Department of Biology
Dr. Wibur Walters
Interim Chair
wilbur.l.walters@jsums.edu
601-979-2586
Faculty of Department
H. Ahmad, I. Farah, C. Howard, J. Stevens, B. Graham, R. Kafoury, K. Ndebele, M. Pacurari, H. Huang, F. Noubissi-Kamden, R. Kulawardhana, D. Leszczynska, A. Mbemi G. Miller, M. Pacurari, T. Taylor, B. Thoma, T. Wright, P. Tchounwou, L. Drummond
Objectives
The objectives of the Department of Biology are as follows:
- To develop the student’s understanding of the basic biological principles.
- To help students think logically and communicate clearly.
- To help students become conscious of social problems, especially those relevant to the life sciences.
- To prepare students for careers in the life sciences, teaching, and graduate studies.
- To provide a strong pre-professional foundation for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, dental hygiene, medical technology, nursing, and medical records administration.
- To engage in basic and applied research that benefits the local and scientific community.
- To offer introductory biology courses to non-biology majors to fulfill their general education requirements.
Bachelor
- Biology (B.S.) Environmental Science Track
- Biology (B.S.) Marine Science Track
- Biology (B.S.) Pre-Medicine/MCAT Track, Pre-Dentistry/DAT Track, Pre-Optometry/OAT Track
- Biology (B.S.) Pre-Pharmacy Track
- Biology (B.S.) Pre-Physical Therapy Track, Pre-Physician Assistant Track, Pre-Nursing Track
- Biology (B.S.) Pre-Veterinary Medicine Track
Minor
Course Descriptions
Designed to acquaint the student with fundamental principles of biological science and their functional applications. This course is primarily for the general education program. (F, S, Sum)
An introduction to the fundamental principles of ecology, biology, and chemistry for a better understanding of the interrelationships between man and his environment. (F, S. Sum)
An introduction to the major unifying concepts among the biological sciences: metabolism, physiology, organization, genetics, evolution, and ecology. (F, S, Sum)
An introduction to the major unifying concepts among the biological sciences: metabolism, physiology, organization, genetics, evolution, and ecology. (F, S, Sum)
An introduction to the fundamental principles of marine and environmental sciences. Emphasis will be placed on broad treatment of aquatic and terrestrial ecology, chemistry pollution, and biodiversity for a better understanding of the interrelationships between man and his environment.
Study of the phyla protozoa through chordata. (F, S, Sum)
Fundamentals of plant morphology, plant taxonomy and plant physiology are discussed in addition to the survey of lower and higher plants. (F, S, Sum)
This course is focused on the professional preparation of pre-veterinary medicine students and helps to prepare them for the Veterinary Medical College Application Service application process and provides them with an understanding of the academic and professional "profile" of a successful applicant for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program.
Emphasis on the structure and function of cellular organelles. Introduction to bioenergetics and enzymes. Laboratory instruction for developing molecular biological techniques. (Sum)
Basic environmental principles involved in natural environments will be addressed. Their relationships to human environmental functioning will be stressed. (S)
This course is designed as an applied introductory course for biology students. The students will be exposed to the basic concepts of biostatistics that will form the foundation for future admission to other schools that include biostatistics in their requirements. The Statistical Analysis System (SAS) computer software will be used to analyze and explain the various concepts. The course serves as a prerequisite for BIO 511. (F, S)
An introductory study of the principles of heredity to include mechanisms of gene action and gene diversity.
Cultural and immunological properties of medically important bacteria and viruses and their epidemiology. Concepts of pathogenicity, antibiotic action, and drug resistance. (F, S, Sum)
A study of introductory biological principles and some of the structure, physiology, and disorders of the human body with emphasis on the various organs and systems. (F, S, Sum)
A study of the structure, physiology and disorders of the human body with emphasis on the various organs and systems. (F, S, Sum)
This course provides an introduction to the concepts and practice of public health at the community, state, and national levels. It addresses the philosophy, purpose, history, organization, function, tools, activities, and result of public health practice. (F, S)
This course aims to introduce basic concepts of bioinformatics analyses such as (multiple) sequence alignment, distance matrix for clustering, molecular phylogeny, RCSB & NCBI database searching, and NGS data analyses. Also, introduction of the important probability and statistics concept for bioinformatics is covered in this course.
Introduction to subject matter and scope of the various marine studies specialties with view to stimulating undergraduate interest in participating in marine sciences program. No formal laboratory. (F, S)
The study of bacteria, molds, yeasts, and viruses. Structure, growth, and the significance of these organisms in medicine, industry, and environment. (F, S, Sum)
An introductory study of the principles of heredity to include mechanisms of gene action and gene diversity. (F, S, Sum)
The basic principles of parasitology. Emphasis will be placed on classification, morphology, life-histories, host-parasite relationships, and ecology of the important parasites of man and other animals. (F, S)
This course provides a survey of animal agriculture and companion animal husbandry. Aspects of inheritance, breeding, development, feeding and nutrition, and animal management will be introduced. An overview of animal products and the animal industry will be covered.
