Bethlehem University - Faculty of Science

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.

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

BIOL 141	Principles of Biology I (4)	BIOL 243	Plant Anat. and Systematics (4)
BIOL 001	Laboratory for Biology 141 (R)	BIOL 006	Laboratory for Biology 243 (R)
BIOL 143	Principles of Biol. II (4)	BIOL 244	Plant Physiology (4)
BIOL 019	Laboratory for Biology 143 (R)	BIOL 017	Laboratory for Biology 244 (R)
BIOL 240	General Zoology (4)	BIOL 389	Senior Seminar (1)
BIOL 020	Laboratory for Biology 240 (R)	BIOL 321	Biostatistics (3)
BIOL 331	General Microbiology (3)	BIOL 222	Method of Sc. Writ. and Rep. (1)
BIOL 012	Laboratory for Biology 331 (R)	BIOL 341	General Biochemistry (4)
BIOL 242	General Animal Physiology (4)	BIOL 013	Laboratory for Biology 341 (R)
BIOL 003	Laboratory for Biology 242 (0)	BIOL 411	Bioreading (1)
BIOL 343	General Genetics (4)

Elective Biology Major Courses

BIOL 231	Basic Histology (3)	BIOL 337	Topics in Cell Biology (3)
BIOL 018	Laboratory for Biology 231 (R)	BIOL 339	Immunology (3)
BIOL 235	Invertebrate Biology (3)	BIOL 342	Developmental Biology (3)
BIOL 010	Laboratory for Biology 235 (R)	BIOL 399	Selected Topics in Biology (1 or 2)
BIOL 333	Ecology with field trips (3)	BIOL 412	Biotech. and Tissue Cult. Tech. (3)
BIOL 336	Animal Behavior (3)	BIOL 021	Laboratory for Biology 412 (R)

N.B. All MEDT courses could be considered part of biology major if the student�s minor is not Medical Technology. Required Science Courses

MATH 141	Calculus I (4)	CHEM 221	Laboratory for Chemistry 231
CAIT 131	Computer Programming (3)	CHEM 231	Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 113	General Chemistry Lab (1)	PHYS 113	Laboratory Practice (1)
CHEM 131	General Chemistry I (3)	PHYS 131	General Physics I (3)
CHEM 132	General Chemistry II (3)

General Electives

BIOL 232	Introductory Geology (3)	BIOL 346	Paleontology (3)
BIOL 345	Geohydrology (3)

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.

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:

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.

To earn this minor, students are required to successfully complete 19 credits from the following courses:

MEDT 221	Hematology (2)	MEDT 332	Medical Parasitology (3)
MEDT 001	Laboratory for MEDT 221 (R)	MEDT 004	Laboratory for MEDT 332 (R)
MEDT 242	Body Fluids (3)	MEDT 421	Serology and Blood Banking (3)
MEDT 002	Laboratory for MEDT 242 (R)	MEDT 005	Laboratory for MEDT 421 (R)
MEDT 341	Diagnostic Microbiology (4)	MEDT 442	Clinical Chemistry (4)
MEDT 003	Laboratory for MEDT 341 (R)	MEDT 006	Laboratory for MEDT 442 (R)

To earn this minor, students are required to successfully complete 19 credits from the following courses:

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Senior students present a literature survey or research results on a topic chosen in consultation with the advisor.

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

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.

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.

The origin of blood cells, their differentiation, function and abnormalities will be studied. The laboratory procedures used will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Biol. 141

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

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

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

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

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