Biological Sciences (BIOL)

In the fall semester, seven 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.

“Diversity of Life” (Biology 145f-02) 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. In our survey, we will discover a variety of life cycle patterns, different ways of extracting energy from the environment, and multiple life history strategies. 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.

“Organismal Biology” (Biology 145f-03) encompasses a broad range of concepts central to our understanding of how organisms function and evolve. Detailed investigations of important biological processes, such as photosynthesis and metabolism, and of systems, like the cardiovascular and immune systems, will be an important component of this course. We will also take a more holistic view of biology and use our newly acquired knowledge to explore such diverse topics as: the evolution of infectious diseases, the consequences of development and design on the evolution of organisms, and how the physiology and behavior of animals might affect their responses to global climate change.

“Model Organisms” (Biology 145f-04) will focus on the ways that an organism's anatomy and physiology are uniquely suited to the demands of its environment. The course is divided into topical modules that include: communication, movement, zoology and diversity, evolution, cellular structure and function, reproduction, and neuroscience. The course provides a broad introduction to topics in biology, but special consideration is given to the physiology of model organisms commonly used in research.

Two other sections, each with its own theme, will also be offered. As soon as their topics are known, they will be posted on the Web Site of Biological Sciences.

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 two courses that are equally suitable for potential majors and for those seeking distribution credit for laboratory science. “Biology in the Age of the Human Genome Project” (Biology 145s-01) is leading to great advances in our understanding of the human body and in our ability to manipulate our own genetic information. We will focus on the science behind the Human Genome Project, and the ways in which it will change our lives. “Model Organisms” (Biology 145s-02) is a first-year seminar focusing on the way that an organism's anatomy and physiology are uniquely suited to the demands of its environment. The course provides a broad introduction to topics in biology, but special consideration is given to the physiology of model organisms commonly used in research.

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: