Current as of September 2008. This is for general information
only. Please
use the official course catalog for advising and planning your
academic program.
Introductory courses |
BIOL 103 (4)—Life
Science by Inquiry |
| No
prerequisite. Emphasis will be placed on hands-on, inquiry-based
explorations of the basic principles of life science. Students
will study essential concepts that include cell and molecular
biology, organismal biology, and ecology. Students
will also gain experience in independent investigation and
the development and implementation of their own hands-on
exercises and experiments.. |
| |
BIOL 104 (3)—Plants
and Human Affairs |
| Not
open to junior or senior biology majors or minors . An
introduction to plants and their remarkable impact on diverse
aspects of human activity. This course will explore the ways
in which humans use plants for food, medicine, and other
products; the role of plants in our environment; and the
implications of plants in areas such as economics and human
culture. Some topics will be based on student interest and
may include current concerns such as world hunger, use of
chemicals in agriculture, use of genetically-engineered foods,
and uses of native plants. V.8a. |
| |
BIOL 107 (1)—Laboratory
in Plants and Human Affairs |
Prerequisite or co-requisite: BIOL 104. An
introduction to the scientific method and its application
in plant biology. Observations and experiments will emphasize
crop plants, plant growth and morphology, human impacts on
natural systems, genetic engineering, and the properties
of plant products. Students will present their findings in
oral and written form. V.8b. |
| |
BIOL 111 (4)—Introduction
to Organisms |
| No
prerequisite. An introduction to organismal and population
biology. Topics include genetics, evolution and ecology,
and the interactions of organisms with their environment.
V.8ab. |
| |
BIOL 112 (3)—Introduction
to Cells |
Prerequisite:
BIOL 111. An introduction to cell biology, including the
chemistry of biological macromolecules, cell structure,
function, and reproduction. Additional topics include genetic
engineering, viruses and cancer, and the cellular basis
of immunity. V.8a. |
| |
BIOL 113 (1)—Introductory
Laboratory Techniques |
| Prerequisite
or co-requisite: BIOL 112. An introduction to basic methods
and instrumentation in biology, emphasizing fundamental laboratory
procedures. Techniques to be studied include light and electron
microscopy, spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, and chromatography.
The use of computer applications for the basic analysis and
presentation of data is also examined. III.Q, V.8b. |
| |
BIOL 147 (4)—Human
Anatomy and Physiology I |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 111 and 112. Basic histology, anatomy (gross and microscopic),
and physiology of the human integumentary, skeletal, muscular,
nervous, and sensory systems. Human anatomy is studied
using charts and models. Superficial anatomy is studied
on the human body, and dissection examines homologous structures
on the cat. This course may not be counted towards
the major or minor in biology. |
| |
Intermediate level courses |
BIOL
205 (3)—Genetics |
| Prerequisite:
BIOL 112. An introduction to gene action and the principles
of inheritance. Topics include Mendelian genetics, chromosome
theory, and molecular genetics, as well as recombinant DNA,
extranuclear genomes, and population genetics. Four hours lecture
and discussion. V.8a. |
| |
BIOL 206 (1)—Laboratory
in Genetics |
| Prerequisite:
BIOL 113. Prerequisite or co-requisite: BIOL 205. A
laboratory study of concepts in genetics ranging from classical
to molecular genetics. Students learn to apply the tools
of genetics to explore Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance
patterns and to investigate the nature of DNA. The interpretation
of quantitative data is explored using appropriate statistical
analyses. |
| |
BIOL 209 (3)
- Marine Biology |
Prerequisites:
BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. A survey of marine organisms and
their adaptations to seawater chemistry, seafloor geology,
and waves, tides, and currents. Our comprehensive survey
of marine microbes, fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates
will then enable us to discuss the ecology of specialized
marine communities, such as kelp forests, polar seas, the
open ocean, intertidal zones, seagrass beds, coral reefs,
and the deep sea. |
| |
BIOL
214 (4)—The Plant Kingdom |
| Prerequisite:
BIOL 104 or BIOL 111. A survey of the plant kingdom with
emphasis on the flowering plants. The structure, reproduction,
evolution, adaptations, and economic significance of the
major plant groups will be covered. III.W,
V.8ab. |
| |
BIOL 216 (4)—Insect
Biology |
| Prerequisite:
BIOL 111. An
introduction to insects and other terrestrial anthropods,
with an emphasis on evolution, morphology, physiology, ecology,
and behavior. |
| |
BIOL
218 (4)—Field Natural History |
| Prerequisite:
BIOL 111; or one course of laboratory science and permission.
This course will develop three important traits of a scientific
naturalist: skill at seeing patterns in nature and framing
interesting questions about them; knowledge of the names,
classification, and identifying characteristics of local
organisms; and the understanding of a modern theoretical
framework in ecology, evolution, and behavior. V.8a. |
| |
BIOL
222 (4)—Animal Behavior |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 111; and one additional 3- or 4-credit course in biology,
or PSYC 219 or PSYC 231. An introduction to the causes,
development, evolution, and function of behavior. This
course may be counted towards the major or minor in either
biology or psychology. III.W, V.8a. |
| |
BIOL 228 (4) - Microbiology |
Prerequisites:
BIOL 112, BIOL 113, and BIOL 205. Structure, physiology,
and ecology of bacteria and other microorganisms.
|
| |
BIOL
230 (4)—Comparative Vertebrate Morphology |
| Prerequisite:
BIOL 111. First-year students by permission. Functional
anatomy of vertebrates, with emphasis on evolutionary adaptations.
Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory. V.8a. |
| |
BIOL 247 (4)—Human
Anatomy and Physiology II |
| Prerequisite:
BIOL 147. Basic histology, anatomy (gross and microscopic),
and physiology of the human cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory,
digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. Human
anatomy is studied using charts and models. Superficial
anatomy is studied on the human body, and dissection examines
homologous structures on the cat. |
| |
Advanced courses |
BIOL
301 (4)—Plant Physiology |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 112, BIOL 113, and BIOL 104 or BIOL 214. An exploration
of how plants function, including the flowering process,
dormancy, hormonal regulation, nutrition, and behavior. Examples
from applied areas of the plant sciences such as agriculture
and horticulture will be discussed.. |
| |
BIOL 303 (4)—Principles
of Development |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 205 and either BIOL 214, BIOL 218, or BIOL 230. Sophomores
by permission. An examination of the processes by which a
single cell, the fertilized egg, gives rise to a multicellular
organism. The modern study of development relies heavily
on the tools and perspectives of cell and molecular biology.
This course will integrate these new methods and approaches
with those of classical embryology in the study of several
model organisms. III.O, V.8a. |
| |
BIOL 310 (4)—Evolution |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 205 and one additional 200-level biology course. Sophomores
by permission. A good grasp of algebra will be assumed. As
the unifying principle of all biology, evolution overlaps
genetics, molecular biology, anatomy and physiology, behavior,
ecology, and development. This course will cover the processes
responsible for the changes in living things over time; evidence
demonstrating the shared evolutionary history of all living
things; and the history of life on earth. Additional topics
that may be covered include: co-evolution among species,
human evolution, the origin of life, creationism. III.O. |
| |
BIOL
316 (3)—Seminar in Conservation Biology |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 324; and BIOL 205 , ENVR 316 or ENVR 329. This advanced
seminar will use case studies to explore the main threats
to biological diversity: habitat loss and fragmentation,
habitat degradation, introduced species, and overharvesting.
Although the emphasis is on biological science issues, these
will be examined as well in their social, economic, and
political contexts. Readings and discussions will concentrate
on the primary literature. III.O. |
| |
BIOL 320 (4) - Topics in Biomathematics |
Prerequisites:
BIOL 111, BIOL 112, MATH 124, and MATH 205 or PSYC 219.
The course focuses on developing quantification skills
for biomathematics - the discipline that uses mathematical
models to help understand phenomena in biology and related
sciences through analysis and interpretation of experimental
data. The skills developed in the course include the ability
to look at an unfamiliar problem, analyze it to determine
the type of data necessary to address the problem, select
the appropriate mathematical tools to be applied to the available
data sets, and draw conclusions on the adequacy of the results.
III.O, V.8a. |
| |
BIOL 324 (4)— Ecology |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 111 or ENVR 101; and one additional 200-level lab course
in biology or environmental science. This course examines
the interrelationships between individuals and their abiotic
environment, among members of a population, and among populations
in a given habitat or community. General principles and theories
will be applied to a range of organisms, including plants,
animals, microorganisms, and humans. Labs emphasize the collection
and evaluation of numerical data to test hypotheses, and
include field problems, computer models, and student-designed
experiments.
III.Q, V.8a. |
| |
BIOL 326 (4)—Comparative
Animal Physiology |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 112, BIOL 113 and BIOL 216 or BIOL 230; and one year
of chemistry. Sophomores by permission. A study of animal
function, with examples drawn from all the major phyla. Emphasis
is placed on functional adaptations used by animals to overcome
common evironmental challenges, such as obtaining sufficient
quantities of food, oxygen, and water. The roles of thermoregulation,
osmoregulation, and animal sensory systems in maintaining
homeostasis also are emphasized. III.Q. |
| |
BIOL
342 (4)—Cell and Molecular Biology |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 205 and one year of chemistry. Sophomores by permission.
An examination of recent work in major areas of cell biology
including membranes, regulation, cellular compartmentalization,
and cellular and molecular aspects of immunology and development.
III.W. |
| |
BIOL 344 (2)—Experimental
Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology |
| Prerequisites:
BIOL 205, BIOL 206, and one year of chemistry; or CHEM 321
and permission. Sophomores by permission. An introduction
to current techniques and modern experimental approaches
used in the study of cells and their components. Includes
electrophoretic and chromatographic analysis of DNA and proteins,
organelle characterization, advanced techniques in light
microscopy and photomicrography, and basic techniques of
genetic engineering. |
| |
Research and independent study |
| |
BIOL 261 (1,
2, or 3)—Directed Study |
Prerequisites: One BIOL course and permission of the instructor.
The study of introductory level material by an individual
student or by a small group of students under the immediate
supervision of a faculty member. |
| |
BIOL 351 (3) - Independent Research |
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. An independent
research project selected and carried out in consultation
with a faculty sponsor. A written report and an oral presentation
are required. III.W. |
| |
BIOL 361 (1, 2, or 3) - Special Study |
| Prerequisites: 100-level BIOL course and permission of the
instructor. The study of an intermediate level topic by an
individual student or by a small group of students under the
immediate supervision of a faculty member. |
| |
BIOL 377 (1, 2, or 3) - Internship |
| Prerequisites: Three credits in BIOL and permission of instructor,
department chair, and dean. This course is graded P/CR/NC only. |
| |
BIOL
450 (1)—Senior Exercise |
| Prerequisite:
Senior B.A. biology major. An independent research
project developed in conjunction with a 300-level biology
course, with permission of the instructor. The project
may involve field, laboratory, or library work. The
senior exercise will include a substantial paper. |
| |
BIOL 452 (1)—Senior
Colloquium |
| A
seminar on topics in biology. Required
of all senior majors in 2008-09. |
| |
BIOL
461 (1, 2, or 3)—Independent Study |
Prerequisites: One 100-level BIOL course, one 200-level
BIOL course, and permission of the instructor. Pursuit of
an upper level research project determined in advance by
the student in consultation with a faculty member who will
act as the sponsor. |
