Biology

Biology

213 Coker Hall, CB# 3280
bio.unc.edu/undergraduat/course-info
(919) 962-3390

First Session, 2024

BIOL 101 Principles of Biology (3)

Open to all undergraduates. Prerequisite to most higher courses in Biology. An introduction to the fundamental principles of biology, including cell structure, chemistry and function, genetics, evolution, adaptation, and ecology.

BIOL 101L Introductory Biology Laboratory (1)

Prerequisite or co-requisite, BIOL 101. An examination of the fundamental concepts in biology with emphasis on scientific inquiry. Biological systems are analyzed through experimentation, dissection, and observation.

BIOL 103 How Cells Function (3)

Prerequisite, BIOL 101. This class is designed for first- or second-year students beginning their study of biological sciences. The course will cover both biological concepts and scientific competencies necessary for a foundational mastery of genetics, molecular biology, and cellular biology. For biology majors, this is one of the three mandatory fundamentals courses required before taking relevant 200-level core classes and upper-level electives.

BIOL 104 Biodiversity (3)

Prerequisites, BIOL 101; and BIO 101L or BIO 102L. The biological diversity we see on Earth today encompasses a variety of genetic, species, and ecosystem level variation. This course will focus on the biological principles that push biologists to understand what produces and sustains the biodiversity of life on Earth. This class will address key questions about how we identify and measure biological diversity, how it changes over time, and why biological diversity matters as our planet continues to change.

BIOL 105L Biological Research Skills (1)

Prerequisites, BIOL 101; and BIOL 101L or BIOL 102L. What is research and how is it done? This course aims to give you a first-hand exposure to the scientific approach in real world situations. You will build your science skills toolkit–experimental design, data processing and interpretation, basic statistics, system modeling, interdisciplinary approaches, and science communication and policy–then use it to explore relevant societal issues like global warming, virus evolution and vaccine development, cancer therapeutics, machine learning, and more! Majors only.

BIOL 250 Evolutionary Biology (3)

Prerequisite, BIOL 104. This course will foster an understanding of how the science of evolutionary biology can be used to understand life on the planet. Topics to be explored include the causes of speciation and extinction, why humans get sick and age, and how genomes evolve. Students will learn how to interpret data from an evolutionary perspective, apply evolutionary principles to applications in medicine, conservation, agriculture and other disciplines, and prepare for more advanced work in biology.

BIOL 252 Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology (3)

Prerequisites, BIOL 101 and 101L. One Biology course over 200 recommended. An introductory course emphasizing the relationship between and function of the body’s organ systems.

BIOL 252L Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory (1)

Prerequisite, BIOL 101 and 101L; co-requisite, BIOL 252. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the pre- or co-requisite. Organ level human structure and function.

BIOL 278 Animal Behavior (3)

Prerequisites, BIOL 101 and 101L. Introduction to animal behavior with emphases on the diversity and adaptation of behavior in natural conditions.

BIOL 278L Animal Behavior Laboratory (1)

Prerequisite or co-requisite, BIOL 278. Techniques of observation and experiments in animal behavior.

BIOL 450 Introduction to Neurobiology (3)

Prerequisite, BIOL 205. Survey of neurobiological principles in vertebrates and invertebrates, including development, morphology, physiology, and molecular mechanisms.

BIOL 455 Behavioral Neuroscience (3)

Prerequisites, BIOL 205; or BIOL 103, BIOL 104, and BIOL 240; or permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites. The neurobiological basis of animal behavior at the level of single cells, neural circuits, sensory systems, and organisms. Lecture topics range from principles of cellular neurobiology to ethological field studies.

BIOL 474 Evolution of Vertebrate Life (3)

Prerequisite, BIOL 201 or 202. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite. Evolutionary history of the vertebrates. Emphasis on anatomical, physiological, behavioral adaptations accompanying major transitions: the move from water to land, the development of complex integrating systems.

Second Session, 2024

BIOL 101 Principles of Biology (3)

Open to all undergraduates. Prerequisite to most higher courses in Biology. An introduction to the fundamental principles of biology, including cell structure, chemistry and function, genetics, evolution, adaptation, and ecology.

BIOL 103 How Cells Function (3)

Prerequisite, BIOL 101. This class is designed for first- or second-year students beginning their study of biological sciences. The course will cover both biological concepts and scientific competencies necessary for a foundational mastery of genetics, molecular biology, and cellular biology. For biology majors, this is one of the three mandatory fundamentals courses required before taking relevant 200-level core classes and upper-level electives.

BIOL 104 Biodiversity (3)

Prerequisites, BIOL 101; and BIOL 101L or BIOL 102L. The biological diversity we see on Earth today encompasses a variety of genetic, species, and ecosystem level variation. This course will focus on the biological principles that push biologists to understand what produces and sustains the biodiversity of life on Earth. This class will address key questions about how we identify and measure biological diversity, how it changes over time, and why biological diversity matters as our planet continues to change.

BIOL 115 Reasoning with Data: Navigating a Quantitative World (MATH 115, PSYC 115, STOR 115) (3)

Students will use mathematical and statistical methods to address societal problems, make personal decisions, and reason critically about the world. Authentic contexts may include voting, health and risk, digital humanities, finance, and human behavior. This course does not count as credit towards the psychology or neuroscience majors.

BIOL 253 Advanced Anatomy and Physiology (3)

Prerequisites, BIOL 252 and 252L; co-requisite, BIOL 253L. In-depth study of physiological mechanisms at molecular, cellular, and system levels of organization. Students will develop analytical and problem solving skills.

BIOL 253L Advanced Anatomy and Physiology Lab (1)

Prerequisites, BIOL 252 and 252L; co-requisite, BIOL 253. In-depth study of physiological mechanisms by hands-on experimentation. Students gain experience in collecting, analyzing, and presenting human physiological data. Does not count as a biology elective course for the major or minor.

BIOL 474 Evolution of Vertebrate Life (3)

ONLINE. Prerequisite, BIOL 201 or 202. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite. Evolutionary history of the vertebrates. Emphasis on anatomical, physiological, behavioral adaptations accompanying major transitions: the move from water to land, the development of complex integrating systems.