11390 |
BIO 114 Biology of Non-infectious Disease |
John Ferguson Lab: |
. . W . F M . . . . |
1:30 - 3:30 pm 1:30 - 4:30 pm |
RKC 102 RKC 112 |
SCI |
While both morbidity and mortality from infectious
disease declined steadily during the 20th century in developed nations, they
remained constant for noninfectious diseases. Students examine the reasons for
this failure to deal more effectively with these conditions as they study
various specific diseases. Examples include inherited diseases such as
sickle-cell anemia, Huntington's disease, and cystic fibrosis; endocrine
disorders such as acromegaly; nutrional disorders such as vitamin and mineral
deficiencies; therapeutic drug addiction and toxicities; various poisonings
such as plant intoxications and rattlesnake envenomation; cardiovascular
diseases such as myocardial infarctions and cerebrovascular accidents;
neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease;
allergies; and autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis, multiple
sclerosis, and diabetes mellitus. 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 focusing on 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 human physiology as it relates to
disease. Prerequisites: experience in high school biology and chemistry. Class size: 20
11391 |
BIO 142 Organismal Biology |
William Maple Lab A: Lab B: |
. . W . F . . . . F . . . Th . |
10:10 - 12:10 pm 1:30 - 3:30 pm 1:30 - 3:30 pm |
RKC 103 |
SCI |
Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies, Global & Int’l 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: passing score on Part I of the Mathematics Diagnostic. Class size: 40
11392 |
BIO 144 Biostatistics |
Philip Johns Lab: |
. T . . . . . . Th . |
3:10 - 6:00 pm 3:10 - 6:00 pm |
RKC 102 |
MATC |
Cross-listed:
Environmental & Urban Studies, Global & Int’l Studies This course introduces students to the statistical methods
biologists use to describe and compare data. Students will learn methods are
appropriate for different types of data. Topics covered include elementary
probability and statistics, characteristics of frequency distributions,
hypothesis testing, contingency tests, correlation and regression analysis,
different ways to compare means, nonparametric tests, and an introduction to
multivariate tests. This course is intended for sophomore and junior biology
majors, although it is open to students of all years. One objective of
the course is to provide biology majors the statistical background they need to
analyze data for their own senior research; biology students should take this
course before their senior year, if possible. Notice, though, that the topics
in this course are applicable to many advanced courses.
11393 |
BIO 147 Conservation Biology |
Cathy Collins Lab: |
. . W . F M . . . . |
10:10 - 11:30 am 1:30 - 4:30 pm |
RKC 102 RKC 114 |
SCI |
Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies 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: passing score on Part I of the
Mathematics Diagnostic, and experience in high school biology. Class size: 20
11394 |
BIO 151 From Genes to Traits |
Michael Tibbetts Lab: |
. . W . . . . . . F |
1:30 - 4:30 pm 1:30 - 4:30 pm |
RKC 111 RKC 112 |
SCI |
Cross-listed: Global &
Int’l Studies; Science, Technology & Society This course takes an introductory look
at the relationships between genetics, environment, and biochemistry. It is
intended for students with a strong interest in science and is appropriate for
biology majors. The course will begin with an examination of heredity in both
classical and modern molecular contexts. It will then focus on the
relationships between genes and proteins, and the complex biochemical
interactions that produce a phenotype. The course will culminate in a
discussion of the ways in which the environment interacts with multiple genes
to influence complex traits, for example schizophrenia, and the modern methods
applied to the problem of identifying the genetic components of these traits.
