BIOLOGY (BSB)

BSB 101General Biology I. (3)
Lecture.
An introductory course designed to provide an overview of the following topics in biology: the scientific method, evolution, classical genetics, molecular genetics and biochemistry, mutations and molecular evolution, and population genetics. It is strongly recommended that BSB 101 be taken before BSB 102.

BSB 101L General Biology I Laboratory. (1)
Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment: BSB 101.
A laboratory course designed to complement lectures presented in Biology 101.

BSB 102 General Biology II. (3)
Lecture.
An introductory course designed to provide an overview of the following topics in biology: cell structure, phylogeny, physiology, and ecology. It is strongly recommended that BSB 101 be taken before BSB 102.

BSB 102L General Biology II Laboratory. (1)
Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment: BSB 102.
A laboratory course designed to complement lectures presented in Biology 102.

BSB 120 Human Physiology. (4)
Lecture. Biological Sciences majors must have permission of the Sciences and Mathematics Department Chair.
A lecture course dealing with the function of each system of the human body, with emphasis on homeostatic mechanisms. Introductory material also covers the molecular, cellular and tissue levels of organization.

BSB 121 Human Anatomy. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Biological sciences majors must have permission of the Sciences and Mathematics Department Chair.
A study of the gross structure of all systems of the human body with emphasis on the skeletal and muscular systems. Articulated and disarticulated skeletons, charts, models and preserved material are studied in the laboratory.

BSB 201 Humans: Origins and Ecology. (3)
May be used by non-science majors as a laboratory science if taken concurrently with BSB 102L.
An introductory course with emphasis on humans as a biological species, human evolution from early primates, and human ecology with considerations of populations, resource depletion, and waste production/pollution.

BSB 230 General Genetics. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisite: BSB 101, 102 (w/labs).
An introduction to the study of the transmission and expression of genetic information. Studying molecular genetics (replication, mutation, repair, and expression of genetic material) will provide the basis of understanding of Mendelian, cellular, and population genetics. Material will include discussion of historical experiments important to the development of the field and of ethical issues raised by modern genetic technologies. This course will prepare students for more advanced topics, e.g. BSB 332 Cellular and Molecular Biology, BSM 452 Immunology, and BSB/PSC 467 Biochemistry.

BSB 251 General Botany. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisite: BSB 101, 102 (w/labs).
A study of the comparative structure, function, and ecology of organisms that have traditionally been treated as members of the Plant Kingdom, including algae, fungi, bryophytes, and vascular plants. Particular attention will be paid to the ecological, economic, and medical importance of the groups studied.

BSB 303 Comparative Anatomy. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisite: BSB 101, 102 (w/labs).
Comparative anatomy of the organ systems of representative vertebrate animals with emphasis on evolutionary trends in structure.

BSB 310 General Ecology. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101, 102 (w/labs); BSB 230 or BSM 241 and MA 123 recommended.
A study of basic ecological principles and methods, ecosystems, communities, populations, evolutionary ecology, applications to human ecology, and selected current research topics. Saturday field trips may be planned.

BSB 313 Methods and Materials in the Teaching of Science in the Secondary School. (3)
Only open to students admitted to Teacher Education. This course is taught concurrently with PS 313.
This course is designed to give the student a knowledge of methods in the teaching of science in junior and senior high school. Emphasis will be placed on practical applications, such as laboratory preparation and safety, animal care and handling, and teaching and classroom management. Each student will have the opportunity to do some teaching in the general biology laboratories at MUW. Students will also review current reference materials on science teaching, as well as state adopted textbooks in biology.
This course does not count toward fulfillment of the requirements for the Biology major. It is for teacher certification only.

BSB 322 Animal Physiology. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101,102 (w/labs) and PSC 111, 112 (w/labs).
An advanced animal physiology lecture and laboratory course that stresses principles and mechanisms of animal function. Emphasis is on the physiology of a wide spectrum of animals, both invertebrate and vertebrate, with attention given to molecular, cellular and organismic levels.

BSB 332 Cellular and Molecular Biology. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101,102 (w/labs), BSB 230 or BSM 241, and PSC 111,112 (w/labs).
A one-semester survey emphasizing various molecular pathways necessary to cell functioning, including protein sorting, cell-signaling, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. This course also highlights selected techniques and tools of molecular biology used in experiments relating to the topics covered.

