Most departmental courses satisfy the science and mathematics distribution requirement. Any off-campus biology course taken to satisfy the science and mathematics distribution requirement requirement must have a laboratory component. Courses that are introductions to professional specialties dependent on biology (e.g., nutrition or horticulture), or are addressed to technical certification (e.g., emergency medical technician), do not satisfy the science and mathematics distribution requirement.
The department offers introductory biology in two different forms. The BIOL-145 courses (e.g. BIOL-145BT and BIOL-145EX) are a liberal arts introduction to biology in a small-class atmosphere. Different sections emphasize different topics. BIOL-160, which must be taken concurrently with CHEM-160, offers an integrated introduction to biology and chemistry. Either one is an appropriate choice for students who are considering a major in biology, biochemistry, or environmental studies. Completion of any of these courses will allow a student to pursue further coursework in Biological Sciences. Students are welcome to email the instructors to find out more about any of the introductory courses.
Majors are encouraged to complete the following course work outside of biological sciences: Organic Chemistry (CHEM-202 and CHEM-302), as well as additional coursework in Physics and Computer Science.
It is not difficult to major in Biological Sciences and go off-campus for one or two semesters. For instance, other places are better situated to study tropical rain forests, deserts, or the ocean. Students have also received credit toward the biology major for course work. It is not safe to assume, however, that biology courses taken through any program off-campus will count toward requirements of the Biology major. Before enrolling in study away from the College, it is essential to talk about your goals and specific plans with the Chair of Biology or a designated faculty member.
BIOL-145 Introductory Biology With Laboratory
All BIOL-145 Introductory Biology courses (e.g. BIOL-145BT, BIOL-145EX, BIOL-145LC) serve as equivalent entry points to further coursework in Biological Sciences. Students may also consider BIOL-160 as an alternative introductory semester, which must be taken concurrently with CHEM-160.
BIOL-145BT Introductory Biology with Laboratory: 'Biology Today'
In this student-centered course, we will explore some of the core concepts, language, and frameworks used in the discipline of biology. This course will help students develop and hone an important skill-set, including experimental design, scientific writing and problem solving. In lecture, we will learn biology by investigating topics that affect everyone, learning about the impacts of social stress on mammalian cardiovascular systems, the promise and peril of gene editing, and the evolution of human skin color, for example. All course objectives will be met through active learning exercises in lecture, readings, discussions, and hands-on work in the laboratory.
BIOL-145EX Introductory Biology with Laboratory: 'Exploring Biodiversity'
In this course, we will take a leap back in time to the origins of life, discuss the evolution of major organismal lineages, and investigate biological processes that influence the biodiversity we observe today. Through lectures and in-class discussions, students will explore fundamental biological concepts at different scales through the lens of biodiversity. In lab, students will gain foundational skills in biology and will have hands-on experience with scientific inquiry and scientific writing.
BIOL-145LC Introductory Biology with Laboratory: 'Locomotion'
One of the most intriguing features of animals is the range of ways in which they are able to move. From running and jumping to climbing, swimming and flying, different forms of locomotion have allowed animals to exploit most of Earth's habitats. In this course, we will study the anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and biochemistry underlying different types of animal movement. While some of our focus will be on humans, we will take advantage of a wide range of mainly vertebrate animal models to understand the evolution and function of the musculoskeletal system and how it is used during locomotion.
BIOL-160 Integrated Introduction to Biology and Chemistry with Laboratory
This 8-credit course serves as a gateway to both the biology and chemistry core curricula. The course introduces and develops fundamental concepts in chemistry while also exploring the diverse range of strategies adopted by living systems to survive in different environments. This course prepares students for further study in chemistry and/or biology. Students must register for both BIOL-160 and CHEM-160 as well as a single lab section (listed under CHEM-160L). Recommended for students interested in completing pre-health requirements or advanced study in biochemistry or neuroscience.
BIOL-206 Local Flora with Field Laboratory
This course offers plant identification and natural history, emphasizing native and introduced trees and wildflowers. On- and off-campus field trips.
BIOL-209 Science Communication
In this course, we will evaluate the practices that best support a shared understanding of facts and enable trustworthy storytelling. We will read peer-reviewed literature on the benefits, challenges, and equity considerations of using various presentation formats and platforms. Students will analyze and then practice science-sharing methods targeting professionals and general audiences.
BIOL-210 Molecular Genetics with Laboratory
A comprehensive study of the fundamental principles of classical and molecular genetics. Topics will include genetic inheritance, the central dogma, gene and protein expression and regulation, the genetic and molecular basis for disease, and modern techniques such as genomics, bioinformatics, and gene therapy. The laboratory component will illustrate and analyze these topics through selected experimental approaches.
