Courses

• BY170 Introduction to Organisms (4) NL

  This course will introduce the evolutionary processes that shape variation within populations and generate species diversity. It will examine the diversity in organismal morphology, physiology, behavior and ecology, and describe the interactions between species and their environments. The overarching goal of the course is to illustrate fundamental concepts in evolution, ecology and diversity via examples of species adaptations and interactions. An additional goal is to develop critical analytical skills through case studies, interactive lab protocols, and hands-on observations of plant and animal specimens. Three (3) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Offered every fall. BY170L, weekly lab.

• BY171 Introduction to Cells (Formerly BY160 Principles of Biology) (4)

  Introduction to the structure and function of cells, including basic chemistry, metabolism, mitosis, genetics, protein synthesis, and cell regulation. Three (3) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Offered every semester.

• BY221 Anatomy and Histology of Vertebrates (4)

  Structure, function and evolution of vertebrates at organ and tissue levels; emphasis on laboratory observations using a comparative approach. Three (3) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence with minimum grades of C. Offered every fall. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY231 Microbiology (4)

  Morphology, taxonomy, and physiology of bacteria and other microorganisms; microbial genetics, environmental and industrial significance of microorganisms, and infectious diseases will be covered. Three (3) hours lecture, four (4) hours lab. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence with minimum grades of C. Offered every spring. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY241 Ornithology (3)

  An introduction to the study of birds, their classification, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and natural history. Five hours per week, divided between lecture, lab and field excursions. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence with minimum grades of C. Offered even-numbered springs. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY264 Plant Biology (3)

  Study of structure, function, reproductive adaptations, and taxonomic classification of the major phyla of land plants. Emphasis on laboratory observations of micro- and macroscopic features and specialized terminology. Two (2) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence with minimum grades of C. Offered odd-numbered springs. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement

• BY275 Aquatic Field Biology (3)

  The study of aquatic systems and organisms, their functions, origins and interactions. Field oriented labs with training in limnological equipment and analysis. Three (3) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence with minimum grades of C. Offered even-numbered falls. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY324/PG324 Neuroscience (4)

  Topics include neuron functioning (action potential production including the behavior of receptors, ion channels and neurotransmitters), synaptic transmission, sensory and motor systems, the neurobiological perspective of learning and memory, drugs and the brain, sex and the brain. Both invertebrate and vertebrate systems discussed. Three (3) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab.Prerequisites: minimum grade of C in BY150 or BY171, sophomore status and instructor approval. Offered even-numbered springs. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY326 Cell Biology (4)

  (Open to declared biology or health science majors.) Study of cellular structure and function: bioenergetics, enzyme regulation, membrane dynamics, cell ultrastructure and cell signaling. Four (4) hours lecture. Prerequisites: minimum grade of C in BY171 and BY170. Junior status. Offered every fall. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY328 Genetics (5) WI

  (Open to declared biology or health science majors.) Mendelian, population, and molecular genetics, with an emphasis on recent advances. Four (4) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Offered every spring. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence and CY112 with minimum grades of C. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY341 Parasitology (2)

  Introduction to parasites infecting humans: symptoms, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Lecture, laboratory. (8 week mod) Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence with minimum grades of C. Offered odd-numbered springs. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY350 Evolution (4)

  (Open to declared biology majors) The course will focus on developing a deeper understanding of two key concepts in biological evolution: how natural selection operates and how evolutionary lineages change and diversify. Particular emphasis will be placed on interpretation of data and development of communication skills using both scholarly and popular press literature. Proficiency with algebra will be assumed. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence and BY-228 Genetics with minimum grades of C and one upper-level course in Biology. Offered every spring.  

• BY352 Ecology (3)

  This course examines interrelationships between individuals and their abiotic environment as well as population-and community-level interactions. General principles will be applied to a range of organisms, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and humans. Labs will vary in structure and will emphasize the collection and evaluation of numerical data to test hypotheses. Two (2) hours lecture and three (3) hours laboratory. Prerequisites: minimum grad of C in BY170, BY171.

