Biology (BIO)

Intended for non-biology majors. This course is focused on fundamental biological principles. Emphasis varies quarterly: animal biology, biological diversity, marine biology, and others. Basic concepts include Mendelian genetics and evolutionary theory. Biological theories and laws are related to Christian perspectives.

Intended for non-majors. This course, held at our Blakely Island Field Station, introduces environmental science and ways that humans interact with the natural world. Topics covered may include geology, global climate, ocean chemistry, and fisheries and forest management. We will examine these topics with a multi-disciplinary approach, employing not only science but also economics and political science.

Principles of marine restoration ecology as well as supporting system-specific content to support a specific marine restoration project will be examined. For example, this course is offered as a study-abroad opportunity in Bali, Indonesia where coral reef restoration in an area damaged by cyanide fishing will be used as a focal project. The economic, political, and sociological drivers of human-environment interactions will be considered.

Intended for non-biology majors. This course will focus on the biological field of ecology, which investigates the interactions between living things and their environment. Topics to be covered may include population growth, community interactions (e.g., predation and competition), ecosystem services (e.g., nutrient cycling), and global ecology (e.g., climate change). Ecological principles will be connected to theological principles with particular focus on the development of scientifically informed Creation care.

This course examines the principals, theories and practices of forensic science utilized within the law enforcement community and the American legal system. Forensic science is the study and application of science to the process of law and involves the collection, examination, evaluation and interpretation of evidence. Students will gain a basic understanding of the scientific and analytical approach to determining the value of evidence as it relates to the court of law, with special attention to forensic anthropology. Typically offered: Alternate Years, Spring.

This course examines the structure and function of living organisms and how these organisms interact with their environment, using the Belizean Coral Reef ecosystem as a model. The diversity of fishes, algae, seaweeds, corals, and other organisms will be considered. Typically offered: Alternate Years, Winter.

This course provides the classroom knowledge to obtain certification as an Advanced Open Water Diver. Students will learn about the intricacies of deep diving (up to 100 feet), how to navigate under water, and several other specialty diving topics. While not required, students will have an opportunity to conduct 5 open water dives leading to certification. Students must hold certification as an Open Water SCUBA Diver or equivalent. Students will need to purchase materials and, if needed, rent equipment for this course from a designated dive shop. Typically offered: Autumn, Spring, Summer, Winter.

An integrative course focused on fundamental biological, chemical, physical and geological principles of oceanography. Includes consideration of the scientific method and current research.

A gateway to the study of biology intended for all students who plan to major in biology. Emphasis is on building successful networks between freshmen and upperclassmen Biology students and Biology faculty. Students will participate in workshops on degree planning, discussion of research papers and career discernment.

Intended for students majoring in biology. Surveys scientific method, chemistry of living organisms, organization of cells, and foundations of genetics and molecular biology. Includes laboratory.

Intended for students majoring in biology. Surveys animal classification, structure, function, development, and behavior. Includes laboratory. Typically offered: Winter, Spring.

Intended for students majoring in biology. Surveys the non-animal kingdoms. Also covers plant structure and function, evolutionary mechanisms, and ecology. Includes laboratory. Typically offered: Autumn, Spring.

Studies the structure and function of the human organism. Includes cells and tissues, skeletal, integumentary, muscular, and nervous systems. Includes laboratory. Credit will not be given for both BIO 2129 and BIO 4410. Typically offered: Autumn, Summer.

Studies the structure and function of the human organism. Emphasizes the circulatory, immune, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, and reproductive systems. Includes laboratory. Credit will not be given for both BIO 2130 and BIO 4410.

Intended for students majoring in Integrated Studies. Surveys scientific method, chemistry of living organisms, organization of cells, foundations of genetics and molecular biology, evolution, ecology, and diversity. Includes laboratory.

Provides opportunity for in-depth exploration of topics and skills in Biology. Typically offered: Occasionally, Autumn, Spring, Winter.

The student will conduct research in a laboratory based on an existing project established by the faculty member as an introduction to the process of research in general and to that faculty member's research in particular.

Introduces basic principles for understanding humans from a biological perspective. This course is a comprehensive introduction to the field of biological anthropology. Explores topics of human and non-human primate genetics, behavior, and evolution, as well as human ecology and medical anthropology. Typically offered: Autumn.

Students in this class will be trained in first aid, CPR, emergency oxygen provision, rescue diving, and the history, regulations, and techniques of scientific diving. Successful students will earn certifications as an Emergency First Responder and an Emergency Oxygen Provider. Students will not be required to dive, but if they choose to do so they will have the opportunity to earn certification as a Rescue Diver. Students must hold an Advanced Open Water Diver certification or its equivalent prior to enrolling. Students should also own their own SCUBA equipment except for tanks or be prepared to rent such equipment for two weeks. Typically offered: Summer.

