Courses with the BIOLOGY Subject

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The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective. Courses showing two entries of the same number indicate that the course information is changing. The most recently approved version is shown first, followed by the older version, in gray, with its last-effective term preceding the course title. Courses shown in gray with only one entry of the course number are being discontinued. Course offerings by term can be accessed by clicking on the term links when viewing a specific campus catalog.

Biology (BIOLOGY)

101 [BSCI] Biology of Humans 3 The biology of good health and longevity; evaluation of lifestyle choices; consideration of each body system and the potential for disease and disorder. Credit not granted towards elective requirements for majors in the School of Biological Sciences.

102 [BSCI] General Biology 4 (3-3) Enrollment not allowed if credit for BIOLOGY 105 already earned or if enrolled in BIOLOGY 105. Understanding current and future advances in biology as 'citizen scientists'. Lecture and laboratory; not for students majoring in the life sciences. Credit not allowed for students who have already completed BIOLOGY 105. Credit not granted towards elective requirements for majors in the School of Biological Sciences.

105 [BSCI] General Biology Laboratory 1 (0-3) Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Enrollment not allowed if credit for BIOLOGY 102 already earned or if enrolled in BIOLOGY 102. Understanding biology as a science and its effect on issues within society. Laboratory only. Credit not granted towards elective requirements for majors in the School of Biological Sciences.

106 [BSCI] Introductory Biology: Organismal Biology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: One of the following -- a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 40%, MATH 100 with an S, MATH 101 with a C or better, MATH 103 or higher, BIOLOGY 103 with a C or better, BIOLOGY 102, BIOLOGY 120, or 3 credits of biology with a lab. One semester of a two semester sequence (BIOLOGY 106/107 or BIOLOGY 107/106) for science majors and pre-professional students. Biology of organisms; plants, animals, ecology and evolution.

107 [BSCI] Introductory Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics 4 (3-3) First or second semester of a one-year sequence (BIOLOGY 106/107 or BIOLOGY 107/106) for science majors and pre-professional students. Cell biology and genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Recommended preparation: 2 credits 100-level CHEM or concurrent enrollment.

107 (Effective through Summer 2024) [BSCI] Introductory Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: Minimum 2 credits 100 level CHEM or concurrent enrollment. First or second semester of a one-year sequence (BIOLOGY 106/107 or BIOLOGY 107/106) for science majors and pre-professional students. Cell biology and genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

120 [BSCI] Introductory Botany 4 (3-3) Introduction to plant science, highlighting certain aspects of plant biology and current research and how these relate to us all in the modern world. Credit not granted towards elective requirements for majors in the School of Biological Sciences.

125 Genetics and Society 3 Genetic topics in media and daily life including human health, agriculture, ecology and forensics for the educated non-biologist. Credit not granted towards elective requirements for majors in the School of Biological Sciences.

140 [BSCI] Introduction to Nutritional Science 3 Information related to dietary sources of nutrients, their functions in the body, physiologic and environmental factors that govern nutrient requirements, and guidelines for optimal dietary patterns. Credit not granted towards elective requirements for majors in the School of Biological Sciences.

150 [BSCI] Evolution 3 Basic principles and implications of Darwinian evolution. Credit not granted towards elective requirements for majors in the School of Biological Sciences.

210 Your Future in Life Sciences 2 Exploration of career options in biological sciences with faculty and outside speakers; guide to preparing resume and career plans. (Crosslisted course offered as SCIENCE 210, BIOLOGY 210.)

220 Medical Terminology 2 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 101, 102, 106, 107, or KINES 262. Terms and word constructions for health care occupations; format and function of medical records.

251 Introductory Human Physiology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 102, 106, or 107. Basic physiological processes in humans from the cellular to the organismal level. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 251 and 353.

301 General Genetics 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 120; BIOLOGY 107. Principles of modern and classical genetics. (Crosslisted course offered as MBIOS 301, BIOLOGY 301.)

301 (Effective through Summer 2024) General Genetics 4 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 120; BIOLOGY 107. Principles of modern and classical genetics. (Crosslisted course offered as MBIOS 301, BIOLOGY 301).

301 (Effective through Spring 2024) General Genetics 4 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 120; BIOLOGY 107; CHEM 101 or 105; CHEM 102 or 106. Principles of modern and classical genetics. (Crosslisted course offered as MBIOS 301, BIOLOGY 301).

305 Evolutionary Biology and Diversity 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106; BIOLOGY 107. Survey of evolutionary processes that influence adaptation, diversification, and the origins and history of biodiversity; applications of evolution in conservation, agriculture, and medicine.

