University of Nebraska at Kearney
College of Natural and Social Sciences

1994-96 UNK Undergraduate Catalog

Department of Biology

Courses (BIOL)

103GS. General Biology - 4 hours

A study of basic biological principles. A laboratory each week. Offered Fall and Spring.

104GS. General Botany - 4 hours

Prerequisite: Two years of high school Biology, 70th percentile in SAT or ACT, or permission of chairman. Plant groups, their structure, relationships, economic importance and natural history. A laboratory each week. Offered Fall and Spring.

107GS. General Zoology - 4 hours

Prerequisite: Two years of high school biology, 70th percentile in SAT or ACT, or permission of chairman. Animal groups, their structure, relationships, economic importance and natural history. A laboratory each week. Offered Fall and Spring.

109GS. Plants and Animals and their Environment - 4 hours

Acquaints students with common plants and animals of Nebraska, their natural history and interactions with each other and the environment. A laboratory science course. Credit not to be applied to the Biology major or endorsement. Offered Fall and Spring.

209.02. Opportunities in Biology - 1 hour

A review of job opportunities in Biology and closely related areas. Credit not to be applied to Biology major or endorsement. Fall only.

209.03. Food Fads and Myths - 1 hour

A discussion of the eating habits of historical and modern man viewed from the context of studies of digestive physiology and nutritional requirements. Credit not to be applied to Biology major or endorsement. Offered on demand only.

209.04. You and Parasites - 1 hour

A discussion of parasites found upon and within people. Credit not to be applied to Biology major or endorsement. Offered on demand only.

211GS. Human Microbiology - 4 hours

Prerequisite: A college Biology course or permission of chairman. Not appropriate for freshmen students. Basic microbiology and immunology with emphasis on health-related topics. Laboratory practice in microbiological techniques. Two hours of laboratory each week. Offered Fall and Spring.

215GS. Human Physiology - 4 hours

Prerequisite: At least one science course after high school biology or permission. A college level biology or chemistry course is recommended. The systems of the human body and how they function. Two hours of laboratory each week. Offered Fall and Spring.

225. Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours

A study of the anatomy and physiology of the systems of the human body and how they function including the skin, the skeletal system, the muscular system and the nervous system. Two hours of laboratory each week. This course is primarily intended for students in nursing or other health-related fields. Not for biology majors. Fall only.

226. Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 225 or permission of instructor. A continuation of the study of the systems of the human body, their structure and function, including the circulatory system and its components, the lymphatic system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the urinary system, the endocrine glands and the reproductive system. Two hours of laboratory each week. Not for Biology majors. Spring only.

301. Introduction to Soils - 4 hours

Prerequisite: one course in General Chemistry or instructorÌs approval. Introduction to soil development, morphology, distribution, chemistry, physics, classification, use, conservation, biology, and pollution. Three hours of laboratory each week. Fall only.

307. Ecology - 3 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 104GS and 107GS, and MATH 112GS or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Population and community ecology; distribution and dispersal, population growth and regulation. Interpretation of ecological phenomena in laboratory, field and hypothetical systems. A laboratory or field exercise each week. Offered fall and spring.

309. Cellular Biology - 4 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 104GS, 107GS, CHEM 161GS and 250 or permission of instructor. Various types of cells, their structure, function and what they contribute to the functioning of the whole organism. Three hours of laboratory each week. Offered fall and spring.

315GS. Human Ecology - 3 hours

The purpose of this course is to develop environmental awareness by considering the problems caused by man and his activities. Three hours lecture each week. Credit not to be applied to Biology major or endorsement. (Spring Semester)

325. Medical Terminology - 1 hour

Prerequisites: A college Biology course or permission of instructor. This course is designed to assist students in health-related and life science programs to become familiar with complex terms and their derivation. Offered fall and spring.

330. Wildlife Conservation - 3 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 104GS and 107GS or permission of instructor. Problems of wildlife conservation, particularly as they apply to Nebraska. Three hours of laboratory each week. Every other fall semester, odd-number years.

348. Radioisotope Techniques - 3 hours

Prerequisites: A college Biology course and either one semester of Physics or one semester of Chemistry or permission of instructor. A study of the basic fundamentals of nuclear science as related to radioisotopes and their uses in biological and medical fields. Offered on demand only.

375. Scientific Communication - 1 hour

Prerequisite: 8 hours of Biology. Provides the student with the opportunity to learn and become proficient in those manipulative skills and techniques which are essential and supportive to their role in a biological profession. Should be taken prior to enrolling in BIOL 420. Offered fall and spring.

380. Agronomy - 3 hours

A study of crop production covering such topics as environmental requirements, soil, cultural practices, growth and development, water relations and economics. Spring only.

