Three hours lecture per week. Investigation of the molecules and chemical reactions of life. Chemical principles are used to explore biology at the molecular level with an emphasis on biochemical and physiological basis of nutrition. Prerequisites: C or higher in 296 and CHEM 140; or C or higher in CHEM 240. (Equivalent to CHEM 305.)
Six hours of lecture/lab/field work per week. Study of inland aquatic ecosystems. Consideration is given to physical and chemical features of lakes and streams and to major groups of aquatic organisms and their interactions with each other and the physical environment. Laboratory sessions emphasize field study of local lakes and streams. Offered fall of even numbered years. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 251 or grade of C or higher in 161 and ENVS 101. MATH 130 or 230 recommended.
Three hours of lecture/three hours of lab per week. This course will provide a broad, integrated overview of plant biology. The general areas covered are: (1) plant diversity, the basic biology and evolution of the major plant families (2) structure, function, and development from the cell-molecular level to the whole organism of vascular plants (3) ecology of plants including: adaptations to their environment, plant-animal interactions, and ethnobotany. Prerequisite: C or higher in BIOL 251.
Six hours of lecture/discussion/lab per week. This course introduces the principles of conservation biology with an emphasis on ecological processes operating at population, community and ecosystem levels of organization. Threats to biological diversity, ranging from species introductions to habitat destruction will be discussed along with conservation solutions ranging from the design of protected areas through conservation legislation. Laboratory sessions will provide in-depth study into simulations of populations, how to gather data on plant and animal species, and investigation of ecological processes affecting conservation strategies. Offered fall of odd numbered years. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 251 or grade of C or higher in 161 and ENVS 101. MATH 130 or 230 recommended.
One hour seminar per week. This discussion-based course engages students in the critical reading and analysis of selected primary research articles associated with the annual Agnes W.H. Tan Science Symposium. The emphasis will be on developing skills in reading, interpreting, and discussing primary scientific literature through collaborative peer-mentoring teams. Students will use articles authored by invited Tan Symposium speakers to prepare for and deepen their understanding of the scientific research presented at the symposium.
One hour lecture per week. Introduction to diverse careers in the sciences, including healthcare professions. This includes learning about graduate school, pre-professional programs (like medical school), and area businesses/organizations that hire scientists. Students will participate in job shadowing experiences, spend time learning about application processes (of all types), and complete an individual assessment of what is required to achieve career goals. Restricted to students with sophomore or junior standing. (Equal to CHEM-212.)
This course will introduce you to the major ecological processes, the principal flora and fauna and their evolutionary adaptations, and diverse ecosystems that constitute major tropical, coastal and mountainous regions of Central and South America. Additionally, the issues surrounding the conservation of biodiversity in these areas will be examined and discussed. The course is divided into three parts. The first part (Fall) includes on-campus and on-line lectures, discussions, videos, and analysis of peer-reviewed research papers to introduce students to the major ecosystems, conservation issues, and biodiversity in tropical regions. The second part of the course involves travel to a Central/South American country (Costa Rica, Galapagos etc.) and study ecosystems through guided hikes, lectures, tours, discussions, journal writings, and research projects to understand the ecology and study the biodiversity of the region. Finally, we will wrap up the course in the spring semester with continued discussion and preparation of a data driven research project. Prerequisite: 161 or ENVS 101 or by instructor consent.
This course will introduce you to the major ecological processes, the principal flora and fauna and their evolutionary adaptations, and diverse ecosystems that constitute major tropical, coastal and mountainous regions of Central and South America. Additionally, the issues surrounding the conservation of biodiversity in these areas will be examined and discussed. The course is divided into three parts. The first part (Fall) includes on-campus and on-line lectures, discussions, videos, and analysis of peer-reviewed research papers to introduce students to the major ecosystems, conservation issues, and biodiversity in tropical regions. The second part of the course involves travel to a Central/South American country (Costa Rica, Galapagos etc.) and study ecosystems through guided hikes, lectures, tours, discussions, journal writings, and research projects to understand the ecology and study the biodiversity of the region. Finally, we will wrap up the course in the spring semester with continued discussion and preparation of a data driven research project. Prerequisite: 215.
An opportunity for students to be exposed to major ecosystems in North or Central America. There will be on-campus seminars to support this experience discussing the uniqueness of the general ecology and culture of the area. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Prerequisite: eight credits of BIOL, CHEM, ENVS, ESCI or PHYS; permission of instructor.
Three hours of lecture/three hours of lab per week. The structure and function of animal, plant, and prokaryotic cells with an emphasis on DNA/RNA structure and function, control of gene expression, cell signaling, cell cycle, cell organelles and cell division. Laboratory is a multi-week project based on gene cloning and expression. Prerequisite: C or higher in 160, 161; grade of C or higher in four semester hours of CHEM or concurrent. OC