Biology

This course introduces students to processes that occur within organisms. Topics include basic biological chemistry, enzyme action, acid/base balance, osmosis and diffusion, cell structure and function, energy and metabolism, cell division, genetics, protein synthesis and an introduction to molecular genetics. Laboratory work is included. A $50 lab fee is charged.

This course introduces biology as a study of patterns in nature and their causes. Using outdoor sites, students measure and observe plants and animals and design independent investigations to explain the patterns they see. Their explorations are related to ecological theory in population, community, eco-system, evolutionary, physiological, behavioral and applied ecology. Field investigations are supplemented with computer simulations. A $50 lab fee is charged.

This course uses an inquiry based investigative approach to explore and explain a range of relevant scientific topics. Climate change, vaccine development, cloning, and genetically modified organisms will all be explored. Laboratory experiments combined with class discussions will help to create critical-thinking scientists who understand and utilize the scientific method. These informed citizens will conduct independent research (including data collection and analysis), as well as assess and identify reliable data sources to make evidence-based decisions and dispel common misconceptions. Science Core.

This course is for the non-science major. This course will cover basic microbiology (and underlying chemical principles). Cellular structure of prokaryotes and eukaryotes will be discussed. The focus of the course will be classification and understanding of the biology of microorganisms. This will include colonization and growth, microbial metabolism, nutrition and control. The structure and function of viruses will also be covered. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of microorganisms in disease. Laboratory sessions will be geared toward a practical understanding of the microbial staining, cultures and growth, nutrition, metabolism and control of microorganisms. A $50 lab fee is charged.

 

This is the first of a two-semester sequence in human anatomy and physiology. Students begin with a review of cellular physiology and then explore the anatomy and physiology of four important systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous. This course has both lecture and laboratory requirements, including dissections. A $50 lab fee is charged.

This internship allows biology students an opportunity to explore particular careers and employment settings in biology. Students registering for this course work with program faculty and an on-site supervisor to design an appropriate internship experience. Presentation of results to the natural sciences faculty is required. May not be used as a biology major requirement. Graded Pass/Fail.

Topics include the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. Enzyme kinetics, regulation and mechanisms are emphasized. Thermodynamics and phosphate compounds are studied. Students examine important metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, beta oxidation, fatty acid biosynthesis and the urea cycle. Standard laboratory techniques of the biochemist are introduced. A $50 lab fee is charged.

This course deals with the history of microbiology, classification, identification and understanding of the biology of microorganisms. This includes colonization and growth, microbial metabolism, biosynthesis, nutrition, and molecular genetics. The structure and function of virsues and history of microbiology is also covered. Special emphasis is placed on the role of microorganisms in disease states from the standpoints of host-parasite relationships, immunology and epidemiology. Laboratory sessions are geared toward a practical understanding of the culture, isolation and microscopic identification of unknown microorganisms. A $50 lab fee is charged.

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of epidemiology. Students are presented with the historical role of epidemiology in the understanding of disease causation as well as the role of modern epidemiology in public health and health education.

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts and principles of toxicology. Topics will include metabolism, types of toxicity, classes of chemicals, risk assessment and diagnosis and treatment.

This course will introduce pharmacology principles to students who will not be clinical practitioners. Students will study the drug approval process and basic concepts in pharmacokinetics, including distribution, absorption and elimination of drugs. The receptor mechanism of drug action will be examined. The organization of the central nervous system will be reviewed, and various classes of drugs of use and abuse will be explored. Students will also explore some of the societal aspects of drug availability and abuse.

This course is the first of three comprising the senior research requirement. A student works closely with a faculty member to identify a topic for senior research, perform the literature search, determine the approaches and procedures to be employed, compile a list of necessary supplies and develop a timetable for the project.

Students in this course enroll for variable credits in a program-approved internship with an appropriate environmental or biological organization. Methods of evaluation are determined by the natural sciences faculty in conjunction with the on-site supervisor. An oral presentation to the natural sciences faculty of the results of the internship is required. A minimum of 40 hours is required for this internship, but more time is recommended. Graded: Pass/Fail.

Seniors continue their research project. Each student works independently under the supervision of a faculty member to implement the project conceived during BIO 351. A faculty member meets weekly with all seniors to coordinate the projects. Students are expected to collect a substantial body of data. A $50 lab fee is charged.

In this course students complete the project planned in BIO 351 and begun in BIO 486 and analyze their full data set for presentation orally as well as in a final paper.