Courses
The department offers introductory biology courses suitable for both majors and nonmajors. Some 100-level seminars, such as Model Organisms, Nature Harmoniously Confus’d, and Patterns and Principles of Life, are small classes designed especially for first-year students.
Upper-level courses provide in-depth study of such topics as genetics, cell biology, evolution, protein biochemistry, electron microscopy, microbiology, anatomy, ecology, plant diversity, and physiology.
In the fall semester, six different introductory biology courses will be offered. Any of these courses count for Distribution as a Laboratory Science. All are suitable for the major in Biological Sciences, Environmental Studies, Neuroscience and Behavior, and Biochemistry. Students should choose the one that most interests them.
“Nature Harmoniously Confus’d” (Biology 145f-01) surveys the whole range of organisms, especially those in local streams, ponds and forests. The emphasis is on groups that are not covered in other biology courses, and on cases where what is biological parts company with what is logical. This section should be special interest to students intrigued by natural history. Several labs take place outside--there will be opportunities to get muddy and wet. (FY Seminar)
“Comparative Vertebrate Physiology” (Biology 145f-02) will explore the structure and function of major physiological systems in vertebrate animals. Of particular interest will be identifying the solutions that different animals have evolved to deal with similar problems (e.g., how do fish gills and bird lungs function in gas exchange?).
“A Green World” (Biology 145f-03) examines the plant life in the woods and fields around us, the exotic plants in our greenhouses, and the plants we depend on for food. We will study plants living in surprising circumstances, settling into winter, escaping from gardens, reclaiming farmland, cooperating with fungi and insects, and fighting for their lives. We will find that plants challenge some conventional, animal-based assumptions about what matters to living things. In labs, students will seek to answer their questions about how plants grow in nature, by studying plant structure and function, ecology, and evolution. (FY Seminar)
“Diversity of Life” (Biology 145f-04) will survey the great diversity of life on earth from the archaebacteria that live in hot sulfur springs to giant sequoia trees to singing birds. Labs will explore biological diversity via collecting trips around campus as well as laboratory experiments and will introduce students to data collection, manipulation, and analysis.
“Complexity of Life” (Biology 145f-05) Planet Earth is inhabited by a variety of organisms, ranging from simple viruses to complex organisms, humans, and plants. We will examine the vast diversity of life forms surrounding us and how these organisms have evolved. We will also examine the essential biological processes and systems that sustain life. Using all resources available, such as laboratory experiments, articles, books, and the World Wide Web, students will gain practical experience and understand how scientific results are collected, analyzed, and presented.
Biology 160f, in which students must also co-enroll in Chemistry 160f, is an integrated introduction to both biology and chemistry. This is a fine choice for students with strong aptitude and high school preparation in both biology and chemistry. The laboratory components of these latter two courses will provide students with opportunities to do some quantitative biology. Any of the six introductory courses will serve as the prerequisite for Biology 200.
In the spring semester, the department will offer courses that are equally suitable for potential majors and for those seeking distribution credit for laboratory science.
All 100-level courses in the department serve as an entry into Biology 200, offered only in the spring. A delay in taking this course limits one’s course selection choices later on, so first-year students who are contemplating a major in biology are best served by a 100-level course in the fall and then Biology 200 in the spring. It is possible to delay beginning the biology major until the sophomore year, but this requires careful planning and will probably restrict the options for study abroad in the junior year.
After Bio 200, the next course in the core sequence for biology majors is Biology 210, Genetics and Molecular Biology; it is offered only in the fall semester. This class requires that the student has taken, or is taking, Chemistry 101.
Students who know that they wish to major in Biological Sciences should consider taking the first year Biology sequence and the first year Chemistry sequence simultaneously. This is not required, but doing so will allow greater flexibility.
First-year students may consider enrolling in:
BIOL-145f-01 Introductory Biology: Nature Harmoniously Confused (FY Seminar)
BIOL-145f-02 Introductory Biology: Comparative Vertebrate Physiology
BIOL-145f-03 Introductory Biology: A Green World (FY Seminar)
BIOL-145f-04 Introductory Biology: Diversity of Life
BIOL-145f-05 Introductory Biology: Complexity of Life
BIOL-160f-01 Integrated Introduction to Biology and
Chemistry