91141

91141

BIO 123 Sex and Gender

Felicia Keesing

. T . . .

. . . Th .

1:30 -4:30 pm

1:30 -3:30 pm

RKC 114/115

SCI

Cross-listed: Gender and Sexuality Studies, STS Why are there so many differences in the social behaviors of men and women? Why are there two sexes? Why do women get depressed more often than men but commit suicide less often? Why are women, on average, shorter than men? Why do they live longer? Students in this course, intended for nonscientists, examine the biological bases of sex and gender. They consider evidence for hypotheses that attempt to explain differences in behavior between males and females, including data from behavioral studies on both humans and other animals. The genetic and hormonal determinants of sex and gender are investigated, and the arguments for how and why sex evolved in the first place are considered, especially in light of the strong evolutionary advantages of self-cloning. No specific science or mathematics background beyond algebra is required.

91142

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.

91143

BIO 141 Subcellular Biology

John Ferguson

Lab:

. . W . F

. . . . F

10:10 - 12:10 pm

1:30 -6:00 pm

RKC 101

RKC 112

SCI

Cross-listed: GIS In this course students will investigate ways in which fundamental principles of ecology, evolution, and genetics can be applied toward conserving biodiversity. First, we will explore global patterns of biodiversity, focusing on current threats to diversity and the ecosystem consequences of species extinctions. We will also examine the importance of maintaining genetic diversity within and among populations, and the genetic consequences of small populations, such as inbreeding depression. Finally, we will study population dynamics and species interactions and, ultimately, synthesize our knowledge from genes to ecosystems as we evaluate potential solutions for meeting conservation challenges. Labs will provide opportunities to use the tools and research approaches that ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and systematists use for solving practical problems in conservation biology. (Prerequisite: successful completion of Q exam, and experience in high school biology)

91144

BIO 144 Biostatistics

Cathy Collins

Lab:

. T . . .

. . . Th .

3:10 -6:00 pm

RKC 102

MATC

Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies, GIS This course focuses on the statistical concepts and tools biologists regularly use to analyze, evaluate, and interpret data. Topics include the basics of experimental design, probability theory, descriptive and inferential statistics, and graphical representation of data. We will apply these tools to real biological data sets and see how other researchers have done the same. Prerequisite: eligibility for Q courses and at least one introductory biology course.

91532

BIO 146 Earth and Life thru Time

Catherine O’Reilly

Lab A:

Lab B:

. T . Th .

. T . . .

. . . Th .

1:30 -2:50 pm

8:30 – 11:30 am

RKC 103

RKC 112

SCI

Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies The course provides an introduction to our dynamic earth on its true timescale. We will examine physical processes operating on the earth and how it has changed since its formation. This includes longer time scale processes like climate change and glaciation as well as hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and meteorite impacts. We will weave in the beginning of life, its consequences for the earth, evolution, and extinction. Labs will involve field trips to local sites of geologic interest. Prerequisite: eligibility for Q courses.

91799

BIO 147 Conservation Biology

Cathy Collins

Lab:

. . W. F

. . . . F

3:10 – 4:30 pm

8:30 – 11:30 am

RKC 115

RKC 112

SCI

In this course students will investigate ways in which fundamental principles of ecology, evolution, and genetics can be applied toward conserving biodiversity. First, we will explore global patterns of biodiversity, focusing on current threats to diversity and the ecosystem consequences of species extinctions. We will also examine the importance of maintaining genetic diversity within and among populations, and the genetic consequences of small populations, such as inbreeding depression. Finally, we will study population dynamics and species interactions and, ultimately, synthesize our knowledge from genes to ecosystems as we evaluate potential solutions for meeting conservation challenges. Labs will provide opportunities to use the tools and research approaches that ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and systematists use for solving practical problems in conservation biology. (Prerequisite: successful completion of Q exam, and experience in high school biology)

91147

BIO 201 Eukaryotic Genetics

Michael Tibbetts

M . W . .

8:30 - 11:30 am

RKC 111/112

SCI

Cross-listed: Cognitive Science, GIS 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. Prerequisite: One biology course at the 140 level or higher.