BIOL-220 Cell Biology with Laboratory
The aim of this course is to understand the fundamental unit of life -- the cell -- at the molecular level. We will consider the assembly and structure of cellular membranes, proteins, organelles, and the cytoskeleton, as well as their roles in cellular processes including the capture and transformation of energy, catalysis, protein sorting, motility, signal transduction, and cell-cell communication. Emphasis will be placed upon the diversity of cellular form and function and the cell biological basis for disease. The laboratory portion of this course will illustrate and analyze these phenomena through selected biochemical, genetic, and microscopy-based approaches.
BIOL-223 Ecology with Laboratory
This ecology course will cover the fundamental factors controlling the distribution and abundance of organisms, including interactions with the abiotic environment, fitness and natural selection, population growth and dynamics, species interactions, community dynamics, and diversity. We will address variation across space and time. The course will combine observational, experimental, and mathematical approaches to some of the applications of ecological theory, including conservation, disease dynamics, and biological control.
BIOL-224 Plant Biology with Laboratory
Plants are arguably the most important and consequential organisms on the planet. The origin of plants over 450 million years ago profoundly altered the terrestrial landscape. The incredible array of plant lineages that exist today are united by the fundamental cellular and developmental mechanisms that enable their survival. We will explore major themes in plant biology, including structure-function relationships, evolution and adaptation, and the co-dependence of humans and plants by working with plants hands-on, using the botanic garden collections and the campus living laboratory.
BIOL-226 Evolution with Laboratory: Making Sense of Life
Evolution is central to our understanding of Biology; it helps us explain both the diversity and commonality in organismal form, function and behavior that have been generated over 3 billion years of life on Earth. We will discuss the mechanisms of evolution within populations and between species, examine some branches of the tree of life and learn how the tree is generated, discuss how phenotypes arise from genotypes and interactions with the environment, and how development is central to understanding evolution. Some themes include the evolution of symbiosis, sex, and human evolution, as well as the crucial role that evolutionary principles play in society including agriculture and medicine.
BIOL-234 Biostatistics with Laboratory
The statistics sections of biology articles have become so technical and jargon-filled that many biologists feel intimidated into skipping them or blindly accepting the stated results. But how can we ask relevant questions or push the boundaries of knowledge if we skip these sections? Using lectures, data collection, and hands-on analysis in R, this course will connect statistics to biology to help students develop a gut instinct for experimental design and analysis. We will explore sampling bias and data visualization and review methods and assumptions for the most common approaches with examples from current biological literature and our own data.
BIOL-241 Comparative Animal Physiology with Laboratory
Animals share needs such as eating, breathing, moving and reproducing. Yet their solutions to meeting these needs are incredibly diverse, constrained as they are by each group's evolutionary history and by the specific demands of the environment in which they live. By looking at the range of solutions animals have devised to navigate life on Earth, we will explore fundamental themes in physiology including homeostasis and the relationship between structure and function. Using lectures, readings and discussions, students will gain an appreciation for the remarkably diverse ways in which animals have evolved to overcome the fundamental challenges of life.
BIOL-249 The Naturalist Habit with Field Laboratory
In this course, we will explore the rich natural history of our region, focusing on organisms in their natural habitat and contemplating questions and approaches we might employ to better understand them and the ways in which they live. We will place particular emphasis on developing the habits of close and curious observation and coupling those habits with the skills and methods of scientific hypothesis development, experimental design, and field ecology.
BIOL-295 Independent Study
In this class, students will acquire hands-on experience in diverse aspects of the research process in a field of Biology, from familiarizing themselves with a research topic, generating interesting questions, designing experiments, acquiring technical skills, collecting and analyzing data, to writing and/or presenting their results. Spots are limited. Interested students should submit the departmental research application, which typically opens each semester ahead of the academic advising period. Faculty review applications after the deadline and inform students of decisions prior to the start of the following semester. A single credit requires an average of 3 hours of work per week. (Note: Some faculty may require a set weekly meeting time for a portion of this class.)
BIOL-307 Vertebrate Anatomy with Laboratory
We will study the structure, function and evolution of the diversity of structures that allow vertebrates, including humans, to perform basic functions. We will connect these functions with day-to-day challenges for vertebrates, and we will discuss functional disruption such as disease and trauma. Students are expected to work in groups, as well as view most lectures before class. Class time will be used for active discussion and occasional guest lectures. During lab time, we will dissect many vertebrates so comfort in working with preserved and often smelly specimens is a must. This class requires memorization of many structures in a functional context.
