Online Degree Programs

Major In Biology: WITH CONCENTRATION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

In the past 20 years, a new biotechnology has developed around the study of living things at the molecular level. The chemistry of genetics has found applications in medicine and industry. Techniques of molecular genetics have allowed dramatic advances in our understanding of developmental biology, physiology, immunology, and evolution. This major provides a balanced foundation in biology, plus an introduction to the theory and methods of biotechnology and molecular biology. Students in the major are encouraged to do internships at biotechnology laboratories in the Worcester area. When they graduate, students can pursue graduate study in the biological sciences or in the health sciences. The major is also excellent preparation for a teaching career or employment in a biotechnology-based field.

Required Courses*: CHE 201- 202 Organic Chemistry PHY 201- 202 General Physics BIO 210 Genetics BIO 250 Microbiology BIO 340 Cell and Molecular Biology BIO 440 Biotechnology: Theory and Practice CHE 414 Biochemistry

BIO 440 Biotechnology In Theory And Practice

This course integrates the disciplines of cellular biology, molecular biology, and protein chemistry through a series of related experiments. The course will expose students to: 1) recent journal articles within the scientific literature; 2) selected methods, techniques, and instruments used in biotechnology; and 3) strategies that can be employed to solve interesting biological problems. The laboratory experience will introduce the student to DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction; oligonucleotide-directed site specific mutagenesis; gel electrophoresis; isolation of protein, DNA and RNA; gene cloning; DNA sequencing; cell culture; gene expression in mammalian cell lines; and Southern hybridization analysis. Class meets six hours per week for lecture, laboratory, and discussion. Lab Fee: $300.00. Prerequisites: CHE 202 and BIO 340. (Spring) Theroux/Four credits

BIO 430 Comparative Physiology

This course combines a brief review of fundamental principles of animal physiology with an in-depth discussion of how these principles are modified and shaped by environmental and ecological pressures. The functional significance of physiological adaptation to an animal’s environment is emphasized by describing various mechanisms of regulation of physiological variables (temperature, metabolism, oxygen consumption, water retention, circadian rhythms) in extremely different environmental conditions. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisite: BIO 370 or permission of instructor. Lab fee: $300.00. (Spring, alternate years) Cromarty/Four credits

BIO 420 Developmental Biology Of Animals

An introduction to the principles and concepts of growth, morphogenesis, and differentiation in developing animal systems is augmented by a laboratory study of morphological patterns and a causal analysis of development in animals. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory each week. Lab Fee: $300.00. Prerequisite: BIO 210, BIO 240, and BIO 340 or permission. (Spring, alternate years) Wilkins/Four credits

BIO 330 Histology

An integrated study of the fine structure, microanatomy, histogenesis, and the interrelationships between structure and function of normal mammalian tissues and organs. The laboratory provides experience in the microscopic identification of tissues and organs and an introduction to histotechnique. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: BIO 240. Lab Fee: $300.00. (Spring, alternate years) Wilkins/Four credits

BIO 230 Botany

This course provides an introduction to the biology of plants. Among the topics considered are the role of plants in the biosphere, plant form and function, and the evolution of plants. In the laboratory, students examine representatives of the major groups of plants and learn the fundamentals of plant tissue culture techniques in order to study plant growth and development. Field work includes trips to a variety of local habitats. Three lectures and one laboratory or field trip each week. Prerequisite: BIO 160 or equivalent. Lab Fee: $300.00. (Fall, alternate years) Reisert/Four credits BIO 240 MAMMALIAN ANATOMY Systematic anatomy of the mammalian form as evidenced in the dissected domestic cat. Lectures compare the cat with the human body and relate structure to function. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: BIO 160 or equivalent. Lab Fee: $300.00. (Spring) Cromarty/Four credits

BIO 220 Invertebrate Zoology

A survey of invertebrate animals from protozoans through invertebrate chordates, emphasizing their functional organization, modes of reproduction, ecological roles, and evolutionary relationships. In the laboratory, we will examine representative living and preserved specimens, concentrating on their structure and behavior. Three lectures and one laboratory or field trip each week. Prerequisite: BIO 160 or equivalent. Lab Fee: $300.00. (Spring) Sholes/Four credits

BIO 105 Human Heredity

This course presents an introduction to the principles of human genetics. Major topics are: (1) patterns of inheritance in human families; (2) sex determination and sex-linked traits; (3) how DNA works (the explanation of some human genetic traits at the molecular level); (4) genes in human populations; and (5) interactions of genes and the environment. An historical approach is used and most genetic principles are introduced by examples from human medical genetics. Familiar human conditions such as albinism, hemophilia, sickle-cell anemia, dwarfism, Down Syndrome, and colorblindness are discussed. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Lab Fee: $300.00. (Fall) Kraus/Four credits

BIO 103 Biology And Chemistry Of Nutrition

A study of the ingestion, digestion, absorption, distribution, and utilization of foodstuffs by a higher organism, such as man. Attention will be paid to the role of enzymes, vitamins, and the synthesis of essential macromolecules in the nutrition process, as well as the anatomy of the digestive tract. Laboratories will include two computerized dietary assessment exercises. The first, early in the semester, will give a complete analysis of the nutritional intake of each student and will allow the student to plan a strategy to improve his/her diet. The second assessment, later in the semester, will check out how well the strategy has worked. These exercises will be of special interest to athletes and others concerned with nutrition. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Lab Fee: $300.00. (Spring) Mahon/Four credits

Nur 302 Nursing Process: Theoretical Base 1 evening section fall even years
Nur 303 Nursing Process: Assessment 1 evening section spring odd years
Nur 307 Topics in Nursing as needed
IDS 308 Health Promotion for the Elderly as needed
Nur 309 Nursing Process: Trans-Cultural Persp. 1 evening section fall even years
Nur 360 Nursing Research 1 evening section spring odd years
Nur 405 Nursing Process: Health Care Systems 1 evening section spring even years
Nur 408 Nursing Process: Legal, Ethical & Political 1 evening section spring even years
Nur 412 Nursing Process: Family Health 1 evening section summer odd years
Nur 413 Nur. Proc.: Population Health 1 evening section fall odd years
Nur 448 Bio-Medical Issues in Childhood Prof. Offered by education