2012-2013 Biology Courses

Biology, the study of life on Earth, encompasses structures and forms ranging from the very minute to the very large. In order to grasp the complexities of life, we begin this study with the cellular and molecular forms and mechanisms that serve as the foundation for all living organisms. The initial part of the semester will introduce the fundamental molecules critical to the biochemistry of life processes. From there, we branch out to investigate the major ideas, structures, and concepts central to the biology of cells, genetics, and the chromosomal basis of inheritance. Finally, we conclude the semester by examining how these principles relate to the mechanisms of evolution. Throughout the semester, we will discuss the individuals responsible for major discoveries, as well as the experimental techniques and process by which such advances in biological understanding are made. Classes will be supplemented with weekly laboratory work. This semester-long course is designed to be followed, in sequence, by General Biology II: Organismal and Population Biology.

The formation of an individual’s life is dependent upon a complex mixture of cultural experiences, social interactions, and personal health and physiology. At the center of this intricate web lies the biological components unique to each of us, yet shared in some form by all life on earth—our genes. Genes contribute much to what makes each of us an individual, from hair color and body shape to intelligence and personality. Such genes and traits are inherited from our parents, yet environmental factors can profoundly influence their function in different individuals. Stunning advancements in the field of genetics are reported every day, from the identification of new genes for particular traits to the development of gene-based tests for human diseases. But what exactly are genes and how do they work in humans? In this course, we will explore how genes and chromosomes provide the basic blueprint that leads to our unique physical and behavioral characteristics. In doing so, we will discuss the central concepts of human genetics, including: the mechanisms and patterns of inheritance, sex-linked traits, the genetics of behavior, DNA and proteins, the role of mutations in causing disease, human origins and evolution, and the application of various genetic technologies such as stem cells and genetically modified organisms. Readings will be drawn from texts, as well as from current popular-press and peer-reviewed articles. No previous background in biology is required, other than a curiosity and desire to understand the genetic mechanisms that shape human existence and make us who we are.

The number and diversity of living organisms on Earth is staggering—and so common that we often take their very existence for granted. Yet the nature of these organisms, their mechanisms of survival, and their modes of interaction with each other and with the environment form the basis of endless and fascinating study. This course serves as a fundamental introduction to the science of life—the broad field of biology. As such, we cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from the microscopic to the macroscopic and from the laboratory to the field. The course will be divided into three parts. The first portion of the course will focus on the biology of cells and the chromosomal basis of inheritance. We will then turn our attention to the mechanisms of evolution and biological diversity. Finally, we will conclude by examining organismal functions and ecology. In addition to the science involved, we will discuss the individuals responsible for major discoveries and the process of hypothesis formation, experimental design, and interpretation of results. Classes will be supplemented with weekly laboratory work.

Anatomy is the branch of science that explores the bodily structure of living organisms, while physiology is the study of the normal functions of these organisms. In this course, we will explore the human body in both health and disease. Focus will be placed on the major body units, such as skin, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary. and reproductive systems. By emphasizing concepts rather than the memorization of facts, we will make associations between anatomical structures and their functions. The course will have a clinical approach to health and illness, with examples drawn from medical disciplines such as radiology, pathology, and surgery. A final conference paper is required at the conclusion of the course. The topic will be chosen by each student to emphasize the relevance of anatomy/physiology to our understanding of the human body.

Understanding the diversity of plants and their evolutionary relationships are fundamental to understanding the complex web of life on Earth.  Nearly all other organisms, including humans, rely on plants directly or indirectly for their food and oxygen.  Consequently, plants are essential to our existence and by studying plants in detail we learn more about our own species and the world we inhabit.  This course is an introductory survey of plant diversity.  In it you will gain a thorough understanding of the diverse morphology of plants and will acquire a basic understanding of phylogenetic relationships among them.  You will be able to describe morphological structures of plants using botanical terminology and learn how to identify prominent plant families using diagnostic morphological characters and plant keys.  Seminars and associated labs will be supplemented with independent field collections. Open.

What determines biodiversity on planet earth?  This course will cover the area of ecology known as "community ecology."  We will examine classic theories and case studies on how so many species evolved on the planet, why so many species continue to coexist, and what biodiversity means for the planet (ecosystem services).  We will use textbooks and the primary literature to explore basic research in the field, including niche theory, intermediate disturbance hypothesis, and invasion ecology.  We will also use computer simulations to further explore some of the models that community ecologists use to understand ecological systems.  This work will draw on some basic applied mathematics, but students will not be tested on mathematics per se, just the mechanics of the models that we explore.  We will spend time discussing how to conduct a classic literature review, critically reviewing primary literature, learning about complementary approaches to scientific communication (blogs, videoblogs, radio), and discussing our ideas as a larger group.  Students will choose individual areas of interest and a conference oral or poster presentation will be required at the end of the course. Open.

