Biology Courses
Only want to take one class with a focus on sustainability rather than a minor or major? You can still take a variety of courses within the curriculum that also count towards General Education Credit, Issued credit, or may be required within your major.
For updated information of course listings and descriptions visit the Course Catalog
BIO 104 - Biology for the 21st Century
Introductory course for nonscience majors designed to provide a biological literacy for making informed personal, social, and environmental decisions. Topics include cell biology, genetics and biotechnology, form and function of the human body,
evolution and ecology. Does not count toward a biology major or minor. Fulfills Foundation - Life Sciences with a Lab. Offered every semester. 4 cr.
BIO 105 - Environmental Science
Study of natural ecosystems, their interrelationships, and human impacts and evolution of humans and environmental determinants of their cultures. Land use, resource and energy utilization, population trends and causative factors, air and
water pollution, and economic factors influencing decision-making are emphasized. Does not count toward a biology major or minor. Fulfills Foundation - Life Sciences. Fulfills one of the Issues requirements. (3-0-0) Offered every semester.
BIO 107 - Great Lakes and Other Water Resources
A study of our region’s water resources, including the Great Lakes, streams, and groundwater, and relationships of people with these systems. Does not count toward a biology major or minor. Designated lecture and laboratory sections are tailored
for prospective elementary teachers. Fulfills Foundation - Life Sciences with a Lab. (3-0-3) Offered fall semester. 4 cr.
BIO 215 - General Ecology
Population, communities, and ecosystems, including primary productivity and energy flow, materials cycling, succession, population dynamics, and systems modeling. (3-0-3) Offered fall and summer semesters. Prerequisites: BIO 120 and 12 college credits; (BIO 121 recommended). 4 cr.
BIO 308 - Wildlife Ecology
This course provides an introduction to wildlife ecology including population ecology as it relates to wildlife management and conservation.
BIO 319 - Global Agricultural Sustainability
Study of the biological and environmental principles at the foundation of agricultural sustainability; how various traditional and modern agricultural practices follow those principles and how social, cultural, and economic factors ultimately control
agricultural practices. Cohesiveness with other courses in this theme will be maintained by highlighting a specific geographical region. (3-0-0) Offered fall and winter semester. Prerequisite: Completion of the General Education Life Science Requirement. 3 cr.
BIO 328 - Biomedical Ethics
Examination of ethical dilemmas encountered in medicine and biomedical research, with an emphasis on obligations of health care workers to their patients. Biology majors may not use both BIO 328 and BIO 338 as elective credit within the major. Part of the Health Issue. (3-0-0) Offered fall, winter, and summer semesters. Prerequisites: Junior standing. 3 cr.
BIO 338 - SWS Environmental Ethics
Examines philosophical underpinnings of environmental ethics. Explores approaches for understanding sustainability issues, solving ongoing environmental problems, and developing a global environmental ethic.
BIO 362 - Fisheries Biology
Study of the anatomy, morphology, and classification of fishes and their biology, ecology, and evolution. Emphasis on species native to the Great Lakes region. (3-0-3) Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: BIO 121; BIO 120 is recommended. 4 cr.
BIO 370 - Marine Biology
An exploration into the function, biodiversity and ecology of life in the ocean - the largest of Earth's ecosystems. Marine biology will emphasize principles and processes that underlie and unify vastly different marine communities through
ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Course offered fall semester. Prerequisites: BIO 121 and BIO 215. 3.000 Credit hours
BIO 402 - Aquatic Insects
Advanced study of taxonomic diversity and ecology of aquatic insects, with emphasis on the fauna of local lakes and streams. The role of aquatic insects in stream function and bio-assessment will be emphasized. Students will gain expertise in the scientific collection, curation and identification of aquatic insects.
BIO 407 - Biology and Society
Biological topics related to biodiversity, sustainability, alternative energy, environmental policy and economics, land use, climate change, historical influences, and cultural/societal attitudes conducted within an international context. The society-
based experience is combined with readings, lectures, papers, and discussions.