BSB 351 Plant Physiology. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101,102 (w/labs) and BSB 251.
A study of the life processes of green plants. Topics such as photosynthesis, on every level from the molecular to the ecological; transport of water and solutes; nitrogen fixation; and the physiology of stages of development from seed germination to senescence will be examined.

BSB 367 Invertebrates. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101,102 (w/labs).
A comparative study of the major groups of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial invertebrate animals with emphasis on structure, life histories, ecology, and distribution. Laboratories will involve identification of specimens, anatomical studies, and occasional field trips.

BSB 368 Vertebrates. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101,102 (w/labs); BSB 303 recommended.
An introduction to the classes of living vertebrates, with emphasis on classification, morphology and natural history. Laboratories will involve identification of specimens, anatomical studies, and occasional field trips.

BSB 405 Insect Biology. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: 12 credits of BSB and/or BSM courses at the 200 level or above.
A study of the comparative anatomy, physiology, ecology, diversity, evolution, behavior, and development of insects. An emphasis will be placed in using insects as experiments, dissections, collection, and identification of specimens.

BSB 408 Animal Behavior. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: 12 credits of BSB and/or BSM courses at the 200 level or above.
A comparative study of animal behavior with major emphasis on evolutionary, developmental, physiological, genetic, and ecological aspects of vertebrate and invertebrate animal behavior.

BSB 453 Developmental Biology. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101, 102 (w/labs); BSB 303 strongly recommended.
General principles of development with special emphasis on fertilization, cleavage, germ-layer formation and organogenesis. The laboratory consists of embryological studies of Amphioxus, frog tadpole, chick, and pig, with emphasis on experimental analysis of living material.

BSB 454 Parasitology. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites:, BSB 101,102 (w/labs), BSM 131 or BSM 240, BSB 120 or 322.
A study of the parasitic protozoa, helminths and arthropods of medical and economic importance. Emphasis will be placed on morphology, habitat, life cycles and control.

BSB 455 Pathophysiology. (3)
Lecture only. Prerequisites: BSB 120 and knowledge of basic chemistry.
A consideration of the disturbances of normal physiology, the mechanisms producing these disturbances, and the ways in which they are expressed symptomatically.

BSB 459 Histology. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101, 102 (w/labs); BSB 120 or 322 strongly recommended.
A study of the structure, ultra-structure and function of mammalian tissues, cells and organelles, with major emphasis on microscopic work in the laboratory.

BSB 467 Biochemistry. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101, 102 (w/labs), PSC 211, 212 (w/labs); BSB 230 or BSM 241 highly recommended.
A one semester survey of biochemistry emphasizing protein biochemistry (protein structure and activity, enzyme kinetics, catalytic and regulatory strategies, metabolic pathways) and introducing physical and chemical properties of carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids as necessary to understand protein form and function.

BSB/BSM 485 Special Topics in Biology or Microbiology. (2-3)
Prerequisites: Junior standing in Biological Sciences and permission of the Sciences and Mathematics Department Chair.
In-depth considerations of selected biological topics presented as a formal course or seminar format. A term paper may be required. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours credit.

BSB/BSM 499 Independent Study in Biology or Microbiology. (1-3)
Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing in Biological Sciences, successful completion (grades of C or better) of a least 24 hours of course work in the biological sciences, and permission of the Sciences and Mathematics Department Chair.
Individualized descriptive or experimental research projects or directed readings under the direction of a project director and two other faculty committee members appointed by the Sciences and Mathematics Department Chair. A written report must be approved by the committee. May be repeated for up to six hours credit.

BS 400 Senior Seminar. (2)
Seminar-Discussion. Prerequisites: BSB 101, 102, 230 or BSM 241. Prerequisites or concurrent enrollment: BSB 310, 322, 332 (except for biology with teacher certification majors), senior standing, and successful completion (grade of C or better) of at least 28 semester hours of BSB and/or BSM courses.
A seminar-style course with emphasis on three areas of the biological sciences: Cellular/Molecular, Genetics/Evolution, and Organismal/Environmental. Pertinent books and articles will be discussed which integrate the biological sciences at its different levels, with emphasis on broad-scale and critical thinking, general integrative themes, scientific method, history of science, and human connections.

MICROBIOLOGY (BSM)

BSM 131 General Microbiology. (3)
Lecture. Prerequisite: PS 108, PSC 111 or high school chemistry.
A study of the fundamental concepts and methods of microbiology, including morphology, physiology, biochemical activities, inheritance, basic immunology, and importance in medicine, public health and the environment.

BSM 131L General Microbiology Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment: BSM 131 lecture.
A laboratory course designed to complement lectures in BSM 131

BSM 240 Mirobiology for Majors. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101, 101L, PSC 111, 111L, and EN 101.
A comprehensive study of microbial cell physiology, genetics, development and cell ultra-structure with an emphasis on the role of microorganisms in medicine, agriculture, the environment, evolution and in industry.

BSM 241 Microbial Genetics. (4)
Lecture - Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSB 101 w/lab, 102 w/lab, BSM 240 w/lab.
An introduction to the transmission and expression of genetic information in bacteria and other microorganisms. An emphasis will be placed on the molecular bases of gene replication, gene repair, gene regulation, gene expression, gene recombination, and gene swapping in bacteria. This course will prepare students for advanced courses involving the molecular aspects of microbial functioning.

BSM 342 Food Microbiology. (4)
Lecture - Laboratory. Prerequisite: BSM 131 (w/lab) or 240 (w/lab).
A course designed to provide the student with first-hand knowledge and experience in isolating, handling, and identifying microorganisms associated with food spoilage, food production, and food-borne diseases.

BSM 452 Immunology. (4)
Lecture. Prerequisites: PSC 111, 111L, BSM 240, and either BSB 230 or BSM 241.
A study of modern concepts of host defense mechanisms with emphasis on how immunoglobulins are produced, as well as the processes of cellular immunity.

BSM 456 Pathogenic Microbiology. (4)
Lecture-Laboratory. Prerequisites: BSM 240 (w/lab); BSB 120 or 322.
Examination of the etiology, symptomatology, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures employed in the isolation and identification of medically significant microorganisms, with consideration of some aspects of their virulence and their effects on man.

 

Science/Mathematics (SM)

SM 100 Science/Mathematics Seminar. (0)

Pass/No Credit

Open only to Science and Mathematics majors.

Students will be exposed to a variety of research approaches, experiences, and career opportunities enabling them to gain a greater understanding of professional involvement in Science and Mathematics. Students majoring in all Science/Mathematics programs are required to pass four (4) semesters of SM 100 for graduation, except for transfer students with 60 or more transfer hours who are required to pass three (3) semesters of SM 100.

SM 101 Environmental Science I. (4)

Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: MA 113 or higher (not MA 123) or demonstrated proficiency in math.

An introductory course covering global and local topics in environmental science. Fundamental concepts in biology, physics, chemistry, and geology will be examined and applied to contemporary and historical environmental problems so that the student can synthesize the body of knowledge necessary to understand environmental issues.

SM 102 Environmental Science II. (4)

Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: MA 113 or higher (not MA 123) or demonstrated proficiency in math; SM 101.

An introductory course continuing the examination of global and local topics in environmental science begun in SM 101. Emphasis will be given to critical analysis of specific problems and to understanding the models used to investigate these problems.

SM 125 Fortran. (3)

Lecture. Prerequisite: MA 113.

This course will teach problem-solving methods using Fortran. Application will be made to problems in various fields but mathematical and scientific problems are stressed.

SM 135 Programming in C++. (3)

Lecture. Prerequisite: MA 113.

Problem-solving methods and algorithm development using the computer programming language C++. Emphasis on scientific and mathematical applications.

SM 295 Topics in Mathematics for Teachers. (1-3)

Prerequisite: Permission of Sciences and Mathematics Department Chair.

In-depth content on selected mathematical topics, including their relation and application to the classroom. This course is primarily intended for in-service teachers. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit.

SM 297 Topics in Science for Teachers. (1-3)

Lecture. Prerequisite: Permission of Sciences and Mathematics Department Chair.

In-depth content on selected science topics, including their relation and application to the classroom. This course is primarily intended for in-service teachers. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit.
 

Department of Sciences and Mathematics
Mississippi University for Women
1100 College Street, MUW-100
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-7376

Fax (662) 329-7238