Cells are the most basic unit of life on the planet. All life forms are simply conglomerations of cells, ranging from the individual bacterial cells to higher order plants and animals. Humans, themselves, are made up of trillions of cells. So what exactly is a cell? Of what is it made? How does it function? In a complex organism, how do cells communicate with one another and coordinate their activities? How do they regulate their growth? What role do genes play in controlling cellular function? This course will address these questions and introduce the basic biology of cells while keeping in mind their larger role in tissues and organs. If we can understand the structures and functions of the individual cells that serve as the subunits of larger organisms, we can begin to understand the biological nature of humans and other complex life forms.

The processing of emotion was an enduring concern for early biologists and psychologists. Charles Darwin devoted a monograph to the expression of emotion in men and animals and argued for an evolutionary understanding of emotions as a biological phenomenon. William James considered emotions a key topic in his investigations of the science of mental life. Despite this early interest, emotions were not a major focus in the development of modern cognitive neuroscience. Instead, efforts to understand mental life focused primarily on reason or cognition. Recently, this neglect of emotions has been redressed through the growth of the new interest area of “affective neuroscience.” This integration of psychological and biological approaches has been fueled by an increasing awareness of the function of emotions in mental life and by technological and experimental advances, such as brain imaging, which have allowed the development of sophisticated experimental approaches to the study of emotions. In this course, we will begin with the early history of the investigation of emotions in order to define our terms and then quickly proceed to the new experimental work being developed in both human and animal models. Some of the questions to be entertained are: What brain systems regulate emotions? How do emotions modulate memories? How are different emotions processed by the brain? How do emotions and reason interact to shape decision-making? This is a joint seminar. Open to sophomores and above.

The diverse kinds of cells in an organism and the different ways that any cell can respond to changes in the environment result from distinctions in the timing and level of expression of various genes that are responsible for their specific cellular activity. Therefore, a fundamental question in biology is to understand the mechanisms used by cells to regulate gene expression and subsequent cell function. Most regulation of gene function occurs at the level of DNA activity (transcription), and it has been estimated that 10% of all human genes encode the transcription factors responsible for this level of regulation; however, because of the complexity of the cell and the critical need to maintain normal cell function in a variety of environments, multiple mechanisms have evolved to modify and control cell activity. In this course we will focus on these various mechanisms, examining regulatory events at the level of transcription, translation, receptor activity and signal transduction, determination of cell fate, and the modification and localization of intracellular proteins. Once we understand how cells regulate their function, we can begin to imagine ways in which we may intervene to modify specific cell activities, as well as how specific chemicals and compounds alter these regulatory mechanisms to the detriment of the cell. Readings are drawn entirely from the primary research literature covering the latest developments in cell biology.

Biology, the study of life on Earth, encompasses structures and forms ranging from the very minute to the very large. In order to grasp the complexities of life, we begin this study with the cellular and molecular forms and mechanisms that serve as the foundation for all living organisms. The initial part of the semester will introduce the fundamental molecules critical to the biochemistry of life processes. From there, we branch out to investigate the major ideas, structures, and concepts central to the biology of cells, genetics, and the chromosomal basis of inheritance. Finally, we conclude the semester by examining how these principles relate to the mechanisms of evolution. Throughout the semester, we will discuss the individuals responsible for major discoveries, as well as the experimental techniques and process by which such advances in biological understanding are made. Classes will be supplemented with weekly laboratory work. This semester-long course is designed to be followed, in sequence, by General Biology II: Organismal and Population Biology.

The formation of an individual’s life is dependent upon a complex mixture of cultural experiences, social interactions, and personal health and physiology. At the center of this intricate web lies the biological components unique to each of us, yet shared in some form by all life on earth—our genes. Genes contribute much to what makes each of us an individual, from hair color and body shape to intelligence and personality. Such genes and traits are inherited from our parents, yet environmental factors can profoundly influence their function in different individuals. Stunning advancements in the field of genetics are reported every day, from the identification of new genes for particular traits to the development of gene-based tests for human diseases. But what exactly are genes and how do they work in humans? In this course, we will explore how genes and chromosomes provide the basic blueprint that leads to our unique physical and behavioral characteristics. In doing so, we will discuss the central concepts of human genetics, including: the mechanisms and patterns of inheritance, sex-linked traits, the genetics of behavior, DNA and proteins, the role of mutations in causing disease, human origins and evolution, and the application of various genetic technologies such as stem cells and genetically modified organisms. Readings will be drawn from texts, as well as from current popular-press and peer-reviewed articles. No previous background in biology is required, other than a curiosity and desire to understand the genetic mechanisms that shape human existence and make us who we are.

The number and diversity of living organisms on Earth is staggering—and so common that we often take their very existence for granted. Yet the nature of these organisms, their mechanisms of survival, and their modes of interaction with each other and with the environment form the basis of endless and fascinating study. This course serves as a fundamental introduction to the science of life—the broad field of biology. As such, we cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from the microscopic to the macroscopic and from the laboratory to the field. The course will be divided into three parts. The first portion of the course will focus on the biology of cells and the chromosomal basis of inheritance. We will then turn our attention to the mechanisms of evolution and biological diversity. Finally, we will conclude by examining organismal functions and ecology. In addition to the science involved, we will discuss the individuals responsible for major discoveries and the process of hypothesis formation, experimental design, and interpretation of results. Classes will be supplemented with weekly laboratory work.

