Course Catalog - Biology
Biology 114 — Biological Principles
Fall, spring
These courses introduce non-science majors to principles and modes of inquiry underlying the study of living things. Each course examines a subset of subject matter, which may range from biological molecules and cells to the structure and function of organisms to interactions of organisms with their environments. All courses in this series share the common goal of providing a rigorous introduction both to the methods of scientific inquiry and to the content of the discipline. Recently taught subjects include evolution, vertebrate history, microbiology, cancer, human heredity, plant life, environmental biology, health and metabolism, human reproduction, the molecular biology of the HIV pandemic, global change biology and genetic engineering. One unit.
Biology 120 — General Biology 1
Fall
Fundamental principles of biology studied at the molecular and cellular levels of organization. Intended for third and fourth-year premedical students majoring in subjects other than biology. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite or Corequisite: Chemistry 222. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 121 — General Biology 2
Spring
A continuation of Biology 120. A study of levels of biological organization from tissues to populations and the diversity of life. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: Biology 120. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 131 — Introduction to Biology 1
Fall
Selected topics emphasizing biological organization from molecules to ecosystems. Designed for biology majors, this course is prerequisite for upper-division courses in the Department. Includes laboratory. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 132 — Introduction to Biology 2
Spring
A study of the structure, function, diversity, and evolution of plants and invertebrates. Includes laboratory. Open to biology majors and prospective biology majors. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 150 — Introduction to Geology
Fall
The physical processes operating on the earth and the history of the earth. Topics include the formation and physical properties of rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, geologic time, weathering and erosion, global climate change, and the geology of mineral and energy resources. Field trips to local geologic sites provide hands-on experience using classic and modern approaches to investigating the earth and its history. Open to all students. Particularly suitable for Biology majors interested in paleontology, ecology, or evolution and for
Environmental Studies majors, minors, or concentrators. Includes laboratory. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 213 — Comparative Chordate Morphology
Fall
The structure, function, development and evolution of the skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive and urogenital systems of the chordates, with special emphasis on vertebrates. Includes laboratory. Organismal biology. Prerequisite: Biology 131. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 220 — Entomology
Fall
An introduction to insects covering diversity, morphology, physiology, ecology and behavior, as well as considerations of the economic and medical importance of insects. Includes laboratory. Organismal biology. Prerequisite: Biology 131 and 132. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 223 — Microbiology
Fall
A comprehensive introduction to microbiology. This course provides an overview of microorganisms, including their structure and function, growth, ecology, genetics, taxonomy, and evolution. Emphasis is placed on prokaryotes and viruses. The laboratory emphasizes enrichment and pure culture methods, diagnostic microbiology, and physiology. Includes laboratory. Molecular and cellular biology. Prerequisites: Biology 120 or 131; Prerequisite or Corequisite: Chemistry 222. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 230 — Developmental Biology
Alternate years in spring
The development of eukaryotic organisms from a comparative point of view. Emphasis is placed on possible molecular explanations of the major events and processes of classical embryology. The emphasis in the laboratory is on the application of techniques for visualization of gene activity and the elucidation of such processes as gastrulation, regeneration, and metamorphosis. Both plants and animals are considered. Includes laboratory. Organismal biology. Prerequisite: Biology 131. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 233 — Freshwater Ecology
Fall
A comprehensive introduction to the hydrology, chemistry, and ecology of freshwater ecosystems. The laboratory includes fieldwork in several ecosystems (lake, stream, and wetland) and laboratory work characterizing the chemistry and biology of these diverse ecosystems. Includes laboratory and field work. Ecological and Evolutionary Biology. Prerequisites: Biology 131 and 132. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 241 — Vertebrate Endocrinology
Alternate years
The anatomy and physiology of endocrine glands and internal secretion in representative vertebrates. Emphasis is placed on functional interrelationships of the endocrine organs, cellular effects of hormones, and hormonal mechanisms of action (receptors, second messengers, etc.). The functional morphology of the endocrine system of vertebrates is compared with that of invertebrates. Organismal biology. Prerequisite: Biology 131. One unit.
Biology 250 — Field Botany
Every third year in fall
An introduction to the local vascular flora, emphasizing identification of ferns, woody plants and plants flowering in the fall. The course will include training in use of field guides and technical keys and preparation of herbarium specimens. Includes field and laboratory work. Organismal biology. Prerequisite: Biology 132 or permission. One unit.