BIOL-319 Immunology with Laboratory
The immune system protects the sterile interior of our bodies from the vast diversity of microbes in the outside world, adapting and improving from each encounter. How does it achieve this remarkable feat? This course will investigate the cells, organs, and biochemical signals that comprise innate and adaptive immune systems, as well as how they interact to identify and remove foreign pathogens. Emphasis will be placed on the human immune response to infectious diseases, with examples from clinical case studies and experimental models. The laboratory portion will provide experience with the foundational techniques of immunology research. Additional topics may include: autoimmunity, allergy, vaccination, transplantation, cancer, immune deficiency, and pathogen evasion strategies.
BIOL-321 Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences
BIOL-321CM Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences: 'Cellular Microbiology'
Pathogenic microbes, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi are expert cell biologists. During infection, they "hijack" host cell processes for their own benefit: rewiring signaling and metabolic pathways, inducing dramatic cytoskeletal rearrangements, and suppressing cell death pathways, to name just a few examples. Cellular microbiology is the study of how microbes interact with and manipulate host cell biology at the molecular level. In this seminar, we will draw upon the primary literature to explore specific case studies in cellular microbiology, aiming not only to understand how these manipulations benefit microbial pathogens, but also to become more expert cell biologists ourselves.
BIOL-321EG Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences: 'Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics'
In this course, we will examine the role of molecular genetic analysis in the study of phenomena such as human disease (e.g., cancer), animal development, and gene regulation. We will also discuss new techniques for genomic analysis, including the science as well as the health, legal, ethical and moral issues involved. There will be group discussions of original research articles and review articles.
BIOL-321EU Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences: 'The Neuron'
Nervous systems are built from a diversity of neurons, which can be classified in a variety of ways, including location, neurotransmitters, structure, connectivity, or gene expression. In the extreme, each neuron in a brain has its own unique identity. In this discussion-based course, we will review fundamental neuron biology, then we will use classic and modern literature to consider current multidisciplinary questions such as: What makes a neuron a neuron? Where did neurons come from? How do we distinguish different types of neurons? Students will research their favorite neuron and present it in a variety of media: written summaries, oral presentations, and creatively as a "trading card".
BIOL-321HG Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences: 'Molecular Genetics and Human Genetic Disorders'
Mendel's principles of genetic inheritance underpin all the inheritance patterns that we observe and the traits they govern. However, in nature, not all is as it first appears. Many traits seem to diverge from Mendelian genetics until we understand those inheritance patterns more deeply. In this course, we will explore the depths of genetic inheritance by first understanding the mechanisms of these seeming "exceptions of Mendelian inheritance". We will then understand how the molecule of DNA behaves in the nucleus to allow for gene expression and how we study DNA in the lab. Finally, we will discuss human genetic disorders that occur because of deviations in gene expression or DNA behavior but are rooted in Mendelian genetic principles. The capstone experience of the course is a student-group project exploring experimental approaches for diagnosing or treating a human genetic disorder.
BIOL-321PB Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences: 'Plant Biogeography'
What roles do ecology and evolution play in shaping where, when, and how plants are geographically distributed? In this course, we will focus on this question by examining plant geographic patterns on both global and local scales. We will explore how abiotic and biotic factors affect historical, present, and potential future plant distributions. Together, we will engage primary literature on topics such as island biogeography, phylogenetic ancestral area reconstruction, climate change effects on species persistence, and contemporary movement of plants by humans.
BIOL-321VX Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences: 'Outsmarting Pathogens'
Smallpox, a disfiguring infection called "one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity" by the World Health Organization, was eradicated from the planet through immunization. Polio paralyzed 350,000 children a year until immunization reduced infection by 99%. Why have we succeeded in immunizing against these pathogens but not HIV or the common cold? Students in this seminar will discuss primary literature in immunology, microbiology, and epidemiology to learn how vaccines outsmart pathogens. Study of biological mechanisms will be complemented with exploration of the socioeconomic factors that influence vaccine development and usage. Students' independent research will connect their interests and current events to course concepts.
BIOL-322 Comparative Biomechanics
The main objective of this course is to explore organismal structure and function via an examination of the basic physical principles that guide how living things are constructed and how organisms interact with their environment. We will use the combined approaches of the biologist and engineer to study the impact of size on biological systems, address the implications of solid and fluid mechanics for animal design, survey different modes of animal locomotion, and learn how biologists working in diverse areas (e.g., ecology, development, evolution, and physiology) gain insight through biomechanical analyses.
