Biology
(BIO) (MAR)
For information, please contact
John Scheide, Chairperson,
774-3227, 217 Brooks Hall
Department
Website
Why Study Biology?
Biology at CMU
Majors and
Minors
Biology Major - B.A., B.S.
Pregraduate/Preprofessional
Options
Microscopy
Natural
Resources Option
General Option
Biology/Medical Technology
Major
Neuroscience Major
Biology Minor - B.A.,
B.A.A., B.S.
Natural Resources Minor
Science Minor
Teaching Majors and Minors
- Elementary
Teaching Majors and Minors -
Secondary
Biology Major - B.S. in
Ed., Elementary
Science Major
Biology Minor - B.S. in
Ed., Elementary
Biology Major - B.S. in
Ed., Secondary
Biology Minor - B.S. in
Ed., Secondary
The Faculty
BIO Course
Descriptions
MAR
Course Descriptions
Why Study Biology?
Biology is the science of life. Humans share life on Earth
with up to 30 million other living forms, all of which
belong to one complex and fragile ecosystem. The study of
biology prepares the student to understand this complex
ecosystem and our interactions with it. Biology is for those
who are curious about living things and wish to learn
scientific methods for observing and evaluating life
processes. The student may eventually be involved in social
and political decisions requiring biological understanding,
as well as furthering scientific knowledge through
occupations dealing with biological research, natural
resource management, agriculture, human health, education
and other endeavors. Undergraduate training in biology is
good preparation for advanced study in subdisciplines of
biology such as medicine, environmental science, physiology,
microbiology, molecular biology, aquatic biology,
conservation biology, ecology, animal behavior, and other
areas of zoology and botany.
Biology
at CMU
The Department of Biology at CMU offers programs which
provide undergraduate students with a core of instruction,
followed by an opportunity to study in a more specialized
area of biology. In addition to recently upgraded
state-of-the-art laboratories, the Department of Biology
operates excellent field and laboratory facilities at the
CMU Biological Station located on Beaver Island in northern
Lake Michigan and a nature center in Neithercut Woodland in
Farwell, Michigan. The department offers
service courses in introductory and human biology, nature
study, and conservation of natural resources for non-science
students. The major and minor in biology can be applied to a
variety of programs designed to serve career interests of
students in elementary and secondary teaching, natural
resources, medical technology, pre-medicine, pre-osteopathy,
and pre-veterinary, as well as a program to prepare students
for graduate studies in the biological sciences. Graduate
programs include a Master of Science (M.S.) degree
emphasizing thesis research or a non-thesis degree in
biology for teachers. Requirements for the graduate programs
are detailed in the Bulletin, College of Graduate Studies.
Notes:
It is essential that students interested in biology talk
with a member of the Department of Biology during the first
year at CMU. Courses must be selected in consultation with
and approved by a departmental advisor. Students may make
individual arrangements with instructors for honors work.
Generally, the biology degree programs require extensive
laboratory experiences in which the students use specialized
equipment (including microscopes), chemicals and glassware.
Students are also required to work with cultures of
microorganisms and to maintain aseptic conditions. The
required field experiences will introduce the student to a
variety of habitats, including woodlots, fields, streams,
lakes and
marshes.
Natural Science minors, science minors, and science majors
are directed to the Bulletin section on Interdepartmental
Majors and Minors.
Biology credit earned on a Credit/No Credit basis does not
apply on majors and minors authorized by the Department of
Biology.
Courses requiring field trips will have expenses prorated
among class members.
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Majors and Minors
Biology
Major
B.A.,
B.S. degrees
The Biology Department requires the following common core
of courses for all biology majors (19 hours):
BIO 101 (3) General Biology OR
BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
Biology majors (except those on education programs or
Medical Technology) must elect one of the four options
below to supplement this common core of courses.
Pregraduate/Preprofessional
option is for students who plan to enter a graduate
or professional school after graduation from CMU. Students
selecting this option are required to take the following
courses (7 hours) in addition to the required core courses:
BIO 324 (3) Cell Biology
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology OR
BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
Biology
electives: (16 hours) to be selected in consultation
with a biology advisor. BIO 403 is recommended as an
elective course.
Required
Biology hours: 42
Additional
requirements: 31-33 hours
a. CHM 131 and 132; OR CHM 161 and 211 (8-9 hours)
b. CHM 345, 346, and 349 (8 hours)
c. PHY 130 and 131 (8 hours)
d. MTH 132 OR MTH 136 (4-5 hours)
e. BIO 500 OR STA 382 (3 hours) (If BIO 500 is elected, it
may count toward the 38 hours required in BIO.)
