Learning Objectives for Biology Undergraduate Courses - Biology Program

BIOL 100 - EXPLORING THE LIVING WORLD:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe levels of organization and related functions in plants and animals.
Identify the characteristics and basic needs of living organisms and ecosystems.
Explain the processes of growth and development in individuals and populations.
Design and critically assess the scientific investigations they perform.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills.

BIOL 110 - LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the major steps in the evolution of main sequence stars of various masses and the planets and other bodies surrounding those stars.
Define clearly what is meant by "life" and "living organisms".
Understand the relationship between stellar mass, the width of the Circumstellar Habitable Zone (CHZ), stellar lifetime, and the suitability of planets to sustain organic evolution.
Describe the stages of geological and biological evolution on Earth and contrast those stages to those on other terrestrial planets and satellites in our solar system.
Explain why biology on Earth is based on the chemistry of carbon and analyze the potential for biology based on other elements.
Evaluate the progress made to date on identifying exosolar planets, particularly those with the potential to have Earth-like surface conditions.
Evaluate the progress made to date in Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) research programs.
Analyze the challenges associated with interstellar travel and assess the probability that Earth has been visited by alien civilizations.

BIOL 170 - FOUNDATIONS OF LIFE SCIENCE:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe levels of organization and related functions in plants and animals.
Identify the characteristics and basic needs of living organisms and ecosystems.
Explain the processes of growth and development in individuals and populations.
Design and critically assess the scientific investigations they perform.
Identify the crucial role of life science in planning K-6 curricula.
Evaluate student progress using guided inquiries.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills.

BIOL 200 - PRINCIPLES OF ORGANISMAL AND POPULATION BIOLOGY:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Define basic biological concepts and processes.
Describe levels of organization and related functions in plants and animals.
Identify the characteristics and basic needs of living organisms.
Explain the processes of growth and development in individuals and populations.
Describe the relationships between organisms and their environment.
Identify impacts on ecosystems.

BIOL 201 - PRINCIPLES OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Outline the structure of the biomolecules found in all living organisms.
Describe the function and structure of cells including the metabolic reactions that occur in cells.
Explain the process of inheritance.
Describe how RNA, DNA and proteins are synthesized.
Explain the process of cell division in both somatic and germ cells.
Explain the processes by which animals acquire nutrients, water and oxygen, eliminate wastes, protect against foreign substances, acquire information about their environment and reproduce.
Generate a hypothesis from a set of observations and then design experiments to test the hypothesis.

BIOL 203 - QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR BIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Choose an appropriate sampling scheme and/or experimental design for a given biological question.
Select and apply the appropriate analytical methods to biological data.
Demonstrate the necessary computer skills for biological data management, analysis and graphical presentation.
Evaluate critically the primary literature in observation and experimental biology.

BIOL 210 - HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the function and structure of cells.
Identify and distinguish between tissues in the human body.
Explain the structure and function of organ systems in the human body.

BIOL 211 - HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the function and structure of cells.
Identify and distinguish between tissues in the human body.
Explain the structure and function of organ systems in the human body.

BIOL 212 - NEUROBIOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCE

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the structure and function of cells that comprise the nervous system.
Explain chemical and electrical signaling in the nervous system.
Outline the sensory and motor systems.
Explain brain development and complex brain functions.
Generate a hypothesis from a set of observations and then suggest experiments to test the hypothesis.

BIOL 213 - SEX, GERMS AND DISEASES

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the reproductive system of humans.
Define factors in the spread of infectious diseases.
Explain biology and pathogenesis of infectious agents that cause sexually transmitted diseases.
Describe current biotechnology in relation to vaccine development, treatment and improved diagnostics of these diseases.
Identify challenges of epidemics of sexually transmitted diseases to economy, public health system, individuals, and society at large.

BIOL 217 - MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe disease-causing microorganisms and microbial agents at organismal, cellular and/or molecular levels.
Relate normal cellular and molecular structures to their functions.
Explain cellular processes and mechanisms that lead to physiological functions and pathological state.
Demonstrate the ability to handle situations and incidents at medical settings involving potential pathogens.
Apply modern biological techniques to identify potential pathogens and solve aspects of scientific problems.

