400

A lecture and field course on the natural history and ecology of the neotropics. Students examine several terrestrial and marine tropical ecosystems, including lowland rain forests, elfin forests, mangrove communities, and coral reefs. Each student completes a field project and journal. One lecture per week during the semester followed by a two-week field experience in Costa Rica during winter break. Students are responsible for travel expenses. Restricted to majors with junior or senior standing.

The course covers social behavior from the perspective of evolutionary theory. Topics include sex, aggression, altruism, parent-offspring conflict, and the origin of cooperative societies.

How animals maintain homeostasis in a non-homeostatic world. After a general introduction to mechanisms of cellular regulation and energetics the class will discuss specific physiological systems (respiratory, cardiovascular, osmoregulatory, etc.) and compare the modes and strategies employed by different animal groups in responding to changes in external environment. Particular attention directed to adaptations to marginal habitats, e.g. marine intertidal, deep sea hydrothermal vents, hot desert.

The course will focus on the study of DNA and genes from the paper by Watson and Crick to the Human Genome Project. The genetic and molecular approaches used to identify genes and the impact of genome study on society and current scientific research will be discussed.

Reading and discussion of primary literature relating to population and community ecology. Topics include population growth, life history patterns, competition, plant-animal interactions, and community organization.

An examination of species diversity with an emphasis on human activities which affect these patterns. Major topics will include the effects of land use practices, habitat fragmentation, invasive species and pollution on the current distribution and extinction patterns of plants and animals.

Reading and discussion of primary literature relating to animal interactions with the environment. Examination of potential effects of specific habitats (e.g. deserts, deep sea) and the physiological responses of various animals to these environmental challenges.

Classification and biology of major groups of organisms that inhabit freshwater environments, characteristics of aquatic habitats, pollution of aquatic environments, and the role of physical and chemical factors in aquatic ecosystems.

The focus of the course is on global environmental issues. The issues examined have been making the news during the last year and at the time the course is taught. Changes in climate, overpopulation, pollution, conservation, development, genetically modified organisms, invasive species, illegal species trade, etc. are some of the ongoing issues that are covered in the course. The format of the course invites participation, discussion and critical thinking.

The course is an overview of ichthyology, fisheries biology, and fisheries conservation. Students will be introduced to the taxonomic diversity of fish, fish adaptations, techniques and models used in the study of fish populations, community interactions, and issues concerning fisheries conservation and management. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding Great Lakes fisheries.

A field-oriented course with emphasis on developing and testing scientific hypotheses. Activities include identification of local flora and fauna, using a wide variety of field techniques, statistical analysis, and writing scientific reports. Some Saturday field trips required.

Reading, discussion, and analysis of current topics of biological significance using original source material from primary biological periodicals. Students prepare and present a seminar based on an extensive review of the available literature.

The course will provide background to the discipline of animal behavior and examine the levels of questioning in this field. It will discuss the influence of genetics and the environment on behavior (nature vs. nurture). It will then magnify our focus to the roots of behavior, the proximate causes of behavior, specifically its neural and hormonal control. It will examine the cases of bird song, electric fish EODs, shark electroreception, moth hearing and bat echolocation. It will then focus on those behaviors that make up the many tasks animals must accomplish to survive and reproduce.

A study of animal development integrating descriptive, experimental, cellular, and molecular studies of gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, induction, and maturation. Labs examine development from an historical perspective including: descriptive, experimental and molecular embryology incorporating hypothesis testing through the use of micromanipulation, cell culture and immunohistochemistry. Two lectures, one laboratory.

Molecular genetics is a broad term that describes a collection of techniques that biologists use to study and manipulate the physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of a cell at a molecular level. This course is designed to help students build their molecular “toolkit” and teach them how to bring the concepts learned in lecture courses to bear on a research project.

The course will cover material on traditional drugs used in medicine and discuss the transition to new drugs that have been designed to interact with a specific target. An emphasis will be on understanding the molecular details of drug-target interactions and the mechanism of actions of pharmaceutical drugs. Students will discuss ethical issues relating to medicine and pharmaceuticals. Students will read primary literature and review articles as the primary sources of information in the course.

