91186

BIO 127   Introduction to the Insects

Philip Johns

                   Lab:

M . W . .

M . . . .

1:30 -2:50 pm

8:30 - 11:30 am

RKC 115

RKC 114

SCI

In this course, students will use insects and other arthropods to explore biological topics.  These topics will range from how bugs are put together, to how bugs reproduce and grow, to how bugs interact with their biological environment to do things like find food, catch prey, avoid predators, and compete for mates.  Along the way we will also discuss how insects contribute to our understanding of broader topics, such as genetics, evolution, and disease.  The course includes a laboratory and one weekend field trip. Prerequisite:  passing score on Part I of the Mathematics Diagnostic, and experience in high school biology and chemistry. Class size: 24

 

91188

BIO 141   Subcellular Biology

John Ferguson

. . W . F

. . . . F

10:10 - 12:10 pm

1:30 -6:00 pm

RKC 101

RKC 112

SCI

Cross-listed: Global & Int’l Studies  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: passing score on Part I of the Mathematics Diagnostic, and experience in high school biology and chemistry.  Class size: 20

 

91828

91845

BIO 149   Symbiosis: From Cells

to Communities

Kristin Hultgren

                       Lab A:

                       Lab B:

. R . Th .

M . . . .

. . W . .

8:30 – 9:50 am

1:30 - 4:30 pm

1:30 - 4:30 pm

RKC 115

RKC 114

RKC 114

SCI

Symbiosis, defined in the broadest sense, describes a close physical association between two different species, often benefiting one or both members of the relationship.  In this course we will explore topics in introductory biology, focusing on how different types of symbiotic relationships – parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism—have factored in the evolution, ecology, and biodiversity of life on earth.  We will study symbiotic relationships at several different scales of biological organization: cells, individuals, populations, and ecological communities.  The laboratory is designed to introduce students to different tools and methodologies used in the study of biology.  This course is intended for students with a strong high school biology background.

 

91191

BIO 201   Eukaryotic Genetics

Michael Tibbetts

M . . . .

. . W . .

9:30 - 11:30 am

8:30 - 11:30 am

RKC 111/112

SCI

Cross-listed:  Cognitive Science, Global & Int’l Studies   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.  . This is a writing intensive course. Regular short writing assignments will be required, along with two 10-page essays (see below). We will meet for weekly hour-long writing labs. General goals are to help with the development, composition, organization, and revision of analytical and exploratory prose; the use of evidence to support an argument; strategies of interpretation and analysis of texts. Students will be responsible for their mechanics of grammar and documentation.  Prerequisite: One biology course at the 140 level or higher. Class size: 20

 

91192

BIO 202   Ecology and Evolution

Felicia Keesing

. . W . .

. . . . F

 8:30 - 11:30 am

 9:30 - 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. Class size: 20

 

91193

BIO 208   Biology Seminar

John Ferguson /Michael Tibbetts / Felicia Keesing

. . . Th .

12:00 -1:00 pm

RKC 103

N/A

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

Class size: 60

 

91469

BIO/PSY 223   Social Neuroscience

Sarah Ketay

. T . Th .

11:50 -1:10 pm

HEG 102

SSCI

See Psychology section for description.

 

91194

BIO 303   Microbiology

Brooke Jude

                     Lab:

. . W . F

. . . Th .

10:10 - 11:30 am

1:30 -4:30 pm

RKC 103

RKC 112

SCI

The biology and ecology of the prokaryotes and the viruses.  Every attempt is made to organize the diversity of the prokaryotes into a modern phylogenetic context based on the latest results of molecular evolutionary analyses.  The first portion of the course deals with prokaryotic cell biology and growth, the second with plant viruses, viroids, bacteriophages, animal viruses, and prions, and the third with the diversity of the prokaryotes, ranging from the Archaea through both pathogenic and nonpathogenic Bacteria. Laboratory work provides practical experience in dealing with prokaryotes and bacteriophages. This course is appropriate for both those interested in a career in the health professions and those interested in ecology. Offered in alternate fall semesters; this course is a prerequisite for Biology 310.  Prerequisites: Biology 141-142, Chemistry 141-142; Chemistry 201-202 is recommended concurrently. Class size: 16

 

91195

BIO 304   Cell Biology

Michael Tibbetts

. T . Th .

. T . . .

