DEPARTMENT
OF BIOLOGY
Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology Requirements
(Biology Major, Chemistry Minor, Zoology Major, Botany
Minor
Zoology Major, Chemistry Minor)
The
course of study for the degree of Bachelor of Science
in Biology takes four academic years. The minimum requirements
for the degree are 134 semester hours. A candidate must
complete his general education requirements of 43-45
semester hours as prescribed by the University of Liberia,
hie must earn 49 semester hours in his major, 30 semester
hours in his minor, 6 semester hours of elective and
6 semester hours in a support science.
Course
Description - Biology
101
Biology - General Biological Survey I
A
general biology survey course with emphasis on plant
science. Characteristics of living things, a functional
approach to the chemical basis of life, chemical principles
common to Doth living and non-living things and synthesis
of-elementary biological molecules in plants byway;
of photosynthesis. Reproduction by cell divisions, alternation
of genera--: tions, elementary mendelian principles
and elementary olant development. Three (3) lectures
and three hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
102
Biology - General Biological Survey II
Pre-requisite: Biology 101
A
continuation of functional approach to the study of
living things with emphasis on animal biology. A general
survey of the phyla and classes of the animal kingdom-
Detail knowledge of anatorny and physiology as related
to chemical reactions. Three (3) lectures and 3 hours
of 1 laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
NOTE:
Biology 101 - 102 is designed as a terminal biology
course to be taken by any student not planning to concentrate
in biology, chemistry, forestry or agriculture.
103
Biology -General Botany I
Introduction
to the study of biology and characteristics of living
things. Introduction to the science of classification.
A study of the Chemical and physical-aspects of living
things as related to the metabolism of organism. Study
of the structure, function and reproduction of the cell.
The general morphology of the flowering plant; root,
stem, leaf, flower, inflorescence, fruit, seed, and
germination. General survey of the spermatophytes. Three
(3) lectures and three hours of laboratory per, week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
104
Biology-General Botany II
General
survey of the structure, physiology and life history
of the typical examples of thallophytes, bryophtes and
tracheophytes up to the gymnosperms. An introduction
to ecology and conservation is also given. Three (3)
lectures and 3 hours of laboratory each week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
105
Biology - General Botany
(For Pre-medical students)
An
introduction to the Biology of Plant organisms. General
principles basic to the living system, such as unique
characteristics: adaptation, reproduction, irritability
evolution, and such basic processes as gene expression
via protein systhesis (elementary), cellular transport
phenomena (an introduction) and metabolism, Characteristic
botanical principles such as photosynthesis, respiration,
differentiation and development and botanical heredity,
from the viruses to the angiosperms. The systematic
morphology and anatomy of representative members of
the phyla of the Plant Kingdom, with emphasis on taxonomic
significance. Elements of environmental science and
evolution. First Semester. Three (3) hours lectures
and three (3) hours laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
201
Biology-General Zoology
Pre-requisite: Biology 103,104, 105
A
study of the major phyla of the animal kingdom. Classification,
morphology, distribution, life history, ecology and
economic importance of the invertebrate phyla of the
animal kingdom Is studied. Microscopic study and dissections
of typical examples of the various phyla are stressed.
Three (3) lectures and three hours of laboratory per
week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
301
Biology - Microbiology:
Pre-requisite: Biology 104 and 201
Introduction
to the biology of micro-organisms and their role in
nature. First Semester. Three lectures and three hours
of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
305
Biology - Cytogenetics:
Pre-requisites: Biology 103-104, Biology 201-202
Structure
and functions of cell organelles; cytogenetics; chromosome
aberration, archetecture, multiplicity leading to pathology
and species modification, rationable and use of various
cytochemical procedures, laboratory exercises cover
both animal and plant materials. Three (3) hours lecture
and three (3) hours laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
307
Biology - Introduction to Microtechniques
Pre-requisites: Biology 201; Chemistry 301 & 302
Introductory
course in biology microtechniques with emphasis on the
zoology aspect. The scope of the course is designed
to cover microscopic methods including preparation of
whole mounts, various staining techniques to demonstrate
details of anatomy, histology and cytology of animals
and plants.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
309-310
Biology - General Biochemistry
Pre-requisites: Chemistry 101 and 102; 301
and 302, Biology 103 and 104; 201 and 202
An
Introduction to the substances involved in living organisms;
the changes which they undergo, and the energetics of
these changes. The physical and chemical basis for biological
phenomena are to be extensively examined.