BIOL-323 Plant Growth and Development
This course is a study of the higher plant, its structure, organization, and development. We will examine the endogenous and environmental factors influencing plant growth and reproduction. Topics include anatomy, hormones and their mode of action, tropisms, photomorphogenesis, and flowering.
BIOL-325 Plant Diversity and Evolution
This course explores the tremendous diversity of the plant kingdom, emphasizing the local flora. Evolutionary relationships are discussed on the basis of comparisons of reproductive biology, morphology, anatomy, cell structure, and molecular biology.
BIOL-328 Human Physiology with Laboratory
In this class, we will learn about the functions of human organ systems and their relationships with each other in health and disease, at both the cellular and tissue levels. We will study the mechanisms that regulate a variety of organ systems and learn how these mechanisms respond to the changing needs of the individual. Because a purely reductive approach often misses important determinants of body function, we will also consider how human health and disease unfold in a person's particular social and cultural context.
BIOL-329 Human Anatomy with Laboratory
This course provides a comprehensive evaluation of human anatomy at the tissue, organ and system levels of organization. We will use 3D visualization software to read, explore, practice and assess student understanding of all these structures. We will reinforce this knowledge during the lab using human models, histological study of tissues, and cat dissection. We will engage in discussion of the evolutionary history of the human body with an emphasis on bipedality. A willingness to work independently, engaging regularly with 3D visualization is required to succeed in this class. Ability to perform hands-on dissections of cats is also required. While the class will have mini-lectures, this class is an active exploration of the body. Students will engage in discussion and group work during class and lab time.
BIOL-331 Conservation Biology with Laboratory
This course focuses on advanced ecological theory applied to conservation. Class will combine lectures and discussions of primary scientific literature. Labs will include field trips to collect observational and experimental data and indoor exercises to explore the concepts of rarity, coexistence, and population viability with mathematical models. A community-based learning aspect is possible for the final project in this class.
BIOL-337 Symbiotic Interactions
From mutualism to parasitism, symbiotic interactions are a universal feature of life. In this seminar we will study the mechanisms underlying symbiotic interactions and consider their significance for the ecology and evolution of organisms. Through foundational texts and current scientific literature, we will explore some of the most spectacular and important examples of contemporary symbioses -- from infectious diseases to coral reefs, to infectious diseases, to the vast communities of microbes that live on and in our bodies -- and we will learn how symbiosis is responsible for major milestones in the history of life, such as the origin of the eukaryotic cell, the emergence of land plants, and the evolution of sex.
BIOL-340 Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics with Laboratory
In this course, we will examine the role of molecular genetic analysis in the study of phenomena such as human disease (e.g., cancer), animal development, and gene regulation. We will also discuss new techniques for genomic analysis, including the science as well as the health, legal, ethical and moral issues involved. There will be group discussions of original research articles and review articles.
BIOL-342 Extreme Life
This course will focus on biological systems that push the limits of structural and physiological possibility. For example, midges flap their wings at up to 1000 Hz; bar-headed geese migrate over Mount Everest; deep-sea fish withstand pressures near 300 atmospheres; certain frogs can allow their body temperatures to drop below 0 degrees Celsius. Through readings and discussions, we will explore the diverse mechanisms that underlie how organisms reach extreme levels of performance and survive in extreme environments.
BIOL-343 Substance Use Disorder with Laboratory
In this course, we will review the contribution of memory processes to substance use disorder. We will review primary research literature and case studies that explore the neuronal plasticity that underlie drug addiction and long-term memory formation. After reviewing the scientific literature, we will examine the overlap between memory and addiction-related behaviors of rodents. This course will enable students to relate changes in neuronal structure and function to drug-associated behavioral changes. Together, students will use their gained knowledge to explore careers that intersect with substance use disorder by speaking with researchers, health professionals, or government officials.
BIOL-346 The Diverse Biology of Sex
Sex evolved multiple times in nature and is the most common way to reproduce in eukaryotes. This class will explore the diversity of sexual strategies that have resulted in over 500 million years of evolutionary history, diving deeply into mechanisms of sexual differentiation, and the resulting phenotypes. The second half of the class will focus on an exploration of sexual systems that rely primarily on two mating types: female and male. We will discuss the origin of this sexual binary, its usefulness and limitations, the common misunderstandings that are pervasive in modern culture, and how we can better engage with the nuance of biological complexity. We will discuss sex and gender and how they are viewed across disciplinary boundaries. Students will write a reading reflection prior to each class, keep a post-discussion journal with their questions and insights, and prepare a capstone presentation on a topic of their choosing.
