BSC 3931L - Special Topics in Biology Lab

College of Natural Sciences

Credit(s): 1-2
Contact Hours: 45-90
Effective Term Spring 2026 (660)

Requisites

Permission of the Program

Course Description

Prerequisites may vary according to topic. This course is an open format lab course designed to address the needs and interests of the students as well as provide an opportunity to focus on current biological science techniques. Topics may vary from semester to semester but will be limited to a laboratory or field study format. (Note: This course may be taken for a total of 4 credits towards major requirements. Prerequisites may vary according to topic. 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, 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

  1. The student will explain selected topics in biological sciences and demonstrate selected skills within the biological sciences.
    1. explaining past and current advancements in the special topic area.
    2. identifying the relationship between the special topic techniques and the core techniques/skills learned in the biological science curriculum.
  2. The student will demonstrate the ability to perform and apply current techniques/skills in the special topic area selected by:
    1. analyzing, summarizing and critiquing research results relevant to techniques/skills in the special topic area
    2. presenting methods and developing protocols in an oral and or written communication format.
    3. 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

  1. Biology (BIOLOGY-BS) (670) (Active)