Course Descriptions

100 General Biology
An introductory laboratory science course that concentrates on basic scientific investigation, with a particular emphasis on living organisms, some dissections required. One semester, 4 credits.

115* Animal Behavior
Diverse types of behavior exhibited by animals, various animals including arachnids and reptiles will be utilized in laboratories. Lectures and laboratories. One semester, 3 credits.

135* The Natural History of Southern California
A study of the flora and fauna of Southern California plant communities. Field trips will include desert, chaparral, coastal sage, dune and beach, forest and mountain communities. Lectures, laboratories and fi eld trips. One semester, 4 credits.

151 Cell and Molecular Biology
An introduction to the structure and function of cells. Emphasis will be on how molecules are organized within cells to allow for energy production, synthesis of new materials, communication with other cells, replication of genetic information, and reproduction. The laboratory will introduce many ways of studying cells and molecules, including various forms of microscopy and basic recombinant DNA techniques. One semester, 4 credits.

152 The Biology of Organism
An introduction to the structure and function of the organism as a whole. The course is organized around central problems that all organisms, both plants and animals, must solve. Problems to be examined include feeding strategies, gas exchange, water balance, waste disposal, circulation, thermoregulation, dealing with gravity, and locomotion. Lectures, laboratories. Prerequisite: 151. One semester, 4 credits.

251 Ecology and Evolution of Organisms
An introduction to the structure and function of populations of plants and animals. Topics to be covered include growth and behavior of populations, ecology of communities, ecosystem function, transmission genetics, and the evolution of populations and species. Lectures, laboratories, and field trips. Prerequisite: 152 or Environmental Science 100. One semester, 4 credits.

252 Research Methods in Biology
The last course of the introductory biology curriculum. In preparation of more advanced biological inquiry, students will review experimental designs, data collection and analysis, perform in-depth literature reviews, and practice scientific writing. The culmination of the course will include a presentation of a detailed research proposal. Lectures and laboratories. Prerequisite: 251. One semester, 4 credits.

300 A,B Human Physiology and Anatomy
Structure and Function of the Human Body The structure of the human body as an integrated whole, and the functions of the various organ systems that compose it. Emphasis on how structure relates to function. Includes detailed dissection. Lectures and laboratories. Two semesters, 4 credits each.

331 Immunology
The study of the innate and adaptive immune mechanisms of organisms in response to foreign pathogens. The physiological function of the immune system in health and disease is also discussed. Lectures, journal seminars, and laboratory exercises. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

340* Invertebrate Zoology
Survey of the major groups of invertebrate animals with emphasis on their systematics, comparative morphology, and phylogeny. Lecture, laboratory, and fi eld work. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 3 credits.

343 Microbiology
Principles of the culture, physiology, and control of microorganisms with emphasis on medical bacteriology. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

345 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
A comparative survey of the anatomy of the different vertebrate groups with attention to evolutionary development. Extensive dissections required. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisite: 252. One semester. 4 credits.

360 Herpetology
The ecology, taxonomy, and behavior of amphibians and reptiles. Lectures, laboratories and fi eld work (some dissection required). Prerequisite: 252. January, 4 credits.

379* Conservation Biology
Conservation biology deals with the study of preserving biodiversity. Topics to be covered include the effects of habitat fragmentation on populations, reserve design, the effect of fragmentation on levels of diversity, and issues surrounding the problem of maintaining genetic diversity. Lectures and fi eld work. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

380* Cell Physiology
Biochemical approach to the understanding of cellular functions with emphasis on the interactions of biochemical pathways and their importance. Lectures and seminars. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

381 Molecular Genetics
In-depth study of how genetic information is stored and utilized by cells, including DNA replication, transcription and translation, and the control of gene expression. Emphasis will
be split between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Prerequisite: 151. One semester, 4 credits.

384 Marine Biology
The physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the marine environment; emphasizes actors affecting the distribution and abundance of marine organisms. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

386* Entomology
Morphology, physiology, ecology, and the behavior of insects. Taxonomy and collection of the common insect families is emphasized. Lectures, laboratories and fi eld work (some dissection required). Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

404 Developmental Biology
The processes that allow a single cell to develop into an entire organism will be explored. Topics will include classical embryology, control of development at the cellular and molecular level, and mechanisms of differentiation. Extensive laboratory work included. Prerequisite: 252. January, 4 credits.

407 Animal Histology
Study of the structure and function of animal tissue. Comparisons of normal and pathological tissues are made. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

428* Animal Physiology
The comparative function of organ systems in representative animal types, including humans. Lectures and laboratories. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

445* Evolutionary Biology
Examination of the mechanisms of micro evolutionary and macro evolutionary change. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

473* Plant Systematics
Taxonomic and ecological study of native plants. Lectures, laboratory, and fi eld work. Permission. Prerequisite: 252. One semester, 4 credits.

485 Advanced Field Studies
Variable Credits. Permission.

190, 290, 390, 490 Selected Topics in Biology
Variable credits. Permission. May be repeated for credit.

493 Seminar
Discussion of current biological research. May include student oral presentations. Time
arranged. Permission. May be repeated for credit. One semester, 1 credit.

295, 395, 495 Independent Study
Variable credits. Permission. May be repeated for credit.

496 Undergraduate Research
Variable credits. Permission. May be repeated for credit.

*Not offered every year.