Biology

Concepts and principles common to the living world; protoplasmic and cellular nature of living things; metabolism, its biochemical and biophysical foundation; heredity; evolution; ecological relationships. Three lectures, one lab per week.

Overview of plant cellular and macroscopic structure, function, evolution and diversity leading into technological applications of plants. Technologies used in agricultural production of food, fiber, fuel and medicine will be covered. Ecological and social issues raised by agricultural technologies will also be discussed.

Advanced students wishing to undertake special projects or research problems can do so in this course.

General structure, physiology, reproduction, heredity and ecology of plants, brief survey of plant world. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.

A study of the general biology and natural history of the vertebrates, including the morphology, physiology, ecology and evolution of vertebrates with emphasis on North American species. The laboratory section of this course focuses on comparative anatomy of the vertebrates. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.

A study of the form and function, characteristics, and evolutionary development of the different phyla in the Kingdom Animalia. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.

Advanced students wishing to undertake special projects or research problems can do so in this course.

Study of the structure and function of eukaryotic cells, including membrane systems, organelles and reproduction.

Foundations and concepts of Human Anatomy and Physiology, starting at the cellular level and advancing into the nervous, endocrine, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.

Advanced concepts in Human Anatomy and Physiology, including the nervous, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, integumentary, immune, and reproductive systems. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.

Natural history of the fishes, including taxonomy, biology, ecology, and evolution with an emphasis on local species. Three lectures and one 3-hour lab per week.

Biology of birds with an emphasis on field identification of local avian species as well as anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution, and behavior of birds in general. Three lectures and one 3-hour lab per week.

Natural history of the amphibians and reptiles, including ecology, biology, evolution, and anatomy with an emphasis on local species. Three lectures and one 3-hour lab per week.

In lecture, students will be introduced to the diversity of mammals and be exposed to the taxonomy, form and function, distribution, natural history ecology, conservation and economic importance of mammals with emphasis put on Missouri and regional species. In Laboratory, students will be introduced to approximately 72 representative species of mammals that are located in Missouri and the region and will be expected to master the techniques and processes used in taxonomy and systematic for identifying mammals from laboratory and field collections.

The biological sciences encompass a wide range of subjects, but in all fields, the ability to interpret and communicate a variety of data is crucial. This course will focus on research techniques employed across fields of biology through the use of seminal papers from multiple eras. Students will also deliver papers in formal presentations to their peers. Finally, students will complete a literature review that ties together their interests with analytical techniques they have explored during the semester and in previous science courses.

Biographical approach to scientific thought from ancient through modern civilization.

Biology of microorganisms; the handling, culture and identification of bacteria. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.

 Introduction to plant identification and terminology. Overview of familiar spring and summer flowering plants of Missouri. Students will also be asked to find and capture images of plants where they are and practice identifying plants in general.

Principles of genetics, examined at the molecular, cellular, organism and population levels of organization. Laboratory work demonstrates Mendelian inheritance and the cytological basis of genetics. Three lectures, two labs per week.

Relationships of living organisms to their environment; analysis of structure and succession of natural communities; analysis of population control mechanisms; current problems in ecology. Three lectures, one three hour lab per week.

Identification of trees, shrubs, and woody vines. Emphasis will be on Missouri native species, but will also include a few important ornamental species. Basic ecology of trees including preferred habitats of major species, economic uses and function in forest systems. This course is designed for those interested in conservation biology and wildlife ecology, but open to anyone with an interest in plants and trees. Field trips are required.

Advanced students wishing to undertake special projects or research problems can do so in this course.

Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.

Internship under supervision of college personnel and cooperating facility.

A study of the structure, function, evolution and impact of the insect group; experience on collection, curation, and identification of the major orders and families.

The application of ecological principles to the management of vertebrate populations and their habitats to meet the needs of those populations and the needs of people.

Through intensive field investigation, along with readings on the biology of a specific ecological area and arranged seminars, the student will be exposed to an ecosystem typically outside of Missouri (e.g., the Chihuahuan Desert). An extended field trip to the area of interest is required.

Conservation Biology is a highly interdisciplinary field that studies biodiversity, the natural processes that control it and the maintenance of biodiversity under the increasing pressures of humans. This course will utilize lecture, articles from the primary literature and presentations from researchers in the field of conservation biology. This course is a capstone course for the Conservation Concentration within the biology major. Students will be required to write an extensive literature review and give a presentation.

Discussion of recent papers in population genetics and evolutionary processes. Topics include the genetic structure of populations, genetic drift, natural selection, co-evolution, speciation, and the fossil record. Two meetings per week.

Classification and identification of flowering plants; local flora and field techniques. Three lectures, two laboratories per week.

Advanced students wishing to undertake special projects or research problems can do so in this course.

Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.