BIOL 220 - STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY, APPLICATIONS AND SOCIAL IMPACT

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Understand the basic concepts of a cell and its role in development and formation of an embryo.
Explain what stem cells are and their potential applications.
Describe the techniques involved in creating, maintaining and studying stem cells.
Discuss social and ethical issues and impact of stem cell technology.
Outline the laws and regulations of stem cell technology.
Describe the significance of stem cell technology and application in medicine and public health.

BIOL 300 - CELL BIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe cytological, biochemical, physiological and genetic aspects of the cell, including cellular processes common to all cells, to all eucaryotic cells as well as processes in certain specialized cells.
Relate normal cellular structures to their functions.
Explain cellular processes and mechanisms that lead to physiological functions as well as examples of pathological state.
Apply modern cellular techniques to solve aspects of scientific problems.
Describe the intricate relationship between various cellular structures and their corresponding functions.

BIOL 301 - MICROBIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe cellular, biochemical, and physiological aspects of microorganisms and recognize the similarities and differences between microbial groups (bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, viruses, viroids, and prions).
Explain cellular and biochemical processes involved in pathogenesis (human-pathogen interactions).
Identify microorganisms and their role in various environments.
Describe the cultural use of microorganisms in food production, medicine, fuel production, and waste treatment.
Apply microbiology techniques (cell culture, chemical and molecular based methods) to solve scientific problems.

BIOL 302 - GENETICS

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Apply quantitative problem-solving skills to genetics problems and issues.
Demonstrate their ability to reason both inductively and deductively with experimental information and data.
Describe the chromosome theory, molecular genetics and quantitative and evolutionary genetics.
Select and apply experimental procedures to solve genetic problems.

BIOL 303 - EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the theory of natural selection.
Explain how new species arise.
Construct a phylogenetic tree.
Explain the mechanisms which underlie evolution at the molecular level.

BIOL 304 - COMPARATIVE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe metabolic reactions which occur in cells.
Compare the structure and function of organ systems in a variety of animal phyla.
Explain how animals adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions.
Outline the steps involved in transmission of nerve impulses.

BIOL 305 - BIOLOGY OF AGING

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the theories of aging.
Apply different measurement for age-related changes in populations and individuals.
Interpret the evolutionary and comparative aspects of longevity and senescence.
Describe the various research models used to study aging.
Report and analyze the research discoveries in aging.
Explain the mechanisms underlying the aging processes.

BIOL 310 - VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain vertebrate evolution from proto vertebrates to higher mammals.
Describe vertebrate classification.
Apply the biology of vertebrates to basic physiological, evolutionary and ecological concepts.
Identify major vertebrate groups and describe their salient features.
Explain the impact of human activities on vertebrate animals in natural communities.

BIOL 311 - PLANT BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify and describe the structural features of plants.
Discuss the basic processes of plant metabolism, transport, nutrition, growth, and reproduction.
Describe major evolutionary lineages of plants and their defining characteristics.
Identify plant species important in local ecosystems.
Describe the cultural uses of plants for food, fiber, medicine, biotechnology, etc.
Discuss plants in the context of broader environmental concerns, such as climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, and agriculture.

BIOL 312 - MARINE BIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify organisms residing in the Southern California intertidal zone.
Explain the structure and function of marine ecosystems.
Describe the chemical and physical features of seawater and the world's oceans.
Describe organisms residing in the marine environment.
Generate a hypothesis from a set of observations and then design experiments to test the hypothesis.

BIOL 313 - CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe methods of how resources are valued.
Critically analyze the factors involved in the historical evolution of conservation.
Analyze the general scientific bases of conservation.
Analyze conservation management as a land use strategy.
Critically assess relationships between human and scientific perspectives on conservation.
Critically assess the applications of key theories in population and evolutionary ecology to scientific conservation.
Assess methods of measuring biodiversity.
Analyze the nature reserve concept in relation to conservation objectives.

BIOL 315 - INTRODUCTION TO BIOPHYSICS

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain the basic concepts and principles of physics and their applications to biological systems.
Apply problem-solving skills to practical problems within the life sciences.
Choose appropriate biophysical methods to characterize biological systems and appreciate their limitations.
Analyze complex issues in biophysics using modeling.
Use a variety of simulation programs, featuring data analysis and display, to derive conclusions about experimental situations.
Critically evaluate scientific and medical literature.
Organize and express ideas clearly and convincingly in oral and written forms.

