Curriculum

The biology program at Sterling College fulfills a dual function. Courses of study lead to an undergraduate major in the biological sciences, and a number of service courses support other academic areas that are part of the liberal arts program for all nonscience majors. The Biology Program combined with the Professional Education courses prepares students for licensure by the Kansas State Department of Education. In addition, the Biology Program prepares students to enter careers or professional schools that require a strong undergraduate program in the biological sciences, such as the pre-professional requirements for schools of medicine, physician’s assistant, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and physical therapy, to name a few.

 

BIOLOGY MAJOR (BS)

BI170 Zoology 4 credits
BI125 Environmental Science 4 credits
BI263 Genetics 4 credits
BI320 Botany 4 credits
BI350 Cell, Molecular, & Developmental Biology 4 credits
BI498 Senior Seminar I 1 credit
BI499 Senior Seminar II 1 credit
Any one biology elective 4-5 credits
  Subtotal: 26-27 credits
     
  Chemistry:  
  Option 1or 2 or combination of courses approved by advisor.  
  Option 1  
CH110 Introductory General Chemistry 3 credits
CH232 Introductory Organic Chemistry 4 credits
CH265 Biochemistry 3 credits
  Subtotal: 10 credits
     
Or
Option 2  
CH151 General Chemistry I 5 credits
CH152 General Chemistry II 5 credits
CH232 Introductory Organic Chemistry 4 credits
  Subtotal: 14 credits
     
  Mathematics:  
MA110 College Algebra 3 credits
Or
Department-approved course 3 credits
  Subtotal: 3 credits
  Physics:  

PH210/

General Physics I & II or 10 credits
   
PH110 Physical Science * 5 credits
  Subtotal: 5-10 credits
  Total: 46-56 credits

BIOLOGY MINOR

BI170 Zoology or  
BI320 Botany 4 credits
BI263 Genetics 4 credits
2 additional biology courses 8-10 credits
  Total: 16-18 credits
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BIOLOGY EDUCATION LICENSURE (6-12)

 
Requirements for the Biology Major
Subtotal:
46-56 credits
  and the following courses:  
     
BI280 General Physiology* 4 credits
MA150 Pre-Calculus 4 credits
MA240 Elementary Statistics 3 credits
ED406 Methods of Teaching Natural Science 3 credits
  Total: 52 - 62 cedits

*Meets elective requirement for the major.
**Meets math requirement for the major.

All professional education and major coursework must be completed before Clinical Teaching Experience. Refer to Education section – Secondary & PreK- 12 Teacher Licensure Programs for professional education courses required.

BIOLOGY/MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM

This is a joint program between the Biology Department at Sterling College and the Department of Medical Technology at Wichita State University that would allow a student enrolled in the program to earn two degrees: BS in Biology at Sterling and BS in Medical Technology at Wichita State after meeting certain requirements from both institutions. In addition to the Sterling College General Education and Biology Major requirements, students in the program will take 57 credit hours in the Medical Technology program at Wichita State University. Students must have a minimum of 131 hours for graduation and a 2.5 GPA to enter the WSU program. Students may apply to the program when they are in their second chemistry and biology courses. Acceptance means they have a place reserved for them when they have completed the prerequisite work.

Sterling College courses that are prerequisites for the WSU Program:

   
BI110 Human Anatomy & Physiology
BI170 Zoology
BI320 Botany
BI344 Microbiology
BI350 Cell, Molecular, & Developmental Biology
BI370 Immunology
CH151/152 General Chemistry I and II
CH232 Introduction to Organic Chemistry or
CH261/262 Organic Chemistry I and II
CH265 Biochemistry
BS125 General Psychology

Refer to the WSU catalog for specific requirements and course descriptions in their Medical Technology major. This can be found on page 113 of the 2004-05 on-line catalog. Go to www.wichita.edu then scroll down and click on Course Catalog.

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Biology Course Descriptions:

BI110 Human Anatomy and Physiology 5 credits
Introduction to anatomy and physiology of cells, organs, and systems of the human organism. Emphasis will be made to provide better understanding of basic biological principles on each system and appreciation of the delicate functional structure as well as their relationship. Four class discussions and one three-hour laboratory each week. (Fall)

BI111 Human Genetics 3 credits
A basic genetics course considering cell division processes, Mendelian genetic mechanisms, probability, and the interpretation and analysis of genetic data. Specific human genetic problems are illustrated, analyzed, and discussed. This course meets a general education biology requirement, but does not meet a biology major/minor elective. (Interterm)

BI120 Economic and Cultural Botany 3 credits
This course is intended to meet the biological science general education requirement as a non-laboratory course.