BIO 408 - Wildlife Management
An examination of techniques used in the management, research, and conservation of wildlife species. Introduces the fundamental concepts of wildlife management, including wildlife habitat requirements, evaluation of habitat suitability,
interpretation of data analysis techniques, and applied techniques of habitat and population management. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: BIO/NRM 308. 4 cr.
BIO 417 - International Field Biology
One to three week trips to international locations to study the fauna, flora, ecology of representative ecosystems, climate, geology, paleobiology, environmental problems, and/or human impacts upon the above. The field-based experience is combined with readings, lectures, papers, and discussions. A maximum of six credits from BIO 417 & BIO 418 combined may be applied to the elective credit requirements for the Biology or NRM major. BIO 417 does not satisfy the plant or animal biology requirements, but may be repeated for credit. Offered fall, winter, and spring/summer semesters. Prerequisites: Variable and with permission of instructor. 1-4 cr
BIO 418 - Regional Field Biology
One to three week trips to U.S. regional locations to study the fauna, flora, ecology of representative ecosystems, climate, geology, paleobiology, environmental problems, and/or human impacts upon the previously listed. The field based experience is combined with readings, lectures, papers, and discussions.
BIO 440 - Limnology
Ecology of lakes and streams with emphasis on the physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting their productivity. (2-0-4) Offered every second fall semester. Prerequisite: BIO 215 or permission of instructor. 4 cr.
BIO 450 - Stream Ecology
Examines the structure and function of stream ecosystems, with emphasis on the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence flowing-water habitats. Laboratory focuses on the methods of stream ecology, including collection and analysis of physical, chemical, and biological data. Field work emphasizes local stream ecosystems. (3-0-4) Offered every second fall semester. Prerequisites: BIO 121 and BIO 215 or permission of instructor. 4 cr.
BIO 460 - Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology
Investigation of the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems using a systems approach. Biotic and abiotic processes controlling interactions among biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems will be discussed and examined. Topics will include controls on primary production, evapotranspiration, decomposition, and herbivory; and potential for anthropogenic changes in ecosystem processes. (3-0-3) Offered fall and occasional summer semesters. Prerequisite: BIO 215; NRM 281
recommended. 4 cr.
BIO 470 - Conservation Biology
Theoretical concepts and research applications in the multidisciplinary and applied science of maintaining the planet’s biodiversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Topics include distribution, functions, and value of biodiversity;
causes and consequences of biodiversity loss; conservation solutions; and social, political, legal, ethical, and economic aspects of biodiversity conservation.
BIO 530 - Aquatic Ecosystems and Processes
Aquatic ecosystems play vital functions in our biosphere. Understanding the role of aquatic ecosystems requires knowledge of processes occurring in the air and watersheds, and interactions with aquatic organisms. This lecture/discussion course will be a forum for learning about life and its dynamic interactions in earth’s aquatic ecosystems. Cross-listed with WAT 530. Course offered fall semester of odd-numbered years. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
BIO 550 - Advanced Population Ecology
Advanced exploration of the intrinsic and extrinsic controls of population establishment, growth and decline, cohesion, and structure. Offered fall semester of even-numbered years. Prerequisite: Graduate status in the biology department or
permission of instructor.
BIO 570 - Landscape Ecology Theory and Applications
Landscape ecology explores the influence of landscape patterns on ecological processes. Topics include landscape patterns, dynamics, and heterogeneity; issues of scale; and spatial analysis. Students will examine various applications of landscape ecology concepts through discussions of peer-reviewed journal articles, computer-based assignments, and project work. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. 3.000 Credit hours
BIO 651 - Emerging Issues in Water Resources
The most pressing water resource-related issues facing the planet today will be discussed and analyzed. Particular emphasis will be placed on analyzing these problems from a variety of perspectives, including environmental, economic, societal, and political.