| Home | Search |
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY Description of the program of the biology department The Department of Biology offers a baccalaureate degree in Biology. The program is intended to expose students to the major fields of biological sciences and aims to develop within the students skills of analytical thinking, initiative, and scientific creativity which would prepare them for careers in teaching, research, and medical technology. It also prepares individuals to pursue post-graduate studies in biology and other related fields. The department offers service courses for the faculty of Nursing. Credits needed for the degree A student majoring in Biology needs to earn a total of 129 credits distributed as follows.
The Biology Major consists of a total of 69 credits to include all the required courses listed in the tables below and a minimum of 6 credit courses to be selected from the electives list. Required Biology Major Courses Required Biology Major Courses
Elective Biology Major Courses
N.B. All MEDT courses could be considered part of biology major if the student’s minor is not Medical Technology. Required Science Courses
General Electives
Students majoring in Biology are provided the opportunity to minor in a discipline other than their major field. A student may take a minor program consisting of 18 credits in the Faculties of Arts, Sciences, and Business Administration. A student may also take any minor offered by the faculty of science such as medical technology, chemistry, industrial chemistry, mathematics, computer science, physics, and/or telecommunications. The University requirements for all science students total 34 credits. The Mathematics requirement is met by MATH 141 and the Science requirement by CHEM 131 and PHYS 131. Criteria for acceptance to major Students are accepted to major in Biology after their third semester provided that they have earned at least 40 credits and that all of the following conditions are met:
Paradigm of courses BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY
Minors offered by the Biology Department In addition to the Major in Biology, the Biology Department provides the opportunity for all students to join the program towards a minor in medical technology and biology. MINOR IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY To earn this minor, students are required to successfully complete 19 credits from the following courses:
MINOR IN BIOLOGY To earn this minor, students are required to successfully complete 19 credits from the following courses:
Description of courses BIOL 141 Principles of Biology I with Lab (Cr. 4) The course provides a survey of the main characteristics of living systems and stresses the physico-chemical principles that underlie their functioning. Practical work acquaints students with basic experimental procedures with emphasis on the scientific method and microscopy. BIOL 143 Principles of Biology II with Lab (Cr. 4) The course deals with selected aspects of life at the whole organism and species level rather than at the cellular level. It focuses on the principles of evolution and population genetics, diversity of the major groups of living organisms within the five kingdoms, as well as on the general structure and behavior of organisms. Prerequisite: BIOL 141 BIOL 222 Methodology of Scientific Writing and Reporting (Cr. 1) The course introduces the cardinal principles of organization and presentation of scientific information. Emphasis is on oral presentation of data in the life sciences (seminar) and on writing lab reports. Prerequisite: Second year students, consent of instructor BIOL 231 Basic Histology with Lab (Cr. 3) The theory and practice of preparing histological slides are covered. The lab sessions concentrate on the light microscopic study of tissues using primarily the paraffin method for preparing slides.Prerequisite: BIOL 240 BIOL 232 Introductory Geology with Lab (Cr. 3) This course provides basic geological information to students studying ecology. For other students it provides knowledge about the geology of the local area. The course includes volcanism, sedimentation, superposition, the geological eras, folding and faulting, erosion, map reading and paleontology. Elective for science students BIOL 235 Invertebrate Biology with Lab (Cr. 3) A study of the phylogeny, classification, morphology, physiology and ecology of invertebrates. The lab includes identification of important invertebrates from the local fauna through dissection and microscopic examination.Prerequisite: BIOL 143 BIOL 240 General Zoology with Lab (Cr. 4) The course will emphasize the diversity and interrelationships among species, contrasting living species to their extinct ancestors, and tracing the similarities among chordates that bear clear witness to their common ancestry. Interactions of organisms and their environment will be discussed. Demonstrations and dissecting of live specimens will be used in the practicum part of the course.Prerequisite: BIOL 143 BIOL 242 General Animal Physiology with Lab (Cr. 4) This course complements BIOL 240 and extends the scope to include invertebrates. It attempts to show how the patterns of organization represented by the different phyla are adapted to meet basically similar physiological needs. The areas covered are movement and coordination, nutrition and respiration, water relationships, reproduction and the endocrine systems.Prerequisite: BIOL 240 BIOL 243 Plant Anatomy and Systematic with Lab (Cr. 4) The general morphology and anatomy of Tracheophytes is studied first. This is followed by an overview of algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes and gymnosperms, with emphasis on the increasing complexity of the soma and reproductive systems leading to the emergence of angiosperms. The classification of angiosperms by floral characteristics completes the course.Prerequisite: BIOL 143 BIOL 244 Plant Physiology with Lab (Cr. 4) The course deals with the structural aspects of a plant cell in relation to the physiology of the plant with emphasis on plant cell wall structure. The course also covers the following areas of plant physiology: water relations, nutrient absorption, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis and its bioenergetics, and plant growth and development.Prerequisite: BIOL 243 BIOL 251/252 Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II (Cr. 3,3) A study of human anatomy and physiology. The first semester course includes skeletal, muscular, neurosensory and respiratory systems. The second semester includes circulation, electrolyte balance and excretion, the digestive, reproductive and endocrine systems. Emphasis is on detailed anatomy and functional physiology.Prerequisite: BIOL 141, For Nursing students only. BIOL 253 Nutrition and Dietetics (Cr. 3) The course establishes an understanding of the place of nutrition in the promotion of growth and maintenance of health and in the processes of repair and convalescence. Applications are made to the nutritional needs of the local culture.Prerequisite: BIOL 141, For Nursing students only BIOL 254 Applied Microbiology with Lab (Cr. 3) This course