This is an archived version of the University Catalog and is no longer being maintained. References to people, offices, policies, and web links may be outdated. View the current catalog or email catalog@csuchico.edu for updated information. Students who have catalog rights to this version of the catalog should check with an advisor for graduation requirements.

Skip to Side Navigation Skip to Content Skip to Accessibility Settings

Search for Courses

First select the course subject that you would like to limit your search to, or you can choose to search "All Course Subjects."
Next enter any words that you would like to search for. For example for classes about human evolution enter "Human Evolution". The order of the keywords is not important.
Finally press the "Search" button to submit your request.







Show Course Descriptions

Please see the section on Course Description Symbols and Terms in the University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

Displaying 1 - 78 out of 78 results.

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
This course is also offered as SCED 102.
An integrated study of the nature and interactions of living things and their environments. This course is an introduction to the processes of evolution and speciation, ecology and ecosystem processes, cellular biology and organismal physiology. The course is primarily for students without a strong background in high school biology or chemistry. The course includes online content delivery, in-class discussion, and a hands-on activity session. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (020372)
Study of the structure of the human body, to include muscles, bones, heart, brain, ear, eye, and other systems, as well as a short look at development of the fetus. Lab work entails dissection of the cat and study of the human skeleton. 3 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (001110)
Basic functioning of the organ systems of the human body, including the brain and nervous system; vision and hearing; heart and circulation; blood and immunity; respiration, digestion and metabolism; muscles; excretory, endocrine, and reproductive systems. 3 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (001114)
Designed specifically for non-majors. Emphasis on broad biological principles, as illustrated by plants, and the economic importance and role of plants in human ecology. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (001119)
A university success course for biology majors new to California State University, Chico. Appropriate for all incoming freshmen and transfer students. The course explores academic and social opportunities in addition to resources available to promote successful completion of the student's educational goals. Meets twice a week for the first half of the semester. 1 hour lecture. Credit/no credit grading. (021133)
Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 111 or concurrent enrollment.
Introduction to biological molecules, bioenergetics, cellular structure and function, elements of molecular biology and genetics, and mechanisms of macroevolution and systematics. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001122)
Prerequisites: BIOL 151 or faculty permission; recommend CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment.
Introduction to evolutionary history and biological diversity, microbes and protists, invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Form and function of plants and animals. Ecological principles. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001123)
Prerequisites: BIOL 151; CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment recommended.
Introduction to plant and animal physiology and development. Laboratory consists of small group independent investigations of biological questions that include student-devised experiments; application of biological techniques, data analysis, and peer reviewed presentation of results. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (020284)
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours discussion. (001135)
Prerequisites: BIOL 103, BIOL 104, BIOL 151, or SCED 102; CHEM 107, CHEM 108, or CHEM 111.
Introduction to structure/function, metabolism, genetics, ecological interactions and pathogenic mechanisms of microorganisms. In addition, the roles of microorganisms in sanitation and in the food and biotechnology industries will be discussed. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001132)
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course.
Analysis of the evidence for evolution and the nature of the process. Darwinism, neo-Darwinism, sociobiology, conflicts and misconceptions regarding evolution, creationism, and evolution of the human body and mind are considered. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001139)
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course.
Analysis of the evidence for evolution and the nature of the process. Darwinism, neo-Darwinism, sociobiology, conflicts and misconceptions regarding evolution, creationism, and evolution of the human body and mind are considered. 2 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion. This is an approved Writing Course. This is an approved General Education course. (021355)
Prerequisite: One biological sciences course.
The inheritance, expression, and evolution of the genetic material in humans. Topics include genetic engineering, gene therapy, prenatal diagnosis, cancer, the human genome project, genetic influences on human behavior, such as homosexuality and mental illness, and the social and ethical consequences of the new technologies. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001140)
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course.
Basic biological principles, including the scientific method, reproduction, development, physiology, and anatomy. The biological basis of childhood diseases, immunity, nutrition, issues of health and well-being, and the relevance of biological information in social, political, and ethical decision making regarding children. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001151)
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course.
Critically examines scientific and humanistic world views and sensibilities, directly applying these approaches to contemporary social and personal problems. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. This is an approved General Education course. (021254)
