Courses
The following list shows most of the courses offered in the current/upcoming school year. For a complete list, please refer to the Academic Calendar.
Introduction to Marine Biology
AUBIO 108
Introduction to the diversity of marine ecosystems and the adaptations of marine organisms to their environment. Notes: The course does not count toward the major, concentration, or minor in Biology. The course is available only as part of the Augustana-in-Cuba Program.
Evolution of Biological Diversity
AUBIO 110
Examination of the evolutionary mechanisms and history that have produced the earth's biodiversity. Prerequisite: Biology 30. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Fees Payment Guide in the University Regulations and Information for Students section of the Calendar.
Cell Biology
AUBIO 130
Study of the ultrastructure and function of plant and animal cells. Topics include membrane models, cytoplasmic organelles, the cell cycle, and nucleocytoplasmic interactions. Dynamic processes at the cellular level, such as cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and motility, and function of plant, animal, and prokaryote cells, are also examined. Prerequisites: Biology 30 or AUBIO 093, and Chemistry 30.
Plant Diversity
AUBIO 222
Comparative survey of the morphology, life cycles, and evolutionary features of algae, fungi, and non-vascular and vascular plants. Taxonomic and environmental considerations are also presented. Prerequisite: AUBIO 110.
Molecular Cell Biology
AUBIO 230
The composition, structure and function of cell membranes including membrane transport, cell signalling and cell-cell interactions. Protein sorting and cytoskeletal function is integrated with their membrane interactions. The social context of cells is also considered. Prerequisite: AUBIO 130. Corequisite: AUCHE 250.
Principles of Ecology
AUBIO 253
Study of the interactions between organisms and their environment in the context of populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes. Prerequisite: AUBIO 110.
Principles of Genetics
AUBIO 260
Mendelian inheritance and its cytological features including the molecular and cellular basis for the transmission of hereditary characteristics. Topics that are emphasized include microbial genetics, cytoplasmic inheritance, linkage and genetic mapping, DNA as genetic material, gene action, and the genetic code. Prerequisite: AUBIO 130.
Microbiology
AUBIO 274
Introduction to the prokaryotic and eukaryotic members of the microbial world. Microbiological diversity will be examined by comparing cellular morphology, structure and metabolism. Topics include how to grow and study microbes, classification approaches and problems, control of microbial growth, microbial ecology and industrial applications of microorganisms and their products. Prerequisite: AUBIO 130.
Survey of the Invertebrates
AUBIO 294
Functional anatomy and life cycles of the major invertebrate taxa. Prerequisite: AUBIO 110.
The Vertebrates
AUBIO 295
Study of the structure, function, and diversity of vertebrates. Prerequisite: AUBIO 110.
Directed Reading
AUBIO 318
Supervised library research project. Prerequisites: Third-year standing, *6 in Biology at the 200 level. Notes: Admission to the course normally requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Biology. An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course.
Plant Autecology
AUBIO 320
Study of plant species' population dynamics; interrelationships with biotic and abiotic components of the environment and ecophysiological adaptations. Prerequisite: AUBIO 253.
Economic Botany
AUBIO 322
Biological properties, geographical distribution, applications/utilization, and history of vascular and nonvascular plants economically important in agriculture, industry, and medicine. Corequisite: AUBIO 222. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 322 and AUENV 322.
Developmental Biology
AUBIO 338
Development of complex organisms. Emphasis is on the interactions between cells and their environment that determine cell survival, gene activation and deactivation; and how specific cell and tissue structures and functions are selected. Developmental processes common to plants and animals are identified. Prerequisites: AUBIO 230 and 260; one of AUBIO 222, 294 and 295: and third year standing.
Conservation Theory and Biodiversity in Tropical Systems
AUBIO 350
Introduction to the basic concepts of conservation biology. The scope of conservation biology and levels of biodiversity are explored, as are aspects of tropical ecology related to conservation. Prerequisite: One of AUBIO 253, 294, or 295, and consent of the instructor(s) based on successful completion of the selection process. Note: This course is intended to be taken in sequence with AUBIO 459 or AUENV 459. Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 350, 450, AUENV 350, 450.
Biogeography
AUBIO 351
Analysis of the spatial patterns of biotic systems and species. The course examines their past and present distribution patterns in the context of biological and ecological processes and human impacts. The course employs several methods of analysis, including geographic information systems. Prerequisite: AUBIO 253. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 351 and AUGEO 351. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Fees Payment Guide in the University Regulations and Information for Students section of the Calendar.
