Biology core courses

This course examines the structure, function, metabolism, ecology, and pathogenesis of viruses, arachaea, bacteria and eukaryotic microbes.

This laboratory meets three hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A300 and provides students with skills needed to isolate, identify and study the form and function of microorganisms.  Lab fee $100.

This course uses lectures, readings, demonstrations, and discussions to compare the diversity, form and function of vertebrates.

This laboratory meets four hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A303 and provides students with skills needed to dissect, analyze and compare anatomical adaptations in major groups of vertebrates.  Lab fee $100.

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues and organs of the mammalian body and the study of the fundamentals of hematology are the focus of this course. 

Laboratory experience that meets four hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A305.  Lab fee $100.

Events and mechanisms of developmental genetics, gametogenesis, fertilization, morphogenesis, and organogenesis in selected vertebrates and invertebrates are examined. The laboratory includes experimental approaches to the study of development.

Laboratory experience that meets three hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A308.  Lab fee $100.

In this course, students learn about the principles of anatomy and physiology, part I: This includes the study of the anatomy of the human body and how different organ systems work both individually and together in humans. The organ systems of focus are the integumentary, skeletal, muscle, and nervous organ systems. Also considered is how disruptions in normal function cause disease, and how the human body is (or is not) able to return to homeostasis.

This laboratory meets three hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A314 and provides students with skills needed to examine both normal and pathological form and function of the human body at the cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system levels. The focus will be on human skeletal, muscle, nervous, heart & circulatory, blood, respiratory, urinary, vision and auditory systems. Lab fee $50.

In this course, students learn about the principles of anatomy and physiology, part II: This includes the study of the anatomy of the human body and how different organ systems work both individually and together in humans. The organ systems of focus are endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, lymphatic, urinary, and reproductive organ systems. Also considered is how disruptions in normal function cause disease, and how the human body is (or is not) able to return to homeostasis.

This laboratory meets three hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A316 and provides students with skills needed to examine normal form and function of the domestic cat body at the tissue, organ, and organ system levels. The focus will be on cat muscle, digestive, heart & circulatory, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive systems. Lab fee $50.

This course explores the diversity of insects, their structural adaptations, evolution, classification, life histories and habits, and their economic importance. An extensive insect collection is the focus of the experiential learning process with an emphasis on the natural history of the group. 

Laboratory experience that meets in conjunction with BIOL A320.

Fundamentals of molecular genetics such as transcription, DNA synthesis and repair, and RNA processing are discussed. Through review and discussion of scientific literature and laboratory experience, students learn the process of scientific investigation, recent findings and new technologies in the field of molecular genetics.

Laboratory experience that meets three hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A326.  Lab fee $100.

This course addresses advanced topics in transmission genetics, cytogenetics, evolutionary genetics and mutagenesis. Emphasis is placed on development of quantitative skills and written and oral communication.

This course examines basic ecological principles and concepts including the nature of the ecosystem, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, and the ecology of populations and communities.

This laboratory meets four to five hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A330 and provides students with skills needed to quantify ecological interactions of plants and animals.  This course requires student participation in multiple field trips.  Lab fee $100.

This course examines phylogenetic relationships, functional morphology, physiology, sensory biology, reproduction, behavior, ecology, biogeography, and conservation of fishes.

This laboratory meets three hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A334 and provides students with skills needed to understand phylogeny, form, function and natural history of fishes.  This course requires student participation in multiple fieldtrips.  Lab fee $100.

This course examines behavioral adaptations of animals and critically evaluates hypotheses to account for the evolution of these adaptations. Student activities emphasize field observation of animal behavior, experimental design, and scientific communication.

An introduction to the quantitative study of plants and their environment.  Emphasis is placed on understanding the functional ecology of individual plants and vegetation in terrestrial ecosystems.

This laboratory course accompanying BIOL A338 and exposes students to modern field and laboratory techniques in plant physiological ecology.  Lab fee $100.

This course is an introduction to the study of morphology, adaptation, classification, distribution, and ecology of amphibians and reptiles. Students participate in field work and identification of North American groups and field studies of local fauna. 

Field and laboratory experience that meets six hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A345.  Lab fee $100.

This course emphasizes parasites of public health concern, and includes review of recent studies using current technologies. Major conceptual themes also include: Evolutionary relationships, virulence, origins of a parasitic life, life histories, manipulation of hosts, host immune responses, and consequences for host. 

The study of the conservation of biodiversity based in the principles of ecology, evolution, and genetics. The primary goal of this course is to understand natural ecological systems in the context of a human dominated world to learn to best maintain biological diversity in concert with an exploding human population. This is accomplished through lecture, socratic discussion, and videos.

An introduction to the study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes as well as viruses in the aquatic environment. The course emphasizes the functional role of microbes in aquatic habitats, the relationship of microbial biodiversity to environmental gradients and the interaction of aquatic microbes with human affairs.

Field and laboratory experience that meets three hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A356. Students are exposed to modern field and laboratory techniques used with prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes from aquatic habitats. Field trips emphasize local freshwater and estuarine environments.  Lab fee $100.

An analysis of cell structure and function. Topics covered in the course include protein synthesis, the nucleus, cytoplasmic organelles and bioenergetics, endomembrane systems, vesicular transport, the cytoskeleton, cell signaling, cell cycle control, and cancer.

Laboratory experience that meets three hours per week in conjunction with BIOL A360.  Lab fee $100.

This course explores the field of experimental cellular and molecular immunology. Topics include organization of the immune system, structure and function of antigen recognition molecules, immune cell interactions, and regulation of the immune system and immunity-related diseases.  Clinical immunology is not emphasized.

Students work with a faculty research adviser to identify an original question in the biological sciences and develop and write a proposal/prospectus to investigate this question. This course is required of all biology honors students and students intending to complete a thesis in biological sciences.