99264

BIO 101 Biological Inquiry

Michael Tibbetts

M . . . .

. . W . .

1:30 -3:30 pm

1:00 -4:00 pm

RKC 111/112

SCI

This course is intended for students who are interested in pursuing biology as a major, but who feel their high school experience did not adequately prepare them for it. The course is composed of two parallel strands. The laboratory stand will consist of a series of laboratory experiences that expose students to the variety of ways that modern biologists ask questions. Emphasis will be placed on experimental design, data collection and data analysis. The lecture strand will consist of readings and discussions from John Moore’s classic text ”Science as a way of Knowing.” In this text, Moore describes the historical developments that have lead to modern understanding in the fields of evolution, genetics and developmental biology.

Prerequisites: Students interested in registering for this course should first go to the course's Moodle site [http://moodle.bard.edu/course/view.php?id=657] and take the diagnostic exam, which is designed to help determine if this course is at the appropriate level for them.

99265

BIO 112 Biology of Infectious Disease

John Ferguson

Lab:

. T . Th .

. T . . .

8:30 - 10:20 am

1:30 -4:30 pm

RKC 103

RKC 114

SCI

Cross-listed: GISP; STS Both morbidity and mortality due to infectious disease declined steadily during the 20^th century in developed nations, but remain high in poorer nations. Students examine the reasons for this tenuous disparity as they study the agents of bacterial, viral, protozoan, and metazoan disease. Diseases covered include anthrax, typhoid fever, cholera, botulism, tetanus, bubonic plague, Lyme disease, leprosy, tuberculosis, influenza, smallpox, rabies, yellow fever, polio, AIDS, malaria, African sleeping sickness, and schistosomiasis, among others. Many of the readings are relatively nontechnical case histories, but the biology underlying each condition is thoroughly developed. This course is of interest to those aiming for a career in the health professions, but is also designed to provide liberal arts students with some degree of medical literacy in these health issues. The laboratory portion introduces students to bacteria and viruses that are relatively nonpathogenic for humans. Prerequisite: experience in high school biology and chemistry.

99266

BIO 130 Field Study in Natural History

William Maple

. . W . F

1:30 -5:00 pm

RKC 114

SCI

Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies Designed to acquaint the interested nonscience student with the plants and animals that make the Bard campus their home, including trees and shrubs in their winter condition and fall wildflowers. Animal tracks and bird migrations also are objects of study. Although the course includes some lab work on preserved specimens, especially during severe weather, most class meetings are field trips. Participants must have clothing appropriate to the weather and terrain: good walking shoes or boots, warm clothing and rain gear. Some Saturday field trips and early morning meetings may be required. Limited to 10 students.

99267

BIO 141 Subcellular Biology

John Ferguson

Lab:

. . W . F

. . . . F

10:30 - 12:30 pm

1:30 -4:30 pm

RKC 101

RKC 112

SCI

An introductory survey of life at the cellular level primarily intended for prospective biology majors, but also open to interested students not majoring in science. Beginning with an introduction to the evolution and complexity of life, including the prokaryotes and the viruses, the course proceeds to examine the commonality of life at both the biochemical and cellular levels. A central section deals with energy transfer in living systems (fermentation, respiration, and photosynthesis), followed by another major section dealing with information transfer (genetics, nucleic acid replication, transcription, and translation). The course ends with discussions of more complex topics (genetic engineering, human genetics, and immunology). The laboratory portion of the course provides an introduction to the methodologies and instrumentation found in the modern biology lab. This course is appropriate for those interested in a career in the health professions and others interested in a broadly based view of modern biology. Offered every fall. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in Chemistry 141 concurrently. Prerequisite: eligibility for Q courses, and experience in high school biology and chemistry. This course has lab options.

99268

BIO 150 Evolution of Model Organisms

Philip Johns

. T . Th .

. . . Th .

9:00 - 10:20 am

1:30 -4:30 pm

RKC 115

RKC 114

SCI

This is an introductory course intended for students with a strong interest in the sciences. The goal of the course is to study the genetics and evolution of a variety of organisms. We will also examine the interplay between genetics and evolution with topics ranging from ecology to behavior to physiology to biomechanics. A major theme of the course will be to understand why biologists often use a few "model organisms" -- including dogs -- to answer questions that apply to a broader array of plants and animals. The course includes a lab and one or two field trips. Prerequisites: Q-eligible.

99269

BIO 152 Biodiversity

Felicia Keesing

. T . . .

. . . Th .

9:00 - 11:00 am

9:00 - 12:00 pm

RKC 111/112

SCI

Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies; GISP In this course, intended for students with a strong interest in science, and appropriate for biology majors, we will examine scientific issues related to biological diversity. In addition to studying characteristics of the major groups of organisms on Earth, we will investigate both the evolutionary causes and the ecological consequences of diversity. We will examine patterns of biodiversity through time, including developing an understanding of how the present loss of biodiversity compares in magnitude and rate to previous periods of extinction. Finally, we will evaluate methods for preserving biodiversity based on principles of conservation biology. Throughout this course, we will explore the use of statistical methods for evaluating scientific data. Prerequisite: Strong background in high school biology, and successful completion of Q exam.

99270

BIO 201 Eukaryotic Genetics

Michael Tibbetts

M . . . .

. . W . .

