BIO - Biology

This workshop is based on the Peer-Led Team Learning model (PLTL) with students working individually and in small groups to learn and exercise problem-solving techniques. Students participate in learning activities led by peer facilitators to further explore topics presented in the lecture course. This workshop is offered each semester.

An introduction to the biological, chemical, and physical nature of food. Students will explore food chemistry, diet, human health, and societal issues through readings and lab activities. Three hours of lecture per week.

Survey of the principles and methods of science as applied to the field of Genetics. Current topics pertaining to Biotechnology, Gene editing, Gene Therapy and others will be discussed with an emphasis on their social, ethical, and legal implications. Three hours of lecture per week.

An introduction to the origin, history, biology, and utilization of plants important in human societies. Worldwide use of plants for food, medicine, spices, fibers, and many other purposes will be explored. Three hours of lecture per week.

An exploration of how the human body's systems work in coordination with each other and in response to changes in the environment. Three hours of lecture per week.

Introductory principles of biology, including the nature of scientific inquiry, biochemistry, cell structure and function, genetics, and reproductive physiology. Three hours of lecture per week. Credit for BIO 205 will not be granted to students who have completed BIO 207.

Introductory principles of biology including morphological and physiological analysis of plant and animal organisms, population biology, evolution, and ecology. Three hours of lecture per week.

Introductory principles of biology, including the nature of scientific inquiry, biochemistry and metabolism, protein structure and function, cell structure and function, and genetics and evolutionary mechanisms. Three hours of lecture per week. Credit for BIO 207 will not be granted to students who have completed BIO 205.

Laboratory investigation into the structure and function of living organisms. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Laboratory investigation into the biochemistry, cellular structure and function, and genetics of cells and living organisms. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Independent study in a specialized field under the direction of a staff member. Maximum of eight credits under the number. Permission of the staff member is required.

This course examines the principles of innate and adaptive immunity including conserved pathogen recognition systems, generation of antigen receptors through somatic recombination, clonal selection of T and B lymphocytes, and immunological disorders such as immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, allergy, and transplant rejection.

This course examines the cell biology, physiology, and genetics of microorganisms, focusing primarily on microbes that affect human health.  Specific organisms covered include the beneficial organisms that aid in the digestion of food, synthesize vitamins, and protect the body against invasion by harmful microbes. In addition, the course also covers pathogens that cause disease.

This is an intensive combined lecture and lab course with weekend and Friday field trips investigating the behavior, physiology, evolution, taxonomy, and natural history of birds with an emphasis on species found in the Pacific Northwest. This class is only offered in the summer. Fee: $60

Explores the biological, chemical, and physical structure of Pacific Northwest wetlands. Species interactions, human impacts to wetlands, wetland disease agents, and the role wetlands play in human health will be considered. Three hours of lecture per week.

Gross anatomy of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems will be covered. Emphasis is on associating function with structure, as well as integrating systems together and examining human anatomy in context. Three hours of lecture per week.

This course emphasizes understanding the function of the human body as an integrated set of systems using homeostatic control mechanisms. Three hours of lecture per week.

This course examines genetic information storage, transmission and utilization, and the human impact resulting from technological advances in the field. Three hours of lecture per week.

Overview of laboratory methodology in genetics and its practical application in authentic research projects that are inquiry driven and problem based. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60

An exploration of the fundamental cell biology and genetics that dictate embryonic development of all multicellular animals. Major developmental model systems examined include the fruit fly, frog, chicken, and mouse.  Three hours of lecture per week.

Taxonomy, morphology, physiology, and ecology of Northwest marine fauna. Three hours of lecture per week.

An exploration of the major groups of land plants, their diversity, life cycles, morphology, and ecological interactions. Three hours of lecture per week.

Course will examine anatomy and physiology of the nervous system with a particular focus on neurons as well as the electrical and chemical signaling used in neural communication. Three hours of lecture per week.

Natural history of vertebrates including morphology, physiology, evolution, and taxonomy of the vertebrate classes. Three hours of lecture per week.

Course will review the history of ethology and behavioral ecology, and examine the behavior of both invertebrate and vertebrate organisms in physiological, ecological, adaptive, and phylogenic contexts. Three hours of lecture per week.

The structure and function of cells and their components, including biochemistry and bioenergetics, cell communication, transport, motility, maintenance of the genetic material, and regulation of gene expression with a particular focus on animal cell biology. Three hours of lecture per week.

Structure, physiology, and genetics of cellular microorganisms and viruses, discussed in relation to the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. Three hours of lecture per week.

The purpose of this course is to search for new antibiotic-producing bacteria through small group research projects. The goal is to isolate and identify bacteria that are producing new antibiotics. The class will discuss and gain hands-on experience with these and other microorganisms. Fee: $60

The physical, chemical, and biological components of freshwater ecosystems. Three hours of lecture per week.