Prerequisite: SCED 102.
This course explores sex, gender, sexual expression, and mating behavior in humans and non-humans from an evolutionary biological perspective. Why does sex exist? Why do genders exist? What are the alternatives? Why is sex expression so variable in nature? What explains the diversity of courtship and mating behaviors? The course emphasizes lessons gleaned from applying the principles of scientific inquiry toward the study of these and related questions. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (021160)
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course.
An examination of ecological principles and the impact of increasing population and technology upon the environment. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001156)
Prerequisites: One lower-division course in Biological Sciences.
An evaluation of the most common major diseases that affect our society and the lifestyle choices that contributes to them. A major theme is that the risk of acquiring many diseases can be reduced through lifestyle changes. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001165)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; BIOL 152 or faculty permission.
Some taxonomic background is recommended. Interrelationships among living organisms, field observations of such phenomena. Application of quantitative and qualitative methods to the interpretation of ecological phenomena. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (001206)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153 or permission of instructor.
A detailed study of the principles of classical, molecular, and population/evolutionary genetics. Activities will include computer simulations of segregation, linkage, and population genetics, internet-based database searches for genetic diseases and cloned genes, and searches of the current genetic literature. 3 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion. (001173)
Prerequisites: BIOL 151, BIOL 152, and BIOL 153, or faculty permission.
Advanced study of plant anatomy, morphology, physicology, ecology, and evolution. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020280)
Prerequisites: BIOL 151, BIOL 152, and BIOL 153, or faculty permission.
Advanced study of animal anatomy, morphology, physiology, ecology, and evolution. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020281)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; BIOL 151, BIOL 152, BIOL 153, or faculty permission.
Introduction to the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, as well as viruses. Topics include cell structure, metabolism, genetics; ecological interactions; pathogenic mechanisms; and the roles of microorganisms in sanitation, food production, and biotechnology. The lab focuses on methods for growing and studying diverse microbes. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (020279)
Prerequisites: Microbiology/Clinical Laboratory Science majors with no previous clinical laboratory experience and who have completed BIOL 470W or CHEM 252; faculty permission.
Students observe in a clinical hospital laboratory and in a private clinical laboratory. 1 hour discussion. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001161)
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours discussion. (001166)
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Research in biology under direct supervision of faculty member. For majors only. This course counts toward the upper-division biology units required for the BS. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001167)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152. Recommended: BIOL 371W.
The roles and interactions of viruses, bacteria, algae, protozoa, and fungi in the natural and human environment, stressing fundamental principles of ecology and evolution. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001225)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, CHEM 112.
Physical, chemical, and biological factors influencing the ecology of inland waters. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001207)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360.
A detailed study of the evolutionary process, including history, natural selection, population genetics, molecular evolution, speciation, coevolution, and macroevolution. 3 hours discussion. (001201)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153, BIOL 360.
Detailed analysis of structure and related functions of cells with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms of gene expression and gene regulation. Lectures and laboratory sessions focus on current theories and methodologies associated with cloning, nucleic acid analysis, gene expression, bioinformatics, and genomics. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory. (020282)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153, BIOL 360.
Detailed study of cellular function with an emphasis on intracellular and intercellular communication. Topics include protein structure and function, properties of biological membranes, signal transduction, protein trafficking pathways, vesicular transport, cell cycle, apotopsis and cancer. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001169)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360, BIOL 371W, CHEM 370.
Study of bacterial structure and function, modes of metabolism, regulatory responses to environmental change and stress, and microbial aspects of nutrition and growth. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. Formerly BIOL 412. (001222)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153 or SCED 102; CHEM 108 or CHEM 270; or faculty permission.
Functions in higher plants; water and soil relations, photosynthesis, respiration, enzyme action, and growth. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001181)
Prerequisites: BIOL 151, BIOL 153; CHEM 108 or CHEM 270.
General features of vertebrate physiology. Function of muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, and endocrine systems. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001180)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153; CHEM 108 or CHEM 270.
This course provides students with background and fundamental information necessary to pursue neuroscience at the graduate or professional level. Cellular and molecular mechanisms within mammalian central nervous system are emphasized. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001219)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152 or faculty permission. Recommended: BIOL 153.
