Courses

Courses in Biology

Human Biology

Includes laboratory. An entry level course that examines biological principles as they relate to the functioning of human body systems, and to advances in medical science (or just health) and biotechnology. May not be counted toward a major in biology.

Human Genetics

Includes laboratory. An entry level course examining basic principles of genetics, emphasizing human genetics, various disorders and their ethical and economic impact on society. May not be counted toward a major in biology.

Plants in Human Cultures

Includes laboratory. In this course, students will address the many ways that humans interact with the botanical world. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: the history and evolution of agricultural practices and crop plants, the botanical and chemical aspects of food and spice crops, genetic engineering of crops, traditional uses of medicinal plants in human cultures, modern searches for cures for human diseases using plant-derived chemicals, the effects of humans on the distribution of plant species and the evolutionary origins of such plant products as wood, cotton, oils, etc. May not be counted toward a major in biology.

Organismal Biology

Includes laboratory. Introduces concepts of structure-function relationships in representative multicellular organisms (plants and animals). Aspects of organismal maintenance, environmental response, growth, and reproduction are related to structure, and comparisons made between specializations in representative plants and animals. Students with advance placement in biology may receive credit for this course.

Ecology and Evolution

This course examines the principles and practice of evolutionary biology, Mendelian and population genetics, and ecology at the individual, population, community, and ecosystem levels.

Advanced Placement in Biology

Credit for students earning advanced placement in biology.

Topics

Selected topics in biology. May include laboratory depending on subject. May not be counted toward major in biology.

First-Year Seminar

A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of biology. Open only to first-year students.

Human Anatomy

Includes laboratory. Examination of human structure as it relates to organ and body function and human adaptation to the environment. Laboratory: dissection of a mammal with reference to its comparison with the human.

Cell and Genes

An introduction to cell biology and molecular biology. Topics covered include macromolecules, membrane and organelle structure and function, cellular metabolism and cell cycle, molecular genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, DNA structure and function, gene expression and genetic engineering, and genomics. Prerequisites: CHEM 120.

Plant Biology

Includes laboratory. An introduction to the principles of plant biology. Topics covered include plant development and reproduction, responses to environmental variables, and applied uses. Prerequisites: BIO 135 and 145, or permission of instructor.

Microbiology

Includes laboratory. A general overview of microbiology. Topics covered include microbial genetics, physiology, evolution and ecology, microbial techniques and the interplay between microbial life and the human environment. Prerequisites: BIO 215 (BIO 145 also recommended) or permission of instructor.

Biostatistics

(Formerly BIO 375) A detailed survey of the techniques involved in the collection and analysis of biological data, with a focus on the design of biological experiments. This course prepares students for research experiences in biology by using examples from ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology and biomedical science. Prerequisites: BIO 135 and 145, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit in ECON 350, Math 341 or PSY 214.

Biodiversity

Includes laboratory. A diagnostic overview of major taxa within both prokaryotes and eukaryotes which includes phylogeny, systematics, defining attributes, and comparative life cycles. Prerequisites: BIO 135 and 145, or permission of instructor.

Topics

Selected topics in Biology. May or may not include a laboratory, depending on the subject. Prerequisite: one year of biology or permission of instructor.

Biochemistry and Cellular Biology

Includes laboratory. A study of the dynamic aspects of the structure, function and regulation of eukaryotic cells. The molecular nature of the gene and gene expression are examined. The intercellular functions that maintain cell viability and the coordination between cell in multicellular organisms are examined. Prerequisites: BIO 135, 145 and 215, or permission of instructor.

Molecular Biology

Includes three hour laboratory. This course presents advanced concepts of molecular biology with the experimental evidence and practice of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology. Lectures focus on explaining biological phenomena in molecular and biochemical terms, including DNA-Protein interactions in gene regulation, and provide conceptual support for the laboratory experiments. Laboratory work focuses on a semester-long project using biochemical and molecular techniques. Prerequisites: BIO 215 and CHEM 120.

Genetics

Normally includes laboratory. The study of gene transmission, structure and function. Topics include patterns of inheritance, microbial and molecular genetics, quantitative and population genetics. Prerequisite: BIO 135, 145 and 215, or permission of instructor.

Bioinformatics

Normally includes a 2 hour laboratory session per week. An introduction to the molecular theory and computational tools for analyzing gene and protein sequences. A major activity is the use of computer programs and algorithms to find and align gene and protein sequences, to predict protein structure and function, and to create network maps and phylogenetic histories from molecular sequences. Prerequisites: BIO 215 or permission of instructor.

Developmental Biology

Includes laboratory. A comparative investigation of embryonic development, including cell differentiation, tissue organization and mechanisms of organ development. Prerequisites: BIO 135, BIO 145 and BIO 215.

