BSC 3931 - Special Topics in Biology
College of Natural Sciences
Credit(s): 1-3
Contact Hours: 17-47
Contact Hours: 17-47
Effective Term Spring 2026 (660)
Requisites
Permission of the Program
Course Description
Prerequisites may vary according to topic. This course is an open format course designed to address the needs and interests of the students as well as provide an opportunity to focus on current biological science topics. Topics may vary from semester to semester but will be limited to a lecture or seminar series format. (Note: This course may be repeated for up to 9 credits towards major requirements. Study Abroad opportunities may apply to this course https://blog.spcollege.edu/international/study-abroad/).
Course Topics
Organismal Biology
This would include, but is not limited to, courses that emphasize one of the following:
Mammalogy
Ornithology
Entomology
Herpetology
Ichthyology
Local Flora
Local Fauna
Methods in Organismal Biology
Cell & Molecular Bio
This would include, but is not limited to, courses that would emphasize:
Tissue Culture
Virology
Cancer Biology
Histology
Molecular Genetics
Molecular Evolution
Cellular Communication
Methods in Cell and Molecular Biology
Ecology & Evolution
This would include, but is not limited to, courses that emphasize one of the following:
Molecular Evolution
Evolutionary Ecology
Behavioral Ecology
Behavioral Evolution
Florida Ecology
Tropical Ecology
Wildlife Management
Methods in Ecology
Methods in Evolution
Topic
Study Abroad- Israel
Topic
Study Abroad- Costa Rica
Topic
Study abroad- Galápagos Islands
Learning Outcomes and Objectives
- The student will develop an understanding of the special topic area field within the biological sciences by:
- explaining past and current advancements in the special topic area.
- identifying the relationship between the special topic area and the core principles learned in the biological science curriculum.
- The student will demonstrate the ability to read, understand and communicate current advancements in the special topic area selected by:
- analyzing, summarizing and critiquing peer-reviewed scientific literature relevant to advances in the special topic area.
- presenting current data in an oral and or written communication format.
- actively participating in weekly discussions focused on the special topic area.
Criteria Performance Standard
Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.
History of Changes
C&I Approval: 05/16/2014, BOT Approval: 10/21/2014, Effective Term: Spring 2015 (495).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2026 (660)
Related Programs
- Biology (BIOLOGY-BS) (670) (Active)