OSSM Biology Department
Faculty
Virginia Ann Dell, Ph.D.
Dr. Dell earned her degree in 1987 from the University
of Oklahoma, Health Science Center in Biochemistry. She is also
the Mentorship coordinator for OSSM. This duty entails pairing interested
students with a mentor in a particular field of science, encouraging a
hands-on experience. Dr. Dell teaches Genetics,
Biochemistry, and Molecular
and Cell Biology.
Yangfan (Mark) Li, BS/DVM, MS/Ph.D.
Dr. Li earned his degree in 1989 from Iowa
State University in Endocrinology. He has conducted research at
Iowa State University and Wayne State University. Dr. Li teaches Human
Anatomy and Physiology, Endocrinology,
and Embryology.
Magali Disdier, Ph.D.
Dr. Disdier is the newest addition to the OSSM Biology Department.
Curriculum
OSSM requires one year in biology for graduation. If the student has
taken a general biology course prior to enrollment to OSSM then the sequence
of courses to follow depends on the student's interest and career goals.
PREREQUISITE: OSSM General Biology
or High School Biology Course
AREA OF INTEREST OR SPECIALIZATION:
Course Descriptions
- General
Biology.One semester (1/2 unit of credit). This course is designed
for the student who has had no previous high school biology. This course
will include topics in cell structure and function, genetics, zoology,
and physiology with. emphasis placed on major principles of biology. Laboratory
is included. Students wishing to advance directly to an upper level
biology course will be assessed prior to enrollment.
- Human Anatomy and
Physiology. One semester (1/2 unit of credit). This course will
present a survey of the structure and function of the systems of the human
body. The student will examine the gross, microscopic, and developmental
anatomy of these structures and study their relationships among the body
systems. The functional aspect will also be examined by using various laboratory
procedures. Prerequisites: General Biology or equivalent.
- Human Embryology. One semester
(1/2 unit of credit). This course will present a survey of the structure
and function of the systems of the human body. The student will examine
the gross, microscopic, and developmental anatomy of these structures and
study their relationships among the body systems. The functional aspects
will also be examined using laboratory procedures. Dissection will be an
integral part of the anatomy laboratory work. prerequisites: General
Biology or equivalent.
- Histology. One semester (1/2
unit of credit). This course is designed to study the normal microscopic
structure and function of the body and of its organs, tissues, and cells.
The development of precise observation skills will be acquired. Laboratory
work will be integrated with the course. Prerequisites: Human Anatomy
and Physiology.
- Endocrinology. One semester
(1/2 unit of credit). This course will provide a detailed description and
study of the endocrine system, its hormones, glands, and target tissues.
The components of the system are related to the regulatory functions in
the human body. Recommended for students who are interested in pursuing
a career in the medical/clinical field. Basic science knowledge is integrated
with its clinical applications. Prerequisites: Human Anatomy and
Physiology or Molecular and Cellular Biology and one year of Chemistry.
Genetics.
One semester (1/2 unit of credit). This course will present genetic principles
and focus on Mendelian, molecular, and population genetics. Genetic engineering,
genetic counseling, and ethical problems will be discussed. A twelve-page
library research paper is required. Prerequisites: General Biology
or equivalent. - Biochemistry. One semester
(1/2 unit of credit). This elective course provides a detailed study of
biological molecules including their structure, properties, nomenclature,
and function. The course will also investigate the role these molecules
have in metabolic reactions, equilibria, and other biological processes.
Laboratory investigations will emphasize methods of separating and identifying
biomolecules and their components. Prerequisites: Completion of
or concurrent enrollment in Organic Chemistry or permission of the instructor.
Students may opt to take this course for either Biology or Chemistry
credit. It is offered fall semester only and is intended as the first of
a two-course sequence that concludes with Molecular and Cell Biology.
- Molecular and Cell Biology.
One semester (1/2 unit of credit). The focus of this course will be the
cell, its structure, and its function at the molecular level. This course
will include topics in cellular metabolism, chromosome structure, genes,
and regulation of cellular function. Laboratory with experiments in molecular
biology techniques is integrated into the course. Prerequisites:
Biochemistry.
Botany.
One semester (1/2 unit of credit). This course will introduce the vocabulary
and principles of plant biology. The objectives will be for each student
to demonstrate a working knowledge of the terminology used in botanical
studies and a basic understanding of the anatomical, cytological, reproductive,
ecological, and physiological phenomena unique to plants in general, specific
plant taxa, and plant-like organisms of other kingdoms. Prerequisites:
General Biology or equivalent. 
Ecology.
One semester (1/2 unit of credit). This course provides an introduction
to the principles of how organisms interact with their living and nonliving
environment. Focus will be on population ecology with emphasis on terminology,
relationships within the environment, processes which permit growth, development
and/or destruction of the biosphere, insights into the relationships among
many disciplines related to Ecology, study of environmental problems and
their solutions, and the relationship between Ecology and Field Biology
including some identification and taxonomy of different types of organisms.
Prerequisites: General Biology or equivalent. 
Invertebrate
Zoology. One semester (1/2 unit of credit). This course provides
an introduction to the biology of specific phyla, classes, and orders of
invertebrates with emphasis on classification, morphology, structure and
function of their internal anatomy, developmental pathways, and fundamental
concepts characteristic of this diverse animal group. Prerequisites:
General Biology or equivalent. 
Vertebrate
Zoology. One semester (1/2 unit of credit). This course provides
an introduction to the biology of the phylum Chrodata, specifically the
subphylum Vertebrata (i.e. the vertebrates). Emphasis will be on the following:
classification from class through species taxa, morphology, structure and
function of organs systems, developmental pathways, and fundamental concepts
characteristic of this diverse group of animals. Prerequisites:
General Biology or equivalent. - Directed Studies. One
semester (1/2 unit of credit). This course is designed to allow students
to pursue individual research interests in biology. Work will be performed
under the supervision of a faculty member and a final oral presentation
may be required. By permission of the Instructor. Specific Directed
Studies topics which have been provided include the following:
- Mentorship.
The student will collaborate with a scientist in a research project. The
scope of the project will be agreed upon in advance and the student's progress
will be monitored closely by a faculty member in consultation with the
research scientist. A final report and/or an oral presentation will be
required. By permission of the Mentorship
Coordinator. Specific mentorship locations and projects include
the following:
Credits
- Text was originally designed by Drs. Mark Li, Ann Dell, and Joe Shellhammer
with course descriptions taken from the OSSM Course Description portion
of the 1995 Application / Information Packet.
- Home Page was originally designed by Dr. Shellhammer and Scott Blomquist
(class of 1996).
- Home Page was originally edited by Scott Blomquist.
- Home Page now edited, maintained, and updated by Dr. Shellhammer
- Ideas for the background and other aspects of this page were obtained
from the CBS Radio Networks' Home
Page.
- Last Updated: 12Dec96
Return to
the Academics Page
Return
to the OSSM Home Page
jshellha@bashful.ossm.edu