The morphology, ecology, and physiology of insects. Economic entomology and medical entomology, and taxonomy. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001210)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153, or faculty permission.
Principles and theories of animal development, emphasizing the vertebrate. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001188)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153.
Consideration of the basic problems in animal behavior, including orientation, social behavior, and the nature and organization of animal societies. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001205)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153.
Explanation of the anatomical similarities and differences of selected vertebrates. The evolution and adaptive significance of various systems are considered. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001171)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153.
Morphology, ecology, behavior, and systematics of California fishes, with an introduction to fisheries biology. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001208)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152.
The morphology, evolution, physiology, behavior, ecology, and taxonomy of amphibians and reptiles. California amphibians and reptiles are emphasized, including field studies of local species. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001212)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153.
The morphology, evolution, ecology, physiology, taxonomy, and behavior of birds, including field studies of local species. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001213)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152.
Study of evolution, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behavior of mammals. California mammals will be emphasized in lab. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001215)
This lecture, lab, and field course exposes students to the evolution, ecology, morphology, classification, and identification of North American waterfowl. Additionally, this course has a strong hands-on wetland management component, as well as extensive exposure to the primary literature. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (021105)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153.
Comparative morphology of plant types, emphasizing evolution of structures and methods of reproduction. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001191)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153 or PSSC 101 or faculty permission.
Study of plant pathology encompassing parasitism and disease in plants, pathogen attack strategies, diseased plant physiology, plant defense mechanisms, environmental effects on disease and descriptions of diseases and treatments. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001194)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152 or faculty permission.
Principles of plant classification with field study of local flora, emphasizing the higher plants and their phylogenetic relationships. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001198)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 369.
The composition and distribution of plant communities, emphasizing the ecological, environmental, and evolutionary processes that affect them. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020283)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153.
Microscopic analysis of tissues, organs, and organ systems of vertebrates emphasizing mammalian histophysiology. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001170)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153. Recommended: CHEM 270.
The study of blood in normal and abnormal conditions. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001174)
Prerequisites: BIOL 153.
The development and expression of the immune response, the basic principles of antigen-antibody reactions and their relevance to medicine, genetics, taxonomy, and evolution. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001220)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; BIOL 371W, BIOL 466, CHEM 270.
Immunization against tetanus and diphtheria required. Biological characteristics of medically important bacteria. Mechanisms of pathogenecity and host-resistance. Laboratory procedures for isolation and identification. 3 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (001182)
Prerequisite: BIOL 360. BIOL 371W is recommended.
The molecular basis of mutation and recombination, mechanisms of gene transfer, transcription in bacteria and bacteriophages, genetics and biochemistry of regulation of bacterial operons, and bacteriophage development, and recombinant DNA application to genetic engineering. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001224)
Prerequisites: BIOL 151, BIOL 371W. Recommended: BIOL 360.
The physical, chemical, and biological properties of bacteria and animal viruses, and their interactions with the host at cellular and organismic levels. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001185)
Prerequisites: BIOL 360, MATH 315.
This is an introduction to some of the bioinformatics techniques and programs commonly used by biologists to analyze large datasets such as the human genome, microbiomes, proteomic datasets, etc. While not requiring any programming experience, this course includes writing simple queries using SQL and basic programming using Perl scripts. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (021658)
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 350W.
Principles of ecology illustrated in the context of biotic communities. Field studies using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Laboratory segment offered at local field sites. 1 hour discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001203)
Prerequisites: Necessary background for the specific internship.
This internship course is offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register with a supervising faculty member. The internship program is designed to provide students with direct field or laboratory research experience in occupational settings. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001228)