An
introduction to metabolism with emphasis on energy considerations.
Topics relating to biological oxidation, carbohydrate,
liquid and acids, metabolism are studied; also the genetic
aspect of metabolism is examined. Three (3) lectures
and three hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
NOTE:
This course is designed for pre-medical students and
chemistry
or zoology majors. It is recommended for students strong
in
chemistry, with a broad training in the biological and
physical
sciences. Student's background needs and interest will
be
taken into consideration for entrance into the course.
410
Biology - Introduction to Biophysics
Pre-requisltes: Biology 103, 104, 201, 101, 309, 310
Chemistry: 101, 205, 206, 301, 302
Physics: 101, 102
Mathematics: 105, 106
Open
only to senior students or by consent of professor.
As an interface discipline, between the life sciences
and the physical sciences, this course is designed to
elucidate the dynamics of the living system in terms
of physical phenomena. It will elaborate such concepts,
initially encountered in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry
and Physics such as: the general biophysics of the cell
(simplifications and idealizations); the Atmos (elementary
particles); Electromagnetic radiation and biological
systems; Chemical bonds and bonds interactions, water
(cystal water, etc.). Elements of thermodynamics with
extent ion into bionergetics. Physics and Chemical equilibria
with extension into Equilibria Across Membrances. Transport
phenomena as biological systems will consist of the
bulk of the course. General kinetics and kinetics of
enzyme reactions and the biophysics of nucleic acids,
their hydrodynamics properties and as related to genetics
systems will also be considered, some-what synop-tically.
3 hours lecture/week plus 2 hours lab. and demonstration.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
301
Botany - Cryptogamic Botany:
Pre-requisite: Biology 103 & 104
A
study of the classification, characteristics and life
cycles of algae-fungi, lichens, mosses and ferns. A
comparative study of the cellular levels of advancement,
leading to a morphological knowledge of the Cryptogams
and collection of type specimen constitute the course.
Three (3) lectures and three hours of laboratory per
week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
302
Botany - Plant Anatomy:
Pre-requisite: Biology 102 & 104
A
study of the gross and microscopic morphology of vascular
plants which starts with the cell, and continues with
the differentiation of cells, that lead to the formation
of tissue systems; and organ system in plants. Slide
of representative tissue will be prepared. Second Semester.
Two lectures and two hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
303
Botany - Bacteriology:
Pre-requisite: Biology 301
A
study of the form, distribution, and physiology of the
bacteria. Their role in disease, sanitation, and hygiene;
or organisms related to the bacteria. Basic and advanced
laboratory techniques. First or Second semester. Three
(3) lectures and three hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
304
Botany - Systematic Botany:
Pre-requisite: Biology 103
A
field and laboratory course In the identification and
classification of the most common flowering plants in
Liberia. A herbarium is prepared by each student. Three
lectures and three hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
401
Botany - Economic Botany
Pre-requisite: Biology 103
A
study of the plant and plant product Important to man:
for Industry, medicine and food. Special attention is
given to morphology, physiology and growing conditions
of plants found in Liberia. First Semester. One lecture
and three hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
2 credits/semester
402
Botany - Plant Physiology
Pre-requisite: Botany 302, Chemistry 301 & 302
A
study of the life processes in plants, with emphasis
on flowering plants which Include; plants cells, water
relation, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, respiration,
nitrogen, metabolism, photoperiodism and dynamics of
growth In plants. Three lectures and three (3) hours
laboratory.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
403
Botany - Virology
Pre-requisite: Biology 301
Study
of plant, animal and bacterial viruses, virus structure,
biochemistry, reproduction, virus-host relationship,
symptomology, transmission, inhibition, serology and
control. First or Second Semester, Three lectures and
two one and half (te) laboratory periods per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
301-302
Zoology - Invertebrate Zoology
Pre-requisite: Biology 201 and 202
Comparative
study of the major invertebrate phyla with detailed
study of the classification, phylogeny and morphology
(anatomy and histology). Representative types of Protozoa
Cnidaria, Annelida, Arthro-poda (excluding Insects),
Mollusca and Echinodermata are studied. In addition,
microscopic studies and dissections of larger specimens
not studied in Biology 201 are handled. Full year course.
