BIOL 101, 102. Biology for General Education I, II. Lecture and laboratory covering biological principles, including ecology, cell biology, genetics, taxonomy, and anatomy. The intention of this course is to promote an appreciation of the biological world in which we live. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. These courses do fulfill general education requirements but do not apply towards any science degree. BIOL 101 need not be taken prior to 102. (4 each)
BIOL 111. General Botany.Introduction to plant biology: summarizes the major disciplines of botany and includes study of the more important plant groups: three lectures and one laboratory period per week. This course and BIOL 112 constitute the prerequisites for all biology related majors and minors. BIOL 111 does not have to be taken before BIOL 112. (4)
BIOL 112. General Zoology.Introductory animal biology covering biological macromolecules, cellular respiration, tissues, as well as ecology, evolution, and a survey of major animal groups; three lectures and one two-hour laboratory a week. This course and BIOL 111 constitute the prerequisites for all biology related majors and minors. BIOL 111 does not have to be taken before BIOL 112. (4)
BIOL 120. Biology of the Southwest. A course for the study of natural areas around Silver City. It is not designed for science majors and minors. No major/minor elective creditor general education credit may be claimed for this course. (4)
BIOL/AGSC 201. Home Gardening. Growing and propagating methods; extensive use of the WNMU greenhouse; emphasis on plants for the home garden and landscaping in the Silver City area. (3)
BIOL 210. Scientific Writing. Concentrates on the format and organization of scientific papers, as well as the ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely. Prerequisites: BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. (1)
BIOL 220. Animal Behavioral Ecology. Focuses on proximate and ultimate explanations for the diversity of behaviors exhibited by animals. Evolutionary consequences of behaviors are evaluated as hypotheses within an ecological context. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Offered alternate years. May be taken for 3 cr. hrs., or with a behavior project for 4 cr. hrs.
BIOL 222. Dendrology. Identification and distribution of North American woody plants, with emphasis on species native to the Southwest; considerable time spent in field study. Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 251. Systematic Botany. Flowering plants and their classification, with emphasis on flora of the Southwest: three lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOL111. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 254, 255. Anatomy and Physiology I, II.A student in this lecture and laboratory course will study both the structure and function of the human body. The mechanisms of homeostasis and the interrelationships of the various body systems will be emphasized. Three lectures and one laboratory per week; needs to be taken in sequence. Prerequisites: Two years of high school biology or BIOL 101, 102 or permission of the instructor. (4 each)
BIOL/AGSC 262. Genetics. Methods and results of the transmission of hereditary characteristics; three lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 111, 112. (4)
BIOL 301. Ecology. The study of the interactions between organisms, their abiotic environment, and other biotic components of natural systems; the structure and function of biotic communities and ecosystems; three lectures and one laboratory or field period per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 111, 112. (4)
BIOL 310. Invertebrate Zoology. Systematic study of invertebrate groups including taxonomy, ecology, anatomy reproduction and natural history of invertebrates; three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 311. Vertebrate Zoology. Study of vertebrate animals, their evolution, morphology, and ecology: three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 331. Non-Vascular Plants. Structure, taxonomy, evolution, and ecology of fungi and non-vascular plants; three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 332. Vascular Plants. Anatomy, morphology, and evolutionary development of the vascular plants; three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 111. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 342. Comparative Physiology. Processes and functions related to the activities of plants and animals; encompasses all levels of organization from cell level to the entire organism; three lectures per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Offered alternate years. (3)
BIOL 371. Microbiology. The structure, taxonomy, interaction between microbe and host, and applied microbiology will be studied; the laboratory emphasizes culturing, biochemical tests and the identification of an unknown species. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 111, 112, or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 381. Principles of Wildlife Biology. This course studies the application of wildlife principles to various animal species. Topics will include population dynamics, species introduction, predator-prey interactions, hunting and management techniques. Three lectures and one (1) laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 111, 112. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 400. Cell Biology. Structure and functional dynamics of living cells. Prerequisite: 12 hours of college-level biology including BIOL 262. Offered alternate years. (3)
BIOL 422. Evolution. The study of changes in natural populations of organisms and the dynamics underlying those changes. Evolutionary processes including mutation, genetic recombination, natural selection, migration, and genetic drift are reviewed, as well as their microevolutionary and macroevolutionary consequences; three lectures or discussion periods per week. Prerequisite: 15 credit hours of biology including BIOL 262. Offered alternate years. (3)
BIOL 432. Biogeography. An overview of the planet Earth. Studies of plant and animal distribution are based upon ecological, evolutionary, and physical factors. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of biology. Offered alternate years. (3)
BIOL 442. Ornithology. Introductory scientific study of birds, with emphasis on North American species; three lectures and one laboratory period per week; two Saturday field trips required. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 448. Herpetology. The study of amphibians and reptiles will review the evolutionary history, phylogenetic relationships, global diversity, life history, and general biology of these important groups. Laboratory will focus on the identification of the regional herpetofauna; three lectures and one laboratory per week with at least one required week-end field trip. Prerequisite: BIOL 111, BIOL 112, BIOL 311, or instructor’s approval. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 450. Methods of Teaching Secondary Science. A broad spectrum of practical instructional problems; design and implementation of laboratory exercises with emphasis on use of original materials; evaluation of current textbooks; ordering of supplies and equipment; practical use of various teaching tools; lesson, unit, and semester planning with testing problems and design; current legal problems and their implications for the science teacher. Offered alternate years. (3)
BIOL 451. Mammalogy.The study of fur-bearing animals, including their structure, behavior, life histories, and taxonomic relationship; three lectures and one laboratory period per week; one weekend field trip required. Prerequisite: BIOL 112. Offered alternate years. (4)
BIOL 455. Practicum. For Forest/Wildlife majors only. This course involves 150 hours of volunteer work in the field with professional biologists that gives students practical educational experiences to help prepare them for their professional career. Student must apply to the Advisor of the Forest/Wildlife Program 4 months prior to the beginning of this course. (3)
BIOL 462. Comparative Chordate Anatomy. Derivation and descriptive morphology of the major organ systems of chordate animals; three lectures and two laboratory periods per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 112; BIOL 311 recommended. Offered alternate years. (5)
BIOL 472. Readings in Science. An interdisciplinary introduction to the exploration and understanding of primary, scientific literature. Two scientific papers will be read and discussed each week. Outlines of scientific papers and participation in discussions are focal activities. Designed for the upper level undergraduate. Offered alternate years. (3)
BIOL 475. Field Biology. Field Biology will develop the upper undergraduates ability to design, execute, and report biological field studies. Overnight camping required four nights per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. BIOL 301 recommended. (6) Summers only
BIOL 486. Senior Project. Individually tailored research course involving a synthesis of biology disciplines and requiring use of data gathering principles and library facilities; required of all senior students majoring in biology, botany, or zoology. (2)
BIOL 487, 488. Individual Scientific Investigations. Opportunity for independent study under the supervision of a faculty member; selection and execution of a field or laboratory project and preparation of the results in scientific form; may be repeated. Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of college-level biology or permission of the instructor. (3)
BIOL 490. Biology Seminar. Discussion of selected biological topics; devoted to a different subject each semester (as indicated in course schedules available at registrations). Prerequisite: permission of instructor. This course may be repeated up to three times for elective credit. (1)