Biology Courses (BIO)
BIO 1000. Seminar in Biology (1). Required of all majors in biology, this course is to be taken within the first year as a biology major at Belmont. The seminar is designed for the new major in biology: to introduce the departmental program of advising and coursework leading to graduation with a major in biology, to present the various university sources of academic support, to serve as a forum for the administration of the Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT), and to explain the requirements of graduate and professional schools and related careers to the study of biology and related sciences. Offered fall only.
BIO 1010. Biological Science (4). A study of the principles of biology and how these principles affect the student. Thematic emphases will be presented in the course title suffix. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. (This course does not count toward a major or minor in biology.) ($50.00 course fee)BIO 1110. Principles of Biology I (4). An introductory study of molecular and cellular biology. Topics include the molecular basis of cellular processes, structure and physiology of cells, molecular and Mendelian genetics, and microevolution. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 1120. Principles of Biology II (4). Prerequisite: BIO 1110. An introductory study of macroevolution, organismal biology and ecology. Topics include the structure and physiology of plants, the structure and physiology of animals, biodiversity, and ecological systems. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 1990-4990. Special Studies (1-3).
BIO 1950-3950. Study Abroad (1-4). Study in another country through an official study abroad program, beginning through advanced level. Individual course titles indicating subject, hours, and location assigned for each unit taken. Courses may count towards major, minor and/or core as determined, in consultation with the program director, by the chair of the department. Repeatable with different topics.
BIO 2110. Medical Terminology (1). A course taught with a programmed text to develop a vocabulary of medical terms. Does not count toward a major or minor in biology.
BIO 2230. Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4). Prerequisite: BIO 1010 or BIO 1110. A study of the cells and tissues as well as the skeletal, muscular, neural, and special sensory systems of the human body. Two hours lecture and 4 hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2240. Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4). Prerequisite: BIO 2230. A study of the endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, and reproductive systems of the human body. Two hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2330. Genetics (3). Prerequisite: BIO 1110 or permission of instructor. A study of the principles of heredity including classical and molecular genetics. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2400. Zoology (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 1110 or BIO 1120. A study of the classification, anatomy, physiology, phylogeny and ecology of the Kingdom Animalia and the animal-like protists. Three hours lecture and Three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2500. Botany (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 1110 or BIO 1120. A taxonomic study of the anatomy, morphology, physiology, phylogeny, and ecology of the Plantae and the plant-like Protista. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 2710-2720. Laboratory and Field Techniques (1-2). Prerequisite: BIO 1110 and 1120, and permission of instructor. An independent research experience with emphasis on learning techniques and skills utilized in the laboratory in preparation for BIO 4700, graduate programs, and/or practical experience. The research experience will be under the supervision of a selected faculty member. Upon completion of the work, a report will be required. The third digit represents the credit for the course. Each of these courses may only be taken once.
BIO 3030. General Ecology (3, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 1110, BIO 1120, BIO 2400 and BIO 2500 or permission of the instructor. A study of the basic principles of ecology and a survey of the major plant and animal communities. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3040. Cancer Biology (3, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 2330. A study of cancer as a model of uncontrolled cell growth. Topics include causes, types, prevention, and treatment of cancer, as well as a thorough examination of cancer cells at the molecular and cellular levels.Three hours lecture per week.
BIO 3120. Basic Microbiology (4). Prerequisite: BIO 1110 and BIO 1120. A study of the morphology, structure, metabolism, genetics and control of microorganisms; disease resistance and the role of microorganisms in the disease process; environmental and applied microbiology. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3140. Immunology ( 3, alternate years ). Prerequisite: BIO 2330. An introduction to the principles of immunology and the mechanisms of the immune response.
BIO 3160. General Physiology (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: CEM 3310, Co requisites CEM 3320. The study of the functions of cells, tissues, and organs of living organisms. Both plant and animal physiology will be covered with major emphasis placed on animal physiology. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3200. Parasitology (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 1110, BIO 1120 and BIO 2400. An introduction to the morphology, physiology, ecology and taxonomy of the major parasites of man and domestic animals. Through lecture and laboratory experiences with slide-mounted and living specimens, students will become familiar with the life cycles of selected parasites, the drugs of choice in treating parasitic diseases and diagnostic procedures. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3250. Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: BIO 1110, BIO 1120 and BIO 2400. A survey of vertebrates and comparative study of organ systems. Dissection of amphioxus, lamprey, dogfish shark, and cat constitute laboratory work. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3700. Biological Research I (1). Prerequisites: Sixteen hours biology and CEM 1610 and CEM 1620. Discussion of biological research including project design and literature review.