The laboratory will provide an opportunity to examine some of the principles
discussed in the lecture in more detail and to become acquainted with some of
the methodologies and instrumentation found in a modern biology
laboratory. Prerequisite: passing score
on Part I of the Mathematics Diagnostic, and experience in high school biology
and chemistry. Class size: 20
11395 |
BIO 201 Eukaryotic Genetics |
Michael Tibbetts |
M . . . . . . W . . |
9:30 - 11:30 am 8:30 - 11:30 am |
RKC 111/112 RKC 111/113 |
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. Prerequisite: One biology course at the 140 level or higher. Class size: 20
11396 |
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
11397 |
BIO 208 Biology Seminar |
Catherine O'Reilly |
. . . Th . |
11:50 - 1:10 pm |
RKC 103 |
|
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
11399 |
BIO 310 Prokaryotic & Viral Genetics |
John Ferguson Lab: |
. T . Th . . . . Th . |
8:30 - 10:30 am 1:30 - 6:00 pm |
RKC 102 RKC 112 |
|
This course considers biological inheritance in
prokaryotes (bacteria) and their viruses (bacteriophages). Lectures alternate
with student presentations of fundamental papers in chronological order. Topics
include mutagenesis and repair, plasmids, conjugation, transformation,
intemperate and temperate phages, transduction, transposition and nonhomologous
recombination, homologous
recombination, and the regulation of gene expression. Laboratory work provides
practical experience in the topics covered. Offered in alternate spring
semesters. Prerequisite: BIO 201, BIO 303, and CHEM 201-202. Class size: 20
11398 |
BIO 313 Animal Behavior |
Philip Johns Lab: |
M . W . . M . . . . |
1:30 - 2:50 pm 8:30 - 11:30 am |
RKC 115 RKC 114 |
SCI |
Cross
listed: Cognitive Science The aim of this course is to examine animal
behavior from a biological, and especially an evolutionary, point of view. Students will explore the causes and
consequences of behaviors such as: foraging and predation; migration;
anti-predator behaviors; and social behaviors such as communication; mating
behavior; cooperation; and altruism.
Students will be exposed to a mix of lecture and discussion of the
recent primary literature. Students will lead some of the discussions. One major aim of the course is for students
to become familiar with the methodology of animal behavior, and students must
participate in at least one major field trip.
Students will design and carry out their own animal behavior research
over the course of the semester. This
course is intended for advanced biology majors. Biology 201 and 202 are
required; Biostatistics and Advanced Evolution are both useful to this course
but not required. Please ask the
instructor if you have any questions about your eligibility. Class
size: 12
11660 |
BIO 412 Ecosystems Ecology/ Biogeochemistry |
Catherine O’Reilly |
. T . Th . |
8:30 - 9:50 am |
RKC 115 |
SCI |
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 food web interactions) and geological processes (like
rock weathering) influence nutrient availability and long-term climate. With
this understanding, we will also investigate how various human activities are
affecting these cycles and the implications for these impacts. Prerequisites:
Chemistry 142 and two Biology courses, at least one at the 200 level. Class size: 15
11401 |
BIO 415 Advanced
Seminar in Community Ecology |
Cathy Collins |
. . . Th . |
1:30 - 3:30 pm |
RKC 115 |
SCI |
2 credits What is an ecological niche? How do niches influence
the outcome of species interactions and ultimately, community diversity? The
concept of niche has been a cornerstone of ecological thought, as well as a
focal point of controversy among ecologists seeking to understand how
communities are assembled in nature. Using the niche as our conceptual thread,
we will explore the role that species interactions, species traits, and
evolutionary history play in determining composition and diversity of
communities. In this weekly seminar, we will read both classic and recent
papers from the primary literature, exploring the many different approaches
ecologists have taken in their quest to understand how species coexist. Class
size: 15
11400 |
BIO 419 Stem Cells |
Craig Jude |
M . . . . |
3:10 - 5:10 pm |
RKC 200 |
|
2 credits Stem cells are one of the centers of controversy for
the scientific world. Stem cells range from adult stem cells that can
only normally repopulate a limited subset of cell types, to embryonic stem
cells, which give rise to all the cells of the adult organism. We will
discuss the biology of the various types of stem cells and investigate their
possible implications in treatment of disease as well delve into the ethical
concerns about the use of stem cells. The class will center around
analysis of the current primary literature, as well as examine the classical
literature that founded the field. Class size: 15