Note: Any 4-credit laboratory course with a BI prefix will satisfy the basic level of literacy in current scientific knowledge and theories, and develop an appreciation for the natural world required in Goal 4 of the Norwich University General Education Goals. Our courses will expose students to the scientific method and provide the critical thinking skills necessary to make intelligent, well informed decisions. Biology courses taken for 3 credits, without a laboratory, will only satisfy free elective requirements.

Code: Each course may be used to satisfy 1 Distribution and 1 Area Requirement for Biology Majors.

  • Distribution Requirements

    • A = satisfies anatomy requirement.
    • F = satisfies field requirement.
    • P = satisfies physiology requirement.
    • S = satisfies systematics requirement.

  • Area Requirements

    • B = satisfies botany requirement
    • Z = satisfies zoology requirement

101,102. Principles of Biology – 4 Credits

A course designed as the prerequisite for all biology courses and as a laboratory science requirement for non-science majors. Emphasis is on basic biological principles, structure and function of living organisms, their diversity, evolution, and ecology. Requires dissection of living and preserved animals. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite of BI102: BI101 or permission of the instructor. Offered fall-spring semesters.

201. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (A, Z) – 4 Credits

A study of the origins, structure, and functions of the organ systems of representative vertebrates. An attempt is made to correlate form and function in the evolution of the vertebrates. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisites: BI101,102. Offered fall semesters of odd numbered years.

202. Genetics – 3 or 4 Credits

The physical and chemical basis of inheritance, expression, and interaction of the hereditary units, linkage, and variation. The application of Mendelian principles to plants and animals. Consideration is also given to microbial and viral genetics and genetic engineering. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites: BI101,102. Offered fall semesters.

215, 216. Human Anatomy and Physiology – 4 Credits

A study of the microscopic and macroscopic structure of the various organ systems of the body. Introduction to basic physiological principles as illustrated by the body processes, including nerve, muscle, receptors, transport and homeostatic mechanisms, as well as the correlating activities of the nervous and endocrine systems. Requires dissection of living and preserved animals. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites: BI215: BI101 or permission of instructor. BI216: BI215.

220. Introductory Microbiology (P, S) – 4 Credits

A survey of the field of microbiology with emphasis on those microorganisms of medical significance. Fundamentals of microbial structure, physiology, and control are considered along with the role of pathogenic organisms in the infectious and disease processes. Laboratory exercises are designed to provide facility in visualizing, staining, culturing, enumerating, isolating, maintaining, and identifying microorganisms. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: BI101 or permission of the instructor. Offered spring semesters.

240. Environmental and Food Microbiology (P) – 4 Credits

A course designed to develop an awareness of the essential role of microbes in maintaining the biosphere and the quality of life of its human inhabitants. The role of microorganisms as degraders, bioremediators and recyclers of essential elements will be presented and reinforced through laboratory exercises. The dependence of humans on microorganisms for health, food transformation, pharmaceutical production and genetic engineering will be explored in lecture and lab. Controversies surrounding the use of biotechnology to produce genetically engineered foods and animals as well as agents for bioterrorism, will be discussed. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites: BI101, 102 or permission of the instructor. Offered even-numbered fall semesters.

260. Ornithology (F, Z) – 4 Credits

A survey of avian biology and ecology to include evolution, the anatomical and physiological adaptations for flight, migration, behavior, reproduction, and identification of birds and their songs. Integrated classroom, laboratory, and field studies will emphasize Vermont birds. Dissection of the pigeon during the spring semester is an integral part of the spring course’s laboratory component. The summer course features a nesting study in lieu of dissection. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Offered spring semesters.

275. Environmental Biology – 3 or 4 Credits

An introduction to the interaction of man and the environment with emphasis on contemporary problems and their possible solutions. Local and global forms of pollution, detrimental environmental practices, and other relationships will be explored in the classroom and the laboratory. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites: BI101, 102 or permission of the instructor. Offered even-numbered spring semesters.

301. Histology (A, Z) – 3 or 4 Credits

A study of the cellular anatomy of the fundamental tissues and organs. May require dissection of living and preserved animals. Classroom, 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: BI101,102 or permission of instructor. Offered even-numbered fall semesters.

302. Embryology (A, Z) – 3 or 4 Credits

A study of the fundamental principles of development through the establishment of the major organs and systems, exemplified in the laboratory by study of representative embryonic forms. May require dissection of living and preserved animals. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: BI101, 102 or permission of instructor. Offered even-numbered spring semesters.

304. Physiology (P, Z) – 4 Credits

A study of the comparative physiology of animals. Physical and chemical principles, cell physiology, with emphasis on homeostatic mechanisms and the study of functions of organ systems. May require dissection of living animals. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisites: BI101, 102, and 1 year of college chemistry. Offered even-numbered spring semesters.

305. Modern Laboratory Procedures (P) 4 Credits

Students are familiarized with the theories and applications of the new technologies that pervade the fields of biotechnology and molecular biology. Laboratory exercises illustrate key concepts and provide hands-on experience in the use of instrumentation essential to modern biologists. Classroom 2 hours, laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisites: BI 101, 102 or BI215, 216, and CH103, 104. Offered odd-numbered fall semesters.