Laboratory and field experience in the taxonomy, morphology, physiology, and ecology of Northwest marine fauna. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

This course uses current techniques in immunology including cell culture, microscopy, Western blotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry to explore the structure, function, and interactions of cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. Fee: $60

A field and laboratory-based exploration of the vegetative and reproductive structures of plants, with an emphasis on the identification and ecology of plants native to the Pacific Northwest. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

An overview of current methodology in cell biology, including microscopy, cell culture, and macromolecular isolation/analysis techniques. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Field and laboratory investigation of freshwater ecosystems. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Field and laboratory investigation of wetland ecosystems. Students will explore problems facing wetlands, methods for assessing wetland health, and how to apply ecological principles to solve wetland related issues. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Field and laboratory experience in the natural history and taxonomy of vertebrate organisms. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Experimental and microscopic examination of major developmental model systems including chick and fruit fly. May include zebrafish and/or amphibians and invertebrates including sea urchins, flatworms and/or hydra. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Gross anatomy of the human body will be studied using human bones and cadavers. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Homeostatic control of body systems will be explored using the students' bodies and computer-interfaced physiological recording equipment. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Laboratory investigation of microorganisms that affect human health, with an emphasis on proper handling of specimens, selective and differential cultivation, laboratory diagnosis, and evaluation of antimicrobial agents. Three hours of laboratory per week, and follow-up at times other than the scheduled lab period. Fee: $60.

This course investigates environmental applications of multispectral remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS). RS topics include sensor systems, digital image processing, and automated information extraction. GIS topics include spatial database management systems, data analysis, and environmental modeling. Emphasis is placed on biological applications including vegetation mapping, habitat identification and field data mapping.

Morphology, physiology, and ecology of microorganisms, emphasizing their role in environmental processes such as nutrient cycling, bioremediation, waste treatment, and food production. Three hours of lecture per week.

Faculty-directed student outreach experience in community educational institutions. Before enrolling, a student must consult with a faculty member to define the project. May be repeated for credit.

Credit arranged.

Credit arranged.

Field experience in selected industries or agencies. Department permission and supervision is required. Students may receive an IP (In Progress) grade until the completion of their internship. (Graded on a P/NP basis)

This course provides an introduction to endocrinology, covering the physiologic effects of hormones in health and disease. By the end of the course, students will be able to describe: (1) the structure and function of hormones; (2) the signaling pathways of hormones; (3) the regulatory mechanisms of hormones; and (4) the consequences of disruption of normal levels of hormones. Three hours of lecture per week.

Seminar on topics in biology, including medicine, ecology, animal behavior, biochemistry, genetics and evolution. One hour of discussion per week.

This course examines the mechanisms that underlie physiological changes following acute and chronic exercise and other forms of stress. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationships of the skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and digestive systems. Three hours of lecture per week.

Algorithmic and analysis techniques for biological data such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and gene expression. Topics include molecular biology, alignment and searching algorithms, sequence evolution algorithms, genetic trees, and analysis of microarray data. This course is interdisciplinary and assumes programming skills.

Principles of ecology including structure and function of ecosystems, ecosystem development, behavioral ecology, and population biology. Three hours of lecture per week.

Principles of eukaryotic and prokaryotic genetics, including the nature of the genetic material, gene expression and regulation, mutation and repair, and molecular genetics techniques. Three hours of lecture per week.

Exploration of the molecular and genetic changes that endow cancer cells with an enhanced ability to proliferate and migrate yields a deeper understanding of the biology of healthy cells and provides a basis for understanding rational approaches to cancer therapy. Three hours of lecture per week.

Required capstone course for Biology majors.  Includes coverage of sources of genetic variation, speciation, phylogenetic analyses, and extinction.  Three hour of lecture per week.  Students are strongly encouraged to take their cell-mo/genetics lab requirement before they take this course.  Students are required to take the course during the Senior year. Three hours of lecture per week.

Laboratory and field investigation of community structure, productivity, and population dynamics. Three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $60.

Completion of BIO 377 (Human Anatomy Lab) and permission of instructor required. Students engage in independent dissection of human cadavers to gain a more in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the human body. Appropriate techniques are taught to dissect and prepare cadavers as prosections for use in BIO 377. A minimum of 3 hours/week is required. Fee: $60.

Faculty-directed student research. Before enrolling, a student must consult with a faculty member to define the project. May be repeated for credit. Fee: $60.

Intensive field experience in selected industries or agencies. Department permission and supervision is required. Students may receive an IP (In Progress) grade until the completion of their internship.

Research, study, or original work under the direction of a faculty mentor, leading to a scholarly thesis document with a public presentation of results. Requires approval of thesis director, department chair, and the director of the honors program, when appropriate.