Biology

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology

Owens Science Hall (OWS) 352, (651) 962-5206

Martinović-Weigelt (chair), Carlson, Chapman, Ditty, Domine, Heimovics, Husak, Illig, Illig, Grant, Ismat, Kay, Klein, Lewis, Lewno, Martin, Okamoto, Schroeder, Small, Verhoeven, Vetter, Zimmer

Biology Department Web Site

Mission statement: The Biology Department is a professionally engaged community that equips undergraduate students to find their passions, embark on meaningful careers, and become responsible, scientifically literate citizens through authentic experiences in science.

Modern biology encompasses an extraordinary range of disciplines, from molecular genetics to global health and sustainability. The biology curriculum at St. Thomas reflects this diversity, providing the foundation of experience that students need in their freshman and sophomore years with the depth that they value as juniors and seniors. Courses at all levels of the curriculum emphasize two fundamentals: mastering the essential material of each discipline and developing the intellectual skills needed to do science – asking the right questions, developing methods to answer these questions and critically evaluating the results of these investigations. As well as providing a broad-based liberal arts education in the biological sciences, the biology program serves as an excellent basis for students planning careers in academia, agriculture, bioinformatics and genomic research, biotechnology, biomedical research, conservation biology, environmental science, forestry and wildlife management, medicine, dentistry and other health professions, and veterinary medicine.

A principle objective of the Department of Biology is to provide students with an excellent preparation for post-graduate pursuits. Graduates of the program command an understanding of core concepts in biology as well as an ability to design and implement studies of biological questions. The department evaluates its success in achieving these objectives using several tools, including assessments of all students as they progress through our programs.

The curriculum for a major in biology is divided into three levels, offering increasing challenges, greater emphasis on independent work, and more extensive use of the primary literature. All biology majors take an introductory series of twelve credits (BIOL 207, 208, and 209) in the first of these tiers. These core courses cover the central concepts of modern biology and provide a foundation for more specialized study at higher levels of the curriculum.

The second-tier courses (BIOL 301-399) all require successful completion of the introductory series and build on this foundation and offer a broad range of topics at an intermediate level, including research (BIOL 391-392).

All third-tier courses (BIOL 401-498) require the completion of specific second-tier courses and involve advanced scholarship, independent research projects, and extensive use of the primary literature. Research courses (BIOL 269, 389, 491) are available to students wishing to pursue in-depth studies in laboratory and/or field situations. Individual Study courses (BIOL 495) allow for tutorial study in a specialized subject area of the student’s choosing that is not otherwise available. Additional offerings in the form of Topics (BIOL 298, 398, 490) courses are available from time to time. Courses numbered between BIOL 483-498 (excluding 476 and 478) may, with approval of the department chair, be used to fulfill the 400-level requirement for the major.

Courses numbered BIOL 101-199 are intended for students of majors other than those in the sciences and cannot be used to fulfill either the major or minor requirements in biology. All of these courses fulfill the laboratory science requirement in the core curriculum.

Students planning to enter graduate school or a professional program after leaving St. Thomas should consult the entrance requirements of these programs while planning their choice of undergraduate courses. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their biology academic adviser while making these plans.

Courses taken at other colleges by students already matriculated at St. Thomas may be credited toward the requirements of the major only with prior and explicit written approval of the departmental transcript evaluator. Approval will be granted only to reconcile schedule conflicts which otherwise would be unavoidable, to provide opportunities to enroll in appropriate courses that are not available in the St. Thomas curriculum, or to rectify problems arising from other special circumstances. These limitations apply to all requirements of the major, including courses in the allied requirements.

Transfer students desiring credit toward the major for work completed prior to matriculation at St. Thomas should contact the transcript evaluator in the Office of the University Registrar before seeking departmental approval. For biology courses numbered higher than BIOL 209, no more than 12 transfer credits can be counted towards the major. Of these 12, no more than 8 credits can be from academic institutions within the U.S.A, and no more than 12 credits can be from study abroad courses registered through St. Thomas.

Students who receive at least a score of 4 on the Biology or Environmental Science Advanced Placement Exam or at least a score of 5 on the International Baccalaureate exam will receive 4 college credits in biology. Students not intending to major in biology will receive credit for BIOL 101 (fulfills a natural science with laboratory course requirement). Students intending to major in biology or related programs who score 4 on the AP exam will receive credit for BIOL 101, which will fulfill a core lab science requirement but will not fulfill a major field requirement. Students intending to major in biology or related programs who score 5 on the AP exam or 5-7 on the IB exam will receive 4 credits for BIOL 243, which counts toward the biology major.