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Lecture/discussions to train peer mentors for the biology majors' introductory courses laboratory sections. Peer mentors' laboratories are scheduled to coincide with a lab section for the course in which they are mentoring. Peer mentors assist the laboratory instructor in all phases of lab planning, set-up, and tear-down. In addition peer mentors become involved in laboratory instruction including explaining procedures, providing demonstrations, answering questions, and student evaluation. Peer mentors are encouraged to offer help during the scheduled lab period when first-year mentees inquire about class choices, studying, and other student issues. The peer mentoring program is a rewarding way to help first-year students become part of the university and community. 1 hour lecture, 3 hours independent study. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (021033)
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing or faculty permission.
Analysis of seminars on various topics in the biological sciences. 1 hour seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001232)
Prerequisites: Senior standing.
Presentation and discussion of scientific reports based on current literature. 1 hour seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 3.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001230)
Science teaching experience for undergraduate students with K-12 students from local schools. 3 hours laboratory. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 2.0 units. (021975)
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-4.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. (001242)
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001243)
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
An intensive 6-unit, one-year course in biological research. See department office for details. (Open only to students with at least a 3.0 GPA in the major.) The course will consist of participation in a team research effort. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (001244)
Prerequisites: Admission into the graduate program in biology or botany.
Orientation to literature review and thesis research. Strategies and techniques used in molecular, cellular, organismic, and ecological research. Required of all biology/botany graduate students during their first fall semester and will include sign-up for the Graduate Qualifying Examination to be given the next semester. 3 hours seminar. (001245)
Presentation and discussion of reports based on current biological literature and special studies by graduate students. 1 hour seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (001249)
Prerequisites: BIOL 409 or CHEM 451.
Theory and strategies used in procaryotic and eucaryotic molecular biology. DNA manipulations, cloning systems, immunological assays, and protein purification and analytical techniques. 3 hours seminar, 3 hours laboratory. (001279)
Prerequisites: BIOL 609.
This course is a special topic offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Detailed discussion of selected topics in molecular and cellular biology. Extensive survey of current literature and analysis of research strategies. Topics are selected and advertised by instructor. Past topics have included molecular actions between plants and microbes; pathogenesis of disease; oncogenes and signal transduction. 1 hour discussion. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 9.0 units. (001281)
Prerequisites: BIOL 411 or BIOL 414 or BIOL 416.
Examination of the underlying molecular and bio-chemical mechanisms which allow physiological adaptations, establishment of pattern formation and differentiation of eucaryotic organisms. 3 hours seminar, 3 hours laboratory. (001280)
Prerequisites: BIOL 611.
This course is a special topic offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Detailed discussion of selected contemporary topics in physiological and developmental biology. Topic will be selected and advertised by the instructor. 1 hour discussion. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 9.0 units. (001285)
Prerequisite: BIOL 350W.
Study and lecture/discussion of population ecology, with an emphasis on field methods used on local populations. 2 hours seminar, 6 hours laboratory. (001303)
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W.
This course is a special topic offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Detailed investigation of selected special topics in ecology, systematics, or evolutionary biology. Extensive survey of current literature. Topics will be selected and advertised by the instructor. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units. (001291)
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W or GEOG 444; MATH 314 or MATH 350 or GEOG 315.
This course emphasizes spatial patterning in the landscapeits causes, development, and importance for ecological and environmental processes. The course includes the study of ecological and anthropologic aspects of landscape pattern and change. The laboratory includes hands-on experience with tools used in landscape ecology. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (020295)
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W and a statistics course.
The analysis, modeling, and computer simulation of the structure and function of communities and ecosystems, with emphasis on patterns of competition, predation, energy and nutrient flow and succession. 2 hours seminar, 3 hours laboratory. (001305)
Prerequisites: BIOL 350W, BIOL 448, graduate standing.
Autecology, emphasizing California vascular plants, with focus on current topics in behavioral and reproductive ecology. Field project work and detailed literature survey. 2 hours seminar, 6 hours laboratory. (001299)
Experts in various fields of Biology present their research each week. Following each presentation students are required to write a paper that summarizes and critiques the presentation. 1 hour lecture. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units. (021960)
This course is a graduate-level independent study. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Survey and careful study of literature, experimentation, observation, and collection of data in field and laboratory. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (001319)
This course is a master's study offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 3 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (001320)
Catalog Cycle:19