Biology Department
Office
2001 New Science Facility
Phone: 906-227-2310
Fax: 906-227-1063
Web page
http://www.nmu.edu/biology/
E-mail
biology@nmu.eduDepartment Head
Neil Cumberlidge
ncumberl@nmu.edu
Faculty
Donna M. Becker
Jacqueline Bird
John G. Bruggink
Neil Cumberlidge
Thomas G. Froiland
Brent M. Graves
Jill B. K. Leonard
Alec R. Lindsay
Ronald A. Parejko
John E. Rebers
Alan Rebertus
Roger M. Strandl
Frank A. Verley
Robert J. Winn
Student
Organizations
• Pre-Dental Club
• Pre-Medical Club
• Pre-Veterinary Club
• Student Michigan Education
Association
• Tri Beta Society
• Wildlife Society
Department Facilities
• small animal facility
• greenhouse
• herbarium
• Lake Superior Research Boat
• zoological collection
• two transmission electron
microscopes
• molecular biology facilities
Longyear Forest
The university owns a
small (120 acre) forest, Longyear Forest, with varied northern
hardwood, boreal, and bog habitats. The forest is used for field-study
and for ecology laboratories.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biology at
NMU
The
Biology Department offers programs for undergraduate majors, minors
and graduate students. The offerings complement programs in nursing,
health, liberal arts and sciences, physical education, clinical
laboratory science, and environmental conservation, among others.
The courses emphasize fundamental concepts of biology at the
subcellular, organismic and population levels. The laboratory
courses provide students with first-hand experience in understanding
biological concepts, thus furthering their understanding of human
life.
An
education in biology can lead to a professional career in medicine,
dentistry, veterinary medicine, allied health, optometry, physical
therapy, wildlife biology, waste water management, environmental
control, teaching, and research. Opportunities for employment exist
in business, industry, hospitals, universities, the military, and
government at all levels. In addition, a biology degree is excellent
preparation for graduate work leading to careers in the areas noted
above. In many cases, an advanced degree is required for employment
or for promotion to higher levels. A strong background in the
physical sciences, social sciences or business is helpful to a
biological career.
Biology
Programs
The
department offers programs leading to the bachelor of arts, bachelor
of science and master of science in biology. The Biology Department
offers four separate majors: biology, botany, zoology and
biology/secondary education. Students with a biology major have the
opportunity for further specialization by choosing from one of four
concentrations: general biology, ecology, microbiology and
physiology. In addition, the Biology Department contributes course
work to interdisciplinary programs in water science, biochemistry,
environmental science, diagnostic genetics and science technologist.
The department also offers three minor programs of study: biology,
human biology and biology education.
Biologists should have a knowledge of organisms at all levels
ranging from molecular activities within cells to ecosystem
dynamics. For this reason, the biology tracks and the botany and
zoology majors are all built around the same core of courses:
Introductory Biology (BI 111, BI 112), Principles of Ecology (BI
210), Genetics (BI 312), Evolution (BI 315) and Physiology of Aging
(BI 222) or Plant Physiology (BI 431), General Microbiology (BI
303), or Cell Biology (BI 313). The remaining courses for the major
are selected to satisfy the student’s interests and career plans.
Students who plan to apply to a professional school or pursue
graduate work in biology are strongly advised to include Organic
Chemistry I and II (CH 321, 322) and a year of physics.
General
Biology
This
major provides an opportunity for a diversified background in
biology, applicable to a wide range of introductory positions of
employment in business and industry, hospitals, universities, the
military and government at the local, state and federal levels. It
also provides excellent preparation for graduate work in biology or
related sciences.
Biology –
Ecology Emphasis
This
program provides students a background for further study or for
introductory positions of employment in fish and wildlife
management, forestry, environmental science and other natural
resource fields. Students interested in a career in wildlife biology
should obtain information from the Biology Department on course
selection for certification as an associate wildlife biologist.
Biology –
Microbiology Emphasis
This
program is appropriate for pre-professional students in
pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, and pre-veterinary medicine. It
provides students a foundation for introductory positions of
employment in such fields as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing of
biological products, and monitoring of health and environmental
standards. It can also serve as a foundation for graduate studies in
special areas of microbiology.
