Course |
BIO 132 Circadian Rhythms |
|
Professor |
Karla Marz |
|
CRN |
18111 |
|
Schedule |
Mon
Wed 1:30 -2:50 pm RKC 111 LAB: Tu
1:30 -4:30 pm RKC 112 |
|
Distribution |
Laboratory Science |
Why do some flowers
open at the same time each day, and how do bees consistently arrive just
minutes before? Why does jet lag often
feel worse the second or third day?
What are possible consequences of the shift from our days being an “echo
of the sun” to living in a “24/7” society?
Intended for nonscientists, this course examines the timekeeping
mechanisms of organisms including fungi, plants, insects, and vertebrates. A significant amount of time will be spent
on human circadian biology, such as mutations that alter sleeping patterns,
health effects of jet lag and shift work, and the promise of chronotherapy in
the treatment of cancer. Laboratory
experiments will include analysis of circadian rhythm properties and the cellular/molecular
underpinnings of clock mechanisms. No
specific science or mathematics background beyond algebra is required. On-line registration
Course |
BIO 141 Subcellular Biology |
|
Professor |
John Ferguson |
|
CRN |
18112 |
|
Schedule |
Wed
Fr 10:30 - 12:30 pm RKC 103 LAB:
Th 1:00 -4:00 pm RKC 112 |
|
Distribution |
Laboratory Science |
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.
Course |
BIO 142 Organismal Biology |
|
Professor |
William Maple |
|
CRN |
18113 |
|
Schedule |
Wed
Fr 10:30 - 12:30 pm RKC 115 LAB: Fr
1:00 -4:00 pm RKC 114 |
|
Distribution |
Laboratory Science |
Cross-listed: Environmental Studies
An introduction to organismal biology and ecology,
primarily for those who intend to continue in biology; also open to interested students
not majoring in science. Topics include population genetics, evolution,
vertebrate embryology and anatomy, and animal phylogeny, taxonomy, and ecology.
Biology 142 may be taken before Biology 141, if necessary. Students majoring in
biology are strongly encouraged to enroll in Chemistry 142 concurrently. Prerequisite:
eligibility for Q courses. On-line
registration
Course |
BIO 144 Biostatistics |
|
Professor |
Philip Johns |
|
CRN |
18114 |
|
Schedule |
Mon
Wed Fr 1:30 -2:20 pm RKC 102 |
|
Distribution |
Mathematics and
Computing |
Cross-listed:
Environmental Studies
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. On-line registration
Course |
BIO 202 Ecology and Evolution |
|
Professor |
Felicia Keesing |
|
CRN |
18115 |
|
Schedule |
Mon 10:30 – 12:30 pm RKC 111 / 112 Wed 9:30 - 12:30 pm RKC 111 / 112 |
|
Distribution |
Laboratory Science |
Cross-listed:
Environmental 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.
Offered every spring. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Eukaryotic Genetics (Biology 201). On-line
registration
Course |
BIO 302 Molecular Biology |
|
Professor |
Karla Marz |
|
CRN |
18117 |
|
Schedule |
Tu 9:30 - 12:30 pm RKC 115 Th 10:30 - 11:50 am RKC 115 |
|
Distribution |
Laboratory Science |
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. On-line registration
Course |
BIO 305 Comparative Anatomy |
|
Professor |
William Maple |
|
CRN |
18116 |
|
Schedule |
Wed 1:30 -4:00 pm RKC 114 / 115 Th 2:30 -3:50 pm RKC 114 / 115 |
|
Distribution |
Laboratory Science |
Cross-listed:
Cognitive Science
This dissection-intensive course is a comparison of
the development, evolution and function of the major anatomical features of vertebrates
from fish to mammals. We will dissect preserved sharks, amphibians and cats.
Independent work in addition to the scheduled labs is expected. We will also
compare some of the older and more recent primary literature dealing with
Chordate morphology. Students are expected to supply their own tools.
