Courses
Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.
- Offered: Fall Winter
Study of fundamental concepts of biology that relate to problems confronting individuals and society. Topics include the scientific method; human dependence on other organisms; problems related to food production, human reproduction, inheritance and disease; biological implications of modern technology; and biological problems likely to confront society in the future.
Notes:May not be applied to a major or minor in biology.
- Offered: Fall Winter
Structure and function of the various systems of the human body. Laboratory includes models and specimens of human material and the collection and analysis of physiological data.
Notes:May not be applied to any major in biology, or the biology education minor or the human biology minor.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Co-requisites: Students must be concurrently enrolled in the relevant course for the offering. Enrollment is determined either by advising or through Instructor.
Students will be guided by the instructor as they work through course material from a specific biology course in which they are concurrently enrolled. This immersive approach will require the students to work together in a small group setting to engage with content material, without providing the additional lectures. This course strives to empower students with skills for academic success in college level biology courses. The goal of this course is to give the students weekly additional resources supporting success in the classroom and encourage development as a self-directed learner.
Notes:Linked to BI 111, BI 207 and BI 208; other linkages may also be offered.
- Offered: Fall
A study of ecosystems found in Northern Michigan. Emphasis will be placed on the biotic and abiotic components of those ecosystems, and human impacts on the environment.
- Offered: Fall Winter
An introduction to the major principles of biology. Topics include chemistry of life, structure and function of cells, heredity, evolution, and ecology.
- Offered: Fall Winter
A survey of biological diversity including viruses, prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals. Attention is also given to the structure and function of plant and animal organ systems.
Notes: Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.- Offered: Fall Winter Summer
- Prerequisites: BI 100 or BI 104 or BI 111 or BI 207.
Introduction to medically important microorganisms and the role of microbes in human health, infection and immunity. Laboratory focuses on the experimental approach to microbiology.
Notes:Only students majoring in nursing, licensed practical nursing, or surgical technology may enroll for three credits (3-0-0).
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: CH 105 or CH 107 or CH 109 or CH 111. Chemistry can be taken concurrently with BI 207.
Integrated study of human structure and function, focusing on the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. Coursework supplemented by laboratory work on models and basic physiological phenomenon.
Notes:BI 201 is being replaced with BI 207 Human Anatomy & Physiology I beginning Fall 2016. BI 202 is being replaced with BI 208 Human Anatomy & Physiology II beginning Winter 2017. BI 207 and BI 208 will not count as repeats of BI 201 or BI 202.
This course can be repeated three times.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 207.
Integrated study of human structure and function, focusing on endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and reproductive systems. Coursework supplemented by laboratory work on models and basic physiological phenomenon.
Notes:BI 201 is being replaced with BI 207 Human Anatomy & Physiology I beginning Fall 2016. BI 202 is being replaced with BI 208 Human Anatomy & Physiology II beginning Winter 2017. BI 207 and BI 208 will not count as repeats of BI 201 or BI 202.
This course can be repeated three times.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 111 and BI 112.
Lectures, field and laboratory studies dealing with the relationships between plants, animals, humans and the ecosphere.
Notes:Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 111 and BI 112.
This course broadly examines the key principles of evolutionary biology and the biological processes that generate startling arrays of biodiversity--both past and present. Discussion topics include human influence on the evolution of other species, linkages between evolution and medicine and common misperceptions about biological evolution.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 111 and CH 111/112 or CH 111 and concurrent enrollment in CH 112.
Introduction to the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the genes and the technologies used to study them. Laboratory work will include experiments using DNA, proteins and other biomolecules.
- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 111 and BI 112.
Structural characteristics of representative chordates. Lectures deal with the evolution of body form, skeleton and organ systems as indicated by anatomical relationships. Laboratory work is devoted largely to dissection.
- Offered: Contact department for information
- Prerequisites: BI 111 or BI 112 or instructor permission.
This course is a field experience designed to allow students to explore the marine environment in the context of ecological concepts. Locations vary and credits are related to the duration of the field experience. This course requires an added course fee. Contact the department for more details.
Notes:This course may be repeated for credit if offered in different locations. Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 111 and BI 112.
A treatment of form, life cycles and evolutionary relationships of algae, fungi, bryophytes and vascular plants. Laboratory work uses both living and preserved material. An introduction to the topics of plant anatomy, physiology, and ecology will also be covered.
- Offered: Every other fall, odd years
- Prerequisites: BI 111 and BI 112, or instructor’s permission.
Field and laboratory identification, life histories, and ethnomycology of local macrofungi and slime molds.
Notes:Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 210.
Introduction to the basic scientific principles and concepts concerning the field of conservation biology. Topics include causes of extinction, genetic risks of small populations, habitat fragmentation and edge effects, metapopulations, threats of exotic species, nature preserve and corridor design, and strategies for protecting and restoring endangered species and ecosystems.
Notes:Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Summer, even years
- Prerequisites: BI 111 or BI 112.
Lectures, laboratories and field studies dealing with the scientific study of wild birds, with an emphasis on the indentification and ecology of local species.
Notes:Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Contact department for information
- Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore status, major housed in the Biology Department and instructor permission.
This course provides an opportunity for qualified majors in the department to conduct independent research under the supervision of department faculty. The research advisor and research problem must be identified the semester before enrollment. A written or oral final report is required.
Notes:May be repeated for up to a total of 4 credits. Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 111, BI 112 and sophomore standing.
Seminar introduces students to fundamental elements of the profession, including types of careers, job seeking, internships, resume building, interview skills, graduate study, leadership skills, and communication tips. Intended for students in their second year of study.
Notes:May be repeated if topic differs.
- Offered: Contact department for information
- Prerequisites: Instructor's permission.
Variable content, depending on specialties of visiting staff and needs of students. For freshmen, sophomores and non-biology majors.
Notes:May be repeated if topic differs. Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Graded: S/U
Detailed study of one or more special problems in biology.
- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 111 and BI 112 or CLS 204 and CLS 214 and CH 220 or CH 315 or CH 321; BI 312 recommended.
Study of morphology, physiology, genetics and taxonomy of microbes and related laboratory techniques.
- Offered: Fall
- Prerequisites: BI 210; DATA 109, or BI 412, or GC 235, or instructor permission.
Lectures, field and laboratory studies on advanced concepts relating living organisms to their environment. Emphasis is placed on experimental ecology, including experimental design, data analysis, interpretation within theoretical constructs, and professional presentation of findings. This course expands on principles taught in BI 210.
Notes:Field work may be required. Contact instructor for more information.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: BI 218.