Recommend: CHM 425, MTH 133, and CPS 110 OR 150
Total
hours required for the Biology Major, Pregraduate/Preprofessional
option: 73-75
Microscopy
Option is for students who plan a career as a
biological microscopist. Research laboratories, hospitals,
pharmaceutical companies, chemical companies, food
processing laboratories, and forensic laboratories are areas
in which opportunities exist for microscopists. Students
selecting this option are required to take the following
courses (16-17 hours) in addition to the required core
courses:
BIO 403 (3 or 4) Undergraduate Research
BIO 550 (4) Transmission Electron Microscope Technique
BIO 552 (4) Scanning Electron Microscope Technique
BIO 554 (3) Advanced Electron Microscopy
BIO 563 (2) Biological Microtechnique
Biology
electives: (6-7 hours) to be selected in consultation
with a biology advisor. BIO 324 (3) Cell Biology, BIO 536
(3) Histology, and BIO 556 (3) Biological EDS Analysis, are
suggested. Because of the sequential nature of many courses,
an interested student is encouraged to see an advisor as
early as possible.
Required
Biology hours: 42
Additional
requirements: 29-31 hours
a. CHM 131 and 132 (8 hours) OR CHM 161 and 211 (9
hours)
b. CHM 345, 346, and 349 (8 hours) OR CHM 342 and CHM
421 or CHM 425 (7 hours)
c. PHY 130, 131, 170, and 171 (10 hours) OR PHY 145,
146, 175, and 176 (10 hours) d. MTH 130 or higher (4 hours)
A chemistry minor is suggested.
Total
hours required for the Biology Major, Microscopy Option:
71-73
Natural Resources
option is for students who plan to enter an area of
natural resource management, wildlife biology, nature
interpretation, or museum science. Students selecting this
option are required to take the following courses (7 hours)
in addition to the required core courses:
BIO 240 (3) Conservation of Natural Resources
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology OR
BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
Biology electives: (16 hours) to be selected in
consultation with a biology advisor. It is recommended that
at least one class be taken at the CMU Biological Station on
Beaver Island or another field station.
Required
Biology hours: 42
Additional
requirements: 14-16 hours
a. CHM 131 and 132, OR CHM 161 and 211, OR CHM 120, 127, and
342 (8-9 hours)
b. PHS 101 OR PHY 130 (3-4 hours)
c. BIO 500 OR STA 382 (3 hours) (If BIO 500 is elected, it
may count toward the 38 hours required in BIO).
Total
hours required for the Biology Major, Natural Resources
option: 56-58
General
option is for students who do not plan to attend a
professional graduate school upon graduation and are not
planning to enter a field associated with natural resources.
This option provides flexibility in the choice of electives.
Students selecting this option are required to take the core
courses (19 hours) and 23 hours of elective biology courses.
Biology
electives: (23 hours) to be selected in consultation
with a biology advisor.
Required
Biology hours: 42
Additional
requirements: 11-13 hours
a. CHM 131 and 132, OR CHM 161 and 211, OR CHM 120, 127, and
342 (8-9 hours)
b. PHS 101 OR PHY 130 (3-4 hours)
Total
hours required for the Biology Major, General Option: 53-55
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Biology/Medical
Technology Major
B.S.
degree
The Biology/Medical Technology major provides a student with
a background required for the clinical experience at an
accredited hospital school of medical technology. Upon
successful completion of the four-year program at CMU, a
student will be awarded a B.S. degree, Major:
Biology/Medical Technology. In addition, a one-year clinical
experience will be required prior to being eligible to apply
for certification as a Medical Technologist. CMU is
affiliated with a number of schools of medical technology.
(A current list is available from the Medical Technology Advisor). Arrangements for the clinical experience at other
accredited schools is possible. The student, with the
assistance of the Medical Technology advisor, is responsible
for making arrangements for the clinical experience.
A chemistry minor for the Biology/Medical Technology Major
is required. (Consult the Chemistry section of the Bulletin
for courses). Biology/Medical Technology majors are required
to take the following Biology courses:
BIO 101 (3) General Biology OR
BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 322 (4) Bacteriology
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 337 (4) Comparative Anatomy
BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
BIO 537 (4) Immunology
BIO 543 (3) Medical Parasitology
BIO 577 (3) Hematology
In addition, CPS 110 (3), MTH 132 (4), plus 10 hours of
either PHY 130 (4), 131 (4), 170 (1), and 171 (1) OR PHY 145
(4), 146 (4), 175 (1), and 176 (1).