BIO 3800. Molecular Biology (4, alternate years). Prerequisites: BIO 1110, BIO 1120, BIO 2330, and CEM 3310. This course emphasizes the chemistry of molecules important in cellular processes of the transmission of genetic information. Particularly important is its emphasis on laboratory techniques and the interpretation of published literature in the field of molecular genetics. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 3850. Cellular Biology (4, alternate years). Prerequisites: CEM 3310, BIO 1110 or permission of the instructor. This course will cover the cellular aspects of biology, including processes common to all cells as well as processes specific to certain cell types. Laboratory experimentation and the presentation of data will be emphasized. Interpretation of published literature in cell biology will also be stressed. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 4010. Transmission Electron Microscopy (4). Prerequisites: Junior Status and BIO 1110, BIO 1120, BIO 2400, BIO 2500. Techniques of electron microscopy as applied to cells and tissues. One lecture and two three-hour laboratory periods per week. ($60.00 course fee)
BIO 4250. General Embryology (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: Junior Status and BIO 1110, BIO 1120 and BIO 2400. A study of the comparative embryology of the vertebrates. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 4300. Molecular Basis of Development (3). Prerequisite: BIO 1110, BIO 2330, BIO 3800 and BIO 3850. An examination of the molecular and cellular processes underlying the embryonic development of organisms. The course will cover plants and invertebrate animals. The laboratory will include biochemical, genetic, and cellular investigations of cell cleavage, embryogenesis, and organogenesis. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee). Cross listed with BMB 4300.
BIO 4440. Histology (4, alternate years). Prerequisite: Junior Status and BIO 1110, BIO 1120 and BIO 2400. A study of the microscopic anatomy of vertebrate cells, tissues and organs. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 4500. Neurobiology (3). Prerequisites: Junior Status and BIO 1110, BIO 2330, and BIO 3160 or BIO 2230. An examination of the structure and function of the nervous system. The effects of molecular approaches to neuroscience and their impacts on the understanding of sensory, motor, and cognitive functions of both simple and more complex systems will be addressed. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. ($50.00 course fee)
BIO 4700. Biological Research II (3). Prerequisite: BIO 3700. Completion of an independent laboratory or field research project under the supervision of a selected faculty member. A poster of the student's work must be presented at the School of Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium (SURS). ($50.00 course fee)
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (R – Undergraduate Research).
BIO 4710. Senior Seminar (1). Prerequisite: BIO 4700. The student will write and present a research paper based on research done in BIO 4700 at the Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium and take the MFAT in Biology.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (R – Undergraduate Research).
BIO 4980. Internship in Biology (3). Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair. A cooperative education assignment in which the student is placed with a participating business organization for a semester. The student must apply one semester prior to the anticipated work period. The student must have at least a 2.5 GPA to be eligible. The student's program of study may be extended for an additional semester. (May be repeated once; however, only 3 hours may be used as biology electives).
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica).
In addition to the preceding courses offered on campus, Belmont students have the unique opportunity to take courses at the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS). Credit for courses taken at IMS will be automatically transferred to Belmont. Permission to enroll in these courses must be obtained from the Chairperson, Department of Biology, Belmont University.
The Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) is located at Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and offers courses that are oriented toward the marine environment. Typical course offerings include:
IMS-MAR-300. Marine Science I: Oceanography. Prerequisites: MTH 1110 (or equivalent), BIO 1110, BIO 1120, CEM 1610.
IMS-MAR-301. Marine Science II: Marine Biology . Prerequisites: BIO 1110, BIO 1120.
IMS-MAR-403. Marine Invertebrate Zoology. Prerequisites: 12 semester hours of BIO including BIO 2400, Zoology and BIO 2500 Botany.
IMS-MAR-404. Parasites of Marine Animals. Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-405. Marine Ecology. Prerequisites: 12 semester hours of BIO including BIO 2400, Zoology and BIO 2500 Botany.
IMS-MAR-406. Fauna/Faunistic Ecology Tide Marshes . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-407. Principles of Marine Aquaculture . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-408. Marine Ichthyology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-409. Marine Microbiology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-410. Marine Fisheries Management . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-420. Marine Phycology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-421. Coastal Vegetation . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-422. Salt Marsh Plant Ecology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-423. Marine Mammals . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-430. Comparative Histology of Marine Organisms . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-441. Marine Chemistry . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-443. Environmental Estuanine Chemistry . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-457. Marine Science for Teachers . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-458. Marine Science for Elementary Teachers . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-459. Coastal Ecology for Teachers . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-482. Coastal Marine Geology . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
IMS-MAR-490. Aquarium Management . Prerequisites: consent of Instructor.
The Department of Education has approved the following courses for education credit: IMS-MAR 457, and IMS-MAR 458.
Contact the Biology Department, Belmont University, for additional information on courses at the Institute of Marine Sciences.