Animal Physiology

In Animal Physiology we use an integrative approach to study the mechanisms by which animals maintain interal environments that are compatible to life. The basis of organ systems function, homeostatic responses to environmental stresses, evolutionary and developmental adaptations and normal body functions are explored at the cellular and organismic level. Selected physiological topics including osmoregulation, metabolism, nerve function, cardiac and respiratory physiology are investigated in the accompanying laboratory sessions. Prerequisites: BIO 135 and 215, or permission of instructor.

Ecology

Includes laboratory. The study of interrelationships between organisms and their environment, emphasizing fundamental concepts in ecology, natural history of local habitats and organisms, the process of ecological research, and current issues of interest in ecology. Prerequisites: BIO 135 and 145, or permission of instructor.

Conservation Biology

Includes laboratory. This course will address the impacts of humans on Earth's biodiversity, and strategies taken to conserve and protect global natural resources. Topics covered may include global patterns of biodiversity, ecological community structure, habitat exploitation and restoration by humans, genetics of small populations, design of nature reserves, problems associated with invasive species. Prerequisites: BIO 135 and BIO 145, Ecology and Evolution or permission of instructor.

Plant-Animal Interactions

Includes laboratory. An examination of plants and animals from a holistic, interactive perspective, focusing on the ongoing coevolution between plants and animals. Both positive and negative interactions for both types of organisms are examined. Prerequisites: BIO 135, 145 and 215, or permission of instructor.

Behavioral Ecology

Includes laboratory. This course is concerned with an evolutionarily based analysis of how the behaviors of animals contribute to survival and reproductive success. Prerequisites: BIO 135 and 145, or permission of instructor.

Immunology

Includes laboratory. Investigation of the principles of immunology, including clinical principles of pathogen resistance, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency and cancer. Both basic science and clinical science will be addressed, as will comparative aspects of innate and acquired immunity. Laboratory consists of basic and investigative projects involving the use of live animals. Prerequisite: BIO 135, 145 and 215, or permission of instructor.

Cell Signaling in Physiology

This class explores how cellular signaling coordinates physiological function. It focuses on the modes of operation of complex and dynamic molecular networks that are linked to the families of G-protein coupled receptors, receptor tyrosine kinases, cytokines receptors, second messengers, and small G proteins. The class explores the role of cell signaling in 1) cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and cell death, and 2) their regulation of stress responses, inflammation, tissue remodeling, wound healing, regeneration and cancer. This class makes extensive use of primary literature. Weekly 3-hour labs include tissue culture, cell imaging, protein expression, protein isolation and detection by ELISA and Western, and a multi-weeks independent project (4 to 5 weeks) using various cell and molecular techniques, and in vitro cell culture models as well as in vivo research models. Prerequisite: BIO 215

Neurobiology

Includes laboratory. Examines the structure and function of individual neurons and glial cells, the formation of integrative circuits and the comparative organization and evolution of animal nervous systems of increasing complexity from nerve nets to humans. Prerequisite: BIO 135 and 215 or permission of instructor.

Molecular Neurobiology

This course is concerned with the regulation of neural gene expression and protein synthesis and is designed for advanced students. We approach neurobiological questions from the molecular (gene and protein) level with the aim to understand how patterns of gene expression and protein synthesis relate to brain function and dysfunction. Topics include neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease), addiction, mood disorders, neural development, neural regeneration, stem cells, and progress in neural therapies. Along these lines, current concepts of transcriptional and translational control of selected neural genes in normal, diseased and developing nervous systems are discussed. Molecular techniques such as protein isolation, Western Blotting, immunodetection, and tissue culture are explored in the laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO215

Topics

Selected topics in biology are offered. Prerequisite: one year of biology or permission of instructor.

Practicum for Biology Tutors

Development of tutoring and problem-solving skills in biology through readings, direct experience, reflection and discussion. Experience in tutoring/assisting of a biology course under direct supervision. Prerequisites: one year of Biology and permission of instructor.

Molecular Genetics

Includes laboratory. This course presents advanced concepts of gene regulation and signal transduction in a variety of organisms, and includes topics in the molecular genetics of cancer, development, neurobiology, or virology. Prerequisite: BIO 315. May not be taken Pass/Fail.

Population Genetics and Evolution

Normally includes laboratory. An examination of the role of evolution as the central organizing concept in biology and role of population genetics as the core of evolutionary theory. Prerequisite: BIO 135, 145 and 215, or permission of instructor.

Senior Seminar

Students read, present and discuss research papers from a variety of areas in biology. Prerequisite: a major in biology and senior status. May not be taken pass/fail.

Research Problems

Directed independent study. Prerequisite: two years of biology and permission of department. Usually taken for one-half credit. Maximum 1 credit total.