Three (3) lectures and 3 hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
303
Zoology - Entomology
Pre-requisite: Biology 201 and 202
The-
structure, life history and identification of insects
of the major orders of insecta. Problems of insect control
Collections are prepared by students with emphasis on
proper method for preserving, mounting and labelling
specimens. Common to agricultural students (406). An
introduction to Morphology, Physiology and Classification
of Insects. The section on economic entomology will
include methods of insect control. Students will be
expected to be familiar with insect pests of animals,
plants and stored products of West Africa. A record
of the lab. work will be submitted at the end of the
term which will include life histories of two insects.-
First Semester. Two (2) lectures and 3 hours of laboratory
per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
304
Zoology - Parasitology
(Introduction to Parasitology) Pre-requisite: Zoology
301
The
structure, life history and identification of the members
of the phyla Protozoa, Platyheliminthes, Nemathelminthes
and Arthropoda and their relationship to human and veterinary
parasitology. Laboratory work includes microscopic study
plus slide preparation. Second Semes-. ter. Three (3)
lectures and 3 hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
305-306
Zoology -Bio-Seminar
Pre-requisite: Zoology Major-Senior Standing
Reports
and discussions of current literature, philosophy and
history of biology and correlation of the work offered
in various courses. Emphasis is placed on the use of
the library and evaluation of scientific papers. Full
year course. One hour presentation-discussion per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
308
Zoology - Microanatomy
Pre-requisite: Biology 201, Chemistry 301 and 302
A
study of tissues and microscopic anatomy of organ systems.
Emphasis is placed on the origin of tissues and organs
and correlation of structure with function. Three (3)
hours lecture and three (3) hours laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
401-402
Zoology - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Pre-requisite: Biology 202
A
study of the classification, inter-relationships and
characteristics of the protochordates, fishes, amphibians,
reptiles, birds and mammals and their representative
examples. Laboratory work includes a comparative study
of the external and internal anatomy by dissections,
and microscopic examination. Three (3) hours lecture
and 3 hours of laboratory per week. Full year course.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
403
Zoology-Comparative Animal Physiology
Pre-requisite: Biology 201, Chemistry 301-302
A
study of functions of the organs and organ systems of
the vertebrates with special reference to the human
body. Laboratory work on organ activities. First Semester.
Three (3) lectures and 3 hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
404
Zoology - Comparative Vertebrate Embryology
Pre-requisite: Biology 201 and 202
A
general study of the embryological development of vertebrate
animals with special emphasis placed on the frog, chick
and pig development. Second Semester. Three (3) hours
of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credit/semester
407
Zoology -General Ecology
Pre-requisite: Biology 103 and 104
A
study of the relationships between plants, animals and
their environment, including identification and classification
of Liberian flora and fauna. Training in methods of field
study and collections. Students will submit a record of
their field work. First Semester. Three (3) lectures and
3 hours of field or laboratory work per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
408
Zoology - Genetics. Evolution and Eugenics:
Pre-requisite: Biology 202, Chemistry 301
and 302, Math 107
Principles
of heredity derived from cytological, embryological
and statistical methods: heritability of variations,
theory of the gene interaction and metabolism. Mendelian
principles as illustrated in hybrid genetics, and sex
determination, linkage and crossing over. Identification
of the gene biochemically, the Genetic Code and biochemical
genetics. Application of genetics to problem of population
migration. Analysis of the evidence for organic evolution
and factors influencing it. Second Semester. Two (2)
lectures and 3 hours of laboratory per week.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
409
Zoology - Zoology Problem I
Pre-requisite: Zoology Major-Senior Standing
A
small original investigation involving laboratory, field
and library work on the fauna of Liberia. First Semester/No
credit (Included in credit for Zoology 410).
410
Zoology - Problem II
Pre-requisite: 409 Zoology
A
continuation of Zoology 409 Second Semester.
Credit:
3 credits/semester
