Course: |
BIO 119 Often Awesome: The Science and Humanity of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS) |
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Professor: |
Craig Jude |
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CRN: |
90054 |
Schedule: |
Tue Thurs
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Reem
Kayden Center 111/112 |
Distributional Area: |
LS Laboratory Science |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
This course, intended for students not planning to major in biology, will
examine the science behind Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), following the
journey of one man from diagnosis through death, as told through his own words
and those of his loved ones. The class will delve into the science behind his
journey, examining topics that come to light along the way including genetic
testing, opportunistic infections, and examining the nervous system. The laboratory portion of the class will
examine topics relating to ALS, its causes and complications including, nerve
conduction, DNA profiling, and adaptive technologies. Students will read
primary and secondary literature, as well as works about ALS for general
audiences. Students will produce writing including response journals and
summaries of current research, as well as develop questions about what future
research will be beneficial towards treatments and possible cures.
Course: |
BIO 136 Natural History of the Hudson Valley |
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Professor: |
Patricia Kaishian |
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CRN: |
90943 |
Schedule: |
Tue 2:00 PM - 5:00
PM Reem Kayden Center 114 Tue Thurs 10:20 AM - 11:40 AM Reem Kayden Center 115 |
Distributional Area: |
LS Laboratory Science |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
This
course is appropriate for non-majors and interested biology majors, but does
not fulfill 100-level curricular requirements for majors. It is designed to
train students in the field, lab and museum skills of natural historians and to
teach them how to identify plants and animals of the Hudson Valley, both in the
wild and in the lab. The lecture portion of the class will introduce students
to concepts in systematics and taxonomy, the history of natural history, the
value of natural history to science, and how citizen science is exploiting
crowdsourcing of natural history data. The laboratory portion of the
course will focus on teaching students how to identify plants, birds,
amphibians, aquatic and terrestrial insects, and fish. Students will learn how
to use binoculars, dissecting scopes, traps, nets and other tools to visualize
or capture specimens, and use field guides, phone apps, dichotomous keys and
other resources to identify them. Field trips will take place on campus, in the
Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area, and at several off campus locations
throughout the Hudson Valley where students will practice their identification
skills, collect specimens, and interact with naturalists from outside the Bard
community. Students will build and curate their own insect and plant
collections that will be added to Bard’s existing collections, use natural
history information to answer some basic questions about the distribution and
abundance of a species they choose, and as a final project they will create a
natural history guide for a focal taxonomic group of their choice.
Course: |
BIO 137 Microbes and Me: How microscopic
organisms shape our lives |
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Professor: |
Robert Todd |
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CRN: |
90913 |
Schedule: |
Mon Wed 2:00 PM - 3:20 PM Reem Kayden Center 103 Fri 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Reem
Kayden Center 114/115 |
Distributional Area: |
LS Laboratory Science |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
This
course, designed for students not planning on majoring in biology, will explore
the close, often complex, relationships between humans and microscopic
organisms. With a primary focus on viruses, bacteria, and fungi, we will use
readings and discussions to delve into topics of microbial diversity, public
health, and infectious disease. During the laboratory portion of this course,
we will dive deeper into understanding how we as a species use microbes to our
own benefit, and what happens when normally benign microbes become pathogenic
and start to cause disease by using both laboratory experiments and publicly
available datasets generated from cutting-edge research.
Course: |
BIO 158 Case Studies in Medical Biology |
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Professor: |
Brooke Jude |
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CRN: |
90055 |
Schedule: |
Mon Wed 2:00 PM - 5:00
PM Reem Kayden Center 111/112 |
Distributional Area: |
LS Laboratory Science |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
Cross-listed: Global Public Health
To fully understand the major systems of the human body, in the context of
both healthy and diseased state, one must examine aspects of the biological, chemical,
and physical properties contributing to their function. This course will
utilize MCAT style questions and case studies as a platform to learn scientific
theories and principles in basic biology, genetics, molecular biology,
biochemistry, physiology and other sub disciplines. In laboratories, students
will gain hands on experience in testing these principles. Additionally, students will practice
evaluating evidence, interpreting and presenting data, and various ways of
science communication. This course is intended as both the entry to the biology
major as well as an introductory biology course for students intending on
applying to medical/dental/veterinary school post-graduation. Prerequisites:
students must have taken high school biology and chemistry, and passed the
Mathematics Placement exam. This course is only open to incoming first year
students.