Immunology
AUBIO 371
An introduction to the structure and function of the immune system. Topics will include the generation of B and T cell receptor diversity, antigens and antibodies, clonal selection and expansion, MHC restriction, self tolerance, cytokines and leukocyte trafficking. Discussion of infectious disease, vaccines, and immunity will be used to synthesize these topics into a unified conceptual framework. Prerequisites: AUBIO 230 and 260. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 371 and AUBIO 471 (2008).
Biochemistry I
AUBIO 380
The structure and function of proteins and enzymes and the structure, function, and metabolism of carbohydrates. The structure and function of lipids, nucleic acids, and amino acids are introduced. The course focuses on how enzymes catalyze the oxidation of carbohydrates and how the cell conserves this energy in a useful chemical form. Prerequisite: AUCHE 252. Corequisite: AUBIO 230. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 380 and AUCHE 380.
Biochemistry II
AUBIO 381
Structure, function, and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleic acids at the level of the cell and organs. Prerequisites: AUBIO 380 or AUCHE 380. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 381 and AUCHE 381.
Molecular Biology of the Gene
AUBIO 389
Survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of structure, expression, and regulation of prokaryote and eukaryote genes. Topics include gene isolation and characterization, gene structure and replication, and transcription and translation processes and their regulation. Recombinant DNA technology and its applications are also introduced. Prerequisite: AUBIO 260.
Vertebrate Physiology
AUBIO 397
Review of the general concepts in animal physiology with an emphasis on structure and function and their adaptive significance to the animal in its environment. Physical, chemical, and functional aspects of animal cells and cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, osmoregulatory, endocrine, and nervous systems are considered. Bioelectric and contractility phenomena are also included. Prerequisites: AUBIO 230 and 295.
History and Theory of Biology
AUBIO 411
Overview of historical progression in the biological sciences and their associated development in relation to prevailing philosophical, social, and cultural contexts. Prerequisites: AUBIO 260; one of AUBIO 222, 274, 275 (2008), 294, 295; *6 of Biology at the 300 level; fourth-year standing. AUBIO 338 is strongly recommended. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 411 and AUBIO 311.
Directed Studies
AUBIO 419
Supervised laboratory research project. Prerequisites: AUBIO 318 and consent of the instructor. Notes: Admission to the course normally requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Biology. An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course.
Directed Reading in Plant Ecology
AUBIO 423
Supervised and directed readings for developing written assignments in a specific subject area of plant ecology. The course may serve as a base for a complementary independent laboratory studies course. Prerequisite: AUBIO 320 or 321. Notes: Admission to AUBIO 423 normally requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Biology. An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course.
Evolutionary Development Biology
AUBIO 438
Comparative study of the developmental processes of different organisms in an attempt to determine their ancestral relationships and how developmental processes evolved. Topics include the origin and evolution of embryonic development; how modifications of development and developmental processes lead to the production of novel features; the role of developmental plasticity in evolution; the origin of biodiversity; and the developmental basis of homology. Prerequisites: AUBIO 260 and 338.
Directed Reading in Entomology
AUBIO 448
Investigation of advanced topics in entomology. Prerequisite: AUBIO 341 or 343. Notes: Admission to AUBIO 448 normally requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Biology. An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course.
Field Studies in Tropical Ecology and Conservation
AUBIO 459
Field course that addresses problems of biodiversity and conservation in tropical environments. The student participates in field workshops, and designs and conducts his or her own field project to answer questions related to ecological and biological conservation. Prerequisite: AUBIO 350 or AUENV 350, and consent of the instructors based on successful completion of the selection process. Notes: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 459 and AUENV 459. Students who have received credit for AUBIO 359 or AUENV 359 may enrol in AUBIO 459 or AUENV 459 in a subsequent year based on successful completion of the selection process. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Fees Payment Guide in the University Regulations and Information for Students section of the Calendar.
Directed Reading in Lipid Biochemistry
AUBIO 489
Biochemistry of lipids, lipoproteins, and membranes. The course extends and deepens material covered in AUBIO 381 by examining some of the theories, experiments, and methods used to investigate lipid biochemistry. Prerequisite: AUBIO 381. Notes: It is strongly recommended that AUBIO 389 precede AUBIO 489. Admission to AUBIO 489 normally requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Biology. An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course. Credit may be obtained for only one of AUBIO 489 and AUCHE 489.
Directed Reading in Behavioural Ecology
AUBIO 493
Advanced topics of behavioural ecology. Functional questions in animal behaviour are explored within the framework of three conceptual issues: simple optimality, game theory, and stochastic dynamic modelling. Included are the theoretical foundations and a review of empirical studies to analyze the explanatory and predictive value of the models. Prerequisite: AUBIO 390. Notes: Admission to AUBIO 493 normally requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in Biology. An "Application for Individual Study" must be completed and approved before registration in the course.