presents the principles of microbiology related to microbial growth, pathogenicity, immunology and the welfare of human beings.Prerequisite: BIOL 141, For Nursing students only BIOL 321 Biostatistics (Cr. 2) This course presents the basic principles of statistical analysis and their application to biological data analysis. This includes probability, distribution analysis of variance, regression and correlation. BIOL 331 General Microbiology with Lab (Cr. 3) The course is a survey of the systematic of the protista and adaptive radiation within the group. Fungi are dealt with briefly; considerable attention is given to the prokaryotes, their classification, identification and culture.Prerequisite: BIOL 141 BIOL 333 Ecology with field excursions (Cr. 3) Attention is mainly directed to the rich local areas of maquis, batha and desert. Methods of sampling, statistical analysis of observations and the setting up of ecological experiments are covered. Students are required to undertake a project and submit a written report as part of the course work. Students also contribute to the compiling of species lists and identification guides for use of people in the area.Prerequisite: BIOL 141 BIOL 336 Animal Behavior (Cr. 3) This course covers a variety of animal behaviors and emphasizes the genetic and physiological basis underlying the behavioral systems. Stress is placed on the methodological problems encountered in the measurement, description and hypothesis testing of complex interactive systems. BIOL 337 Topics in Cell Biology (Cr. 3) This course covers the structure and function of the living cells and cellular organelles, molecular composition and metabolic activities of cellular components, including energetics, flow of information, and control mechanisms.Prerequisite: Acceptance to major BIOL 339 Immunology (Cr. 3) This course introduces the student to the basic concepts of immunology, humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Special emphasis is given to the aspects of tolerance, histo-compatibility, antigen and immune interactions.Prerequisite: BIOL 331 BIOL 341 General Biochemistry with Lab (Cr. 4) This course is offered to third and fourth year majors. The structures of major biomolecules are discussed, followed by a survey of intermediary metabolism and its regulation. Current areas of investigation are introduced.Prerequisite: CHEM 231 BIOL 342 Developmental Biology (Cr. 3) The course is presented as an investigation of the fundamental problems of differentiation. Classic embryological studies are selectively described, only material from both animal and plant kingdoms is used.Prerequisite: BIOL 241 BIOL 343 General Genetics (Cr. 4) A general course covering molecular, cellular, organismic and population aspects of genetics. The laboratory consists of techniques in culturing traditional organisms used in the study of genetics, as well as biochemical and cytological procedures to investigate genetic phenomena.Prerequisite: Acceptance to major BIOL 345 Geohydrology (Cr. 3) Students will be introduced to the main elements of water management, so crucial in the Middle East. Particular consideration will be given to the local hydrologic cycle and water supply. Elective for Science students Prerequisite: for non-Science students, consent of instructor BIOL 346 Paleontology (Cr. 3) This elective course is a general introduction to the study of the fossil record. Students will be taught the systematic methods of collecting macro- and microfossils; how to process them and prepare them for display. Students will be led to appreciate the environment in which the living forms existed, and how successive generations responded to changes in their environment. The stratigraphic significance of the fossil record will be studied. Field and laboratory work are important elements of the course. Consent of the instructor required Elective for science students BIOL 389 Senior Seminar (Cr. 1) Senior students present a literature survey or research results on a topic chosen in consultation with the advisor. BIOL 399 Selected Topics in Biology (Cr. 1-2) An independent study course offered to seniors of high standing. Topics are selected by the instructor according to the ability and interest of the individual student. Students meet for a weekly conference; they must complete the study program by the end of the semester. Prerequisite: Approval of the Chairperson BIOL 411 Bioreading (Cr. 1) The aim of this course is to introduce the students to the various types of publications in biology through reading and discussing selected papers in specific areas of biology. BIOL 412 Biotechnology and Tissue Culture Techniques with Lab (Cr. 3) This course introduces the students to the principles of genetic engineering, cell and tissue culture and their contributions to the development of modern agricultural biotechnology. Special emphasis will be on the agricultural and industrial applications of plant cell and tissue culture. Medical Technology Minor MEDT 221 Hematology with Lab (Cr. 2) The origin of blood cells, their differentiation, function and abnormalities will be studied. The laboratory procedures used will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Biol. 141 MEDT 242 Body Fluids with Lab (Cr. 3) The characteristics of urine, CSF and semen in health and disease will be discussed. Processing and examining of these fluids are also emphasized. Prerequisite: Biol. 141 MEDT 332 Medical Parasitology with Lab (Cr. 3) This course discusses different types of parasites including life cycle, morphology and diseases. Diagnostic procedures to identify each type in clinical specimens are emphasized. Transmission means of parasites and measures of control and prevention are also discussed. Prerequisite: Biol. 240 MEDT 341 Diagnostic Microbiology with Lab (Cr. 4) The course emphasizes the role of the clinical laboratory in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. It addresses common procedures in collecting clinical specimens, handling and processing. The characteristics of pathogenic bacteria, methods of isolation and identification are also studied.Prerequisite: Biol. 331 MEDT 421 Serology and Blood Banking with Lab (Cr. 3) This course discusses the principles of serologic testing and application in the diagnosis of, infectious and non-infectious diseases, in addition to methods and techniques used in blood banking including blood grouping, Rh typing, antiglobulin test and cross matching. Donor selection, blood processing, storage and preparation of blood components are also studied.Prerequisite: MEDT. 221 MEDT 442 Clinical Chemistry with Lab (Cr. 4) This course studies various methods of determination of the analytes of the blood including: carbohydrates, proteins, electrolytes, blood gases, enzymes, non-protein nitrogen compounds, lipids and lipoproteins. Prerequisite: Biol. 341
|
Academic Programs Faculty of Art |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home | About BU | Academic Programs | Centers | International Students | News & Events
Student Life | Alumni | Faculty and staff |
Support BU | Contact Us | Archived Articles
| Top Of Page | Bethlehem University - Palestine © 2006
|