BIO 103 (4 credits) Principles of Biology I
Provides a survey of important biological concepts and principles to all living organisms. Topics include prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, energetic comparative physiology, evolution and ecology. Integrates laboratory and classroom work. this course is limited to science majors, biology, minors, and biology-secondary education majors.

BIO 104 (4 credits) Principles of Biology II
Investigative survey of life processes common in animals. gas exchange, internal transport, nervous and endocrine control, reproduction, and homeostatic mechanisms are major topics included. Integrates laboratory and classroom work. Prerequisite: BIO 103 or permission of the instructor.

BIO 221 (4 credits) General Microbiology
An integrated laboratory and classroom course which looks at both the morphological as well as the physiological nature of microorganisms and their relationship to both the normal and the diseased state in humans. Bacteriological techniques such as staining, identification and cultivation are emphasized. Prerequisites include any one of the following: BIO 103, 104, 107/117, or permission of instructor.

BIO 303 (3 credits) Genetics
Introduction to Mendelian and Molecular genetics, chromosome transmission during cell division, non-Mendelian Inheritance, variation in chromosome structure and number, DNA structure and replication, genetic linkage and mapping, genetic transfer, gene transcription and translation, gene mutation and repair, DNA technologies, evaluation and cancer. Prerequisites: BIO 103 or instructor permission. Co-requisite: BIO 309.

BIO 304 (3 credits) Cell Biology
This course covers major aspects of eukaryotic animal cell biology, with an emphasis on understanding the molecular processes that occur at the subcellular level. Topics include a review of basic cellular composition and fundamentals of metabolism, followed by more complex topics including regulation of eukaryotic gene expression, protein processing and transport, cytoskeleton structure and function, cell signaling, cell cycle regulation, cell death, stem cell biology and cancer. Includes a strong focus on experimental techniques and approaches that are used in modern cell and molecular biology research. three hours of lecture per semester week. Prerequisites; BIO 103; CHE 105, 202. Co-requisite: BIO 311.

BIO 309 (1 credit) Genetics Laboratory
Study of meiosis and mitosis, monohybrid and dihybrid Mendelian inheritance using plants and Drosophila, alcohol tolerance in Drosophila, DNA extraction, amplification and electrophoreses separation, DNA fingerprinting and Bacterial transformation experiments. Co-requisite: BIO 303.

BIO 311 (1 credits) Cell Biology Laboratory
This course provides an introduction to the laboratory methods and techniques employed in the study of mammalian cells in culture. Students experiment with in vitro cell culture techniques including cell quantitation, grown curve analysis, microscopy (phase contrast and fluorescence), cellular differentiation and gene expression analysis through participation in class projects that span the semester. these projects are designed to provide an experiential course-based research experience that highlights the types of experiments and techniques that are performed in the first of cell and molecular biology. Three hours of laboratory per semester week. Co-requisite: BIO 304.

BIO 409 (3 credits) Immunology
Introduction to fundamental concepts of immune response. Principles relating to clinical immunology are discussed in terms of underlying experimental studies. Immunologic reactions and ideas on the function of the immune system are explained. Three hours of lecture per semester week. Prerequisites: BIO 104, 304, and CHE 105, or permission of the instructor.

CHE 104 (3 credits) General Chemistry I
Study of basic principles and theories of chemistry including stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structures, the periodic law and its application, solutions, and gas laws. Problem solving is introduced. Three hours lecture per week. Co-requisite: CHE 110 or 112.

CHE 105 (3 credits) General Chemistry II
Introductory thermodynamics, kinetics, acid bases, chemical equilibrium, electro-chemistry and fundamental descriptive chemistry. Three hours lecture per week.  Prerequisites: CHE 104, 110 or 112; Co-requisite: CHE 111.

CHE 107 (1 credit) Laboratory Safety
Basic study of all laboratory safety rules and regulations including fire hazards, chemical toxicity, waste control, explosive chemicals, emergency procedures, protective equipment, and laboratory equipment hazards. Required: science majors.

CHE 110 (1 credit) General Chemistry Laboratory I
Laboratory techniques will be discussed and applied to the solution of typical chemical problems and the experimental nature of chemistry. Three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: CHE 104.

CHE 111 (1 credit) General Chemistry Laboratory II
Laboratory techniques emphasizing qualitative analysis. Three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: CHE 104, 110 or 112; Co-requisite: CHE 105..

CHE 201 (3 credits) Organic Chemistry I
Study of fundamental principles of organic chemistry emphasizing topics involving structure, reactivity, bonding, stereochemistry, acids and bases, electrophilic addition and nucleophilic substitution. Three lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: CHE 104, 105, 110 or 112, 111; Co-requisite: CHE 210. 275, 403, 408.

CHE 202 (3 credits) Organic Chemistry II
Study of functional groups, reaction mechanisms and problems in synthesis. Three hours lecture per week. Prerequisites: CHE 201, 210; Co-requisite: CHE 211.

CHE 210 (1 credit) Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Study and practice in the basic techniques employed in an Organic Chemistry laboratory, including crystallization, melting point determination, extraction, chromatography, distillation and other techniques for the isolation and purification of organic compounds. Three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: CHE 104, 110; 105, 111 or 112. Co-requisite: CHE 201.

