Program Overview

Biology Program Overview

The Biology program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of biological sciences, including molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in biological principles and concepts, as well as hands-on experience in laboratory and field settings.

Course Offerings

The Biology program offers a wide range of courses, including:

• BIOL 111: Biology and the Modern World - NS, SM This course introduces students to the principles and concepts of biology, with a focus on human physiology and disease, environmental issues, and genetics.
• BIOL 116: Introductory Ecology - NS, SM This course explores the interrelationships between organisms and their environment, examining concepts in ecology and the impact of humans on ecosystems.
• BIOL 201: Introductory Microbiology - NS, SM This course covers the structure, metabolism, growth, and genetics of microorganisms, with an emphasis on their roles in human disease.
• BIOL 205: Human Anatomy and Physiology I - NS, SM This course introduces students to human form and function, covering topics such as chemistry, cellular biology, and the anatomy and physiology of various systems.
• BIOL 206: Human Anatomy and Physiology II - NS, SM This course continues the study of human anatomy and physiology, covering topics such as metabolism, temperature regulation, and the anatomy and physiology of various systems.
• BIOL 225: Molecules, Cells, and Organisms - NS, SM This course introduces students to the concepts and study of molecular, cellular, and organismal levels of biological organization.
• BIOL 226: Genes, Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology - NS, SM This course covers the concepts and study of Mendelian and population genetics, evolution, ecology, and a systematic survey of life on earth.
• BIOL 287: Special Topics in Biology This course provides undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 288: Special Topics in Biology This course provides undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 289: Special Topics in Biology This course provides undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 291: Directed Study This course provides individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 305: Cadaver Prosection This course is a practicum in which students dissect a human cadaver and prepare anatomical specimens for use in Pacific Lutheran University Human Anatomy and Physiology classes.
• BIOL 330: Genetics This course covers basic concepts of genetics, including the molecular basis of gene expression, recombination, genetic variability, and cytogenetics.
• BIOL 341: Developmental Biology This course explores the embryonic and larval development of multicellular organisms, with an emphasis on cellular and molecular aspects of development.
• BIOL 342: Microbiology This course covers the structure, physiology, genetics, and metabolism of microorganisms, with an emphasis on their diversity and ecology.
• BIOL 352: Comparative Anatomy This course takes an evolutionary approach to the study of structural and functional relationships in the vertebrate body.
• BIOL 354: Natural History of Vertebrates This course provides a systematic survey of vertebrate diversity, including fishes, amphibians, non-avian reptiles, and mammals.
• BIOL 355: Ornithology This course studies the anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and distribution of birds.
• BIOL 356: Economic and Cultural Botany This course explores the botany of plants used by humans in a global context, including traditional and contemporary uses of plants.
• BIOL 358: Plant Physiology This course studies how plants obtain and utilize nutrients, react to environmental factors, and adapt to stress.
• BIOL 359: Biology of Reproduction This course explores human reproduction, focusing on anatomical and physiological aspects, as well as its influence on behavior and society.
• BIOL 362: Animal Behavior This course surveys the field of animal behavior, with an emphasis on integrating behavioral analyses into an explicitly evolutionary framework.
• BIOL 367: Conservation Biology and Management This course provides an integrated study of the impacts of people on nature, including the diversity of plants and animals.
• BIOL 368: Ecology This course explores the relationships between organisms and their environment, including organismal adaptations, population growth and interactions, and ecosystem structure and function.
• BIOL 369: Marine Biology This course introduces students to the ocean as an environment for plant and animal life, covering the structure, dynamics, and history of marine ecosystems.
• BIOL 387: Special Topics in Biology This course provides undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 388: Special Topics in Biology This course provides undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 389: Special Topics in Biology This course provides undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 442: Cell Biology This course focuses on cellular organization and function, enzyme kinetics, membrane structure and function, energetics, signaling, and cell cycle.
• BIOL 443: Plant Development and Genetic Engineering This course studies how plant structures form and change through the life cycle and how genetic engineering is used to alter plant biology.
• BIOL 444: Neurobiology This course examines the structure and function of neurons and glia, neural development, gross organization of the brain, sensory and motor systems, and higher functions such as learning, memory, and speech.
• BIOL 445: Molecular Biology This course introduces students to molecular biology, emphasizing the central role of DNA and covering topics such as gene expression, genome organization, and recombinant DNA technology.
• BIOL 448: Immunology This course explores the physical, cellular, and molecular components of innate and adaptive immune responses, emphasizing an integrated approach to exploring immunological concepts.
• BIOL 449: Virology This course covers the diversity of viruses, including their origins, replication, transmission, pathogenesis, oncogenesis, and host immunity.
• BIOL 453: Mammalian Physiology This course investigates the principles of physiological regulation, covering topics such as fundamental cellular, neural, and hormonal mechanisms of homeostatic control.
• BIOL 461: Evolution This course introduces students to evolutionary theory and its broad explanatory power in biology, covering topics such as population genetics, phylogenetics, and macroevolutionary processes.
• BIOL 462: Plant Diversity and Distribution This course provides a systematic introduction to plant diversity, covering topics such as interaction between plants, theories of vegetational distribution, and higher plant taxonomy.
• BIOL 487: Special Topics in Biology This course provides undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 488: Special Topics in Biology This course provides undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 489: Special Topics in Biology This course provides undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum.
• BIOL 491: Independent Studies This course provides investigations or research in areas of special interest not covered by regular courses, open to qualified junior and senior majors.
• BIOL 495: Internship in Biology This course provides an approved off-campus work activity in the field of biology, with a private or public sector agency, organization, or company.
• BIOL 499: Capstone: Senior Seminar - SR This course is a topical course in which students work in small groups with a faculty mentor to explore the primary literature in a topic within that faculty member's area of expertise.

Program Requirements

The Biology program requires students to complete a minimum of 40 credits in biology courses, including:

• BIOL 225: Molecules, Cells, and Organisms - NS, SM
• BIOL 226: Genes, Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology - NS, SM
• BIOL 330: Genetics
• One upper-division elective course in biology
• One capstone course (BIOL 499: Capstone: Senior Seminar - SR)

Research Areas

The Biology program offers research opportunities in various areas, including:

• Molecular biology
• Genetics
• Ecology
• Evolution
• Plant biology
• Animal biology
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Virology
• Neurobiology
• Plant development and genetic engineering

Faculty

The Biology program is taught by a faculty of experienced and dedicated professors, who are committed to providing students with a high-quality education and research experience.