Courses

Biology is the scientific study of living things. Therefore the major and minor in biology are designed to introduce students to the methodology of science while providing a broad exposure to the diversity of life at all levels. Students may also, through their choice of upper-level classes, explore specific areas of interest, such as cell and molecular biology, organismal biology, or ecology and evolutionary biology. In addition to its standard course offerings, the department offers numerous opportunities for collaborative research and learning with faculty. For example, internships and other research opportunities, both on and off-campus, are available during the January Winter Term and in the summer. Many students also spend a semester away from campus, either in an off-campus study program, such as the School for Field Studies, Denmark International Study, the School for International Training, or as an intern at such institutions as Oak Ridge or Argonne National Laboratories, Harvard Medical School, or the Mayo Clinic.

Course Catalog

Requirements for a major

Biology

Cellular and Molecular Biology

Environmental Biology

Requirements for a minor

Biology

Courses in Biology

Molecules, Genes and Cells

Includes laboratory. An introduction to genetics, cell biology and molecular biology. Students will examine topics in biological chemistry, cellular structure and function, metabolism and energy flow in cellular systems, Mendelian genetics, and the cell cycle.

Evolution, Organisms and Ecology

Includes laboratory. An introduction to the principles and practice of evolutionary biology, population genetics, and ecology. Students will examine topics in natural selection, the modern synthesis, speciation, phylogeny, primary productivity and ecological efficiency.

Human Biology

Includes laboratory. An entry level course that examines biological principles as they relate to the functioning of human body systems, and to advances in medical science (or just health) and biotechnology. May not be counted toward a major in biology.

Human Genetics

Includes laboratory. An entry level course examining basic principles of genetics, emphasizing human genetics, various disorders and their ethical and economic impact on society. May not be counted toward a major in biology.

Plants in Human Cultures

Includes laboratory. In this course, students will address the many ways that humans interact with the botanical world. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: the history and evolution of agricultural practices and crop plants, the botanical and chemical aspects of food and spice crops, genetic engineering of crops, traditional uses of medicinal plants in human cultures, modern searches for cures for human diseases using plant-derived chemicals, the effects of humans on the distribution of plant species and the evolutionary origins of such plant products as wood, cotton, oils, etc. May not be counted toward a major in biology.

Advanced Placement in Biology

Credit for students earning advanced placement in biology. Does not count toward the major in Biology.

Off-Campus Extended Studies Course

Winter or May Term off-campus study project related to a biological theme. May not be counted toward major

Topics

Selected topics in biology. May include laboratory depending on subject.

First-Year Seminar

A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of biology. Open only to first-year students. May not be counted toward major.

Human Anatomy

Includes laboratory. Examination of human structure as it relates to organ and body function and human adaptation to the environment. Laboratory: dissection of a mammal with reference to its comparison with the human. Prerequisite: one course in biology or KINS 100

Plant Biology

Includes laboratory. An introduction to the principles of plant biology. Topics covered include plant development and reproduction, responses to environmental variables, and applied uses. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor..

Evolutionary Developmental Biology

May include laboratory. In this course students will integrate ideas on organism form and function from the level of the gene to the fully functioning organism. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: the theories of Darwin and Von Baer, the role of natural genetic variation, developmental plasticity, evolutionary novelties, the genetic 'toolkit', the role of the environment in organismal development, and using cutting edge technology in research. Prerequisite: BIO 102.

Organismal Biology

Includes laboratory. With an emphasis on land plants and animals, this course provides an introduction to the evolution of the structure-function relationships that characterize these organisms. Topics covered include the evolution of adaptations associated with nutrition, internal transport, gas exchange, water and ion balance, growth, reproduction, development and integration of activities. Prerequisite: BIO 101 and BIO 102.

Intermediate Cellular Biology

Includes laboratory. This class focuses on the regulatory mechanisms governing cellular function. Topics will include: protein trafficking, vesicular transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, cell signaling mechanisms, cell cycle regulation, cell-cell and cell environment interactions, regulation of apoptosis, autophagy, stem cells and cell fate determination. The course will also introduce students to critical analysis of peer-reviewed literature. Prerequisite: BIO 101 or CHEM 240 (prior or concurrent).

Microbiology

Includes laboratory. A general overview of microbiology. Topics covered include microbial genetics, physiology, evolution and ecology, microbial techniques and the interplay between microbial life and the human environment. Prerequisites: BIO 101

Biodiversity

Includes laboratory. A diagnostic overview of major taxa within both prokaryotes and eukaryotes which includes phylogeny, systematics, defining attributes, and comparative life cycles. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor.

Topics

Selected topics in Biology. May or may not include a laboratory, depending on the subject. Prerequisite: one year of biology or permission of instructor.

Practicum for Biology Tutors

Development of tutoring and problem-solving skills in biology through readings, direct experience, reflection and discussion. Experience in tutoring/assisting of a biology course under direct supervision. Prerequisites: one year of Biology and permission of instructor. May be counted one time toward Biology majors.

Biochemistry and Cellular Biology

Includes laboratory. A study of the dynamic aspects of the structure, function and regulation of eukaryotic cells. The molecular nature of the gene and gene expression are examined. The intercellular functions that maintain cell viability and the coordination between cell in multicellular organisms are examined. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor.

Molecular Biology

Includes laboratory. This course presents advanced concepts of molecular biology with the experimental evidence and practice of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology. Lectures focus on explaining biological phenomena in molecular and biochemical terms, including DNA-Protein interactions in gene regulation, and provide conceptual support for the laboratory experiments. Laboratory work focuses on a semester-long project using biochemical and molecular techniques. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and CHEM 120.