91148

BIO 202 Ecology and Evolution

Catherine O'Reilly

. . W . F

8:30 - 11:30 am

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.

91149

BIO 206 Botany

William Maple

Lab:

. T . Th .

. T . . .

1:30 -2:50 pm

8:30 - 11:30 am

RKC 111

RKC 114

SCI

Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies This course consists of lectures, labs, and frequent field trips. The first part of the course surveys the plant kingdom and focuses on anatomy, histology, and physiology, with an emphasis on form, function, and adaptation. The last third of the semester covers local flora, taxonomy, and plant ecology. Prerequisites: Biology 141-142, Chemistry 141-142 or permission of the instructor.

91150

BIO 208 Biology Seminar

Felicia Keesing

. . . Th .

11:50 -1:10 pm

RKC 103

SCI

1 credit This 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 all biology majors and other interested students.

91151

BIO 212 Ecology of Hudson River

David Strayer

. . . . F

1:30 -4:30 pm

RKC 200

Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies 2 credits An overview of the ecology of the Hudson River estuary, based on readings and directed discussions. Topics to be covered include the origin and morphology of the river channel; origins and fates of water, nutrients, and sediments in the estuary; characteristics of biological populations and the food web; major human impacts on the ecosystem; and comparisons with other aquatic ecosystems. Prerequisite: college-level biology or permission of the instructor.

91152

BIO 301 Biochemistry

John Ferguson

Lab:

. T . Th .

M . . . .

8:30 - 10:30 am

1:30 -6:00 pm

RKC 111

RKC 112

SCI

Cross-listed: Cognitive Science An introduction to general biochemistry, including protein structure, enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, coenzymes, thermodynamics, central metabolic pathways, biological membranes, DNA structure and replication, and ribosomal translation. An emphasis is placed on integrating knowledge of fundamental organic chemistry into a biological context. Laboratory work provides practical experience in the topics covered. Offered in alternate fall semesters. Prerequisites: Biology 141, Chemistry 201-202.

91533

BIO 302 Molecular Biology

Michael Tibbetts

Lab:

. . W . F

. T . . . .

1:30 – 2:50 pm

1:30 -6:00 pm

RKC 115

RKC 112

SCI

Cross-listed: Cognitive Science This course explores molecular aspects of gene expression in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Topics include DNA structure, replication, and repair; DNA transcription; RNA structure and processing; and polypeptide synthesis. The course also covers various mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression. Emphasis is placed on a review of the current literature and the experimental approaches used in modern molecular biological research. The laboratory provides practical experience in such current techniques used in molecular biology as molecular cloning, restriction enzyme mapping, DNA sequencing, and nucleic acid hybridization. Prerequisites: Biology 201, Chemistry 201‑202.

91153

BIO 405 Immunology

Craig Jude

. . . . F

3:10 -4:30 pm

RKC 102

Cross-listed: GIS 2 credits This course is an introduction to immunology. Basic concepts will be taught from a historical perspective to their present understanding. Special relevance will be given to the current unanswered questions of the field and their implications. The second part of this course is aimed at learning how to read a scientific article. For this we will discuss laboratory techniques, we will read and comment on papers in class, and groups of two students will present additional papers in the following classes. Finally we will take a look at uses of immunology concepts from alternative perspectives other than medical and basic research applications. This course is appropriate for students who have a biology background and want to gain a basic understanding of the field and its applications.

91154

BIO 415 Advanced Seminar in Ecology

Michelle Hersh

M . . . .

10:10 - 12:10 pm

RKC 101

SCI

2 credits From gut flora of animals to fungi living in tree roots, symbioses are important and widespread throughout the natural world. We can broadly define symbiosis as different species living together in a close association of any nature, from mutualism to parasitism. In this weekly seminar, we will explore how symbioses are developed, maintained, and broken down, and consider the scientific challenges to understanding the function of such associations. We will read and discuss papers from the primary literature exploring a broad range of taxonomic groups, with a special emphasis on microbial symbiosis (involving fungi or bacteria).

91155

BIO IND CO Independent Research

Catherine O’Reilly

TBA

N/A

2 credits

91156

BIO IND Independent Research

TBA

M . . . .

1:30-2:50 pm

TBA

N/A

2 credits