A study of the function, integration, and coordination of the organ systems of the human body with an emphasis on homeostatic control mechanisms. This course includes an experimental laboratory in which basic human physiological responses are studied. This course is not intended for biology majors.
Every Fall, Spring and Summer
Previously: BIOL 225
This course will focus on how organisms survive winter conditions in South Dakota. We will learn about the conditions that organisms must endure, their strategies for staying alive, and some of the consequences of these strategies. We will also learn how we can not just survive in winter conditions, but thrive. We will learn some survival skills, experience winter sports, and examine closely our relationship with the winter season. There will be a four-day trip to the Black Hills in order to guarantee some snowy conditions to practice what we have learned.
Previously: BIOL 207
How do our food choices impact people, organisms, and the environment? What we eat, how we produce food, and how we distribute it are choices with ethical and ecological impacts. This course will help us understand the scientific underpinnings of our food system and recognize the impacts of our food choices. We will cover the evolution of our diet and how that impacts current diseases. We will study the limits of food production, differences between organic and industrial agricultural systems, genetically modified foods, and agricultural subsidies and the impacts of industrial farming on human health, animal welfare, and workers.
Previously: BIOL 217
A recent explosion of neuroscience discoveries has attracted attention from individuals who want to treat mental illness, advance technology, and improve themselves and our way of life. Still, we know relatively little about how the brain works. Using case studies, popular media, lay and scientific literature, and a visit to a neuroscience laboratory to stimulate discussion and writing, students will acquire an understanding of modern neurobiology and skills in scientific literacy that will allow them to interpret new science, evaluate common beliefs about the mind and the brain, and grapple with the implications of brain science in their lives.
Previously: BIOL 215
This course covers the fundamentals of DNA, cell structure and function, and key biological processes like gene expression and regulation. Students will develop scientific communication skills, conduct lab work, and apply techniques in molecular genetics and genomics. Ethical and societal implications of scientific advancements will be integrated throughout, deepening their understanding of biology's impact.
Every Fall and Spring
This course is intended to acquaint the student with the biology and importance of bacteria and viruses. Particular emphasis will be placed on the microbes that cause important infectious diseases afflicting humans, virulence of pathogens, immunology, and selected aspects of applied microbiology with public health implications (e.g., drinking water and sewage treatment). The laboratory will introduce a wide variety of standard microbial techniques. This course is intended for students outside the biology major.
Every Spring
This course explores medieval healing and medicine in comparison to modern healthcare, examining both the advancements made through the scientific method and the enduring value of medieval practices. Students will embark on a walking pilgrimage along St. Hildegard of Bingen's path in Germany, studying her writings and remedies, and reflecting on her holistic approach to health. The journey continues in Rome, focusing on Galen’s medical practices and discoveries, and concludes with a visit to Assisi to explore the Franciscan view of healing.
Students on an F-1 visa are eligible to work off campus to provide additional experience so long as the employment relates directly to the student's major area of study. The practical experience gained outside the traditional classroom supplements the theoretical and/or applied knowledge as a part of the student's coursework. The registration process for this course must be completed every term (including summers), as students must have their work authorization reissued each term to ensure continued enrollment. Jobs must be approved and verified by the International Programs Office before work may begin.
Previously: BIOL 296
Special Topics in Biology.
Previously: BIOL 297
Intended to provide experience in research or special techniques in biology on an individual basis. This course designation may not be used to replace a 300-level elective.
Permission of the Instructor