BIOL 316 - INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain the evolution of animal body plans from simple to complex.
Describe the classification system of invertebrate animals.
Apply basic physiological and ecological concepts to invertebrate animals.
Identify major invertebrate groups, and describe their key characteristics.
Identify human impacts on invertebrate populations, and the ecosystems in which they live.

BIOL 317 - PARASITOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain basics of the parasitic life-mode in context of ecological and evolutionary forces.
Apply basic physiological, evolutionary and ecological concepts to parasitic relationships.
Identify major parasitic groups, and describe their key characteristics.
Describe the impact of parasitic infections on human health and history.
Explain medical and public health aspects of human parasitic infections.

BIOL 318 - MEDICAL MYCOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe how and why fungi impact our lives.
Determine how molds differ from other microbes/ bacteria.
Classify molds.
Identify characteristics of the major fungal groups.
Identify major types of pathogenic species.
Identify disease(s) produced.
State the major features of fungal pathology

BIOL 319 - PLANT SYSTEMATICS AND IDENTIFICATION

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the biological basis of plant classification.
Recognize the major plant families of North America by sight.
Recognize ecologically and economically important California plant species by sight.
Identify unknown plant species using dichotomous keys.
Employ diverse taxonomic resources for plant identification, including electronic and print media, reference materials, and herbarium collections.
Discuss current questions in plant evolution and classification.

BIOL 320 - DEEP-SEA BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify organisms in the deep-sea.
Differentiate ecosystems in the deep-sea, and describe key features (abiotic and biotic conditions).
Analyze specialized biological adaptations to extreme pressure, temperature, light, and other conditions.
Apply these general biological adaptations to design a theoretical organism evolved in the deep-sea.
Explain the current and projected anthropogenic impacts on deep-sea ecosystems.
Describe the history, technology, and major expeditions to explore the deep-sea.

BIOL 326 - SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the major elements of ethical theory.
Analyze and present results of complex ethics cases.
Prepare and give effective oral presentations about ethical issues.
Conduct research and write a 1000 word paper on an aspect of ethics.

BIOL 332 - CANCER AND SOCIETY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Apply inductive and deductive reasoning to evaluate the biological mechanisms that lead to the induction of cancer.
Assess the contribution of environmental and genetic factors to cancer causation.
Describe the latest techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Identify public health issues and concerns attributable to cancer.
Evaluate realistically information derived from current literature, news media and on-line sources on the causes, prevention and treatment of cancer.

BIOL 333 - EMERGING PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify public health issues and concerns.
Assess contributing environmental and behavioral factors and infectious agents that lead to emerging infectious diseases and health problems.
Describe the reasons of the above factors that lead to public health problems and concerns.
Explain the mechanisms utilized by the microbial agents to cause emerging infectious diseases.
Critically assess the psychological, societal and economical impact of public health crises on human populations in their communities, countries and ie world.

BIOL 335 - THE BIOSPHERE

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain how life evolved on the planet.
Delineate how endosymbiosis can explain the origin of eucaryotic cells.
Describe the structure and composition of the atmosphere.
Differentiate between short- and long-term climate change and explain how these changes arise.
Describe how earth's resources are utilized by humans and the resultant impacts on the environment.

BIOL 342 - THE ZOO: CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND RECREATION

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the roles of biology, business, economics and education within the zoo.
Analyze the interactions of biology, business, economics and education in a zoo. This analysis will include the ways that these disciplines complement and conflict with one another.
Reflect in written and oral form on the zoo as a social institution and the role of the zoo in contemporary society.
Describe the processes of collecting and displaying flora and fauna in zoos.
Analyze the development of a zoo collection.
Describe the effects of the macroeconomy on a zoo.

BIOL 345 - SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Discuss news media depictions of scientific policy issues.
Discuss the science that underpins major issues of public policy covered in class.
Distinguish high quality scientific research from writing that is opinion or ideology driven.
Evaluate claims made by policy makers regarding the scientific merit of public policies.
Describe the US science policy making process and evaluate the role of interest groups in decision making.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of major public policy decisions.
Present scientific information in a format understandable by policy makers.
Locate serious scientific scholarship on issues of public importance

BIOL 389 - THE SCIENCE OF ART AND THE ART OF SCIENCE

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Recognize, translate and breakdown key scientific concepts and processes into aesthetic and informative art using artistic media and multimedia applications.
Explore the relationships between art and science in an artistic and biological framework.
Observe and identify taxonomically important physical traits in plants, animals and microbes and then generate accurate, representative illustrations and animations of the subject matter.
Develop artistic skills that effectively illustrate both varied biological creatures and scientific concepts.
Combine biological and artist media developed to educate others about science.