307 [DIVR] Biology of Sex and Gender 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 102 or 106. Biological basis of sex and its relationship to body function, women and health care, and the impact of social and cultural perspectives on the experience of being female. (Crosslisted course offered as BIOLOGY 307, WGSS 307.)

307 (Effective through Summer 2024) [DIVR] Biology of Women 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 102 or 106. Biological basis of sex and its relationship to body function, women and health care, and the impact of social and cultural perspectives on the experience of being female. (Crosslisted course offered as BIOLOGY 307, WGSS 307.)

315 Gross and Microanatomy 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: At least 3 credits of BIOLOGY; sophomore standing; cumulative GPA 2.5 or better. Gross and microscopic anatomy of the human body. Recommended for pre-health care professionals only.

322 [M] Invertebrate Biology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106. Phylogenetic relationships, development, and functional ecology of the invertebrate animals.

330 Principles of Conservation 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 102, 106, or 107. Conservation of major natural resources through a biological approach; philosophical, economic, and political aspects of important conservation issues.

333 [BSCI] Human Nutrition and Health 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 102, 106, 107, 251, 315, or concurrent enrollment in BIOLOGY 251. Credit not granted for students who have already completed BIOLOGY 233 with a grade of C or above. Foundations in nutritional science and its relationship to human health through the application of fundamental principles of biology.

340 Introduction to Mathematical Biology 3 Course Prerequisite: MATH 140 with a C or better, or MATH 172 with a C or better, or MATH 182 with a C or better; BIOLOGY 101, BIOLOGY 102, BIOLOGY 106, or BIOLOGY 107. Mathematical biology and development of mathematical modeling for solutions to problems in the life sciences. (Crosslisted course offered as MATH 340, BIOLOGY 340.)

352 Cells 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 107; CHEM 345. Diversity and processes at the cellular level; structure and function.

353 Advanced Human Physiology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106; BIOLOGY 107. Function and control at the organ-organismic level with emphasis on mammals, including humans; emphasis on human health science applications. Recommended preparation: BIOLOGY 315 or 354. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 251 and 353.

354 Human Anatomy for Health Occupations 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 107; CHEM 102 or 345. Histology and anatomy of humans with non-cadaver-based laboratory utilizing preserved and histological specimens, models, and software.

372 [M] General Ecology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106; CHEM 102 or 105. Enrollment in BIOLOGY 372 not allowed if credit already earned for BIOLOGY 370. Relationship of organisms with physical and biotic components of their environment at the population, community, and ecosystem level. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 370 and 372. Field trips may be required.

390 Stream Monitoring 1 (0-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 101, 102, or 106; CHEM 101 or 105; junior standing. Principles and methods of water quality monitoring, including habitat assessment, water chemistry, and biological assessment. Field work and independent research required.

393 [M] Professional Communications in Biology 2 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major in Biology or Zoology. Literature investigation, oral presentation and written reports of selected topics in biology.

394 Medicine as a Career 2 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Current issues in medicine; ethical, financial, and personal aspects of medical practice. S, F grading.

401 [CAPS] [M] Plants and People 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 301, 305, 370, 372, 395, 403, 405, or MBIOS 301. Relationships between plants and people, especially cultural and economic applications of plants.

401 (Effective through Summer 2025) [CAPS] [M] Plants and People 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 120; BIOLOGY 107; junior standing. Relationships between plants and people, especially cultural and economic applications of plants.

402 [CAPS] [M] Beneficial Microbes in Nature and Society 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 305, 370, 372, 395, 403, or 405; junior standing. In-depth investigations of interdisciplinary topics addressing the importance of beneficial microbes to organisms, natural systems, and society from across the disciplines of microbiology, medicine, evolutionary ecology, and agricultural science.

402 (Effective through Fall 2024) [CAPS] [M] Beneficial Microbes in Nature and Society 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 372, 403, or 405; junior standing. In-depth investigations of interdisciplinary topics addressing the importance of beneficial microbes to organisms, natural systems, and society from across the disciplines of microbiology, medicine, evolutionary ecology, and agricultural science.

403 Evolutionary Biology 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 301. The survey of evidence for evolution and operation of evolutionary processes that influence adaptation, diversification and speciation in organisms.

405 Principles of Organic Evolution 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 301. The evolutionary processes that influence adaptation, population differentiation, and speciation in organisms.

408 [CAPS] [M] Contemporary Genetics 3 Course Prerequisite: MBIOS / BIOLOGY 301 with a C or better; junior standing. Consideration of the state-of-the-art genetic technologies and their impact on society, environment and the economy.

410 Marine Ecology 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106. The ecology and conservation of marine organisms, communities, and ecosystems.

