Undergraduate Courses

BSC 120: Principles of Biology

The study of basic biological principles common to all organisms, with both lecture and laboratory components. Chemistry of life, cell biology, metabolism, heredity, and evolution are among the topics covered. Intended for science majors and pre-professional students. 3 lec-2 lab. (PR: at least 21 on Math ACT, or C or better in MTH 121 or higher). 4 hrs. Course syllabus

ISC 206: Living in Space
A space science course that explores NASA-directed research. Students compare "ground-based" investigations in plant science, physics, human behavior, and physiology with results from space flight experiments. 3-lec, 2-lab (PR: MTH 121 or higher, except MTH 400 and MTH 401) [Writing Intensive]. Course syllabus

BSC/MTH 280: Topics in Mathematical Biology
A 1-credit course about interesting research news in mathematical biology as it relates to disciplines such as genetics, plant and animal physiology, and environmental sciences. The course will also provide an overview of the research projects that will be supported through a National Science Foundation grant titled, “Undergraduate Mathematical Biology Research at Marshall University.” Prerequisites: BSC 280 – BSC 120 with a C or better and completion of MTH 127 or higher; MTH 280 – MTH 229 with a C or better. Course syllabus

Students in this course learned the programs and equipment associated with time-lapse imaging by making short stop-action videos. Example: Plant-eating lamp

BSC 322: Principles of Cell Biology
A fundamental approach to the principles of cell biology that covers general cellular structure and function, organelles, intercellular interactions, molecular interactions, regulation of gene expression, and modern cellular and molecular methods. 3 lec-3 lab. (PR: BSC 121 with grade of C or better, CHM 212 with grade of C or better, CHM 355 recommended). Course syllabus

Cytoplasmic streaming: a video demonstrating chloroplast movement in Elodea cells which was generated during a microscopy lab in BSC 322.

Upper Level and Graduate Courses

BSC 420/520: Plant Physiology
Course syllabus

Experimental study of plant life processes, including applicable biophysical and biochemical principles, water relations, molecular biology, stress physiology, and growth and development. This lab for this course includes class-designed independent research that is presented at the annual Marshall University Sigma Xi Research Day. 3 lec-3 lab (PR: BSC 121; Completion of at least a year of chemistry and physics recommended). [Writing Intensive] 

Student independent projects also prepare time-lapse movies of their experimental plants.  Examples: Circadian leaf movement; Altered circadian leaf movement

BSC 608: Plant Growth and Development
Course syllabus

An advanced graduate course focused on the study of modern molecular and biochemical research involving plant growth and development. The model for plant genetic system, Arabidopsis, will be used as the primary research tool in the laboratory for the study of gene expression analysis using current molecular biology techniques, bioinformatics, hormone physiology, and mutant selection and analysis. Graduating seniors are eligible to enroll for this course with permission of the instructor and  the Graduate College.

Textbook chapters:

Harrison, M.A. 2006. Plant Cell Signaling. In: Plant Cell Biology, W.V. Dashek and M.H. Harrison (eds), Science Publishers, Enfield, NH

Class Research Posters Presented at the Marshall University Sigma Xi Research Day (2006-2011)

Miller, B., Jones, J., Clark, A. 2011. A study of freeze tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana using LTI30 knockout and COR47GFP reporter mutants.

Brown, M.L. 2009. Evaluating potential hormone cross talk between auxin and ethylene in Arabidopsis.

D'Angelo, J. 2009. Comparison of salinity stress and aluminum toxicity on Arabidopsis thaliana mutants.

Kirkpatrick, C.,  Plata, A. 2011. The effects of different wavelengths of the circadian rhythm of bean leaves.

Mick, H. (2011) Identification and characterization of novel genes affecting gravitropism.

Murphy, P., Grimmett, C.  2011. Phenotypic responses of co-regulated Arabidopsis thaliana genes under salt stress conditions compared with a known salt tolerant phenotype as a means ot characterize their pathways.

Diana Starkweather 2011. Effects of soil compaction on the growth and ethylene production of Oeothera missouriensis. 

Stephenson, M. 2009.  Characterization of coumarin-induced growth and stress responses of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Mick, H. 2009. Evaluation of Arabidopsis germinated in hypergravity and induced gravitropism.

Adkins, J. 2009.  Analysis of possible chloroplast movement factors.

Bruyer, J., K. Miller, S. Ogle, J. Phares, S. Smith, and M.A. Harrison. 2006. Imaging plant growth.

Teaching Presentations

Lloyd, C., M. A. Harrison, D. Johnson, S. Lumpkin, and K. McComas. 1999. Workshop: Teaching portfolios, acts of transformation. Fourth National Writing Across the Curriculum Conference, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Harrison, M.A. 1999. Collection Portfolios in Science Classes. Interactive Poster Session: Marshall University, The Teaching Portfolio. Fourth National Writing Across the Curriculum Conference, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Harrison, M. A. 1999. Techno-WAC in biological sciences. Technology + WAC = Techno-WAC session. Fourth National Writing Across the Curriculum Conference, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Harrison, M. A. 1999. Project-oriented plant physiology: Responses to environmental changes. American Society for Plant Physiologists, Baltimore, MD.

Harrison, M.A. 1998. Project-oriented plant physiology. American Society for Plant Physiologists, Madison WI.