of research results. Professional research and educational societies, government and private funding of research in the United States and other countries and career opportunities will also be discussed. Prerequisites: BI289. Corequisites: BI489. Graded S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).
BI 399Special Topics Offered at the discretion of the department to qualified students. Topic1-4
titles may vary from semester to semester and more than one may be offered per semester. Note: Students may take each ST course for credit. Requisites vary depending on topic.
BI 400Environmental Genomics This course will utilize Microbial Community Analysis leveraging4
high-throughput sequencing technology to identify the microbes present in naturally occurring or human- made ecosystems. Students will learn both molecular and bioinformatics skill sets, as well as microbial ecology principles throughout this course. Pre-Reqs: BI-102 or BI-106, CH-144, CH-145. (N)
BI 405Bioinformatics Fundamentals Bioinformatics is the science of collecting and analyzing4
complex biological data. It is an interdisciplinary field that develops and applies methods and software tools for understanding biological data. Prerequisites: BI-101 or BI-105, BI-102 or BI-121, CH-142, CH-143, CH- 144, and CH-145. (N, CTGES)
BI 432Environmental Toxicology Broadly integrative in nature, this class compounds in3
environmental systems and focuses on the potential for deleterious consequences in wildlife species and humans. Examines aspects of chemistry, cell biology, and ecology in considering environmental contamination. Instruction includes lectures and student presentations/writing exercises. Prerequisites: Take 2 courses from BI-101 or BI-105 or CH-142 or ESS-100, or have permission from the instructor. (N)
BI 437Molecular Ecology Molecular ecology delves into the interface of molecular biology and3
ecology, focusing on the application of molecular techniques to address ecological questions. Students will explore the genetic processes that underlie ecological phenomena and will learn how molecular tools can inform our understanding of speciation, adaptation, behavior, and conservation. Prerequisite: BI-101.
BI 450Neurobiology Neurobiology is a lecture course that addresses concepts ranging from the3
molecular biology of ion channels to signal integration and behavior. This course is experimentally based and will focus on the biophysics, chemistry, and mechanisms of signal production and integration in the nervous system. Particular attention will be paid to sensory systems and memory consolidation. In addition to lecture exams, students will gain valuable experience in scientific writing through the preparation of a review paper on a neurobiological topic of their choosing. Pre-Req: Take one of the following courses: BI-101 or BI-105 or CH-142 or PY-101 or PC-200 or PC-202 or PC-204. (N)
BI 461The Art & Science of Brewing This course examines all aspects of brewing, integrating4
science, technology, and history while considering all steps of the brewing process including, barley and malting, yeast biology, brewing herbs, mashing, fermentation, conditioning and beer styles. Additionally, students consider the creative artistry of brewing. NOTE: Students must be 21 years of age by the course start date. Pre- or Co-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109. (N, WK-CE)
BI 469Genomics Genomics is an exciting and ever advancing field. Through a mixture of3
traditional lectures, primary literature readings, and invited seminar speakers, students will learn about both the theoretical and practical applications of genomics within biology and across other scientific fields.
BI 471Applied Bioinformatics This interactive course is tailored to provide students with the3
essential computational tools to analyze large biological datasets and extract meaningful results using a novel biological dataset. Students will also learn to write a scientific manuscript that will be prepared for publication by the end of the course. Prerequisites: BI-101, BI-102, and BI-469.
BI 472Biotechnology This course provides an in-depth exploration of the principles, techniques3
and applications of biotechnology. Students will explore the fundamental concepts of molecular biology and the real-world impact and ethical considerations of biotechnology in various fields, including healthcare, agriculture, and the environment. Students will interface with professionals in the field and work toward professional development for the biotech industry.
BI 481Medical Genomics Research Methods This class will provide training in advanced4
statistical and/or informatics tools. Bioinformatics skills will be related to variant characterization and/or comparison of eukaryotic genomes and populations. The research project will involve working on medical research problems affecting marginalized Amish and Mennonite populations. Pre-Req: BI-305 or BI-400 or BI- 460 or permission of instructor. (N)
BI 499Senior Thesis This course is the culmination of an individual research project initiated in BI3
489. Students will complete their projects by writing a paper describing their research. These papers will be of significant length and contain full documentation of the student's original research. The thesis will be presented orally to faculty and students. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. (N, CW) BI-INS Independent Study (1-6 credits) See catalog. BI-TUT Biology Teaching Assistant (1-4 credits) CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (CEE)