Biology –
Physiology Emphasis
This
program is appropriate for pre-professional students in
pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, and pre-veterinary medicine,
pre-optometry and for those going into physical therapy. It provides
students a foundation for introductory positions of employment in
such fields as biomedical research, food and drug manufacturing,
nutrition and sports physiology. It can also serve as a basis for
graduate studies in developmental biology, physiological ecology and
embryology.
Secondary
Education Biology
Students
desiring certification as a secondary school teacher in biology
follow this curriculum. Students in this program must select an
academic minor in another department. A minor in chemistry education
is recommended.
Botany
This
program provides an opportunity for a diversified background in
botany applicable to a wide range of introductory positions in
business and industry, universities, and government at the local,
state and federal levels. It also provides preparation for graduate
work in botany or related sciences.
Zoology
This
program provides students a foundation for introductory positions of
employment in museums, zoos, universities, and state and federal
agencies involved in fish, wildlife and other natural resource use.
It is an appropriate program for pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, and
pre-veterinary science students. It also provides a solid background
for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in special areas of
zoology.
Department/Program Policies
Each
non-teaching biology major requires a 2.00 GPA to complete the
major. Exceptions must be requested via petition to the department’s
academic programs committee. Students majoring in secondary
education biology or minoring in biology education must maintain a
grade point average of 2.70 or greater with no grade below a "C" in
the professional education sequence, the major and/or minor and
required cognates combined.
Students
enrolled in biology laboratory courses must pay replacement costs
for damaged supplies (e.g., glassware and microscope slides) or
equipment (e.g., microscopes) having value in excess of one dollar.
Records of assessments for damage are maintained in the department,
and students are notified of any costs due no later than the last
laboratory meeting.
Recommendation for Students Bound for Graduate School
Many
graduate programs in the biological sciences, including the one at
Northern Michigan University, require the Graduate Record
Examination (GRE) for admission. Students intending to pursue
graduate study in the biological sciences should take this
examination early in their senior year. |
|
Baccalaureate
Degree Programs
General Biology Major
Total Credits Required for Degree
|
124
|
Liberal Studies
|
30-40*
|
Health Promotion
|
2
|
Major
|
44
|
BI 111 Introductory Biology:
Principles
|
4
|
BI 112 Introductory Biology:
Diversity
|
4
|
BI 210 Principles of Ecology
|
4
|
BI 218 Introduction to Cell
and Molecular Biology
|
4
|
BI 312 Genetics
|
4
|
BI 315 Evolution
|
4
|
BI 222
Animal Physiology
|
4
|
BI 313
Cell Biology
|
|
BI 431
Plant Physiology
|
|
BI 230
Plant
Kingdom
|
4
|
BI 430
Plant Anatomy
|
|
BI 434
Plant Ecology
|
|
BI 221
Comparative Anatomy (4 cr.) or
|
3-4
|
BI 321
Embryology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 322
Vertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 421
Invertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 423
Parasitology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 424
General Entomology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 427
Ecological Animal Physiology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 460
Ichthyology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 461
Herpetology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 462
Ornithology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 463
Mammalogy (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 465
Aquatic Insects
|
|
BI 203
Medical Microbiology or
|
5
|
BI
303 General Microbiology
|
|
Biology Electives
Any BI course at the 200 level
or above except for BI 206 and BI 305.
|
3-4
|
Other Required Courses
|
32
|
CH 111 General Chemistry I*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
CH 112 General Chemistry II*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
Chemistry electives numbered
215 or above
|
8
|
CIS 110 Principles
of Computer Information Systems or
|
4
|
CS
120 Computer Science I
|
|
PH 201, PH 202
College Physics I and II or
|
10
|
PH 220, PH 221
Introductory Physics I and II
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Transfer students may satisfy
this requirement with a minimum of 4 credit hours.