CHE 211 (1 credit) Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
Focus is placed on the chemical synthesis of organic compounds using routine reactions including nucleophilic substitution and elimination, Williamson ether synthesis, Aldol and Claisen condensations, aromatic substitution, and condensation polymerization. Three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: CHE 201, 210. Co-requisite: CHE 202.

CHE 301 (3 credits) Physical Chemistry I
Study of properties of gases, laws of thermodynamics and thermochemistry. Three lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: CHE 104, 105, 110 or 112, 111.

CHE 302 (3 credits) Physical Chemistry II
Emphasis on reaction kinetics, solution properties, electrochemistry and macromolecules. Three lecture hours per week. Prerequisite: CHE 301. Co-requisite: CHE 303.

CHE 310 (1 credit) Physical Chemistry I Laboratory
Experimental investigation of physical forces acting on matter and various chemical properties. Examination of thermodynamics, kinetics, viscosity, and other physical-chemical phenomena is performed. Prerequisites: CHE 105 and 111. Co-requisite: CHE 301

CHE 311 (1 credit) Physical Chemistry II Laboratory
A continuation of the experimental investigation of physical forces acting on matter and various chemical properties. Examination of spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, and other physical-chemical phenomena is performed. Prerequisite: CHE 301 and 310. Co-requisite: CHE 302.

CHE 401 (3 credits) Biochemistry
Study of proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids in relationship to biological and metabolic processes. Prerequisites: CHE 104, 105, 110 or 112, 111; 201, 210; 202, 211.

CHE 410 (1 credit) Biochemistry Laboratory
Advanced studies in the isolation, purification and characterization of proteins and nucleic acids. An introduction to separation techniques like chromatography, electrophoresis and the evaluation of enzyme activity is provided, as well as an exploration into the basic techniques employed for the isolation, purification and manipulation of DNA. Three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: CHE 104, 105, 110 or 112, 111, 201, 202, 210, 211. Co-requisite: CHE 401.

MAT 131 (3 credits) Precalculus Mathematics
This course is an introduction to relations and functions including polynomial, rational, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions and their graphs. Prerequisite: two years of high school algebra and satisfactory score on the Mathematics Placement Test.

MAT 209 (3 credits) Probability and Statistics
this course covers theoretical principles and methods of probability and statistical analysis useful for natural science and education majors. Includes organization and analysis of data, descriptive statistics, laws of probability, binomial and normal distribution, random sampling, statistical inference, estimation and tests of hypotheses for large samples. Computer applications, using statistical software package SPSS, .ate required. Students earning credit for this course cannot earn credit for MAT 208. Prerequisite: high school algebra and satisfactory score on the Math Placement Test.

MAT 220 (1 credit) Math/Statistics Computer Lab
This lab will offer hands-on instruction in the use of computer and software to calculate, graphically display and analyze data of mathematical, statistical or scientific interest. The use of computer plotting software to visually represent mathematical equations with one or more variable functions will be emphasized through the appropriate input of computationally logical mathematical formulas.

MAT 230 (4 credits) Calculus I
This course is an introduction to limits, continuity, differentiation, integration and their applications. Prerequisite: MAT 131 with grade of C or better, or satisfactory score on the Mathematics Placement Test.

PHY 200 (4 credits) Physics I
Introduction to standard calculus-based physics course. Topics include Newton's Laws of motion, work, energy, impulse, momentum, properties of solids, liquids, and gases, heat, and the laws of thermodynamics. Course includes 3 hours of laboratory each week. prerequisite: MAT 230.

PHY 201 (4 credits) Physics II
Continuation of Physics I. Topics include wave phenomena, electricity, magnetism, light, sound, optics, relativity and quantum theory. Prerequisite: PHY 200.

SCI 406 (3 credits) Research I
This is the first of two courses in the student research sequence. Students will develop a research project with a faculty member of their choice. this course will focus on a literature review, developing a research plan, conducting experiments, and interpreting results.

SCI 4067(3 credits) Research II
This is the second of two courses in the student research sequence. Students will continue to work the research project with the faculty member of their choice from the previous semester; this wil include completing any final experiments and wrapping-up their research project. Students will work to formulate conclusions and output their data in a presentable research format.

SCI 480 (6 credits) Internship
Student must participate in 252 hours or more of math/science-related activities at an off-campus site under the supervision of an internship sponsor. Internships may be procured at any business, academic, government or non-profit agency willing to engage interns in meaningful work or research activities. prerequisite: junior status and a 2.5 GPA.

Student Perspective

"Forensic science goes beyond combining chemistry and biology; it requires critical thinking and a desire to challenge what the eyes see. At Alvernia, my professors taught me the true value of research and how the results can change how we see the world around us.  In the 17 years I've been in school, I've never learned a more valuable lesson."

- Kelsey Schubert '16, PSU Graduate Student

Contact Information

Dr. Eric Recktenwald

Interim Science Department Chair

Bernardine Hall 120

610.796.8247

eric.recktenwald@alvernia.edu

 

Biochemistry