Student is provided with an opportunity to present an oral and written report on current scientific topics in an attempt to acquire the fundamentals of biological statistics and to evaluate critically scientific papers. (F, S, Sum)
Basic research methodology in the biological sciences will be demonstrated. Faculty advisors will be assigned on the basis of the nature of the project. (F, S, Sum)
Students will elect a specific topic that is not covered in other biology courses. The student, working independently will be required to submit a paper that includes an exhaustive review of literature. (F, S, Sum)
The etymology of Greek and Latin terms as it relates to the medical sciences. (F, S, Sum)
This course is a study of the chemical composition of living matter and the chemical mechanics of life processes. (F, S, SUM).
An introduction to the fundamental principles of ecology, biology, and chemistry which are necessary for a better understanding of the interrelationships between man and his environment. (F, S)
This course provides an in-depth course of study of the principles of hereditary to include the mechanisms of gene action and gene diversity.
A study of our natural resources with emphasis on their origin, properties, use and misuse and good conservation practices. (S)
A course designed to study the sources, requirements and chemical composition of food constituents; a survey of human diseases resulting from malnutrition. (F, S)
A study of the trophic relationships and energy transfer in the ecosystem. (F, S)
Life in the sea: an introduction to marine organisms, their position and function in the marine environment. Lecture and lab to be taken in the same semester. (F, S)
An extensive review of the principal types of invertebrates not studied in the introductory zoology course. (F, S, Sum)
Biological approaches to water pollution problems are discussed. The effect of pollution on life in aquatic environments is emphasized. (S)
This course examines the science of animal feeding and the nutrition of common animal foodstuffs with a focus on major domesticated animal species. Topics include: anatomy and physiology of animal digestive systems; classification and functions of feedstuffs (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals, and nutrients); nutritional requirements for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and lactation; common nutritional and metabolic diseases.
Emphasis on the structure and function of cellular organelles; introduction to biochemical properties of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids; the genetic code and protein synthesis. (S)
Development and characteristics of cellular organization of tissues and organ systems. (F, Sum)
This course provides a broad overview of the marine world. Students will learn about the geological, geographical, chemical, physical and biological factors that shape the marine environment. Lecture or laboratory to be taken during the same semester.
An introductory course in entomology that covers diverse topics including insect structure and function, benefits and harm as related to humans. Emphasis is given to insects of medical and agricultural importance. Use of insecticides to control harmful insects and the impacts of insecticides on the environment is also addressed. (F, S)
An introduction to the types of viruses that infect humans, animals, and plants and bacteria, their mode of replication, mode of swiping cellular functions, human viral diseases and viral vaccines, and drug development, and the medical and economic significance of viral diseases in public health.
Study of normal physiological processes in mammals with reference to abnormal conditions. (F)
An introduction to endocrine organs in animals, with major emphasis on roles of endocrine glands and their hormonal secretions in integration, control systems and metabolism. (S)
An introductory study to the principles of cancer to explore the cellular and molecule mechanisms that underlie cancer development.
Laboratory experience designed to re-enforce lecture materials in BIO 101. Primarily, the activities will involve the study of the basic principles in Biology including cell structures, metabolism, photosynthesis, genetics, etc. (F, S, Sum)
Laboratories will consist of demonstrations of lecture materials as well as films and outside speakers relative to each week¿s topic. Field trips will be planned when appropriate. (F, S, Sum)
Laboratory experiments designed to study the principles of metabolism, photosynthesis, genetics and other principles basic to biology. (F, S, Sum)
Laboratory exercise involving the basic structure of protozoans through chordates. Laboratory must be taken with lecture (BIO 115). (F, S, Sum)
Laboratory exercises pertaining to plant morphology, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, and lower and higher plants are conducted. Laboratory must be taken with the lecture. (F, S, Sum)
Designed to illustrate genetic principles through laboratory experiences. Studies on Drosophila and plant genetics are utilized. Must be taken with lecture.
Methods for isolating pathogenic bacteria and determining their significant properties. Laboratory must be taken with lecture. (F, S, Sum)
Laboratory designed to acquaint students with techniques for culturing and identifying bacteria and fungi. Must be taken with lecture. (F, S, Sum)
Designed to illustrate genetic principles through laboratory experiences. Studies on Drosophila and plant genetics are utilized. Must be taken with lecture. (F, S, Sum)
This course will cover the theory and practice of biochemical techniques commonly used in biochemical research. Basic techniques for the purification and/or analysis of biomolecules will include chromatographic, spectrophotometric, and electrophoretic methods of analysis as well as enzyme kinetics. (F, S, SUM)
Laboratory associated with pollution, energy, transportation, drugs, etc.
Laboratory activities to develop techniques for diet evaluation, qualitative and quantitative analyses of food for protein, carbohydrates, fat and mineral content. (F, S)
Laboratory exercises on relationships among ecosystems. Must be taken with lecture. (F, S)
Field trips, collection, preservation techniques, classification and identification of marine organisms with emphasis on structure of the marine environment. Must be taken with lecture. (F, S)
Experimentation to develop techniques for cell fractionation; introduction to spectrophotometry, electrophoresis and chromatography. (S)
Exercises studying the microanatomy of tissues and organ systems. Must be taken with BIO 441. (F, S, Sum)
This course provides an introduction to oceanographic gear, its application methodology and sampling techniques; field work in practical applications.
Use of instrumentation for diagnostic studies of normal physiological processes with reference to certain abnormal conditions. (F)