Biology
Major–Ecology Emphasis
Total Credits Required for Degree
|
124
|
Liberal Studies
|
30-40*
|
Health Promotion
|
2
|
Major
|
44
|
BI 111 Introductory Biology:
Principles
|
4
|
BI 112 Introductory Biology:
Diversity
|
4
|
BI 210 Principles of Ecology
|
4
|
BI 218 Introduction to Cell
and Molecular Biology
|
4
|
BI
222 Animal Physiology (4 cr.) or
|
4-5
|
BI 303 General
Microbiology (5 cr.) or
|
|
BI 313 Cell Biology
(4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 431 Plant
Physiology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 310 Ecology Theory and
Methods
|
4
|
BI 312 Genetics
|
4
|
BI 315 Evolution
|
4
|
BI 230
Plant
Kingdom (4 cr.) or
|
3-4
|
BI 322
Vertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 410 Ecology
of the Great Lakes (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 421
Invertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 423
Parasitology (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 424
General Entomology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 427
Ecological Animal Physiology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 434
Plant Ecology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 460
Ichthyology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 461
Herpetology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 462
Ornithology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 463
Mammalogy (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 465
Aquatic Insects
|
|
BI 410
Ecology of the Great Lakes (4 cr.) or
|
3-4
|
BI 411
Limnology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 441
Fisheries Management (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 442 Wildlife
Management (4 cr.)
|
|
Biology Electives
Any BI course at 200 level or above except for BI 206 and BI 305.
|
3-6
|
Other Required Courses
|
27-29
|
CH 111 General Chemistry I*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
CH 112 General Chemistry II*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
CH 220 Introductory Organic
Chemistry or
|
4-5
|
CH 321
Organic Chemistry I
|
|
PH 201 College
Physics I or
|
5
|
PH 220
Introductory Physics I
|
|
Electives
Choose from the following:
|
8-9
|
Chemistry
electives at the 215 level or above
|
|
PH
202 College Physics II (5 cr.)
|
|
PH
221 Introductory Physics II (5 cr.)
|
|
MA 161
Calculus (5 cr.)
|
|
GC 202
Soils (4 cr.)
|
|
GC 225
Introduction to Maps (2 cr.)
|
|
GC 335
Geographic Information Systems (4 cr.)
|
|
GC 385
Weather and Climate (4 cr.)
|
|
GC 255
Physical Geology (4 cr.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Transfer students may satisfy
this requirement with a minimum of 4 semester hours.
Biology
Major–Microbiology Emphasis
Total Credits Required for Degree
|
124
|
Liberal Studies
|
30-40*
|
Health Promotion
|
2
|
Major
|
44
|
BI 111 Introductory Biology:
Principles
|
4
|
BI 112 Introductory Biology:
Diversity
|
4
|
BI 210 Principles of Ecology
|
4
|
BI 218 Introduction to Cell
and Molecular Biology
|
4
|
BI 303 General Microbiology
|
5
|
BI 312 Genetics
|
4
|
BI 315 Evolution
|
4
|
Biology Electives
Choose from the following:
|
15
|
BI 203
Medical Microbiology (5 cr.)
|
|
BI 222
Animal Physiology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 313
Cell Biology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 402
Microbial Ecology (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 404
Virology (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 405
Immunology (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 413
Biochemistry of Development (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 414
Electron Microscopy (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 418
Molecular Biology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 423
Parasitology (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 431
Plant Physiology (4 cr.)
|
|
Other Required Courses
|
32
|
CH 111 General Chemistry I*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
CH 112 General Chemistry II*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
CH 321 Organic Chemistry I
|
4
|
CH 322 Organic Chemistry II
|
4
|
CH 450 Introductory Biochemistry
|
4
|
PH 201, 202 College
Physics I and II or
|
10
|
PH 220,
221 Introductory Physics I and II
|
|
|
|
|
*Transfer students may satisfy
this requirement with a minimum of 4 credit hours.
Biology
Major–Physiology Emphasis
Total Credits Required for Degree
|
124
|
Liberal Studies
|
30-40*
|
Health Promotion
|
2
|
Major
|
43-45
|
BI 111 Introductory Biology:
Principles
|
4
|
BI 112 Introductory Biology:
Diversity
|
4
|
BI 210 Principles of Ecology
|
4
|
BI 218 Introduction to Cell
and Molecular Biology
|
4
|
BI 221 Comparative Anatomy
(4 cr.) or
|
3-4
|
BI 201
Human Anatomy (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 222 Animal Physiology (4
cr.) or
|
4-5
|
BI 202
Human Physiology (5 cr.)