BI125 Environmental Science 4 credits
Introduction to ecological principles including energy flow, nutrient cycles, predatorprey relationships, pollution problems, population dynamics, and renewable & nonrenewable energy sources and their alternatives. Position and impact of mankind in the environment and consideration of the sociological, political, economic, and religious implications of their relationship to the ecosystem are addressed. Two class discussions and one three-hour laboratory each week. (Spring)

BI126 Human Heredity and Reproduction 4 credits
Consideration of the method of scientific inquiry, some of the knowledge and techniques generated by that method in the areas of human reproduction and human heredity, and some implications of that knowledge on contemporary society. The course is designed to provide the non-science student with a functional foundation of “scientific literacy” which can be used in the future to enlarge the understanding of the inter-relationships of science and contemporary society. (Spring, odd years)

BI170 Zoology 4 credits
The study of major biological principles including origins, cellular structure and function, animal architecture and organization, animal classification, and interrelationships of animals within the environment via a survey approach of the major animal phyla. Three class sessions and one three-hour laboratory each week. (Fall)
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BI258 Comparative Anatomy 4 credits
Study of the major vertebrate classes in respect to the anatomy of selected organ systems. Designed for the pre-health professional, the course is taught from a view of the organ systems with major emphasis focused on the understanding of the human anatomical structure. Three discussions and one three hour laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BI170. Additional course fee. (Fall, odd years)

BI263 Genetics 4 credits
Introduction to principles of Mendelian inheritance and molecular genetics. Emphasis will be on developing the skills of genetic analysis as well as an understanding of basic principles. Three class discussions and one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BI170 (Fall, even years)

BI280 Human Physiology 5 credits
Designed for majors to study the structure, function, and interrelatedness of selected human systems. Emphasis on the phenomenon of biological organization from the molecular level through the organ system level. Four class discussions and one threehour laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BI170. (Fall, odd years)

BI320 Botany 4 credits
The study of major biological principles including origins, cellular and tissue structure and function, development, growth, and organization as applied to plants. A survey approach is utilized to introduce the student to bacteria, fungi, photosynthetic protists, and the plant kingdom. Departmental service project is included in this course. Student who transfer Botany into Sterling College will take a 1-credit independent study to fulfill this requirement. Three class sessions and one three-hour lab each week. Prerequisite: BI170 (Spring)

BI344 Microbiology 5 credits
General consideration of bacterial anatomy and physiology: viruses, disease, and the immunological response. Cellular biochemistry will be emphasized. Four class discussions and one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisite:BI170, BI263, and CH151 or CH110. (Spring)

BI350 Cell, Molecular, & Developmental Biology 4 credits
This course covers molecular level cell structure and functions of organelles. Emphasis is placed on ultra structure, organization and function of cellular organelles, and the regulation of selected cell activities. Cell cycle related topics are dealt in detail. Certain signal transduction models are also covered by introduction of current papers from selected scientific journals. Prerequisites: BI110 or BI170, and BI263 (Spring, even years)
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BI360 Ecology 4 credits
Study of the biotic and abiotic factors that affect the distribution and abundance of plants and animals. Three class discussions and one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BI170 or BI320. (On demand)

BI362 Embryology 4 credits
Study of maturation, fertilization, cleavage, formation of germ layers, origin of organs and tissue systems of vertebrates, with special emphasis upon birds and mammals. Three class discussions and one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BI170. (Fall, even years)

BI370 Immunology 4 credits
Introductory course in immunobiology and immunochemistry. Major topics include the genetics of the immune system, adaptive and innate immune responses, current issues in immunotherapeutics and the immune system in human diseases. Prerequisites: BI262 and one course in Organic Chemistry.

BI393 Internship in Biology 1-3 credits
Internships in biology allow for credit to be given to the student acquiring practical training and experiences in a variety of biology-related occupations such as summer work in a biotechnology laboratory, the shadowing of a physician, veterinarian, physical therapist, etc., or the preparing and teaching of selected biology laboratory experiences within the department. Each program will be designed to fit the individual student’s needs and plans. One unit of credit is awarded for an approximate 40 contact hours of experience with a maximum of three credits possible. Prerequisite: minimum of 16 credits in biology & chemistry.

BI394 Directed Readings in Biology 1-2 credits
Individual study programs designed to remove a specific deficiency in a student’s academic program. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

BI395 Independent Study 1-3 credits
Independent research in which the student utilizes scientific methods to solve a biological problem. Highly recommended for students who plan to apply for graduate school. This work may be incorporated into the senior science report.

BI440 Topics in Biology 1 credit
The course is designed to expose students to various topics in Biological, Health, and Medical Sciences. (Spring)

BI441 Biological Research 1-3 credits
This course is designed to enhance the student’s knowledge through lab experiences and an on- or off-campus research project under Biology Department supervision. Students are expected to produce tangible outcomes from actual laboratory experi-ments.

BI498 Senior Seminar I - Library Techniques 1 credit
Following a seminar format, contemporary and ethical issues in the biological sciences will be reviewed and discussed. Also, a study of the bibliographic resources available to gain access to the technical literature of science will be conducted. Each student will compile an annotated bibliography on a selected topic from the primary and secondary literature. Prerequisite: Senior standing in biology. (Fall)

BI499 Senior Seminar II - Senior Science Report 1 credit
Development of oral and written skills needed for presenting a technical scientific report. Each student will write a technical review paper on a selected topic and present their topic in a seminar forum to a jury of their peers and invited guests. Prerequisite: BI498. (Spring)

ACCK Field Trips  
The following Biology field trip courses have been available to Sterling College students through the ACCK during the Interterm. Similar trips are planned for future Interterms.

BI224 Marine Biology Field Trip 4 credits
Trip to the Oregon Coast.

BI225 Desert Ecology Field Trip 4 credits
Trip to the deserts of Southwestern U. S.

BI226 Tropical Biology Field Trip 4 credits
Trip to a Caribbean island or a Central American country.

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