Course: |
BIO 168 Experimental Ecology of Lakes, Rivers,
and Shores |
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Professor: |
Kat Anderson |
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CRN: |
90914 |
Schedule: |
Mon 2:00 PM - 5:00
PM Reem Kayden Center 114/115 Tue Thurs 8:30 AM - 9:50 AM Reem Kayden Center 114/115 |
Distributional Area: |
LS Laboratory Science |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
Freshwater and marine ecosystems are essential sources of
food, resources, and cultural heritage the world over. Up to 80% of global
oxygen is produced in the ocean and while freshwater ecosystems account for
less than 0.8 % of the worlds surface area, they are home to an estimated 8% of
all described species. This course, appropriate for potential biology majors,
focuses on the mechanisms that determine and maintain the diversity and
productivity of these important ecosystems. Students will use careful
observation, critical review of the primary literature, and the conducting of
original research to understand how life in an aquatic environment differs from
life on land. Field work will focus on building strategies for exploring a new
ecosystem, while lab work will focus on essential techniques for conducting
experiments in aquatic systems. In addition to gaining a better understanding
of how aquatic ecosystems work, student will be introduced to the fundamentals
for experimental design and hypothesis testing, and data interpretation, as
well as multiple methods of traditional and non-traditional scientific
communication.
Course: |
BIO 201 Genetics and Evolution |
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Professor: |
Michael Tibbetts |
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CRN: |
90057 |
Schedule: |
Mon Wed 8:30 AM - 11:30
AM Reem Kayden Center 111/112 |
Distributional Area: |
LS Laboratory Science |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
Cross-listed: Global Public Health; Mind, Brain, Behavior
This course is an introduction to the mechanisms of inheritance and the generation
of diversity in eukaryotic and prokaryotic 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 several projects
focused on genetics of distinct model systems to address one or more topics in
the course. Prerequisite: One biology
course at the 140 level or higher.
Course: |
BIO 202 Ecology and Evolution |
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Professor: |
Felicia Keesing |
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CRN: |
90058 |
Schedule: |
Wed Fri 8:30 AM - 11:30
AM Reem Kayden Center 114/115 |
Distributional Area: |
LS Laboratory Science |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies
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: Successful
completion of a course in biology numbered 140 or above.
Course: |
BIO 208 BioSeminar |
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Professor: |
Felicia Keesing |
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CRN: |
90059 |
Schedule: |
Thurs 12:10 PM - 1:10
PM Reem Kayden Center 103 |
Distributional Area: |
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Class cap: |
55 |
Credits: |
1 |
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.
Course: |
BIO 244 Biostatistics |
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Professor: |
Kat Anderson |
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CRN: |
90060 |
Schedule: |
Tue Thurs
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Reem
Kayden Center 115 |
Distributional Area: |
MC Mathematics and Computing |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies; Global Public Health;
Mathematics
Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies; Global Public Health;
Mathematics.
This course introduces students to the statistical methods biologists use
to describe and compare data. Students will learn methods that 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.
Prerequisite: passing score on part I of the Mathematics Placement and at least
one introductory biology course.
Course: |
BIO 308 Plant Ecology |
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Professor: |
Cathy Collins |
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CRN: |
90529 |
Schedule: |
Wed 9:20 AM - 11:40
AM Reem Kayden Center 102 Fri 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Reem Kayden Center 111/112 |
Distributional Area: |
LS Laboratory Science |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
In this
course we will study plant populations and communities through the lens of key species
interactions such as herbivory, completion, pollination, plant-fungal
mutualisms, and plant-pathogen interactions.
We will also explore the ways in which species diversity is generated
and maintained at local and landscape spatial scales, and how plant community
ecology theory can be applied to habitat restoration. Course discussions and writing assignments
will focus on primary literature. The laboratory component of this course may
include excursions to different plant communities in the Hudson Valley,
allowing students to become familiar with local flora, as well as conduct
observational studies and experiments. We will also make use of publicly
available long-term data to address questions at landscape (or global) scales
and develop skills for analyzing large data sets. Prerequisite: upper college
standing in Biology, completion of biostatistics helpful, but not required.
