Senate Document #14 APC Document #12 Biology Curriculum Revisions II Effective: January or August 1984, as indicated A. Addition of new course 1. Add to pge 77 of CATLOG the following: 355 Principles of Animal Physiology (4) Basic physiological principles with emphasis on the relationship of structure to function. Examples from both vertebrate and invertebrate phyla. (Credit cannot be applied toward the biology major if student has taken Biol 338.) Prerequisites: Biol 131, 132, 133; Chem 141, 142. 2. Rationale for addition This course reflects the expertise of a new faculty member, Dr. Kormanik. It is intended for majors who need broad exposure to principles. Its addition allows Biol 338 (see B below) to be revised for nursing- medical training. 3. Effective date: August 1984 B. Revision of course description, Biol 338 1. Delete description of Biol 338, page 76 of CATALOG. 2. Substitute the following on page 76: 338 Mammalian Physiology (4) Analysis of mammalian organ physiology using man as the primary example. (Credit cannot be applied toward the biology major if student has taken Biol 355.) Prerequisites: Biol 131; Chem 141. 3. Rationale for change This course, exphasizing human physiology, is required in the programs of nursing and other pre-medical students. The description is revised to reflect actual, current practice and to distinguish it from the new Biol 355 (A above) by substituting "mammalian" for "vertebrate" and deleting reference to comparative and ecological physiology. To summarize the result, Biol 338 is intended for medical training and Biol 355 is Page 2 more appropriate for majors. Many students transferring to WCU, UNC-CH, etc., are required to have Biol 131 only, so other prerequisites in biology are omitted. 4. Effective date: August 1984 C. Revision of course descriptions, Biol 345, 346 1. Delete descriptions of Biol 345, 346 on pages 76, 77 of CATALOG. 2. Substitute the following pages 76 77: 345 Plant Physiology (4) An exploration of internal and external influences on how higher plants grow and develop. Particular attention to photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, time-keeping, and growth regulators. Prerequisites: Biol 131, 132, 133, 233; Chem 141, 142. 346 Control Mechanisms in Developmental Biology (4) Survey of the more common patterns of higher plant and animal development and of factors which determine developmental patterns. Prerequisites: Biol 131, 132, 133, 233; Chem 141, 142. 3. Rationale for change A two-course sequence in plant physiology was originally intended with Biol 345, 346, but student demand was such that Biol 346 was never taught. A course in developmental biology, however, has been taught as Special Topics for two years with good enrollment each time. Therefore, it seems desirable to omit the plant physiology approach of 346 and to broaden it to developmental biology while transferring some of the material of 346 to 345. 4. Effective date: August 1984 D. Revision of course description, Biol 442 1. Delete description of Biol 442 on page 77 of CATALOG. 2. Substitute the following on page 77: 442 Forest Ecology (4) Study of the principles governing forest plant/animal populations and communities including: genotypic and phenotypic variation, responses to environmental factors, forest ecosystem energy flow and nutrient Page 3 cycling, succession, biogeography, and management of forest communities for wildlife habitat, water resources and economic values. Prerequisites: Biol 131, 132, 133, 332, 351, or permission of instructor. 3. Rationale for change Dr. Gary Miller is introducing a lower-level ecology course, ES 241, Principles of Ecology and Field Biology. Biol 442, as presently described, is introductory. The new description better presents its advanced content and gives a new emphasis on forest ecosystems. 4. Effective date: August 1984 E. Cross-reference to Environmental Studies courses 1. Add the following on page 75: 241 (ES 241) Principles of Ecology and Field Biology (4) A course designed for the student interested in learning the fundamental principles and concepts related to populations, communities, and ecosystems. Special laboratory and field emphasis will be placed on organism interactions and life histories, eco- system dynamics and habitats typical of Western North Carolina and the southern Appalachians. 2. Add the following on page 76: 341 (ES 341) Aquatic Ecosystems and Wetlands (4) This course will emphasize the structural and functional characteristics of freshwater and marine ecosystems and their associated wetlands. Special emphasis will be placed on the hydrologic importance of these systems, their historic and present status, problems associated with pollution and habitat destruction, procedures for management, and issues related to the water crisis. 3. Explanation and rationale Dr. Gary Miller, Director of Environmental Studies, has asked that these courses be cross-referenced. ES 241 is an introductory course in ecology, essentially replacing Biol 442 as formerly taught. ES 341 is a follow-up course to our Biol 221, Fresh Water Biology. Both courses may count toward the biology major. Page 4 The descriptions were provided by Dr. Miller. At this time they have not been approved by APC and are subject to editing. An Environmental Studies proposal containing these course additions will be sent to APC by Dr. Miller. 4. Effective date: August 1984 F. Description of new course 1. Add to CATALOG, page 75, the following: 233 Methods in Biology (2) A course primarily for biology majors to familiarize the student with equipment and techniques used by biologists. Should be completed before proceeding to junior level courses in biology. Prerequisite: Biol 133. Pre- or co-requisite: Chem 141. 2. Rationale for addition For some time department members have felt that students should be better prepared for the senior research project and for advanced courses by learning more biology methods and instrumentation techniques. While such exposure is accomplished through individual courses, no one student takes all those offered. A definite need exists for a concentrated approach to methods training, and this could also free class time in advanced courses for more meaningful work using, rather than teaching, procedures. The course is intended as a requirement of the major (G, below). 3. Effective date: August 1984 G. Change in biology major requirements 1. Insert, page 74 of CATALOG, under Track A--Biology, the following: I. Required courses in the major--36 hours, including 131, 132, 133, 233, 332, 334, 443, 444 (or its equivalent in biochemistry), 451 and 452, and twelve additional hours selected from courses at the 200 level or above. 2. Insert Biol 233 in prerequisites listed for biology courses 345, 346, 355, 411, 442, 443, 444, 451 and 452. Page 5 3. Rationale See rationale under section F. 4. Effective date: August 1984 H. Biology minor 1. Add to program description on page 74 of CATALOG: Biology Minor Students wishing to complete an academic minor in biology may do so by completing Biol 131, 132, 133, and 16 semester hours chosen from the department's advanced offerings. At least one elective course must be chosen from Biol 221, 241, 332, 333, 334, 335, 341, 350, 351, 442 and at least one from Biol 223, 245, 338, 339, 345, 346, 355, 443, and 444. For teacher certification, Biol 245, 333, 335 and 443 are recommended. 2. Rationale The purpose of a minor is to make it possible for students to develop an additional area of expertise. The biology minor provides for this and especially applies to the need in science teacher training for a second area of concentration. 3. Effective date: January 1984