Students may also be interested in related majors such as Biochemistry, Environmental Science, and Neuroscience.

All students are expected to participate in departmental assessment activities and complete the departmental Senior Survey in the spring of their final year. All students are also strongly encouraged to attend the Biology Seminar Program on a regular basis.

Students are encouraged to further engage the discipline of biology by participating in various departmental activities. Valuable experiences in the department include both paid and volunteer roles as research assistants (with ongoing faculty projects), teaching assistants, lab preparers, and biology tutors. Together with off-campus internships, membership in the Biology Club and the Beta Beta Beta National Biology Honor Society, as well as the Biology Seminar Program and various special events, these opportunities offer many ways to explore the vast discipline of biology and become better acquainted with department members and other students.

Beta Beta Beta, the national biology honor society, chartered the Gamma Tau chapter at St. Thomas in 1990. The purpose of this organization is to recognize and encourage excellence in the study of biology, and to sponsor events and services of interest to biology students. The organization has a particular interest in promoting and recognizing student research, and encouraging students to consider vocations in the field of biology. Beta Beta Beta provides opportunities for presenting and publishing student work on a regional and national level.

Students are eligible for full membership when they have completed the introductory twelve credits in the department, and at least four credits at the 300-level, and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in biology department courses. Associate membership in the chapter is available to all interested students.

Candidates for graduation with honors in biology must complete four credits in 400-level biology Research (491), present and defend a thesis based on their work; achieve a final cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 in biology department courses, 3.25 in biology and allied courses and 3.00 overall; and present their research at a scientific meeting beyond the St. Thomas community. Students interested in this program should begin planning early and in consultation with their academic advisor.

The Department of Biology participates in three interdisciplinary degree programs, each of which leads to a Bachelor of Science degree: Biochemistry (with Chemistry), Environmental Science (with Chemistry and Geology), and Neuroscience (with Psychology). These programs are described elsewhere in the catalog. Students interested in concentrating in biology as part of the environmental studies major listed in this catalog should consult with a Department of Biology adviser to select appropriate courses.

Students interested in a career in the health professions should consult the university’s pre-health professions advising committee.

See Pre-Professional Programs in this catalog for coursework suggestions, internships, and other information.

For information on the teaching licensure program in Life Science, see the Education section of this catalog. Students interested in specializing in biology at the elementary school level should consider the integrated major in Science and Mathematics for Elementary Education (SMEE), also described in the Education section. See Life Science Education.

• Elementary Education with a Co-major in Science and Mathematics for Elementary Education
• Elementary Education with a Specialty in Science (5-8)
• Co-major in Science (5-8) – Life Science (9-12) and a Co-major in Secondary Education

See Education

4 credits from the following list:

• BIOL 101: General Biology
• BIOL 102: Conservation Biology
• BIOL 105: Human Biology
• BIOL 106: Women, Medicine and Biology
• BIOL 110: Genetics and Society
• BIOL 207: Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution

Plus:

• BIOL 208: Biological Comm & Energetics
• BIOL 209: Biology of Sustainability

Plus:

• 14 BIOL credits from courses numbered BIOL 210 and above
• *No more than 4 credits from courses between BIOL 210-298.
• *8 credits must be from courses with labs.
• Students are encouraged to explore opportunities for Experiential Learning and Independent Research.

Plus:

• 4 credits from BIOL 400 and above

Plus 4 credits from the following list:

• CHEM 100: Chemistry in Our World (4 credits)
• CHEM 101: Environmental Chemistry (4 credits)
• CHEM 108: Chemistry for Nursing (4 credits)
• CHEM 109: General Chemistry for ENGR (4 credits)
• CHEM 111: General Chemistry I (4 credits)
• CHEM 112: General Chemistry II (4 credits)
• CHEM 115: Accelerated General Chemistry (4 credits)

Plus:

• STAT 220: Statistics I (4 credits)

• BIOL 207 Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution (4 credits)
• BIOL 208 Biological Communication and Energetics (4 credits)
• BIOL 209 Biology of Sustainability (4 credits)
• Plus twenty-eight (28) credits from the list below. Sixteen (16) of those twenty-eight must come from any of the following: BIOL 210, 211 or courses from the below list that include a lab component. At least four credits must be completed at the 400 level; typically taken during the senior year.