Prerequisites: Biology 141 & 142, or equivalent;
Upper College Standing or permission of the instructor. On-line registration
Course |
BIO 309 Animal Behavior |
|
Professor |
Philip Johns |
|
CRN |
18119 |
|
Schedule |
Tu
Th 1:00 -2:20 pm RKC 115 LAB: Mon
9:30 - 12:30 pm RKC 114 |
|
Distribution |
Laboratory Science |
Cross-listed:
Cognitive Science; Environmental Studies
The aim of this course is examining the biology of animal
behavior. Although we will look at some
proximate mechanisms, the course focuses on the evolutionary and ecological
causes and consequences of animal behavior.
The course relies heavily on reading primary literature, laboratory, and
independent projects. We will have
infrequent weekend field trips. Prerequisites:
Bio 201 & Bio 202. On-line registration
Course |
BIO 312 Biogeochemical Cycles |
|
Professor |
Catherine O'Reilly |
|
CRN |
18118 |
|
Schedule |
Mon
Wed 9:00 - 10:20 am RKC 115 |
|
Distribution |
Laboratory Science |
Our planet is basically a closed system, and cycles
of certain elements dictate life-determining processes. The nitrogen,
phosphorus, and carbon cycles are of particular interest in understanding patterns
of life on earth. At different time scales, geological, biological, and
chemical processes all play important roles mediating the availability of these
nutrients. We will examine how interactions between biological processes (like
primary productivity) and geological processes (like rock weathering) influence
nutrient availability and long-term climate. With this understanding, we will
investigate how various human activities such as agriculture and energy
consumption are affecting these cycles and the implications for these impacts. Prerequisites:
Chemistry 142 and two Biology courses, at least one at the 200 level. On-line registration
Course |
BIO 407 Diabetes Mellitus |
|
Professor |
John Ferguson |
|
CRN |
18120 |
|
Schedule |
Wed 2:20 -4:20 pm RKC 200 |
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; senior status; permission of the
instructor. On-line
registration
Course |
BIO 415 Advanced Seminar in Ecology |
|
Professor |
Catherine O'Reilly |
|
CRN |
18121 |
|
Schedule |
Mon 1:00 -4:00 pm RKC 200 |
|
Distribution |
N/A |
Cross-listed:
Environmental Studies
This course
familiarizes the student with the newly emerging science of restoration
ecology, including its theoretical foundation and its application in today's
world. The course will include a review of the conceptual bases of restoration
ecology (including succession, recruitment, plant/animal interactions, and
landscape scale phenomena). It will also address particular operational
problems in restoration (genetics, hydrological regimes, physical barriers,
exotic species, fire, and grazing). The first part of the course concerns case
studies and the second part of the course, in seminar format, concerns recently
published studies found in the peer-reviewed literature. We will also do a
class project designing and executing a restoration plan for a location on
campus.
Course |
BIO IND 199 –299- 399 Independent Study |
|
Professor |
Philip Johns |
|
CRN |
18122 |
|
Schedule |
See
Professor Johns |
This course provides motivated students the opportunity
to work on projects relating to a faculty member’s research interests in an
apprenticeship model where the degree of independence is determined by the
students experience and comfort in a research setting. Each student, in consultation with the
instructor, designs a research project appropriate for their experience-level
and relating to the instructor’s research.
Students are expected to invest a minimum of ten hours a week on the
project and to attend weekly meetings where the project, or literature relating
to the project, is discussed. The
course will be graded pass/fail and the grade will be based upon effort and
growth in research as well as periodic reviews of the laboratory notebook and a
final project report. Prerequisites:
permission of the instructor.
Registration is limited to 3 students.
On-line
registration
Course |
BIO IND 199 –299 -399 Independent Study |
|
Professor |
Felicia Keesing |
|
CRN |
18123 |
|
Schedule |
See
Professor Keesing |
This course provides motivated students the opportunity
to work on projects relating to a faculty member’s research interests in an
apprenticeship model where the degree of independence is determined by the
students experience and comfort in a research setting. Each student, in consultation with the
instructor, designs a research project appropriate for their experience-level
and relating to the instructor’s research.
Students are expected to invest a minimum of ten hours a week on the
project and to attend weekly meetings where the project, or literature relating
to the project, is discussed. The
course will be graded pass/fail and the grade will be based upon effort and
growth in research as well as periodic reviews of the laboratory notebook and a
final project report. Prerequisites:
permission of the instructor.
Registration is limited to 3 students.
On-line
registration