306. Cell Biology (A, P, Z) – 4 Credits

A molecular level examination of the ultrastructure and function of the cytoplasm, intracellular components, cell membrane, extracellular structures and formation, and excretion of extracellular products. Recent developments in molecular biology will be stressed, including the implications for the biotechnology industry. The laboratory component will include state-of-the-art procedures and will emphasize hands-on experimental techniques. May require dissection of living animals. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisites: BI101, 102 and 1 year of college chemistry. Offered even-numbered fall semesters.

308. Parasitology (A, S, Z) – 3 or 4 Credits

A survey of protozoan and helminth parasites of wildlife and humans. Fundamentals of the host-parasite relationships are stressed including ecological, epidemiological, and physiological relationships. The laboratory emphasizes the preservation, preparation, and identification of parasitological material. Requires dissection of living animals. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites: BI101, 102. Offered odd-numbered spring semesters.

316. Plant Taxonomy (F, S, B) – 4 Credits

A general survey of the taxonomy and evolution of vascular plants, emphasizing herbaceous plants. Recognition of plant families, identification of species, and principles of collecting and preserving are stressed. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: BI102 or permission of instructor. Offered even-numbered fall semesters.

325. Invertebrate Zoology (A, S, Z) – 3 or 4 Credits

A fundamental course designed to give the student a general knowledge of the structure, physiology, life histories, and ecology of the invertebrate animals. Requires dissection of living and preserved animals. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites: BI101, 102. Offered even-numbered fall semesters.

326. Natural History of the Vertebrates (F, S, Z) – 4 Credits

A study of the classification, identification, and ecology of the vertebrates with special emphasis on the local fauna. Collection and preservation of organisms is an integral part of the course. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisites: BI101, 102. Offered odd-numbered fall semesters.

330. Immunology (P) – 4 Credits

A course presenting the basic principles of immunology, including antigen-antibody characteristics, the role of the immune system in defense and disease, and the application of fundamental concepts in the development of new technologies and immunodiagnosis. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisites: BI101, 102 or BI215, 216, and 1 year of college chemistry. Offered odd-numbered spring semesters.

341. Plant Anatomy (A, B) – 4 Credits

The anatomy of vascular plants analyzed from an evolutionary viewpoint. Cell structure, tissues, their distribution in roots, stems, leaves and reproductive organs, and plant development are stressed. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: BI102 or permission of instructor. Offered odd-numbered spring semesters.

351. Dendrology and Silvics (F, S, B) – 4 Credits

An introduction to major woody plant species in the Northeast, including taxonomic characteristics, life histories, habitat requirements, and economic importance. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory and/or field work 3 hours. Prerequisite: BI102 or permission of instructor. Offered odd-numbered fall semesters.

360. Pathophysiology – 3 Credits

The study of human illness with primary emphasis on the pathogenesis of disease, its disruption of normal physiology, and the body’s mechanism for restoring the steady state. The biology of the disease process is examined at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system level. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisites: minimum "C" grade in BI215, 216 or permission of instructor. Offered fall semesters.

401. Senior Seminar – 3 Credits

This is the capstone course that integrates reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills. It includes instruction in scientific writing, use of contemporary scientific literature in the areas of biology and exercise science, library research techniques, and requires a major paper considering ethics in science and research. Students will prepare research papers on current topics using primary sources and give oral presentations on their topics to the department faculty. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisites: senior class standing or permission of the instructor. Offered fall semesters.

405. Ecology (F) – 3 or 4 Credits

The interrelationships between living organisms and their total environment are studied through a combination of lecture, laboratory, and field studies. Major concepts include ecosystem structure and function, community development, species diversity, succession, interspecific and intraspecific relationships, competition, predation, behavior, and population growth and regulation. collection and preservation of plants and animals may be required. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory and/or field work 3 hours. Prerequisites: BI101, 102. Offered fall and spring semesters.

418. Medical Microbiology (S) – 3 or 4 Credits

A study of pathogenic microorganisms including their general characteristics, physiology, pathogenesis, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, immunity, prevention, and control. Laboratory exercises are designed to familiarize students with diagnostic procedures used in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Classroom 2 hours, laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisite: BI220 or BI240. Offered even-numbered spring semesters.

424. Woodland Ecology and Management (F, B) – 4 Credits

A review of biotic and abiotic factors controlling the forest environment, methods for determining vegetation structure and succession, introduction to major forest associations in the Northeast, and consequences of various harvesting and management techniques. Classroom 3 hours, field studies 3 hours. Prerequisites: BI351 or BI316, or permission of instructor. Offered even-numbered spring semesters.

440. Reading and Research – 3 or 4 Credits

Independent study under the supervision of a department faculty member. Open to junior and senior majors with permission of instructor. BI440 may be taken no more than twice, for a maximum of 7 credits. Students requesting this course must have a 3.0 GPA in biology courses or departmental approval. An approved topic, a brief outline of the research to be conducted, and a signature from a biology mentor must be submitted to the department chair before the end of the drop-add period of the enrolled semester.

450. Biotechnology Practicum – 12 Credits

One semester practicum at a biotechnology-related facility. A learning objective contract will be established by the student, the on-site supervisor, and the program coordinator. The student will keep a weekly journal and make a formal oral presentation addressing objectives, research, and accomplishments to the Biology Department prior to the close of the semester. The program coordinator will assist students in identifying potential employers and in the placement process. However, arrangements with biotechnology firms are competitive, so no guarantee of placement can be made by the university. (Open to senior Biomedical Technology majors only.)