3.5 Course Overviews: "B"
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BIOLOGY (BIOL)
BIOL 204
Principles of Biology I
3—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study (with a home lab) or paced study.
Prerequisite: Senior-level high school chemistry or biology is strongly
recommended but not required.
This is an introductory course in general biology. The course is designed
entirely for home study with home laboratory exercises. Topics covered include
the chemical bases of life, cell structure, biological membranes, cellular
metabolism, photosynthesis, cell reproduction, principles of heredity, molecular
genetics, genetics of development, natural selection, population genetics,
speciation, and evolution.
BIOL 205
Principles of Biology II
3—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study with a home lab and a video component.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204.
This is a continuation of BIOL 204. The course is designed entirely for home
study with some home laboratory exercises. Topics covered include:
classification; viruses; the five biological kingdoms; monerans, protists, fungi,
plants, and animals; tissues, organs, and organ systems of plants and animals;
reproduction, growth, hormonal control, differentiation, transport, and gas
exchange in plants and animals; as well as movement, digestion, metabolism,
fluid balance, immune responses, senses, and neural control in animals.
BIOL 206
Biological Laboratories
3—Science
Delivery Mode: Paced lab.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204 and concurrent registration in
BIOL 205.
Corequisite: BIOL 205.
This is a laboratory course that covers the course content of BIOL 204 and BIOL
205. Collectively BIOL 204, BIOL 205, and BIOL 206 will prepare students for all
upper-level biology courses. Topics covered include cellular organization,
biological membranes, enzyme action, fermentation, cellular respiration,
photosynthesis, mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian genetics, human genetics,
evolution and population genetics, and classification schemes. Kingdoms Monera,
Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia are examined as well as structures and
life processes of plants and animals. Course availability is subject to a
minimum number of enrolments.
Special instructional features: BIOL 206 is offered by paced lab format only.
Refer to Athabasca University's biology lab Web site at http://www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/sciences/labbiol.htm or contact the science lab coordinator or course professor for lab dates.
BIOL 230
Human Physiology
6—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study or paced.
Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic chemistry or biology is recommended but not
required.
Human Physiology introduces all major elements of the human body from cellular
structure and function through basic systems to integration, organization, and
control mechanisms. Students will acquire an understanding of normal human
physiology, physiological adaptations to special conditions, and some of the
physiological factors in disease processes. This course has no lab activities
and is especially appropriate for allied health professionals and students who
require an introductory course in the biological sciences.
BIOL 235
Human Anatomy and Physiology
6—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study or paced.
Prerequisite: Although this course assumes no prior knowledge of the human body,
a basic understanding of biology and chemistry would be an asset to the student.
Precluded course: BIOL 235 cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been
obtained for BIOL 230.
This is an introductory course that describes structural and functional elements
of the human body. The course covers all essential themes in physiology and
provides a thorough foundation of human structure. Emphasis is placed on ways in
which the internal environment of the body attempts to maintain normality and
how it overcomes imbalances during disease or malfunction. The course is
especially appropriate for nurses, paramedic students, and allied health
professionals and students who require an introductory course in the biological
sciences.
BIOL 321
Wild Flowers (Available for a May 1, 2001 start date)
3—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study and a paced lab.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204 and BIOL 205 and permission of the professor.
Wild Flowers (plant taxonomy) is the study of flowering plants of North America
and some of their non-flowering relatives such as ferns and conifers. Close
attention is paid to reproductive structures, identification, classification,
phylogenetic relationships, and plant habitats.
Special instructional features: Wild Flowers is a field-oriented course and
students must participate in a ten-day workshop held in June or July at the
Kananaskis Field Station at Barrier Lake (70 km west of Calgary). Students are
responsible for paying their own board and lodging (approximately $350) in
addition to course tuition. Students must register for a May 1 start date and
will have no option to extend. Course availability is subject to a minimum
number of enrolments.
BIOL 325
Introductory Microbiology
3—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study with a paced lab or via independent lab (reduced credit) only.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204, BIOL 205, BIOL 206, CHEM 217, CHEM 218 or equivalent
undergraduate courses taken at an accredited post-secondary institution.
This course provides an introduction to microorganisms and the microbial world.
The course deals with the structure, biochemistry and physiology of bacteria,
fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses. Students will learn systematics of
microorganisms through microscopy, stain techniques, and biochemical and genetic
analyses. An appreciation of the positive and negative consequences of microbial
interactions with their host and environment is emphasized.
Special instructional features: BIOL 325 has a compulsory lab component. Refer
to Athabasca University's biology lab Web site at http://www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/sciences/labbiol.htm or contact the science lab coordinator or
course professor for lab dates and sites.
BIOL 341
Human Genetics
3—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204 and BIOL 205 or equivalent undergraduate courses taken at
an accredited post-secondary institution.
Human Genetics is the understanding of heritable characteristics and their
transmission to progeny. This course examines fundamental genetic principles and
probes hereditary aspects of congenital defects, sex-linked diseases, blood
groups, twins, genetic counselling, genetic engineering, and the genetic
variation in human populations.
BIOL 345
Introductory Ecology
3—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study with a home and paced lab. Also via independent lab
(reduced credit) only.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204 and 205.
Introductory Ecology is the study of the interactions of organisms with their
environments. This course covers experimentation and models, relationships
between organisms and their abiotic environments, ecosystems, energetics,
biogeochemical cycles, biomes, population ecology, various symbiotic
relationships, and community ecology. This basic ecology course is fundamental
to understanding biological relationships in aquatic and terrestrial regions as
well as solving human environmental problems such as waste handling, pollution,
pests, overpopulation, and extinctions.
Special instructional features: BIOL 345 has a compulsory four-day lab component.
Refer to Athabasca University's biology lab Web site at http://www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/sciences/labbiol.htm or contact the science lab coordinator or
course professor for lab dates and sites.
BIOL 401
Cell Biology
3—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study.
Prerequisite: BIOL 204, BIOL 205, and BIOL 206 or equivalent undergraduate
courses taken at an accredited post-secondary institution.
This course examines the general principles of cell biology, such as cellular
structure and function, bioenergetics, molecular genetics, motility, cell
regulation, and intercellular signalling. Cell Biology provides a basis for
understanding the impact of drugs, environmental toxins, and medical technology
on the health and survival of organisms. This course is appropriate for
individuals who are considering careers in biotechnology, genetics, and
biomedical studies.
BIOL 495-496
Biology Projects
3 each—Science
Delivery Mode: Home study.
Prerequisite for BIOL 495: Permission of the professor and at least 12 credits
(at least 3 at the senior level) in biology.
Prerequisite for BIOL 496: BIOL 495.
These courses are suitable for senior-level students who wish to do research
projects in biology or applied fields such as agriculture, forestry, and
fisheries. The courses are based on a learning contract between each student and
an approved supervisor. By doing research, students learn to choose and define
problems; obtain information from libraries, field work, or experiments;
organize facts and ideas; and report ideas and conclusions in written form.
Projects can only be done on work planned; they cannot be done on work already
completed. Contact the course professor before registering. These courses are
excluded from the challenge for credit policy.
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