Biological Sciences Courses

• The course will be organized around a number of magazine/journal articles, talks and videos from the field of neuroscience.  The course is designed to give students exposure to relevant topics in the field of neuroscience/neurology including addiction, traumatic brain injury, neurological disease, etc. The course will be composed of discussion, group work, in-class activities/assignments, and a small amount of lecture.  The course is aimed at honors students with an interest in the brain, but with no prior knowledge of neuroscience. Both science and non-science majors are welcome.
• Semester Offered: Fall
• Credits: 3
• Course URL: Canvas

Prerequisites

None

Course Description

The course will be organized around a number of magazine/journal articles, talks and videos from the field of neuroscience.  The course is designed to give students exposure to relevant topics in the field of neuroscience/neurology including addiction, traumatic brain injury, neurological disease, etc. The course will be composed of discussion, group work, in-class activities/assignments, and a small amount of lecture.  The course is aimed at honors students with an interest in the brain, but with no prior knowledge of neuroscience. Both science and non-science majors are welcome

Course Satisfies Departmental Learning Goal(s)

 I. To acquire the appropriate factual and conceptual knowledge that provides students with a foundation to further their education and career in the areas of life science or health science.  Students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge (ex. identify, define, explain...) of the concepts, practices and principles that comprise the biological sciences.

II. To develop data analysis and statistical reasoning skills that prepares students for a society increasing reliant on the use of data and information. Students will be able to interpret/evaluate patterns in data presented in tables, figures, and graphs as well as be able to organize, summarize and present data.

III. To develop the ability to use scientific reasoning as embodied by the structured process commonly known as the scientific method to empower students with the ability to generate and refine knowledge. Students will be able to evaluate and apply the practice of science.

IV. To develop critical thinking and problems solving skills appropriate to prepare students to evaluate, synthesize and generate knowledge that provides them with a competitive advantage to adapt to an evolving, global, and knowledge based society.  Students will be able to demonstrate application of higher order thinking (ex. classify, diagnosis, evaluate, synthesize, hypothesize...).  Students will develop an understanding of not only the connections within biology but also the connections between biology and other scientific disciplines.

Course URL

Canvas

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

• 50%- Reading responses/Article Assignments/Quizzes
• 20%- In-class Activities/Assignments/Discussion Participation
• 30% - Final Project (Group)

Course Materials

Canvas

Course Syllabus

Fall Syllabus 2024 

Course Closed?

If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn  for the course under the Biological Sciences section on the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated on the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student. 

Faculty

Dr. Tara Cominski

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.

• Genetics, Law and Social Policy is a 3-credit course designed for non-science majors to learn the basic concepts in genetics needed to understand a variety of topics that are often covered in the media and will likely play a role in everyone’s life at some point, either directly or indirectly.  The first few weeks of the course are focused on establishing the background in genetics that is needed to delve into subjects including assisted reproductive technology, genetic testing, cloning, genetically modified organisms, human genome sequencing and CRISPR technology.
• Semester Offered: Spring
• Credits: 3
• Course URL: Canvas
• Core Curriculum: NS, CCO

Prerequisites

 None

Course Syllabus 

 Download 119 154 Genetics Law Social Policy Syllabus SP26 Accessible

Course URL  

A Canvas site will be set up at the beginning of the semester.

Course Satisfies Learning Goals 

• To understand and develop an appreciation for research as the basis of scientific study. 
• To understand and to appreciate the process of science. 
• To acquire the ability to use scientific reasoning. 
• To understand biology as a framework of related concepts.

Course Satisfies SAS Core Learning Goals  

• Our Common Future (CCO) : Analyze the relationship that science and technology have to a contemporary social issue. 
• Natural Science (NS): Understand and apply basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences. 
• Natural Science (NS) : Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in scientific analysis.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Your grade will be composed (approximately) of:

• Two exams (30% of final grade) 
• Weekly reading quizzes (15% of final grade)
• Weekly homework assignments (30% of final grade)
• Five reflection papers (25% of final grade) 

Course Materials  

Human Genetics 14th edition by Ricki Lewis

ISBN10:1266103201

Course Closed? 