3:10 -4:30 pm

8:30 - 11:30 am

RKC 111

RKC 112

SCI

This course examines the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in processes relating to eukaryotic cellular organization, communication, movement, reproduction, and death. These topics are considered through close reading of the primary and secondary literatures.  Discussions of review articles on particular topics precede in-depth discussions of one or more research articles in those areas. The literature is read with the objective of understanding the current models describing cellular processes, as well as the experimental rationale and the modern techniques used to probe fundamental cellular mechanisms and test the models. The laboratory consists of a semester-long project in which a cellular process is investigated. Offered in alternate spring semesters. Prerequisites: Biology 201-202, and Chemistry 201-202. Class size: 16

 

91855

BIO 313   Forest Ecology

Eric Keeling

                     Lab:

M . W . .

. . . . F

4:40 – 6:00 pm

1:30 – 6:00 pm

RKC 102

RKC 114

SCI

This course will examine the composition, function, biodiversity, and dynamics of forests as ecological systems.  We will investigate the abiotic and biotic factors that determine the distribution and interactions of species within forests, the dynamics of forest communities over time, and important ecosystem processes such as the cycling of carbon, water, and nutrients.  Using local forests as study systems, students will acquire skills in field measurements, methods, observations and data analysis and learn how to integrate ecological theory with discoveries and observations made in the field.  We will use this ecological foundation to build an understanding of factors affecting the diversity of forest communities across regional and continental scales and examine the role of forests in the global ecosystem including the importance of forests to human societies. Prerequisite: moderated biology student and permission of the instructor.

 

91222

BIO 403   Behavioral Genetics

Philip Johns

. . . . F

1:30 -3:30 pm

RKC 200

SCI

2 credits  Our ability to study genetic influences on traits is growing at a dizzying rate. The aim of this seminar is to review recent genetic literature as it applies to behavioral traits, emphasizing the use of recent genomic technology in studying behaviors. Although the focus of this course will be on natural behaviors, often in non-model animal systems, we will also review studies of model organisms and humans. Topics will include:  classic studies of behavioral genetics; gene-environment interactions as they apply to behavior; behavioral development; genetic architecture and behavior; the genetics of social behaviors including aggression, cooperation, and sexual behaviors; genetic influences on communication and language.  As a class, students will analyze genomic datasets to better understand the pertinent literature. This research seminar is intended for upper level biology majors, although it may be of interest to other students.  Students must have completed a 200-level genetics course, or have the permission of the instructor.  Evolution (BIO 315), Animal Behavior (BIO 313), or Biostatistics (BIO144) would benefit students in this course, although they are not required. Class size: 15

 

91196

BIO 407   Diabetes Mellitus

John Ferguson

M . . . .

3:10 -5:10 pm

RKC 200

SCI

Cross-listed: Global & Int’l Studies   2 credits  (senior seminar) The seminar considers the biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, and physiology of a well known disease. Readings will be largely in the primary literature, ranging from works by Arataeus the Cappadocian (A.D. 200), William Prout (1840), and Claude Bernard (1877) through descriptions of the latest developments in the field. The course is designed to provide a historical perspective on the development of current notions of the disease and to provide an opportunity for seniors to apply their knowledge of many subdisciplines of biology to a single problem.  Prerequisites: extensive course work in molecular biology, cellular, and organismal biology;  upper college status; permission of the instructor. Class size: 15

 

91856

BIO 413   Developmental Genetics

Marilena Papaioannou,

Bridget Arduini

Ismail Ismailoglu

. . . . F

4:40 – 7:40 pm

RKC 200

SCI

Multicellular organisms gradually develop through a process of progressive morphological and molecular changes, encompassing cellular growth, differentiation, movement and communication. These are all complex tasks an embryo has to undertake in order to develop into a fully functional organism, and as such, are under strict mechanisms of genetic control. In the context of this course, students will be introduced to these mechanisms and will examine in detail a number of fundamental concepts of development, such as cell fate specification, plasticity and commitment, tissue organization through the establishment of morphogen gradients, stochasticity and determination, as well as transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms of control. The teaching of the basic concepts will be reinforced through the discussion of classic and recent research articles. At the end of the semester, students will be asked to write a mock grant essay in which they will propose an experimental approach addressing a biological hypothesis of their choice.  Prerequisite: moderated biology student and permission of the instructor.

 

91197

BIO 415   Ecology of Infectious Diseases

Felicia Keesing

M . . . .

9:30 - 11:30 am

RKC 200

SCI

Cross-listed:  Environmental & Urban Studies; Global & Int’l Studies     2 credits  In this course, we will begin by introducing ourselves to some of the major ideas and terms in the ecology of infectious diseases. Then we will read a range of selections from the current literature. We will cover a diversity of topics, from conservation of endangered species to the control of smallpox introductions in human populations.   Class size: 15