• BY361 Immunology (4)

  Molecular, cellular and organism-level immunology in health and disease; Foundational topics include: innate immunity, lymphocyte development, B and T cell immunity, and antigen presentation. Introductions to clinical immunology include: vaccines, autoimmunity, allergies, immunodeficiency and tumor immunology. Some current tools in immunological research will be discussed. Format will include lecture, presentations by students, case studies and discussions of primary literature. Four (4) hours of lecture. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence with minimum grades of C. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY372 Physiology (4)

  (Open to declared biology or health science majors.) Basic physiology of human body systems; neural and neuroendocrine integration and control. Three (3) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence and CY112 with minimum grades of C. Offered every spring. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY375 Advanced Human Genetics (4)

  This course takes a disease-based approach to the study of human genetics, including disease etiology, pathology, phenotype, and treatment options. A combination of lecture, literature review, and discussion formats will be employed. Diseases that will be discussed range from inborn errors of metabolism and structural protein defects to the chromosomal breakage syndromes. Methodologies that allow investigators to research human genetics will also be discussed. Four (4) hours lecture. Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in BY228. Offered as needed. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• BY499 Biology Seminar (3) SC

  Concentrated study of a single topic. Library research and oral presentation required of all participants. Students will be expected to attend all presentations of their seminar topic and twelve additional science division presentations throughout their Aquinas experience. Prerequisite: Senior status and instructor permission. Offered every semester. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• CY111 General Chemistry (4) NL

  A first college course in chemistry designed primarily for science majors. Topics include atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, properties of gases, solids, and liquids, stoichiometry, and thermochemistry. Three (3) hours of lecture and one 3-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: CY100 or high school chemistry; math placement score of 18 or higher, co-registration in MS114, or completion of MS114 with a C or better. High school physics strongly recommended.

• CY112 General Chemistry (4)

  A continuation of CY111. Topics include coordination chemistry, descriptive inorganic and organic chemistry, electrochemistry, equilibria, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Three (3) hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: CY111 and CS152 with grades of C- or better. Co-enrollment in CY112 and CS152 is allowed with approval of the chemistry department chairperson. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Physical Science requirement.

• CY211 Organic Chemistry (4)

  This is the first semester of a year-long course in organic chemistry for science majors. Topics include bonding, reaction mechanisms, structure, stereochemistry, and synthesis and reactions of aliphatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives. The correlation of molecular structure to physical properties and instrumentation is introduced. Three (3) hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: CY112, with a grade of C- or better, or its equivalent. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Physical Science requirement.

• CY212 Organic Chemistry (4)

  Continuation of CY211. Topics include carbonyl compounds and reactions, aromatic hydrocarbons, the application of instrumental methods (e.g. UV-vis, IR, NMR, MS) in the identification of the molecular structure, heterocyclic compounds. Multistep synthesis will be introduced. Three (3) hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: CY211, with a grade of C– or better, or its equivalent. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Physical Science requirement.

• CY325 Biochemistry (4)

  A first course in biochemistry for science majors. Topics include biomolecules, enzymes and their mechanisms of action, biological energetics, nucleic acids (their structure and function), and carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. Three (3) hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: CY212, with a grade of C- or better, or its equivalent. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Physical Science requirement.

• MS114 Precalculus (4) MS

  Linear and quadratic functions; equations and inequalities; transformations; systems of linear equations and inequalities; polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, and graphing; conic sections. Prerequisite: Three (3) years of college-preparatory math or MS111.

• MS121 Calculus I (4) MS

  Functions, limits, continuity, derivatives, antiderivatives, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, solids of revolution. This course has five contact hours per week. Prerequisites: Three and one-half years of college-preparatory math, including trigonometry or MS114.

• MS252 Statistics (3)

  Designed for students who have had at least three (3) years of high-school mathematics or its equivalent. Topics to be covered include frequency distributions, variability, probability, sampling, estimation, testing, hypotheses, analysis of variance, regression and correlation analysis, and nonparametric tests. (Course counts as three (3) semester hours toward a minor, but only one (1) semester hour toward a major.) Prerequisite: MS114.This course is not accepted for the General Education Mathematics requirement.

• PC201 General Physics: Mechanics, Sound, Heat (4) NL

  Four (4) hours lecture, two (2) hours lab.

• PC202 General Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, Light, Nuclear Physics (4)

  Prerequisite: PC201 or instructor approval.

• PC213 General Physics with Calculus: Mechanics, Sound, Heat (4)

  Four (4) hours lecture, two (2) hours lab. Prerequisite: MS121.

• PC214 General Physics with Calculus: Electricity, Magnetism, Light, Nuclear Physics (4)

  Four (4) hours lecture, two (2) hours lab. Prerequisite: PC213.