400/800P. Microbiology - 5 hours

Prerequisites: At least 8 hours of Biology or permission of instructor. An introduction to bacteria, viruses, rickettsias, and immunology; laboratory techniques stressed. Two laboratory periods each week. Offered fall and spring.

401/801P. Principles of Immunology - 4 hours

Prerequisite: 8 hours of Biology or permission of instructor. Topics to be covered include: 1) the structural and functional aspects of the immune system, 2) disorders of the immune system, 3) structure and function of antibody molecules, 4) immuno-biology of tissue transplants, 5) basic aspects of cancer and cancer therapy that relate to immunology, 6) allergies, and 7) antigen-antibody interaction. Offered every fall semester. Lab required.

403/803P. Plant Physiology - 3 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 104GS and one year of Chemistry or permission of instructor. Life processes of plants. Three hours of laboratory each week. Spring semester--odd-numbered years.

404. Developmental Biology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 104GS and 107GS or equivalent, and one year of Chemistry or permission of instructor. Principles of developmental processes with emphasis on the physiological and biochemical events occurring during the growth and maturation of living organisms. Three hours of laboratory each week. Every other spring semester, even-numbered years.

405/805P. Range and Wildlife Management - 3 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 104GS; 307 or 418 or 419. Basic principles of range and pasture management for use by domestic livestock and wildlife will be taught. Course includes 3 hours of field or laboratory work each week. Offered every other spring, even-numbered years.

406/806P. Plant Ecology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 104GS or permission of instructor. Plants in relation to their environment. Three hours of laboratory or field work each week. Offered every third summer or on demand.

407/807P. Limnology - 3 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 103GS or 104GS and 107GS or permission of instructor. Characteristics of inland waters, the forces and processes which mold and maintain the integrity of these waters, and the interrelationships between the physical factors and the organism inhabiting the environment. Three hours of laboratory or field work each week. Offered every other fall, even-numbered years.

408/808P. Environmental Modeling - 3 hours

Prerequisites: 12 hours of BIOL including BIOL 307 (ecology) and basic computer skills or permission of instructor. The formulation, development, use and testing of models describing environmental phenomena. Simulation and prediction models are designed and tested using computer and non-computer techniques as to obtain realistic explanations of biological problems. Offered every other spring, even-numbered years.

416/816P. Plant Diversity and Evolution - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 104GS or permission of instructor. Morphology of each group of the plant kingdom. Three hours of laboratory each week. Offered every other spring, even-numbered years.

418/818P. Plant Taxonomy - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 104GS or permission of instructor. Classification and identification of vascular plants with emphasis on the prairies and plains. A family concept approach is utilized. Three hours of laboratory or field work each week. Fall only.

419/819P. Taxonomy of Grasses - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 104GS or permission of instructor. Identification and study of distribution of grasses with emphasis on the prairies and plains. Three hours of laboratory or field work each week. Offered on demand.

420. Biology Problems - 1-5 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 375 and elementary courses necessary for the problems undertaken, and permission of instructor. Independent investigation of biological problems. Three hours of laboratory or field work each week for each hour credit. Two hours credit on a major or endorsement. Offered every semester.

430/830P. Special Topics in Biology - 1-6 hours

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Topics are studied which are not assigned or covered in other courses in the department. The format of this course will vary depending on the topic, instructor and the needs of students.

430.01/830.01 Topics in Botany - 1-3 hours

430.02/830.02 Topics in Fresh Water Biology - 1-3 hours

430.03/830.03 Topics in Vertebrate Biology - 1-3 hours

430.04/830.04 Topics in Invertebrate Biology - 1-3 hours

430.05/830.05 Topics in Nebraska Flora - 1-3 hours

430.06/830.06 Topics in Nebraska Fauna - 1-3 hours

430.07/830.07 Topics in Physiology 1-3 hours

435/835P. Vertebrate Natural History - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 107GS or permission of instructor. Introduction to vertebrate animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Ecological and evolutionary aspects will be emphasized. Three hour laboratory or field trip per week. Every other fall, odd-numbered years.

440/840P. General Virology - 4 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 211 or 400, 350 and 401 or permission of instructor. A survey of vertebrate, plant, insect and bacterial virus families with emphasis on the vertebrate viruses. Major topics include taxonomy, replication, pathogenesis, viral oncogenesis, viral epidemiology, viral diseases and viral vaccines. Laboratory will emphasize the virus propagation, quantitation and component analysis. Three hours of laboratory each week. Offered every other spring semester, even-numbered years.