Note: The normal expectation is that students will complete BIOL 207, 208, and 209 by the end of their sophomore year

Elective List:

• BIOL 210 Introduction to Laboratory Research (2 credits)
• BIOL 211 Introduction to Field Research (4 credits)
• BIOL 256 Microbiology Health Focus (4 credits)
• BIOL 287 Biology of HIV and AIDS (2 credits)
• BIOL 292 Topics without laboratory (4 credits)
• BIOL 296 Topics (2 credits)
• BIOL 298 Topics (4 credits)
• BIOL 302 Animal Diversity (4 credits)
• BIOL 303 Animal Diversity (without lab)
• BIOL 315 Plants, Food and Medicine (4 credits)
• BIOL 316 Plants, Food and Med (no lab)
• BIOL 320 Plant Physiology (4 credits)
• BIOL 328 Environmental Toxicology and Health (4 credits)
• BIOL 330 Animal Behavior (4 credits)
• BIOL 331 Animal Behavior (no lab)
• BIOL 333 Ecology (4 credits)
• BIOL 335 Conservation Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL 336 Conservation Biology (no lab)
• BIOL 340 Principles of Biochemistry (4 credits)
• BIOL 349 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology: Locomotion and Systems Regulation (4 credits)
• BIOL 350 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology: Energy Acquisition and Processing (4 credits)
• BIOL 353 Microscopic Anatomy (4 credits)
• BIOL 354 Neurobiology (4 credits)
• BIOL 355 Neurobiology (without lab)
• BIOL 356 Microbiology (4 credits)
• BIOL 358 Microscopic Anatomy (no lab)
• BIOL 360 Genetics (4 credits)
• BIOL 361 Medical Geology (4 credits)
• BIOL 363 Immunology (4 credits)
• BIOL 364 Immunology (no lab)
• BIOL 365 Developmental Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL 366 Developmental Biology (no lab)
• BIOL 368 Genetics (no lab)
• BIOL 371 Cell Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL 372 Cell Biology (no lab)
• BIOL 375 Endocrinology (4 credits)
• BIOL 377 Endocrinology (no lab)
• BIOL 389 Research (2 or 4 credits)*
• BIOL 393 Individual Study (2 or 4 credits)*
• BIOL 396 Topics (2 credits)
• BIOL 398 Topics (4 credits)
• BIOL 415 Plant Physiology and Adaptations to Stress (4 credits)
• BIOL 430 Evolutionary Ecology (4 credits)
• BIOL 435 Aquatic Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL 462 Molecular Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL 464 Bioinformatics (4 credits)
• BIOL 467 Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases (4 credits)
• BIOL 471 Evolution (4 credits)
• BIOL 472 Evolution, Medicine, and Psychology (4 credits)
• BIOL 476 Experiential Learning (2 credits)
• BIOL 478 Experiential Learning (4 credits)
• BIOL 480 Urban Ecosystem Ecology (4 credits)
• BIOL 484 Seminar (2 credits)
• BIOL 486 Seminar (4 credits)
• BIOL 488 Topics (2 credits)
• BIOL 490 Topics (4 credits)
• BIOL 491 Research (2 or 4 credits)*
• BIOL 495 Individual Study (2 or 4 credits)*
• CHEM 440 Biochemistry I (4 credits)**
• ESCI 310 Environmental Problem Solving (4 credits)**

*A maximum of eight credits in Research and/or Individual Study will be credited towards the requirements of the major.

**CHEM 440 and ESCI 310 may be counted towards the major as 300-level elective courses.

Allied Requirements:

• CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (4 credits) and CHEM 112 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
• or CHEM 115 Accelerated General Chemistry (4 credits)
• MATH 109 Calculus with Review II (4 credits)
• or MATH 113 Calculus I (4 credits)
• STAT 220 Statistics I (4 credits)
• or STAT 310 Biostatistics (4 credits)
• or MATH 303 Statistics for the Applied Sciences (4 credits)

Note: It is highly recommended that students complete the above allied requirements by the end of the sophomore year.