Independent study and research of mutual interest with faculty member in such areas as morphology, physiology, evolution, development, population dynamics, genetics, biochemistry, cell and subcellular biology, microbiology, ecology, behavior and conservation. Course may be repeated; maximum of 12 credits count toward the B.S. degree, only 3 of which may be included in a Biology major. Note: Students may earn Biology elective credit for only one of BIOL 440/1 or 458. Permission of department required.

Independent study and research of mutual interest with faculty member in such areas as morphology, physiology, evolution, development, population dynamics, genetics, biochemistry, cell and subcellular biology, microbiology, ecology, behavior and conservation. Course may be repeated; maximum of 12 credits count toward the B.S. degree, only 3 of which may be included in a Biology major. Note: Students may earn Biology elective credit for only one of BIOL 440/1 or 458. Permission of department required.

Study of the life processes and responses of plants, including water relations and transport, photosynthesis and general metabolism, mineral and organic nutrition, photoperiodic responses and rhythms, growth and differentiation, and plant relationships with the environment.

Consideration of the theoretical framework of evolutionary biology and the mechanisms of evolution. Special topics include microevolution, macroevolution, and coevolution.

An in-depth examination of selected areas of biology for interested upper-division students. Topics are determined by faculty and student interests and emphasize methods and recent research developments. Examples of topics currently offered on a rotating basis include: Biomembranes, Hormone Mechanisms, Molecular Biology, Cell/Hybridoma Culture, and Biology of Terrestrial Vertebrates.

An in-depth examination of selected areas of biology for interested upper-division students Topics are determined by faculty and student interests and emphasize methods and recent research developments. Examples of topics currently offered on a rotating basis include: Biomembranes, Hormone Mechanisms, Molecular Biology, Cell/Hybridoma Culture, and Biology of Terrestrial Vertebrates.

Introduction to the study of blood, its cellular components, and various blood diseases. Laboratory exercises include a variety of manual techniques involved with blood cell counts and determinations.

A review of statistical tests frequently used in the biological sciences. Emphasis is placed on understanding experimental design and what statistics can and cannot do. Uses of computer statistical packages are also considered.

A supervisory experience in teaching of the biology department's laboratories under the guidance of a faculty member. Student experiences may include; preparing materials for the lab, and demonstrating procedures and techniques to students. Note: Students may earn Biology elective credit for only one of BIOL 440/1 or 458. Permission of department required.

Study of the mechanisms of the immune response including cellular basis of immunity and molecular basis of antigen-antibody reactions. Regulation of antibody production and cell-mediated reactivity examined. Current clinical applicability considered in discussion of tumor, transplantation, allergy-related, and autoimmune immunobiology. Several laboratory exercises included involving serological/immunological determinations detecting antigen-antibody interactions. Three lectures.

State-of-the-art biochemical and molecular techniques are taught within this hands-on, laboratory-based course. Potential topics include the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), oligonucleotide synthesis, DNA/protein sequencing and analysis (BLAST, DNASIS), pulse-field gel electrophoresis, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, high performance liquid chronatography (HPLC), immunochemistry, and/or other contemporary techniques.

Course focuses on recent developments in the rapidly expanding field of developmental biology. With the advent of the tools available to molecular biologists, the course will study recent advances in the genetic understanding of various aspects of embryological development and regeneration. The course will present a variety of topics including: fertilization, gastrulation, maternal effect genes, pattern formation, and evolutionary aspects of development. Junior standing in major required.

The objectives of the course include: identification of different types of membranes based upon composition, morphology and cellular functions, and examination of experiments which have provided understanding of how membranes function in cells and organisms. Topics include membrane composition, electron microscope techniques, membrane transport, membrane proteins and enzymes, receptors, hormone interaction, cell recognition, secretion, and biogenesis of membranes.

In-depth examination of the ways in which eukaryotic cells regulate their protein composition at the levels of genome replication, transcription, post-transcriptional modifications, and translations. Topics include chromatin structure, transcription factors, and DNA sequence elements, several cell-type specific transcriptional events and how they are regulated, as well as how transcriptional regulation gone awry can cause cancer.