9:30 - 12:30 pm

9:30 - 11:30 am

RKC 111/112

RKC 111

SCI

Cross-listed: Cognitive Science, GISP This course is an introduction to the mechanisms of inheritance and the generation of diversity in eukaryotic organisms. This course takes a modern approach to the study of genetics in which classical ideas about genotype, phenotype and inheritance are integrated into the modern molecular and genomic understanding of the processes involved in the generation of diversity. In addition to discussions of the molecular mechanisms involved in DNA replication, recombination, the generation and repair of mutations, and the relationship between genotype and phenotype, special consideration is given to our understanding of the processes involved in generating population-level variation in complex traits and how this understanding can help us identify the myriad genetic and non-genetic factors influencing these traits. The laboratory consists of a semester long project involving the genetic manipulation of a model organism’s genome to address one or more topics in the course. Offered every fall. Prerequisite: One biology course at the 140 level or higher.

99271

BIO 202 Ecology and Evolution

Catherine O'Reilly

. . W . F

9:00 - 12:00 pm

RKC 114/115

SCI

Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies This core course for biology majors is an introduction to the general principles of ecology and evolution that, with genetics, form the core of biological understanding. In addition to studying foundational ideas in both ecology and evolution, we will explore modern topics at the boundary between these two areas. We will consider, for example, how genetic variation among individual organisms can influence ecological interactions, and how these interactions can influence fitness. We will focus on a mechanistic understanding of processes, using model-building to inform that understanding. Prerequisite: One biology course at the 140 level or higher. This is a writing intensive course. The general goals of the writing component of the course are to improve the development, composition, organization, and revision of analytical writing; the use of evidence to support an argument; strategies of interpretation and analysis of texts; and the mechanics of grammar and documentation. Regular short writing assignments will be required. Enrollment limited to 14.

99561

BIO 208 Visiting Speakers Seminar

Biology Staff

TBA

This 1-credit course will provide students with broad exposure to biology through the biology visiting speaker seminar series. Students will hear about the wide-ranging research interests of invited biologists and have opportunities to interact informally with them. The course is graded Pass/Fail and students are responsible for short follow-up assignments for at least 80% of the talks. Recommended for sophomore and junior biology majors.

99272

BIO 306 Vertebrate Zoology

William Maple

Lab:

. T . Th .

. . . Th .

1:00 -2:20 pm

9:00 - 12:00 pm

RKC 111

RKC 114

SCI

Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies The course surveys the natural history, evolution, and ecology of the vertebrates native to the Hudson Valley region. Lab sessions are used for identification, taxonomy, and study techniques, with as much work as possible done in the field. Occasionally, evening or weekend classes are required. Prerequisites: Biology 101 and 102, Upper College standing, permission of the instructor; Biology 305 recommended.

99273

BIO 307 Aquatic Ecology

Catherine O'Reilly

. . W . .

. . . . F

1:30 -3:30 pm

12:30 -4:30 pm

RKC 101

SCI

Cross-listed: Environmental Studies Freshwater ecosystems span a wide range of varied environments. This course will explore the physical and chemical processes that structure these ecosystems and examine how these influence the abundance and diversity of plants and animals. We will subsequently be able to look at how different human activities are affecting our freshwater resources. The course is lab/field work-intensive and will involve studying several lakes, wetlands, streams, and rivers in the area. Prerequisites: Chem 142 and two Biology courses, at least one at the 200 level.

99274

BIO 314 Virology

Brooke Jude

LAB:

. . W . F

M . . . .

9:00 - 10:20 am

1:00 -4:00 pm

RKC 101

RKC 114

SCI

This course will utilize inquiry based learning approaches to examine the molecular biology and genetics of viruses, as well as host response to and defense of viral infections. Lecture material will include coverage of viral structure and assembly, host specificity, and molecular mechanisms of viral cellular entry, mRNA production, and genome replication. Additional topics will include prion diseases and viral gene therapy techniques. A weekly discussion section and student presentations of the primary literature will be conducted to introduce students to classic virology studies in direct comparison to the most current laboratory techniques and assays. The laboratory portion of the class will be designed in a module format that will include bacteriophage isolation and enumeration, as well as tissue culture based animal viral infections. A final project will synthesize all portions of the course through the development of a unique research aim, presented in the format of a pre-doctoral grant proposal. Prerequisites: BIO 201, Eukaryotic Genetics.

99275

BIO 410 Advanced Seminar:

Animal Behavior

Philip Johns

M . . . .

9:50 - 11:50 am

RKC 101

SCI

2 credits The aim of this course is to examine the biology of animal behavior. Although we will look at some proximate mechanisms to behavior, the bulk of the course will focus on the genetic and evolutionary causes and consequences of animal behavior. The course relies heavily on reading and discussing the primary literature and independent projects. Students are strongly encouraged to simultaneously register for Bio Ind with P. Johns. We may take infrequent weekend field trips. Prerequisites: Bio 201 & Bio 202; Bio 144 recommended.

99278

BIO IND CO 199-399 Independent

Research

Catherine O’Reilly

TBA

( 2 credits)

99277

BIO IND PJ 199-399 Independent

Research

Philip Johns

TBA .

( 2 credits)

99276

BIO IND BJ 199-399 Independent

Research

Brooke Jude

TBA

( 2 credits)