This course provides an introduction to the use of Geographic Information Systems. Specifically, the student will learn how to use ArcGIS with prepared data sets and will create their own GIS database based on field observations as a term project.

This study abroad course examines the coral reef ecosystem, with a special emphasis on the coral animals, fish, and seaweeds found at the study site. The interactions among different species and between each and the physical environment are considered. Students learn through evening lectures as well as daytime observations, measurements and manipulative experiments. Typically offered: Occasionally.

This is a study tour of the Galapagos Islands. During the course, we will explore the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands, emphasizing the evolutionary and ecological factors that structure these communities. Typically offered: Alternate Years, Spring.

This is a study tour of the Galapagos Islands. During the course we will explore the interdisciplinary study of oceanography within the context of the Galapagos Archipelago. Topics will include geologic formation of islands, oceanic currents, major climatic events, nutrient cycling and marine biodiversity. Typically offered: Alternate Years, Spring.

Principles of marine restoration ecology as well as supporting system-specific content to support a specific marine restoration project will be examined. For example, this course is offered as a study-abroad opportunity in Bali, Indonesia where coral reef restoration in an area damaged by cyanide fishing will be used as a focal project. The economic, political, and sociological drivers of human-environment interactions will be considered.

Explores the factors and mechanisms responsible for population dynamics, community structure, and the function of ecosystems. Includes laboratory. Typically offered: Autumn, Spring.

Introduces inheritance of specific traits through the study of transmission genetics. Focuses on the biology of gene transmission, nucleic acids, chromosome structure, regulation, epigenetics, genetic disease, and biotechnology. Research methods are stressed throughout the course. Typically offered: Autumn, Winter.

Covers major features of innate and adaptive immunity including: Antibodies, T cell receptors, leukocyte development, responses to bacterial and viral infections, vaccines, and disorders of the immune system such as allergy, autoimmunity, and AIDS.

Clinically focused overview of the field of microbiology with an emphasis on the bacterial, viral and fungal organisms that cause disease in humans. Required laboratory focuses on the appropriate handling, growth, and identification of microorganisms in clinical applications.

Examines vertebrate life in an evolutionary context through the study of adaptations, comparative anatomy, paleontology, and natural history. Includes laboratory.

Examines the mechanisms and evolution of behavior in the major animal groups, exploring the application of scientific thinking and methodology to the study of animal behavior. Includes laboratory/discussion. Intended for students that have/will not take BIO 3436. Typically offered: Spring.

Examines the proximate and ultimate causes of behavior in the major animal groups. This field course uses techniques in behavioral ecology to explore the application of scientific thinking and methodology to the study of animal behavior. This field course will focus on understanding animal communication, habitat selection, feeding behavior and predator/prey interactions, altruistic behavior, sexual selection and mating systems, and parental care. No credit will be given for students who have taken BIO 3434. Typically offered: Summer.

Explores sampling, identification, and systematics of the major plant families with special emphasis on the flora of the Pacific Northwest. Includes laboratory/field studies. Typically offered: Spring.

As humans we are called to tend and keep creation, but effectively caring for creation requires a knowledge of how and why creation was intended to function. As such, this course will cover ecological topics such as speciation, extinction, predation, competition, and evolution. This course will also investigate anthropogenic alterations to creation, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Further, this course will investigate theological explanations for the existence of creation, the fall of creation, and our vocational call toward the reconciliation of all creation. Typically offered: Alternate Years, Winter.

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of basic medical terminology so that they can use this vocabulary in the health care setting. Medical terms associated with body systems, disease processes, laboratory tests, and clinical procedures commonly found in the health care setting will be explored. Rather than memorizing hundreds or thousands of words we will learn how to break apart a medical word into its parts (e.g. prefix, root, suffix). Students will read and analyze medical journal articles to practice utilizing medical terminology. Typically offered: Winter.

This course will explore key scientific discoveries with a specific focus on the work of women scientists and the ways in which our understanding of the world has been heavily impacted by successes of these scientists. This course takes both a historical and current perspective to the contributions women scientists have made to their specific fields, including chemistry, physics, engineering, anthropology, and biology.

Students will read, discuss and present recent peer-reviewed journal articles in a selected subdiscipline of biology. The focus of the course will change from quarter to quarter, depending on the interests of the professor and students. Typically offered: Autumn, Spring, Winter.

This course focuses on how individuals respond physiologically to their environment especially to maintain homeostasis and acquire nutrients. Topics covered will include circadian rhythms and responses to various stressors (e.g. light, heat, salinity, climate change, hypoxia). Two recurring themes will include discussion of the way in which organisms balance acclimation and adaptation; and the manner in which organisms balance tradeoffs. Typically offered: Autumn, Summer.

Surveys principles of developmental biology in representative vertebrate and invertebrate models. Required laboratory is devoted to experimental and descriptive approaches to the study of development. Typically offered: Spring.