412 Biology of Fishes 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106. Evolution, identification, life history, and characteristics of important fish species.

418 Parasitology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 102 or BIOLOGY 106; junior standing. Types of associations, life cycles, control, prevention, and modifications of parasites; examination of parasitic protozoa and helminths.

420 Plant Physiology 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 120. Water relations, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, respiration, and growth of plants. Recommended: Organic chemistry.

421 Plant Physiology Laboratory 1 (0-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 420 or concurrent enrollment. Laboratory for Biol 420.

430 Methods of Teaching Secondary Science I 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Application of learning and theory and philosophy and structure of science in teaching middle and secondary school science courses. (Crosslisted course offered as BIOLOGY 430, MBIOS 480, TCH LRN 430.)

438 Animal Behavior 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106. Biological study of animal behavior as viewed from genetic, developmental, physiological, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives.

438 (Effective through Fall 2024) Animal Behavior 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106. Biological study of animal behavior as viewed from ethological, genetic, developmental, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives.

438 (Effective through Summer 2024) [M] Animal Behavior 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106. Biological study of animal behavior as viewed from ethological, genetic, developmental, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives.

446 Mutualism and Symbiosis 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 305, 370, 372, 395, 403, or 405. Critical evaluation of the ecology, evolution, and molecular biology of mutualism and symbiosis. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 446 and 546. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

446 (Effective through Fall 2024) Mutualism and Symbiosis 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 372, 403, or 405. Critical evaluation of the ecology, evolution, and molecular biology of mutualism and symbiosis. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 446 and 546. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

462 Community Ecology 3 Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Assembly, essential properties, levels of interactions, succession, and stability of natural communities; emphasizes an experimental approach to community investigation. Recommended preparation: BIOLOGY 372. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 462 and BIOLOGY 562. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

465 Field Stream Ecology 2 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 372. Ecological roles of immature insects in different size streams; pattern changes along the stream continuum; other ecological characteristics.

469 [M] Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 370 with a C or better or BIOLOGY 372 with a C or better. Historic and current factors controlling the function of ecosystems and their responses to natural and human caused global change. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 469 and 569. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

473 [CAPS] [M] Evolution and Society 3 Course Prerequisite: ANTH 260 or BIOLOGY 301; junior standing. Survey of how the theory of evolution is used to better understand ourselves, the societies in which live, and the biological world on which we depend. Recommended preparation: BIOLOGY 305, 395, 403, or 405 or concurrent enrollment. (Crosslisted course offered as BIOLOGY 473, ANTH 473.)

473 (Effective through Fall 2024) [CAPS] [M] Evolution and Society 3 Course Prerequisite: ANTH 260 or BIOLOGY 301; junior standing. Survey of how the theory of evolution is used to better understand ourselves, the societies in which live, and the biological world on which we depend. Recommended preparation: BIOLOGY 405 or concurrent enrollment. (Crosslisted course offered as BIOLOGY 473, ANTH 473.)

475 Systems Biology of Reproduction 3 Current literature based course on systems biology with a molecular/epigenetic to physiological level understanding of cell, development, disease, and evolutionary biology. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 475 and 575. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

476 Epigenetics and Systems Biology 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 301. Current literature based course on epigenetics and systems biology with topics in environmental epigenetics, disease etiology, and role epigenetics in evolutionary biology. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 476 and 576. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

480 [M] Writing in Biology 2 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major in Biology or Zoology. Discussion and practice in relating thinking and writing; popular and professional communication in biology.

483 [CAPS] [M] Organisms and Global Change 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 370, BIOLOGY 372, or SOE 300. Interaction between organisms and global change across scales of biology.

483 (Effective through Spring 2024) [CAPS] [M] Organisms and Global Change 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 372; junior standing. Interaction between organisms and global change across scales of biology.

489 [CAPS] [M] Synthesis and Communication of Independent Research 3 Course Prerequisite: By department permission only; 2 credits BIOLOGY 499; admitted to major in Biology or Zoology; junior standing. Integration of broad topics from biology and other science fields to inform scientific writing and presentation of independent research projects.

492 Topics in Biology V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits.

495 Internship in Biology, Botany, and Zoology V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 8 credits. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Experience in work related to specific career interests. S, F grading.

497 Instructional Practicum V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 8 credits. Academic traineeship in laboratory teaching and tutoring.

499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Independent study conducted under the jurisdiction of an approving faculty member; may include independent research studies in technical or specialized problems; selection and analysis of specified readings; development of a creative project; or field experiences. S, F grading.