BIOL 400 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Apply problem-solving skills to biological problems and issues.
Write up the results of an experimental study in a lab report.
Demonstrate their ability to reason both inductively and deductively with experimental information and data.
Explain the function, replication and evolution of genomes.
Select and apply experimental procedures to solve biological problems.

BIOL 401 - BIOTECHNOLOGY AND RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNIQUES

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe biocatalysis, pathway engineering, bioprocess control and downstream processing.
Demonstrate their ability to reason both inductively and deductively with experimental information and data.
Explain the theory and practice of recombinant DNA technology.
Select and apply experimental procedures to the spectrum of fields making use of biotechnology.

BIOL 404 - PLANT AND ANIMAL TISSUE CULTURE

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Grow, maintain, and propagate specific plant and animal cell types in a sterile environment.
Handle, store and identify cells in culture.
Count, identify and assess viability of cells by microscopic examination.
Identify the problems associated with growing, storing and identifying a wide range of different cell types.
Describe how cell culture can be used for in vitro studies and commercial applications.
Analyze data using appropriate techniques .
Construct an accurate record of their laboratory work, in the form of a lab notebook including time plans and reports of their activities.
Produce a report of their work, which employs a range of skills of written expression and uses appropriate vocabulary consisting of a practical report.

BIOL 405 - BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Model and analyze simple bioreactor systems, including chemostats and enzyme batch reactors, using first principles models.
Analyze metabolic pathway models for application to chemostat reaction systems.
Design procedures from expression of foreign genes in E. coli using principles of cellular chemistry.
Develop a historical exposition of biotechnology.
Analyze batch bioreactor data.
Evaluate separations systems for cell separation and purification of intracellular and secreted compounds from bacterial and animal cell cultures.

BIOL 406 - EVOLUTIONARY BIOGEOGRAPHY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Relate patterns in current species distributions to past geological and climatic events.
Describe Earth's major biogeographic regions.
Contrast the biotic and abiotic processes that govern species ranges.
Distinguish between models of dispersal and vicariance for disjunct species distributions.
Interpret an area cladogram.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the theory of island biogeography.

BIOL 407 - BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain the influence of natural selection on behavior.
Describe and give examples of reproductive behaviors and mating strategies employed by animals.
Explain corporative and competitive behavioral interactions.
Define eusociality and explain the costs and benefits of this strategy.

BIOL 416 - RADIOBIOLOGY AND RADIONUCLIDES

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain the basic concepts and principles of radiation physics
Explain the genetic effects of ionizing radiation.
Calculate radiation doses and estimate risk.
Use a variety of simulation programs, featuring data analysis and display, to derive conclusions about radiation exposure and dose.
Explain the principles of radiation protection.
Explain the principles of operation of various radiation detectors.
Critically evaluate scientific and medical literature.
Organize and express ideas clearly and convincingly in oral and written forms.

BIOL 420 - CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify major components of the immune system at organ, cellular and molecular levels.
Discuss normal functions of these components during immune responses.
Elucidate the relationship between major cellular and molecular components of the immune system.
Explain adverse functions of these cellular and molecular components during abnormal circumstances.
Describe mechanisms of diseases associated with adverse functions of the immune system.
Apply immunologic techniques to solve certain clinical and research problems.

BIOL 421 - VIROLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the general properties of viruses.
Differentiate viruses from other types of microbial agents.
Elucidate the mechanisms viruses use to replicate in their hosts.
Explain the pathogenic mechanisms of viral diseases.
Describe immune defense mechanisms used by the host to fight against viral agents.
Describe the concept, practice and significance of immunization.
Identify major diagnostic techniques used to assess viruses in various specimens.
Name major pathogenic viruses and the diseases they cause.
Apply the knowledge learned from this course to prevent viral infections.

BIOL 422 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of how water moves in plants at both molecular and organismal levels.
Demonstrate an understanding of the biochemical processes of photosynthesis, glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and electron transport.
Use simple laboratory skills in scientific measurements.
Write a scientific research paper.