|
|
BI 312 Genetics
|
4
|
BI 313 Cell Biology or
|
4
|
BI 431
Plant Physiology
|
|
BI 315 Evolution
|
4
|
Biology Electives
Choose from the following:
|
8
|
BI 201
Human Anatomy (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 202
Human Physiology (5 cr.)
|
|
BI 203
Medical Microbiology (5 cr.)
|
|
BI 221
Comparative Anatomy (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 222
Animal Physiology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 225
Physiology of Aging (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 303
General Microbiology (5 cr.)
|
|
BI 313
Cell Biology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 321
Embryology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 405
Immunology (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 413
Biochemistry of Development (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 414
Electron Microscopy (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 416
Experimental Cytogenetics (2-3 cr.)
|
|
BI 418
Molecular Biology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 419
Biology of Cancer (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 425
Endocrinology (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 426
Human Histology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 427
Ecological Animal Physiology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 431
Plant Physiology (4 cr.)
|
|
Other Required Courses
|
32
|
CH 111 General Chemistry I*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
CH 112 General Chemistry II*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
CH 321-322 Organic Chemistry
I and II or
|
8
|
CH 220
Introductory Organic Chemistry plus 3 additional chemistry credits
|
|
CH 450 Introductory
Biochemistry
|
4
|
PH 201, PH 202 College
Physics I and II or
|
10
|
PH
220, PH 221 Introductory Physics I and II
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Transfer student may satisfy
this requirement with a minimum of 4 semester hours.
Botany
Major
Total Credits Required for Degree
|
124
|
Liberal Studies
|
30-40*
|
Health Promotion
|
2
|
Major
|
44
|
BI 111 Introductory Biology:
Principles
|
4
|
BI 112 Introductory Biology:
Diversity
|
4
|
BI 210 Principles of Ecology
|
4
|
BI 218 Introduction to Cell
and Molecular Biology
|
4
|
BI 312 Genetics
|
4
|
BI 315 Evolution
|
4
|
BI 431 Plant Physiology
|
4
|
Biology Electives
Choose from the following:
|
10-12
|
BI 230
Plant
Kingdom (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 430
Plant Anatomy (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 433
Local Flora (2 cr.)
|
|
BI 434
Plant Ecology (4 cr.)
|
|
Biology Electives
Any BI course above 220 except for BI 305.
|
4-6
|
Other Required Courses
|
28
|
CH 111 General Chemistry I*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
CH 112 General Chemistry II*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
Chemistry Electives 200
level or above
|
8
|
PH 201, 202 College Physics
I and II or
|
10
|
PH
220, 221 Introductory Physics I and II
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Transfer
students may satisfy this requirement with a minimum of 4 credit hours.
Zoology
Major
Total Credits Required for Degree
|
124
|
Liberal Studies
|
30-40*
|
Health Promotion
|
2
|
Major
|
44
|
BI 111 Introductory Biology:
Principles
|
4
|
BI 112 Introductory Biology:
Diversity
|
4
|
BI 210 Principles of Ecology
|
4
|
BI 218 Introduction to Cell
and Molecular Biology
|
4
|
BI 222 Animal Physiology or
|
4
|
BI 313
Cell Biology
|
|
BI 312 Genetics
|
4
|
BI 315 Evolution
|
4
|
BI 421
Invertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) or
|
3-4
|
BI 423
Parasitology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 424
General Entomology (4 cr.) or
|
|
BI 465
Aquatic Insects (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 322
Vertebrate Zoology (4 cr.) or
|
3-4
|
BI 460
Ichthyology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 461
Herpetology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 462
Ornithology (3 cr.) or
|
|
BI 463
Mammalogy (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 221
Comparative Anatomy
|
4
|
BI 321
Embryology
|
|
BI 426
Human Histology
|
|
BI 427
Ecological Animal Physiology
|
|
Biology Electives
Any BI courses above 220.
|
4-6
|
Other Required Courses
|
28
|
CH 111 General Chemistry I*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
CH 112 General Chemistry II*
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
Chemistry Electives 200
level or above
|
8
|
PH 201, PH 202 College
Physics I and II or
|
10
|
PH
220, PH 221 Introductory Physics I, II
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Transfer students may satisfy
this requirement with a minimum of 4 semester hours.