Genetics

Normally includes laboratory. The study of gene transmission, structure and function. Topics include patterns of inheritance, microbial and molecular genetics, quantitative and population genetics. Prerequisite: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor.

Bioinformatics

Includes laboratory. An introduction to the molecular theory and computational tools for analyzing gene and protein sequences. A major activity is the use of computer programs and algorithms to find and align gene and protein sequences, to predict protein structure and function, and to create network maps and phylogenetic histories from molecular sequences. Prerequisites: BIO 101 or CHEM 240

Developmental Biology

Includes laboratory. A comparative investigation of embryonic development, including cell differentiation, tissue organization and mechanisms of organ development. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor

Animal Physiology

Includes laboratory. In Animal Physiology we use an integrative approach to study the mechanisms by which animals maintain interal environments that are compatible to life. The basis of organ systems function, homeostatic responses to environmental stresses, evolutionary and developmental adaptations and normal body functions are explored at the cellular and organismic level. Selected physiological topics including osmoregulation, metabolism, nerve function, cardiac and respiratory physiology are investigated in the accompanying laboratory sessions. Prerequisites: BIO 101

Ecology

Includes laboratory. The study of interrelationships between organisms and their environment, emphasizing fundamental concepts in ecology, natural history of local habitats and organisms, the process of ecological research, and current issues of interest in ecology. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor..

Aquatic Ecology

Includes laboratory. With an emphasis on freshwater ecosystems, this course provides an introduction to the biological, physical, and chemical constraints on living in water. Topics covered include the physical differences between aquatic and terrestrial environments, aquatic biodiversity, trophic interactions, nutrient cycling, and the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102.

Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics

This course examines how interactions among organisms and their biotic and abiotic environments influence the quantitative and molecular genetics of natural populations. Following a brief introduction to theoretical population and quantitative genetics, students make extensive use of the primary literature to examine current research in this area. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor.

Conservation Biology

Includes laboratory. This course will address the impacts of humans on Earth's biodiversity, and strategies taken to conserve and protect global natural resources. Topics covered may include global patterns of biodiversity, ecological community structure, habitat exploitation and restoration by humans, genetics of small populations, design of nature reserves, problems associated with invasive species. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor..

Plant-Animal Interactions

Includes laboratory. An examination of plants and animals from a holistic, interactive perspective, focusing on the ongoing coevolution between plants and animals. Both positive and negative interactions for both types of organisms are examined. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor.

Behavioral Ecology

Includes laboratory. This course is concerned with an evolutionarily based analysis of how the behaviors of animals contribute to survival and reproductive success. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor..

Immunology

Includes laboratory. Investigation of the principles of immunology, including clinical principles of pathogen resistance, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency and cancer. Both basic science and clinical science will be addressed, as will comparative aspects of innate and acquired immunity. Laboratory consists of basic and investigative projects involving the use of live animals. Prerequisite: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor.

Biostatistics

Includes laboratory. A detailed survey of the techniques involved in the collection and analysis of biological data. Topics include sampling and the types of biological data, hypothesis generation and testing, parametric and nonparametric statistical tests, categorical data analysis and design of experiments. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and 102, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit in ECON 350 or PSY 214.

Cell Signaling in Physiology

Includes laboratory. This class explores how cellular signaling coordinates physiological function. It focuses on the modes of operation of complex and dynamic molecular networks that are linked to the families of G-protein coupled receptors, receptor tyrosine kinases, cytokines receptors, second messengers, and small G proteins. The class explores the role of cell signaling in 1) cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and cell death, and 2) their regulation of stress responses, inflammation, tissue remodeling, wound healing, regeneration and cancer. This class makes extensive use of primary literature. Labs include tissue culture, cell imaging, protein expression, protein isolation and detection by ELISA and Western, and a multi-weeks independent project (4 to 5 weeks) using various cell and molecular techniques, and in vitro cell culture models as well as in vivo research models. Prerequisites: Bio 241 or 250 or 315 or CHEM 240

Neurobiology

Includes laboratory. Examines the structure and function of individual neurons and glial cells, the formation of integrative circuits and the comparative organization and evolution of animal nervous systems of increasing complexity from nerve nets to humans. Prerequisite: BIO 101 and BIO 102, or permission of instructor.

Molecular Neurobiology

Includes laboratory. This course is concerned with the regulation of neural gene expression and protein synthesis and is designed for advanced students. We approach neurobiological questions from the molecular (gene and protein) level with the aim to understand how patterns of gene expression and protein synthesis relate to brain function and dysfunction. Topics include neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease), addiction, mood disorders, neural development, neural regeneration, stem cells, and progress in neural therapies. Along these lines, current concepts of transcriptional and translational control of selected neural genes in normal, diseased and developing nervous systems are discussed. Molecular techniques such as protein isolation, Western Blotting, immunodetection, and tissue culture are explored in the laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 101

Topics

Selected topics in biology are offered. Prerequisite: one year of biology or permission of instructor.

Molecular Genetics & Genomics

This course focuses on the genes in the Human Genome that are responsible for causing simple monogenic diseases (see OMIM) and more complex polygenic diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, Crohn's disease, asthma and autism. Both classical genetics (Mendelian, Quantitative, Population) and modern genetics (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Genome Wide Association Studies) are introduced for probing the discovery, transmission, and molecular functions of these genes. We also probe new ways of treating and testing for diseases along with the ethical implications. Prerequisite: BIO 101, CHEM 240, or permission of instructor. Recommended: BIO 315, BIO 325 or BIO 320.

Senior Seminar

Students read, present and discuss research papers from a variety of areas in biology. Prerequisite: a major in biology and senior status. May not be taken pass/fail.

Research Problems

Directed independent study. Usually taken for one-half credit. Consult with instructor to determine credits. May be repeated. Permission of instructor.