Anatomy is the branch of science that explores the bodily structure of living organisms, while physiology is the study of the normal functions of these organisms. In this course, we will explore the human body in both health and disease. Focus will be placed on the major body units, such as skin, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary. and reproductive systems. By emphasizing concepts rather than the memorization of facts, we will make associations between anatomical structures and their functions. The course will have a clinical approach to health and illness, with examples drawn from medical disciplines such as radiology, pathology, and surgery. A final conference paper is required at the conclusion of the course. The topic will be chosen by each student to emphasize the relevance of anatomy/physiology to our understanding of the human body.

Understanding the diversity of plants and their evolutionary relationships are fundamental to understanding the complex web of life on Earth.  Nearly all other organisms, including humans, rely on plants directly or indirectly for their food and oxygen.  Consequently, plants are essential to our existence and by studying plants in detail we learn more about our own species and the world we inhabit.  This course is an introductory survey of plant diversity.  In it you will gain a thorough understanding of the diverse morphology of plants and will acquire a basic understanding of phylogenetic relationships among them.  You will be able to describe morphological structures of plants using botanical terminology and learn how to identify prominent plant families using diagnostic morphological characters and plant keys.  Seminars and associated labs will be supplemented with independent field collections. Open.

What determines biodiversity on planet earth?  This course will cover the area of ecology known as "community ecology."  We will examine classic theories and case studies on how so many species evolved on the planet, why so many species continue to coexist, and what biodiversity means for the planet (ecosystem services).  We will use textbooks and the primary literature to explore basic research in the field, including niche theory, intermediate disturbance hypothesis, and invasion ecology.  We will also use computer simulations to further explore some of the models that community ecologists use to understand ecological systems.  This work will draw on some basic applied mathematics, but students will not be tested on mathematics per se, just the mechanics of the models that we explore.  We will spend time discussing how to conduct a classic literature review, critically reviewing primary literature, learning about complementary approaches to scientific communication (blogs, videoblogs, radio), and discussing our ideas as a larger group.  Students will choose individual areas of interest and a conference oral or poster presentation will be required at the end of the course. Open.

Cells are the most basic unit of life on the planet. All life forms are simply conglomerations of cells, ranging from the individual bacterial cells to higher order plants and animals. Humans, themselves, are made up of trillions of cells. So what exactly is a cell? Of what is it made? How does it function? In a complex organism, how do cells communicate with one another and coordinate their activities? How do they regulate their growth? What role do genes play in controlling cellular function? This course will address these questions and introduce the basic biology of cells while keeping in mind their larger role in tissues and organs. If we can understand the structures and functions of the individual cells that serve as the subunits of larger organisms, we can begin to understand the biological nature of humans and other complex life forms.

The processing of emotion was an enduring concern for early biologists and psychologists. Charles Darwin devoted a monograph to the expression of emotion in men and animals and argued for an evolutionary understanding of emotions as a biological phenomenon. William James considered emotions a key topic in his investigations of the science of mental life. Despite this early interest, emotions were not a major focus in the development of modern cognitive neuroscience. Instead, efforts to understand mental life focused primarily on reason or cognition. Recently, this neglect of emotions has been redressed through the growth of the new interest area of “affective neuroscience.” This integration of psychological and biological approaches has been fueled by an increasing awareness of the function of emotions in mental life and by technological and experimental advances, such as brain imaging, which have allowed the development of sophisticated experimental approaches to the study of emotions. In this course, we will begin with the early history of the investigation of emotions in order to define our terms and then quickly proceed to the new experimental work being developed in both human and animal models. Some of the questions to be entertained are: What brain systems regulate emotions? How do emotions modulate memories? How are different emotions processed by the brain? How do emotions and reason interact to shape decision-making? This is a joint seminar. Open to sophomores and above.

The diverse kinds of cells in an organism and the different ways that any cell can respond to changes in the environment result from distinctions in the timing and level of expression of various genes that are responsible for their specific cellular activity. Therefore, a fundamental question in biology is to understand the mechanisms used by cells to regulate gene expression and subsequent cell function. Most regulation of gene function occurs at the level of DNA activity (transcription), and it has been estimated that 10% of all human genes encode the transcription factors responsible for this level of regulation; however, because of the complexity of the cell and the critical need to maintain normal cell function in a variety of environments, multiple mechanisms have evolved to modify and control cell activity. In this course we will focus on these various mechanisms, examining regulatory events at the level of transcription, translation, receptor activity and signal transduction, determination of cell fate, and the modification and localization of intracellular proteins. Once we understand how cells regulate their function, we can begin to imagine ways in which we may intervene to modify specific cell activities, as well as how specific chemicals and compounds alter these regulatory mechanisms to the detriment of the cell. Readings are drawn entirely from the primary research literature covering the latest developments in cell biology.