Academic Bulletin Biology - Course Descriptions - 2011-12

A one-semester course offered primarily for majors in the social sciences and the humanities. This course will emphasize reproduction and development, structure/function, genetics, and evolution. The ethical implications of biological knowledge also will be considered. In the laboratory, students will investigate biological problems related to humans. Three lecture/discussions and one laboratory period weekly. A student who decides, on the basis of his experience in Biology 101 to major in biology can enroll in the appropriate semester of Biology 111, 112. One course credit each semester.

This non-majors course will explore the interface between humankind and the plant world. Through lectures/discussion, ancillary readings and www.exercises and demonstrations, students will study the impact that plants have had on the development of human culture. Some topics to be covered include the plant body, photosynthesis, economically important plants, plant genetics and biotechnology, flowers and plants in the environment. Attention will be given to modes of inquiry in the plant sciences. Several field trips are planned. This course is offered alternate years. Next anticipated offerings will be fall semesters of 2011 and 2013.

Prerequisite: Biology 101. Does not count toward the laboratory science distribution requirement.

A year course in the concepts of biology for biology majors. This course is a prerequisite for all advanced courses in biology. Biology 111 covers biomolecules, cell biology, genetics, and evolution. Biology 112 covers animal and plant structure/functions, evolution and ecology. Three lectures and one laboratory period weekly. One course credit, fall semester.

A year course in the concepts of biology for biology majors. This course is a prerequisite for all advanced courses in biology. Biology 111 covers biomolecules, cell biology, genetics, and evolution. Biology 112 covers animal and plant structure/functions, evolution and ecology. Three lectures and one laboratory period weekly. This course is offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisite: Biology 111

A general study of evolution. Lecture/discussion focuses on the processes of evolutionary change and the origin of life. Current topics in evolutionary biology and human evolution are considered. This course is typically offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisite: Biology 111 or 101.

A course designed to introduce the modern concepts of the gene. The lectures stress the theory and experimental evidence relating to transmission, molecular, and developmental genetics. The laboratory is investigative in nature. Offered in the fall semester. 

Prerequisite: Biology 112 or permission of the instructor. (This course should be taken during the sophomore year.)

The primary emphasis of this course is the structure and function of the eukaryotic cell. Lectures, readings, and discussions will cover cellular organelles, types, metabolism, interactions, and regulation of activities. The laboratory focuses on cellular structure and function through the techniques of modern cell biology. Offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisite: Biology 211 or 213 or permission of the instructor. (This course should be taken during the sophomore year.)

An introduction to the interrelations of plants and animals with their environment. Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are considered. Some weekend field trips may be included. Offered in the fall semester.

Prerequisite: Biology 112 or 101 with permission of the instructor.

A course presenting a broad evolutionary theme of the vertebrates using the facts of comparative anatomy, embryology, and paleobiology. This course will be offered in alternate years beginning in the spring semester of 2013. 

Prerequisite: Biology 101 or 112.

A course designed to provide students with an introduction to the diversity of invertebrate organisms through lectures, reading and discussion of primary literature, student presentations, and laboratory work. Emphasis is placed on structure, functional morphology, physiology, ecology, and evolution. A field trip to during spring break has been included in the past few years. This course is offered alternate years. Next anticipated offering is the spring semester of 2013.

Prerequisite: Biology 101 or 112.

An introduction to the science of botany. A strong emphasis will be placed on the evolutionary trends in the vascular plants, with additional coverage of plant biotechnology, developmental biology, and some of the physiological adaptations plants have evolved in the transition to life in terrestrial environments. The laboratories will be primarily observational, with a broad exposure to plant diversity and taxonomy; substantial field work is planned. This course is offered alternate years. Next anticipated offerings will be spring semesters of 2012 and 2014.

Prerequisite: Biology 101 or 112.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the lifestyles and impact of the smallest organisms known. Lecture/discussion will examine topics such as microbial cell structure and function, growth and nutrition, genetics, antibiotics and pathogenesis, and microbial diversity. The laboratory is organized around an investigative, discovery driven project. This course will be offered in alternate years in the fall semester beginning in 2011.

Prerequisite: Biology 111 and 112 or permission of instructor.

A course designed to introduce students to the major groups of animal parasites. Emphasis in lectures and discussion of primary literature is placed on general principles, including diversity, morphology, transmission biology, and the ecology and evolution of the different parasite taxa. The laboratory work includes the detailed consideration of particular parasite species as representatives of larger groups, as well as an independent research project on the parasites of a selected host species. This course is offered alternate years. Next anticipated offering is in the fall semester of 2012.

Prerequisite: Biology 101 or Biology 112 or permission of instructor.

A course designed to explore in detail the molecular biology of the gene. Lecture/discussion will focus on areas of current interest and will include analysis of experimental evidence which underpins our understanding of gene structure and function. The laboratory is investigative in nature and provides primary experience with recombinant DNA technology genomics and bioinformatics. This course is offered alternate years. Next anticipated offering will be the spring semester of 2013.

Prerequisite: Biology 211.

This course emphasizes the investigative approach to ecology including experimental design and data analysis. Lectures/discussions focus on areas of current interest in ecosystem, community, and population ecology. Several field trips and an independent investigation are required. This course is offered alternate years. Next anticipated offerings will be spring semesters of 2012 and 2014.

Prerequisite: Biology 213.

Through lectures, current readings and discussions, this course considers the principles of development with emphasis on experimental evidence for underlying mechanisms. The laboratory work includes molecular, cellular and supracellular approaches to the investigation of developmental questions in animals and plants. This course is offered alternate years. Next anticipated offerings will be spring semesters of 2012 and 2014.

Prerequisite: Biology 211.

The major physiological systems (nutrition, transport, gas exchange, elimination of wastes, coordination, and defense) are considered from the adaptational perspective. The emphasis is on the physiological system as it is related to the survival of vertebrates in their natural environments. The laboratory focuses on physiological techniques and methods of analysis.

Prerequisite: Biology 212 or permission of the instructor.

Innovative courses and special programs in library research. Descriptions of special topics courses will be posted at the time of advance registration. Students desiring a special library research project should make the appropriate arrangements with individual faculty members.

Individual research on selected problems. Although only one-half course credit is to be counted toward the nine credit major, these courses may be repeated and credit received for graduation. Students should make arrangements with individual faculty members during the semester preceding their enrollment in the course.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor is required.

Individual research on selected problems. Although only one-half course credit is to be counted toward the nine credit major, these courses may be repeated and credit received for graduation. Students should make arrangements with individual faculty members during the semester preceding their enrollment in the course.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor is required.

A seminar course required of all majors. Critical reading of primary literature, oral expression and experimental design are emphasized. Students intending to be off-campus during the first semester of their senior year should take this course during their junior year. This course is offered in the fall semester.