450/850P. Molecular Biology I - 4 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 309, 460 and CHEM 351 or permission of instructor. An in-depth discussion of the principles of modern molecular biology. Major topics of discussion will include: 1) DNA as a store of information, 2) protein synthesis, 3) transcriptional control of gene expression, 4) DNA replication, 5) eukaryotic gene structure, 6) gene families, 7) RNA processing, 8) DNA packaging, 9) recombinant DNA methodology, and 10) genes in development and cancer. Fall only.

451/851P. Molecular Biology II - 4 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 450 and CHEM 375 or permission of instructor. Lectures will provide descriptions of the individual laboratory exercises to be performed throughout the course. Laboratory techniques will focus on recombinant DNA methodology. Methods presented include: 1) preparation and analysis of plasmid DNA, 2) cloning in plasmid and viral vectors, 3) in vitro transcription and translation, 4) SDS-PAGE analysis of proteins, 5) Southern and Northern Blots, 6) S1 nuclease analysis of genes, 7) cDNA library cloning and, 8) DNA sequencing. Two three-hour laboratories and two one hour lectures per week. Spring only.

456/856P. Regional Field Study - 1-4 hours

Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Regions studied may vary depending on instructor and student needs. Spring only.

460/860P. Genetics - 4 hours

Prerequisite: Minimum of 8 hours of college Biology or permission; MATH 101 or 112 is recommended. A study of the principles of inheritance both classical and molecular. Fall only. Lab required.

461/861P. Human Genetics - 3 hours

Prerequisite: One college Biology course or permission of instructor. Primarily for pre-professional students, registered nurses completing their degree requirements and psychology majors. A study of the genetic basis and frequency of genetic defects in man, genetic counseling and determining the probability of genetic defects. Spring only.

462/862P. Animal Behavior - 3 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 107GS and 307 or permission of instructor. An introduction to the science of ethology. A survey of the mechanism, functions and development of behavior. Every other spring, odd-numbered years.

465/864P. Physiology - 3 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 107GS, 309, CHEM 161GS and organic chemistry or permission of instructor. The structure and function of the systems of the vertebrate body. Three hours of laboratory each week. Spring only.

467/867P. Animal Histology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 107GS or permission of instructor. Systematic study, description, and identification of microscopic structures of vertebrate tissues. The laboratory includes basic histological techniques. Offered on demand only.

470/870P. Insects and Man - 3 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 107GS or permission of instructor. An introduction to insects and related arthropods. Emphasis is placed on morphology, physiology, taxonomy and ecology of insects. Three hours of laboratory or field work each week. Fall, even-numbered years.

471/871P. Methods in Secondary Science Teaching - 3 hours

Prerequisite: Work equivalent at least to a Biology minor. An examination of current developments in curricula, methods and materials. Should be completed prior to student teaching. Lab time arranged. Fall only.

472/872P. Ichthyology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 107GS or permission of instructor. A study of taxonomy, anatomy, distribution, ecology, physiology and management of fishes. Three hours of laboratory or field work each week. Every other fall, odd-numbered years.

473/873P. Ornithology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 107GS or consent of instructor. An introduction to bird study. Three hours of laboratory or field work each week. Offered every other spring, even-numbered years.

474/874P. Mammalogy - 3 hours

Prerequisite: BIOL 107GS or permission of instructor. Introduction to mammals; ecology, classification, physiology, and behavior. Three-hour laboratory per week for preparation and identification of specimens. Offered every other fall, even-numbered years.

475. Internship in Biology - 1-15 hours

Prerequisite: 12 hours of biology and permission of instructor. This course would generally be taken as part of the professional semester and emphasizes the professional development of the individual student. Offered every semester. (Credit/No Credit).

480/880P. Seminar (Evolution) - 1 hour

Prerequisite: At least 20 hours of Biology permission of instructor. A group study of the mechanisms of Organic Evolution and how it serves as the unifying theme of biology. Each student will prepare and present a minimum of one seminar on an assigned topic.

485/885P. Advanced Genetics - 3 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 460 or 461. An in-depth study of gene structure and replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Gene function in developing and differentiated cells will also be studied in detail. Offered every other spring semester, odd-numbered years.

802 Organic Evolution, 3 hrs.;
820 Introduction to Graduate Study and Research, 3 hrs.;
821 Directed Readings, 1-3 hrs.;
822 Advances in Biology, 1-4 hrs.;
831 Biological Research, 1-3 hrs.;
863 History of Biology, 3 hrs.;
876 Life Science Curriculum, 3 hrs.;
875 Internship in Biology, 1-9 hrs.;
896 Thesis, 6 hrs.

See Graduate Catalog for course descriptions.