Plus courses from the following list of other requirements to a total of 24 credits; alternative courses to satisfy allied requirements may be proposed by to the student for approval by the department chair:

• CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
• CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits)
• CHEM 300 Quantitative Analysis (4 credits)
• CHEM 444 Advanced Metabolism (2 credits)
• CISC 131 Intro-Programming&Prob Solving (4 credits)
• CISC 260 Data Fundamentals and Apps (4 credits)
• CISC 360 Data Visualization (4 credits)
• CISC 342 Computer Applications in Experimental Sciences (4 credits)
• ENGR 350 Introduction to Electronics (4 credits)
• EXSC 213 Human Anatomy (4 credits)
• EXSC 214 Human Physiology (4 credits)
• GEOL 113 Earth's Record of Climate (4 credit)
• GEOL 115 Environmental Geology (4 credits)
• GEOL 130 Earth History (4 credits)
• GEOL 162 The Earth’s Record of Climate (4 credits)
• GEOG 223 Remote Sensing (4 credits)
• MATH 114 Calculus II (4 credits)
• MATH 315 Applied Mathematics and Modeling I (4 credits)
• MATH 316 Applied Mathematics and Modeling II (4 credits)
• PHYS 109 Physics for Life Sciences I (4 credit) or PHYS 211 Classical Physics I (4 credits)
• PHYS 110 Physics for Life Sciences II (4 credit) or PHYS 212 Classical Physics II (4 credits)
• PSYC 206 The Brain and Human Behavior (4 credits)
• PSYC 207 Drugs and Behavior (4 credits)
• PSYC 401 Physiological Psychology (4 credits)
• PUBH 300 Epidemiology (4 credits)
• STAT 320 Statistics II (4 credits)

Note: A student cannot simultaneously major in the Biology of Global Health and either major or minor in Biology (B.A. or B.S.), Biochemistry, or Neuroscience.

• BIOL 207 Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution (4 credits)
• BIOL 208 Biological Communication and Energetics (4 credits)
• BIOL 209 Biology of Sustainability (4 credits)
• BIOL 328 Environmental Toxicology and Health (4 credits)
• BIOL 474 Senior Seminar in Global Health (4 credits)

Plus 16 credits with at least four credits from each cluster:

Cellular/Molecular cluster:

• BIOL 340 Principles of Biochemistry (4 credits) or CHEM 440 Biochemistry I (4 credits)
• BIOL 356 Microbiology (4 credits)
• BIOL 360 Genetics (4 credits)
• BIOL 365 Developmental Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL 462 Molecular Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL 464 Bioinformatics (4 credits)
• BIOL 371 Cell Biology (4 credits)

Host and Disease Cluster:

• BIOL 287 Biology of HIV/AIDS (2 credits)
• BIOL 302 Animal Diversity (4 credits)
• BIOL 354 Neurobiology (4 credits)
• BIOL 363 Immunology (4 credits)
• BIOL 467 Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases (4 credits)
• BIOL 471 Evolution ((4 credits)

Ecosystem Health Cluster:

• BIOL 211 Introduction to Field Research (4 credits)
• BIOL 315 Plants, Food and Medicine (4 credits)
• BIOL 333 Ecology (4 credits)
• BIOL 335 Conservation Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL 361 Medical Geology (4 credits)
• BIOL 435 Aquatic Ecology (4 credits)
• BIOL 480 Urban Ecosystem Ecology (4 credits)

Allied Requirements:

• CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (4 credits) and CHEM 112 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
  or CHEM 115 Accelerated General Chemistry (4 credits)
• PUBH 300 Intro into Epidemiology (4 credits)
• STAT 220 Statistics (4 credits)
• STAT 310 Statistics (4 credits)

Plus 12 credits selected in consultation with their academic advisor and approved by the Biology Department Chair.

1. The courses must be cohesive and clearly related to each other as a block; however, they may be interdisciplinary and must be outside of Biology.
2. The block of courses must be clearly related to the Biology of Global Health major.
3. Students must submit a written proposal for these 12 credits that clearly describes how they are related to each other, how they are related to the BOGH major, and how they fit into post-graduation plans. The department chair must approve the proposal. The student may register for no more than one third of the credits prior to receiving approval of the proposal.

• BIOL 207 Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution (4 credits)
• BIOL 208 Biological Communication and Energetics (4 credits)
• BIOL 209 Biology of Sustainability (4 credits)
• Eight (8) additional credits in biology courses numbered 200 or above, selected in consultation with the department chair.

Note: CHEM 440 Biochemistry I cannot be counted towards the Biology minor.