BIOL 423 - CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the function and structure of cells comprising the nervous system.
Explain, at the molecular level, chemical and electrical signaling in the nervous system.
Explain how genes are regulated in the nervous system.
Generate a hypothesis from a set of observations and then design experiments to test the hypothesis.

BIOL 424 - HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the function and structure of cells including the metabolic reactions that occur in cells.
Outline, at the molecular level, the transmission of signals in excitable cells.
Explain the structure and function of organ systems in the human body.

BIOL 425 - HUMAN GENETICS

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Apply quantitative problem-solving skills to human genetics problems and issues.
Evaluate biological factors that influence human heredity.
Demonstrate their ability to reason both inductively and deductively with experimental information and data.
Explain the molecular and biochemical basis, diagnosis and treatment of genetic disease.
Select and apply experimental procedures to genetic screening.

BIOL 426 - HEMATOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify the morphology and functions of normal blood cells.
Describe blood cell differentiation and metabolism.
Explain pathogenesis of hematologic diseases.
Apply clinical diagnostic technology to identify normal and diseased blood cells.
Identify the psychological and societal impact of epidemic blood diseases.
Explain the impact of pandemic human blood diseases on world civilization and economy.

BIOL 427 - DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Outline and compare the developmental stages which occur in a variety of animal phyla.
Explain the mechanisms which lead to cell determination.
Describe the evolutionary conservation of developmental mechanisms.
Generate a hypothesis from a set of observations and then design experiments to test the hypothesis.

BIOL 428 - BIOLOGY OF CANCER

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Evaluate biological factors that influence human cancer.
Demonstrate their ability to reason both inductively and deductively with experimental information and data.
Explain the molecular and biochemical basis, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Select and apply experimental procedures to cancer screening and therapy.

BIOL 431 - BIOINFORMATICS

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the flow and regulation of biological information.
Describe the techniques used to collect sequence and expression data.
Identify appropriate biological data bases for specific analyses.
Manipulate on-line resources appropriately.
Analyze gene expression and interpret its significance.
Manage bioinformatics tools.
Apply appropriate statistical methods to determine sequence similarities.

BIOL 432 - PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Determine circumstances under which disease occurs or health prevails in human populations.
Identify environmental health issues in local communities, society at large and in the world.
Select and apply experimental procedures to solve epidemiological problems.
Apply quantitative problem-solving skills to public health problems and environmental health issues.
Reason both inductively and deductively with experimental, demographic information and data.
Apply the knowledge and skills learned from this course in managing and planning health and environmental systems.

BIOL 433 - ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe plant and animal distribution patterns in relation to abiotic and biotic factors.
Define the essential characteristics underlying natural ecosystems.
Explain model population and community-level dynamics.
Interpret and present ecological results.
Identify global environmental problems.

BIOL 434 - INTRODUCTION TO BIOMEDICAL IMAGING

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain the principles and basic concepts of five clinical imaging modalities.
Analyze the images in terms of the structure and function of the organs imaged.
Compare the diagnostic utility of images from different modalities.
Use image processing software to enhance clinical images.
Appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of medical imaging.
Critically evaluate scientific and medical literature.
Analyze complex issues in diagnostic imaging.
Organize and express ideas clearly and convincingly in oral and written forms.

BIOL 435 - ETHNOBOTANY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Reflect (using extensive written assignments) on the cultural concepts around the perception of plants.
Apply acquired knowledge to examine the traditional uses of plants in tribal peoples.
Analyze impacts of modern human societies on traditional cultures and natural habitat as well as the global movement of plants and human cultures.
Compare the wisdom in both traditional and Western forms of medicine.
Reflect upon the role of plants in symbolism, ritual, and religion.
Appraise the role of plants in modern technology.
Outcome 4.2 Write effectively in various forms.
Integrate content, ideas, and approaches from integrative perspectives across disciplines.

BIOL 450 - ICHTHYOLOGY: THE BIOLOGY OF FISHES

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain the progression and major steps in fish evolution.
Describe and apply the classification system of fishes.
Apply basic physiological and ecological concepts to fishes.
Identify major fish groups and local native species, and describe their key characteristics.
Identify human impacts on fish populations, and the ecosystems in which they live.