Total
hours required for the Biology/Medical Technology Major: 55
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Neuroscience
Major
B.S.
degree
This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the
Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors
section.
Biology
Minor
B.A.,
B.A.A.,
B.S. degrees
Biology minors are required to take the following courses:
BIO 101 (3) General Biology OR
BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
Five hours of additional biology courses to be selected in
consultation with an advisor.
Total
hours required for the Biology Minor: 24
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Natural
Resources Minor
B.A.,
B.A.A., B.S., B.S. in B.A.
This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the
Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors
section.
Science
Minor
B.A.,
B.S., B.S. in B.A. degree
This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors
section.
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Teaching
Majors and Minors:
Elementary Emphasis
Biology
majors and minors on the Elementary Emphasis are required to
complete, with at least a 2.7 grade point average, 75% of
the biology credit hours prior to approval for student
teaching. At least 6 hours of the biology requirements must
be taken at CMU. A C+ is required for all teaching courses.
Biology
Major
B.S.
in Ed. degree, Elementary Emphasis
BIO 101 (3) General Biology OR
BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 229 (3) Nature Study
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
BIO 351 (3) Biological Science for Elementary Teachers
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology OR
BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
Six
hours of additional biology courses including one course in
botany and one course in zoology selected in consultation
with an advisor to total 35 hours of biology credit. In
addition, one semester of college chemistry is required for
the biology major.
Total
hours required for the Biology Major: 38-39
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Science
Major
B.S.
in Ed. degree, Elementary Emphasis
This is an interdisciplinary major. Please check the
Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors
section.
Biology
Minor
B.S.
in Ed. degree, Elementary and Elementary Special Education
Emphases
BIO 101 (3) General Biology OR
BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 229 (3) Nature Study
BIO 351 (3) Biological Science for Elementary Teachers
Additional biology courses selected in consultation with an advisor
to total 20 or more hours of biology credit.
Total
hours required for the Biology Minor: 20
Secondary
Emphasis
Biology majors and minors on the Secondary Emphasis are
required to complete, with at least a 2.7 grade point
average, 26 or more hours of biology, including BIO 502,
prior to approval for student teaching. At least 6 hours of
the biology requirements must be taken at CMU.
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Biology
Major
B.S.
in Ed. degree, Secondary and Secondary Special Education
Emphases
BIO 101 (3) General Biology OR
BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 302 (2) Mid-tier Experience for Secondary Biology
Teachers
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology OR
BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
BIO 502 (3) Teaching Biology
Ten
hours of additional biology courses including one course in
botany and one course in zoology selected in consultation
with an advisor to total 38 hours of biology credit.
Additional
requirements are:
a. CHM 120; or CHM 131 and CHM 132; or CHM 161 and CHM 211.
b. CHM 342; or CHM 345 ,CHM 346 and CHM 349.
c. CHM 421 or CHM 425; or CHM 521 and CHM 522.
d. PHY 130 and PHY 131.
e. BIO 500 or STA 282. (If a student elects BIO 500, it may
count towards the 38 hours required in biology.)
Total
hours required for the Biology Major: 60-72
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Biology
Minor
B.S.
in Ed. degree, Secondary and Secondary Special Education
Emphases
BIO 101 (3) General Biology OR
BIO 105 (3) Introductory Quantitative Biology
BIO 203 (3) General Botany
BIO 208 (3) Microbiology
BIO 218 (3) General Zoology
BIO 326 (4) Genetics
BIO 340 (3) Ecology
BIO 391 (4) Plant Physiology OR
BIO 392 (4) Mammalian Physiology
BIO 502 (3) Teaching Biology
Total
hours required for the Biology Minor: 26
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The faculty: Elizabeth
W. Alm, Robert E. Bailey, Daniel W. Benjamin (Manager,
Biology Laboratories), Roy F. Burlington, Larry D. Caldwell,
Greg Colores, Joanne Dannenhoffer, Claudia B. Douglass,
Thomas M. Gehring, James C. Gillingham, Tracy Galarowicz,
Michael J. Hamas, Phillip L. Hertzler, Jon Kelty, Donna K.
King, Lawrence D. Koehler, Mark Lung, Fred M. McCorkle Jr.,
A. Scott McNaught, Charles E. Novitski, John I. Scheide,
Jennifer Schisa, Nancy Seefelt, Gilbert D. Starks, Bradley
J. Swanson, Douglas A. Valek, Daniel E. Wujek
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