Biology 255 — Vertebrate History
Spring
A survey of vertebrate history, with emphasis on the anatomical and physiological transformations that occurred at the evolutionary originations of the major vertebrate groups. Structure and function of both extant and extinct taxa are explored, as documented by modern fauna and the fossil record. Includes laboratory. Organismal biology. Prerequisites: Biology 131 and 132. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 261 — Genetics
Fall
The mechanisms of heredity and genetic analysis. Topics include Mendelian inheritance, chromosome structure and function, genetic mapping, molecular genetics, mutation, genetic regulation, and population genetics. Laboratory exercises emphasize genetic principles through experimental work with bacteria, fungi, vascular plants, and fruit flies, and interpretive studies in human genetics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: Chemistry 221 and Biology 131 and 132. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 262 — Genetic Analysis
Every third year in spring
Th emechanisms of heredity and genetic analysis. Topics include Mendelian inheritance, chromosome structure and function, genetic mapping, molecular genetics, mutation, genetic regulation, and population genetics. This course is a nonlaboratory equivalent of Biology 261. Prerequisites: Chemistry 221 and Biology 131 and 132. One unit.
Biology 266 — Cell Biology
Spring
The structure and function of cells of higher organisms, both animal and plant, are considered along with aspects of metabolism and enzyme action. Special topics such as growth regulation or function of the immune system may be discussed according to student interest. The critical evaluation of experimental evidence is emphasized. Includes laboratory. Molecular and cellular biology. Prerequisites: Chemistry 221 and Biology 120 or 131. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 270 — Histology
Alternate years in spring
A study of the microscopic and submicroscopic structure of vertebrate tissues and organs. Includes laboratory. Organismal biology. Prerequisite: Biology 120 or 131. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 275 — Biological Statistics
Spring
An introduction to the handling, analysis, and interpretation of biological data. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, goodness of fit tests, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, regression, and correlation. Prerequisites: Biology 120 or 131 or permission. One unit.
Biology 280 — General Ecology
Fall
A broad introduction to the study of relationships between organisms and their environments, with coverage of individual organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems, as well as natural history of New England. Includes laboratory and field work. Ecological and evolutionary biology. Prerequisite: Biology 131 and 132. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 283 — Evolution
Annually
An inquiry-based approach to the study of evolution and Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Most attention will be devoted to empirical work that addresses conceptual issues in evolutionary biology, including natural selection, speciation, coevolution, sexual selection, molecular evolution, analysis of adaptation, evolutionary biogeography, and micro- versus macroevolution. Ecological and evolutionary biology. Prerequisites: Biology 131 and 132. One unit.
Biology 287 — Ethology and Behavioral Ecology
Annually
A comparative look at animal behavior and the evolutionary forces that shape it. Topics include physiological mechanisms of behavior, behavioral genetics and heritability, communication, foraging, competition and cooperation, mating and parenting systems, and social behavior. The importance of good experimental design and the proper role of modeling in behavioral studies are emphasized. Field projects are included. Ecological and evolutionary biology. Prerequisite Biology 131 and 132 or permission. One unit.
Biology 301 — Biochemistry 1
Fall
A detailed study of the chemistry of biological molecules. Topics include the structural chemistry of the major classes of biological compounds, enzyme catalysis, bioenergetics, metabolic regulation, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, beta-oxidation of fatty acids, tricarboxylic acid cycle, electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Molecular and cellular biology. Prerequisites: Chemistry 222. One unit.
Biology 302 — Biochemistry 2
Spring
A continuation of Biology 301. Topics include the chemistry, enzymology and regulation of lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, photosynthesis, DNA replication, transcription, and translation. Molecular and cellular biology. Prerequisite: Biology 301. One unit.
Biology 303 — Biochemistry 1 Laboratory
Fall
This laboratory accompanies Biology 301 and introduces students to experimental methods used for the purification and characterization of biological molecules through a multi-week, full-semester procedure. While conducting the steps of this overall procedure, students gain experience with a wide range of biochemistry lab techniques including column chromatography, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and enzyme activity assays. This laboratory is taken as a fifth course; while figured into the GPA, it does not count as one of the
32 courses required for graduation. Prerequisite or corequisite: Biology 301. One-half unit.