500 Seminar 1 May be repeated for credit. S, F grading.

501 Proposal Defense Seminar 2 Research proposal defense as part of the preliminary examination for candidacy in the Ph.D. program. S, F grading.

517 Stress Physiology of Plants 3 Temperature, light, salinity, water effects on physiological processes; mechanistic understanding of stress.

519 Introduction to Population Genetics 3 Survey of basic population and quantitative genetics. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

520 Conservation Genetics 2 Genetic studies and approaches relevant to efforts to conserve threatened and endangered populations of organisms.

521 Quantitative Genetics 3 Fundamentals of quantitative genetics; evolutionary quantitative genetics. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

534 Modern Methods in Population Genomics 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 519. Problems and prospects of designing a study with genomic data: from raw data to demography and selection inferences.

540 Stable Isotope Theory and Methods 3 Theory and practice of measuring stable isotope ratios of biologically important elements. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

544 Nitrogen Cycling in the Earth's Systems 3 Nitrogen dynamics in terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric systems; nitrogen transformations in natural and managed systems and responses to human activities. (Crosslisted course offered as BIOLOGY 544, SOIL SCI 544.)

545 Statistical Genomics 3 (2-3) Develop concepts and analytical skills for modern breeding by using Genome-Wide Association Study and genomic prediction in framework of mixed linear models and Bayesian approaches. Recommended preparation: BIOLOGY 474; MBIOS 478. (Crosslisted course offered as CROP SCI 545, ANIM SCI 545, BIOLOGY 545, HORT 545, PL P 545.) Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

546 Mutualism and Symbiosis 3 Critical evaluation of the ecology, evolution, and molecular biology of mutualism and symbiosis. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 446 and 546. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

546 (Effective through Fall 2024) Mutualism and Symbiosis 3 Critical evaluation of the ecology, evolution, and molecular biology of mutualism and symbiosis. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 446 and 546. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

549 Behavioral Ecology 3 Examination of animal behavior from evolutionary and ecological perspectives.

560 Plant Ecophysiology 3 Relationships of biotic and abiotic environment to plant distribution and evolution through study of physiological processes.

561 Environmental Physiology 3 Individual and evolutionary adaptations to changing environments with emphasis on recent literature.

562 Community Ecology 3 Assembly, essential properties, levels of interactions, succession, and stability of natural communities; emphasizes an experimental approach to community investigation. Recommended preparation: BIOLOGY 372. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 462 and BIOLOGY 562. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

568 Conservation Ecology 3 Diagnosis of endangered species, population viability analysis, invasive species ecology, landscape ecology and ecosystem management.

569 [M] Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change 3 Historic and current factors controlling the function of ecosystems and their responses to natural and human caused global change. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 469 and 569. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

571 Quantitative Toolkit for Biologists 3 Course Prerequisite: STAT 512. Hands-on experience in the exploration, analysis, and interpretation of patterns in modern biological datasets.

572 Quantitative Methods and Statistics in Ecology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Philosophy and methods of formulating hypotheses as mathematical models and confronting them with data.

575 Systems Biology of Reproduction 3 Current literature based course on systems biology with a molecular/epigenetic to physiological level understanding of cell, development, disease, and evolutionary biology. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 475 and 575. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

576 Epigenetics and Systems Biology 3 Current literature based course on epigenetics and systems biology with topics in environmental epigenetics, disease etiology, and role epigenetics in evolutionary biology. Credit not granted for both BIOLOGY 476 and 576. Offered at 400 and 500 level.

579 Mathematical Modeling in the Biological and Health Sciences 3 Techniques, theory, and current literature in mathematical modeling in the biological and health sciences, including computational simulation. (Course offered as BIOLOGY 579, MATH 579). Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.

582 Professional Communication in Biology - Grant Writing 2 Mechanics and style of publishing biological research and findings; adaptation of writing to various venues and audiences with emphasis on grant writing.

585 Professional Development and Training for College and University Teaching 2 Preparation for roles as teaching assistants and as instructors of undergraduate classroom education.

589 Advanced Topics in Biology V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Recent advances in biology.

593 Seminar I 1 May be repeated for credit. Literature and problems.

600 Special Projects or Independent Study V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent study, special projects, and/or internships. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor before enrolling in 600 credit, which cannot be used toward the core graded credits required for a graduate degree. S, F grading.

700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their master's research, thesis and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 700 credit. S, U grading.

702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research in special problems, directed study, and/or examination credit for students in a non-thesis master's degree program. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 702 credit. S, U grading.

800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the Biology, Plant Biology, Botany, or Zoology PhD program. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their doctoral research, dissertation and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 800 credit. S, U grading.