If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn  for the course under the Biological Sciences section on the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated on the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student. 

Faculty  

Dr. Doreen Glodowski 

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.  

• This course is intended to allow non-scientists to understand the genetic principles and issues that underlie several topics that people hear about in the media and encounter in their lives. I provide only the aspects of genetics and molecular biology one needs in order to understand these larger issues, and I present all the biological material in a manner that expects that nobody has any background in this kind of biology. The legal and ethical issues associated with each current topic will also be included in our discussions.
• Semester Offered: Fall
• Credits: 3
• Course URL: Canvas
• Core Curriculum: NS, CCO

Prerequisites

 None

Course Description  

This course is completely online and asynchronous. It is intended to allow non-scientists to understand the genetic principles and issues that underlie several topics that people hear about in the media and encounter in their lives. I provide only the aspects of genetics and molecular biology one needs in order to understand these larger issues, and I present all the biological material in a manner that expects that nobody has any background in this kind of biology. The legal and ethical issues associated with each current topic will also be included in our discussions.

Topics may include:

• Forensics And Paternity Testing
• Anthropology Research And Ancestry Testing
• Behavioral Genetics Applied To Intelligence, Criminality and Interpersonal Attraction
• Genetically Modified Plants, Animals and Humans
• Stem Cell Therapy
• Assisted Reproductive Technology

Course Syllabus 

Fall 2024 Syllabus 

Course URL  

Canvas

Course Satisfies Learning Goals 

• To understand and develop an appreciation for research as the basis of scientific study 
• To understand and to appreciate the process of science 
• To acquire the ability to use scientific reasoning 
• To understand biology as a framework of related concepts 

Course Satisfies SAS Core Learning Goals 

• Our Common Future (CCO) : Analyze the relationship that science and technology have to a contemporary social issue.
• Natural Science (NS): Understand and apply basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences.
• Natural Science (NS) : Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in scientific analysis.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Your grade will be composed (approximately) of:

• Two exams, accounting for approximately half your grade
• Approximately 10 sets of homework questions, accounting for approximately one-fourth of your grade
• A group presentation, accounting for approximately one-fourth of your grade

Course Materials  

There is no book required for this course. I will supply all your readings.

Course Closed? 

If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn  for the course under the Biological Sciences section on the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated on the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student. 

Faculty  

Dr. Ron Michaelis

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.  

• This course will focus on examining, systematically and creatively, the relationships between human activities and the environment. Through local field trips on campus, case studies, projects, and discussions, we will explore how biological constructs and current technology can be used to understand and address environmental challenges both in NJ and globally.  We will work to uncover the complexities surrounding issues such as climate change, land use modifications, and pollution. 
• Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 3
• Core Curriculum: NS, CCO

Prerequisites

None

Course Description

This course will focus on examining, systematically and creatively, the relationships between human activities and the environment. Through local field trips on campus, case studies, projects, and discussions, we will explore how biological constructs and current technology can be used to understand and address environmental challenges both in NJ and globally.  We will work to uncover the complexities surrounding issues such as climate change, land use modifications, and pollution. 

Course Syllabus:

Spring 2023 Syllabus

Course  Learning Goals:

• Identify the key biological and/or ecological principles at the root of major environmental problems
• Recognize the role of research and technology in understanding and addressing complex environmental issues
• Develop the skills needed to interpret scientific information and engage in systems-oriented thinking for informed decision-making regarding environmental issues.

Course Satisfies SAS Core Learning Goals

Our Common Future [CCO]

Natural Science [NS]

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Course Requirements:

Assignments – 20%

Class and Group Participation - 15% 

Concept Checks -5%

Final Project – 30%

Mid-term and Final Exams - 30%

Course Materials

• Required Textbook: None
• Handouts and readings to be provided by instructor

Course Closed?

If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn  for the course under the Biological Sciences section on the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated on the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student. 

Faculty

Dr. Carrie Ferraro

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.