Course will examine the basic physiological, cellular and molecular pathways which regulate metabolism, growth, and neurological activities of organisms, especially mammals. Discussions will follow text information and general models will be supported with primary research literature to show developments from recent experiments.

Course focuses on the molecular basis of microbial pathogenesis. Through the application of molecular techniques to the study of the microbe-host interaction, scientists are gaining a fundamental understanding of the virulence mechanisms of microbial pathogens. Using primary literature the course will illustrate how the integration of the molecular basis of virulence mechanisms with the clinical aspects of disease has enhanced understanding of the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.

The course will provide a background for the field of animal communication including a discussion of definitions of animal communication. It will then survey the production, transmission and reception of auditory, visual, and chemical signals. Optimality theory and signal detection theory will be introduced as they apply to animal communication. It will spend some time on how signals come to be and why they have the design they do (signal evolution). Finally, it will investigate signaling in a variety of situations such as between potential mates, other conspecifics, as well as environmental and autocommunication signaling.

A continuation of BIOL 333, the course explores biochemical concepts and pathways with an emphasis on problem solving. Cellular control and coordination of biochemical pathways is emphasized in light of an advanced understanding of protein biochemistry. Lecture only.

The course will cover topics relating to the genetic and biochemical etiology of human disease. Through examination of the primary literature, students will become familiar with the techniques used to study and treat diseases at the molecular level. Specific topics covered include inborn errors in metabolism, cholesterol homeostasis, protein folding diseases, cancer, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy. Students will formulate an independent research proposal based on examination of current literature on a disease of their choosing.

Approved biology-related experiences in academia, government, industry or other foundations. Requires the permission of the department and faculty sponsor.

BIOL 491-Senior Capstone Each Biology major will perform a capstone experience in their senior year. The experience can take the form of research, an internship or course, and will provide significant learning experiences in problem solving and written and oral communication. Capstone Research: The student will fulfill expectations for capstone research via two semesters of UGR (3 credits/semester) during the senior year, or a 10 week summer research position during the summer before the senior year. The faculty mentor will bear responsibility for the evaluation of the learning and inquiry experience. A formal paper will be expected. Oral presentation will occur during a capstone UGR/internship symposium. Note: Students opting for a capstone experience that does not involve significant laboratory or field work will be required to take at least one lab or field course as part of their 12 hours of upper level Biology electives.

BIOL 492-Senior Capstone Each Biology major will perform a capstone experience in their senior year. The experience can take the form of research, an internship or course, and will provide significant learning experiences in problem solving and written and oral communication. Capstone Internship: The student will fulfill expectations for capstone internship via a 3 credit internship experience (120 hours). Acceptable experiences include job apprenticeships (not unlike the clinical internships of MT students) involving very active learning. Research projects performed off-campus (not including REUs) are also acceptable as capstone internship experiences. A site supervisor will provide evaluations to the faculty mentor; the faculty mentor will bear responsibility for the final evaluation of the learning experience. A formal paper will be expected. Oral presentation will occur during a capstone UGR/internship symposia. Note: Students opting for a capstone experience that does not involve significant laboratory or field work will be required to take at least one lab or field course as part of their 12 hours of upper level Biology electives.

BIOL 493-Senior Capstone Each Biology major will perform a capstone experience in their senior year. The experience can take the form of research, an internship or course, and will provide significant learning experiences in problem solving and written and oral communication. Capstone Course: We will offer capstone 'sections' of UL courses on a rotating basis. Some of these courses will be modifications of currently existing courses; other will be new courses. Examples may include Molecular Biology of Disease, Cancer Biology, and Evolution. Courses will be designed to include significant inquiry based learning, problem solving, and written and oral presentation’ enrollment will be limited and carefully controlled. Students will write a formal paper and offer a formal presentation. Note: Students opting for a capstone experience that does not involve significant laboratory or field work will be required to take at least one lab or field course as part of their 12 hours of upper level Biology electives.

Students prepare oral presentations based on an assessment of current biochemical research papers. The course will help students to further develop critical reading and scientific communication skills. Faculty from both biology and chemistry participate in the seminar.

In Independent Study, students will perform literature reviews and learn how to design experiments and collect and analyze data. Student expectations will vary based upon the biological discipline and the number of credits. Junior/Senior standing in the major.