Secondary
Education Biology Major
Total Credits Required for Degree
|
145
|
Liberal Studies
|
30-40*
|
Health Promotion
|
2
|
Major
|
40
|
BI 111 Introductory Biology:
Principles
|
4
|
BI 112 Introductory Biology:
Diversity
|
4
|
BI 210 Principles of Ecology
|
4
|
BI 312 Genetics
|
4
|
BI 315 Evolution
|
4
|
BI
203 Medical Microbiology or
|
5
|
BI
303 General Microbiology
|
|
BI 222
Animal Physiology or
|
4
|
BI
313 Cell Biology or
|
|
BI 431
Plant Physiology
|
|
Biology Electives
|
11
|
Chemistry Electives
|
18
|
CH 111 General Chemistry I
|
5
|
CH 112 General Chemistry II
|
5
|
Chemistry Electives
(200 level and above)
|
8
|
Physics Electives
|
10
|
PH 201 College Physics I
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
PH 202 College Physics II
Satisfies
one of the foundations of natural sciences/mathematics requirements.
|
5
|
Other Required Courses
Choose from
the following:
|
4
|
GC 100
Physical Geography (4 cr.)
|
|
GC 225
Introduction to Maps (2 cr.)
|
|
GC 246
Earth Science (4 cr.)
|
|
GC 255
Physical Geology (4 cr.)
|
|
GC 260
Minerals and Rocks (4 cr.)
|
|
GC 390
Oceanography (2 cr.)
|
|
AS 103
Observational and Solar System Astronomy (4 cr.)
|
|
Professional Education
|
37
|
ED 201 Introduction to
Education
|
2
|
ED 231 Teaching and Learning
in the Secondary Classroom
|
4
|
ED 301 Dimensions of
American Education
|
2
|
ED 319 Teaching of
Reading for Secondary Teachers
|
3
|
ED 349 Teaching for
Diversity, Equity and Social Justice in the Secondary School Community
|
2
|
MSED 340 Fundamental
Concepts in Science
|
4
|
MSED 350 Methods and
Materials in the Teaching of Science Education
|
4
|
ED 361 Special Education and
the General Classroom Teacher
|
2
|
ED 483 Educational Media and
Technology
|
2
|
ED 430 Teaching in the
Secondary School
|
11
|
ED 450 Seminar in Teaching
|
1
|
|
|
|
Note: A minor in chemistry is
recommended.
*Complete
information on the liberal studies requirements and additional graduation
requirements, including the health promotion requirement is in the “Liberal
Studies Program and Graduation Requirements” section of this bulletin.
Minor Programs
Biology Minor
Total Credits Required for Minor
|
20
|
BI 111 Introductory Biology:
Principles
|
4
|
BI 112 Introductory Biology:
Diversity
|
4
|
Biology Electives
|
12
|
Biology
Education Minor
Total Credits Required for Minor
|
20-29
|
BI 111 Introductory Biology:
Principles
|
4
|
BI 112 Introductory Biology:
Diversity
|
4
|
BI 210 Principles of Ecology
|
4
|
BI 312 Genetics
|
4
|
Biology Electives
Choose from the following:
|
4-5
|
BI
202 Human Physiology (5 cr.)
|
|
BI
222 Animal Physiology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI
303 General Microbiology (5 cr.)
|
|
BI
313 Cell Biology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI
315 Evolution (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 431
Plant Physiology (4 cr.)
|
|
MSED 340 Fundamental
Concepts in Science*
|
4
|
MSED 350 Methods and
Materials in the Teaching of Science Education*
|
4
|
*Not required if major is chemistry education, earth
science education, physics education or general science education.
Human
Biology Minor
Total Credits Required for Minor
|
20-21
|
BI 201 Human Anatomy
|
3
|
BI 202 Human Physiology
|
5
|
Biology Electives
Choose from the following:
|
12-13
|
BI 203 Medical Microbiology
(5 cr.)
|
|
BI 206 Human Genetics (3
cr.)
|
|
BI 312 Genetics (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 321 Embryology (4 cr.)
|
|
BI 405 Immunology (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 425 Endocrinology (3 cr.)
|
|
BI 426 Human Histology (4
cr.)
|
|
|
|
|