Course: |
BIO 324 Physiology |
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Professor: |
Michael Tibbetts |
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CRN: |
90061 |
Schedule: |
Mon Fri 12:10 PM - 1:30
PM Reem Kayden Center 111/112 Fri 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Reem Kayden Center 111/112 |
Distributional Area: |
LS Laboratory Science |
Class cap: |
16 |
Credits: |
4 |
How do animals work? What is inside them, and more importantly, how do all
those veins, membranes and tissues make it possible for animals to move, feel,
and reproduce? What are the reasons for all those things to be there, and how
are they different in different animals? Why do you have a spleen, and how can
a crane breathe through a neck that long? Do fishes need to drink, and do they
urinate? These are the kinds of questions we will tackle in this course,
comparing human physiology to that of other animals; discussing how lungs,
eyes, kidneys and intestines work, and putting it all in an evolutionary
perspective. Prerequisite: Upper college
standing in Biology.
Course: |
BIO 400 Seminar TBA |
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Professor: |
Patricia Kaishian |
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CRN: |
90061 |
Schedule: |
Thurs 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Reem Kayden
Center 200 |
Distributional Area: |
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Class cap: |
12 |
Credits: |
4 |
The most
recent estimate of extant fungal species is 2.2 to 3.8 million. Of the millions
of fungi estimated to exist, only ~138,000 species have been described.
With only ~ 6% of the lower estimation being known to science, the tasks of
discovery and description that remain are tremendous. Unlike many plant and
animal groups, fungi do not broadly enjoy the benefits of being well studied
and clearly understood. However, we do know that fungi fill in an extremely
broad and diverse range of niches in our ecosystems all over the
world. As parasites, commensalists, mutualists,
saprotrophs, pathogens, food sources, and more, fungi are ecosystem engineers.
In this seminar we will explore the vast ecological roles carried out by fungi
in the burgeoning field of fungal ecology. Students will become
familiar with foundational primary literature in fungal ecology. Students will synthesize concepts presented in the
literature by leading their peers through an in-depth discussion each week. Because
mycology is often overlooked or misunderstood both within scientific and public
spaces, students will also explore in depth a topic related to the
critical roles of fungi in the environment, culminating in a presentation
suitable for a public audience. Prerequisite: upper college standing in Biology
Course: |
BIO 432 Calderwood Seminar: Distilling Biotechnology |
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Professor: |
Brooke Jude |
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CRN: |
90063 |
Schedule: |
Tue 2:00 PM - 5:00
PM Reem Kayden Center 200 |
Distributional Area: |
|
Class cap: |
12 |
Credits: |
4 |
Tissue and organ generation, CRISPR genome editing, creation of synthetic
genomes and use of modified viruses to cure deadly disease are all current
biotechnological advances that only a few decades ago would have read as
science fiction. These technologies developed in the lab are quickly being
envisioned and applied to treating wicked problems, those that have no current
universal solution. However, with these technologies come a flip side to the
coin, a need for caution and care in designing experiments, evaluating data,
and even execution of the technology. Deep ethical concerns exist for these
technologies. This course will examine these 21st century realities, with a
critical eye to addressing the boundaries of ethics, and how these boundaries
may be tested by biotechnological innovations. Students will be required to
read current and cutting edge primary literature, as well as learn to gather
evidence for both sides of these arguments, using the scientific literature as
the base. The focus of the class will be on student generated writing, peer
review and editing, and clear communication with others. This course will
require weekly meeting of assignment deadlines, and constructive peer editing
in the production of many writing pieces pitched at a variety of audiences.
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing, moderation into biology, or
permission of the instructor. The Calderwood Seminars are intended primarily for
junior and senior majors in the field (or in some cases affiliated
fields--check with the faculty member if you are unsure). They are designed to
help students think about how to translate their discipline (e.g. art history,
biology, literature) to non-specialists through different forms of public
writing. Depending on the major, public writing might include policy papers,
book reviews, blog posts, exhibition catalog entries, grant reports, or
editorials. Students will be expected to write or edit one short piece of
writing per week.