BIOL 451 - ORNITHOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the current theories on the evolution and diversification of birds.
State the basic physiological and behavioral adaptations of birds .
Explain the basic ecological dynamics of birds .
Identify the current conservation concerns about birds and how they might address these concerns .
Differentiate Californian bird species.

BIOL 452 - ENTOMOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the importance of beneficial and pest insects to humans.
Match inset morphology with their ecological function.
Outline the classification and major evolutionary trends among the insect orders.
Properly mount and preserve insect specimens.
Identify insect orders and important families.

BIOL 453 - METHODS IN POPULATION AND COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Outline the mechanisms regulating populations and communities.
Describe population and community dynamics using mathematical models.
Know how to analyze ecological datasets using appropriate techniques and software.
Summarize and interpret the primary literature in ecology.

BIOL 464 - MEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain the principles and basic concepts of modern clinical imaging equipment.
Define the facets of image quality and identify the components contributing to them.
Compute transmission time of an image over a network.
Explain the factors determining image quality in digital fluoroscopy.
Outline the features of x-ray sources, detectors, collimators, and display systems used in x-ray CT.
Describe the different approaches to the reconstruction of CT images from projection measurements.
Characterize the properties of an ultrasound transducer, and its utility within an ultrasound imaging system.
Describe the three modes of ultrasound imaging.
Explain the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance.
Explain the pulsing and signal acquisition scheme used in three common pulse sequences.

BIOL 470 - PLANT PATHOLOGY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the living and non-living causal agents that cause plant diseases.
Explain the interactions between pathogens and the environmental conditions that initiate plant disease.
Describe methods of preventing, managing, or alleviating the damage of plant disease.
Demonstrate knowledge of the human activities that result in disease epidemics in crop plants.

BIOL 471 - SOIL SCIENCE

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Understand the concepts and methodologies of soil quality and health necessary for applying it to agriculture, rangeland, and other ecosystems.
Understand the relationship between soil properties, soil function, and management choices for productivity, sustainability, and environmental quality.
Describe the function of soils (soil capacity, use, or management) in regards to (1) plant and animal productivity, (2) water and air quality, and (3) human health and habitation.
Understand the role and fate of organic chemicals in soil.
Recognize the role of microorganisms in soil systems and in the transformation of soil carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorous cycles.

BIOL 472 - INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain how pesticide resistance develops.
Outline the ecological principles that integrated pest management is based upon.
Understand how pest biology and behavior influences the outcome of management practices.
Compare and contrast integrated pest management practices to conventional pest control.
Apply current integrative pest management principles to local agricultural systems.

BIOL 473 - SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Describe the principles of sustainability in relation to agricultural practices.
Identify drought-tolerant crops and management practices.
Compare and contrast local and global agricultural systems.
Analyze the potential impacts of climate change on agriculture and food security.
Design and maintain an ecologically balanced garden.

BIOL 474 - ADVANCED TOPICS IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify new developments in agricultural production systems.
Reflect on scientific, social, and economic impacts of emerging technology and practices.
Identify topic-appropriate research materials.
Synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Report on chosen topic in written and oral form.

BIOL 490 - SPECIAL TOPICS

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify topic appropriate research materials.
Synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Report on chosen topic in written and oral form.

BIOL 491 - SPECIAL LABORATORY TOPICS

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify topic appropriate research materials.
Synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Report on chosen topic in written and oral form.

BIOL 492 - INTERNSHIP

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Explain the processes and methods used in industrial and/or research settings.
Apply the concepts and principles learned in biology courses to the industrial and/or research arena.
Design experiments to test scientific hypotheses.
Analyze data and apply appropriate statistical tests.
Evaluate research outcomes.

BIOL 494 - INDEPENDENT RESEARCH

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Design and carry out experiments.
Identify topic appropriate research materials.
Synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Report on chosen topic in written and oral form.

BIOL 497 - DIRECTED STUDY

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Identify topic appropriate research materials.
Synthesize information from a variety of sources.
Report on chosen topic in written and oral form.

BIOL 499 - SENIOR CAPSTONE

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Discuss and critique scientific journal articles.
Apply knowledge and skills from previous coursework to interpret scientific literature.
Identify topic appropriate research materials.
Write a paper that synthesizes information from multiple sources.
Report on a topic in oral form.
Discuss societal issues related to biological science.