Biology 304 — Biochemistry 2 Laboratory
Spring
This laboratory accompanies Biology 302 and introduces students to the principles and methods of molecular biology as they relate to the modern practice of laboratory biochemistry. Through a multi-week, fullsemester procedure, students are exposed to a wide-range of techniques including genomic DNA isolation, PCR, plasmid DNA construction, sequence analysis and recombinant protein expression. This laboratory is taken as a fifth course; while figured into the GPA, it does not count as one of the 32 courses required for graduation. Prerequisite or corequisite: Biology 302. One-half unit.
Biology 311, 312 — Problems in Biology
Annually
Courses at an advanced level on selected subjects in the biological sciences. Recent topics include microbial physiology, electrophysiology, genetic engineering, cell signaling, bioinformatics, neurobiology and neurological disease, and the physiology of movement. Distribution area depends on subject. One unit (Biology 312 includes a laboratory and receives one and one-quarter units).
Biology 320 — Molecular Genetics
Spring
The regulatory mechanisms controlling gene expression at the levels of DNA, RNA and protein are considered along with methodology used to study these molecules. Topics include DNA cloning, PCR analysis, the human genome project, RNA interference, microarray technology, and special topics such as regulation of development, circadian systems, and stem cells. Current literature is an integral part of the course. Includes laboratory. Molecular and cellular biology. Prerequisites: Biology 120, 261, 262, 266 or 301. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 331 — Ecosystem Ecology
Spring
The course covers the history of ecosystem ecology, biogeochemical cycles and budgets, ecosystem energetics and trophic structure, and the response of ecosystems to disturbance and human-accelerated environmental change. The latter part of the course emphasizes discussion of recent primary literature that contributes to the conceptual framework underlying the management and conservation of diverse ecosystems. Ecological and evolutionary biology. Prerequisites: Biology 131 and 132. One unit.
Biology 341 — Virology
Fall
This course is a general introduction to virology. It covers virus classifi cation and structure, how viruses enter cells and replicative eff ects of viruses on host cells, interactions with the host immune system and viral disease. Molecular and Cellular. Prerequisites: Biology 261 or 262 or 266. One unit.
Biology 361 — Toxicology
Annually
The study of adverse effects of chemicals on biological systems. Topics include measurements of toxicity; dose-response relationships; the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of toxicants; toxicant interactions; target organs; mutagenesis; carcinogenesis; developmental toxicology; clinical, environmental, forensic, and regulatory toxicology; and toxins. Organismal biology. Prerequisites: Chemistry 222 and Biology 120, 261, or 262. One unit.
Biology 390 — Animal Physiology
Annually
A comparative approach to the functioning of cells, organs, and organisms. Major themes are homeostasis, control mechanisms, and adaptation to the environment. Topics include: excitable and contractile cell physiology, energy metabolism and temperature regulation, respiration and circulation, digestion, water balance, and coordination and control of these systems by neuroendocrine mechanisms. Includes laboratory. Organismal biology. Prerequisites: Chemistry 231 and Biology 120 or 131. Prerequisite or Corequisite: Physics
111 or 115. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 392 — Immunology
Annually
The course examines the components of the immune system. It covers the genetics, structure and function of antibodies, immune receptors and messengers, tolerance, hypersensitivity, autoimmunity and immunodeficiency. Includes laboratory. Molecular and cellular biology. Prerequisites: Biology 120, 261, 262 or 266. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 401 — Undergraduate Research
Annually
Individual experimental investigation and associated study of the scientific literature under the direct supervision of a member of the faculty. The number of positions is limited; students contemplating research should make inquiries early in the year preceding the term in which research is to be initiated. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. One semester may be counted toward the biology major; additional semesters may be taken for college credit. One and one-quarter units.
Biology 405 — Directed Reading
Annually
An in-depth literature study of a topic of interest to the student under the tutorial supervision of a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. One unit.
Biology 407, 408 — Honors Research
Annually
Individual experimental investigation and associated study of the scientific literature under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Students contemplating research should make inquiries early in the year preceding the term in which research is to be initiated. Open only to students in the College Honors Program. One and one-quarter units each semester.
* The courses and descriptions listed above are taken directly from the official College Catalog.