BIOL-347 Local Community Ecology with Field Laboratory
This field-based lab course will explore local community ecology and biodiversity using our own Mount Holyoke campus in winter as a "living lab." We will explore local community patterns in study sites, identify plant and animal species, and develop research projects that investigate ecological processes and community interactions. Students will learn basic statistical programming using the R environment to analyze collected and available data for independent or group research papers/presentations. Lecture topics will include species/sign identification in winter, study design, niche and neutral theory, eco-evolutionary processes, predator-prey and host-pathogen dynamics, and human impacts on biodiversity. We will discuss the value of biodiversity and threat of climate change from different global perspectives.
BIOL-348 Invasion Ecology
Invasive species have become a common focus for land managers and gardeners around the world because some invasive species have decimated local biodiversity. What can we learn about these species, their interactions with local communities, and the dynamics of invasions that will help us manage diversity in a changing world? We will discuss the science and politics behind invasive species and explore the secrets of their success and their impacts. This course will include a whole class project or group research projects based on current issues in the literature or local invasive species.
BIOL-349 Advances in Gene Therapy
The first human gene therapy clinical research in the United States took place in 1990. Since then, there have been significant advances in gene therapy development, but there have also been problems, setbacks and even tragedies. Students in this seminar will read, present, discuss, and write about the primary literature covering both the history and the most recent advances in human gene therapy. Potential topics include early gene therapy attempts, types of vectors and delivery systems, gene therapy for genetic diseases, the use of gene therapy in cancer treatment, and ethical issues surrounding gene therapy.
BIOL-350 Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences with Laboratory
BIOL-350DB Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences with Laboratory: 'Developmental Biology'
This course-based undergraduate research experience will explore advanced topics and techniques in developmental biology. Using the developing fruit fly nervous system as a model, students will be guided through the design and execution of a novel experiment using genetic tools such as CRISPR/Cas9, RNAi, and MARCM to probe questions in stem cell fate, differentiation, or tissue patterning. Students will test their hypotheses using three-dimensional fluorescent microscopy, and present their results in both written and oral formats. Class time will be used to build effective communities by strategically combining lecture, hands-on training, and laboratory activities.
BIOL-350SE Advanced Topics in Biological Sciences with Laboratory: 'Stream Ecology: Keeping Up with Running Water'
This course will focus on the processes and functions of streams and rivers and the basics of aquatic life in flowing water. Lectures will be centered on primary scientific literature and topics relating local hydrology, biogeochemistry, and species and community interactions, within a context of human impacts and climate change. Lab sections will be field- and laboratory-based, including methodologies for sample collection in campus streams, species identification and observation, and water quality assessment. The course will also engage regional stakeholders, natural resource managers, and academic experts to connect foundational ecological principles with applied watershed conservation and management. Final group research projects will apply course knowledge and skills, with student presentations focused on reporting results from their experimental, research, or stakeholder engagement based findings.
BIOL-352 Molecular Ecology
Over the past quarter century, molecular genetic methods have become increasingly important in ecological research. In this course, we will examine contemporary molecular genetic tools and learn how they can be used to answer ecological questions. Topics will include: reconstruction of ancestral relationships; measuring the size, diversity, and spatial structure of populations; characterization of migration and dispersal patterns; and identification of sensitive or threatened species and populations. We will explore these themes through foundational texts and current scientific literature, and we will analyze molecular genetic datasets in class to gain familiarity with available techniques.
BIOL-353 Pregnancy and the Placenta
Pregnancy is a stunning feat of physiology. It is a conversation between two bodies -- parental and fetal -- whose collective action blurs the very boundaries of the individual. In this course we will explore such questions as: what is pregnancy, and how does the ephemeral, essential organ known as the placenta call pregnancy into being? How is pregnancy sustained? How does it end? We will consider the anatomy of reproductive systems and the hormonal language of reproduction. We will investigate the nature of "sex" hormones, consider racial disparities in pregnancy outcome, and weigh the evidence that the intrauterine environment influences disease susceptibility long after birth.
BIOL-354 Race and Biology
In this student-centered, discussion-based seminar, we will explore current hypotheses about the evolution of human variation, trace the history of how biology has been used in the construction of racial ideologies, and delve into the impacts of racial categorization on human health. We will investigate these themes through readings, videos, class discussions, student expert panels, and research papers. Students taking this course will improve their ability to: engage constructively in scholarly discussions; use verbal and written discourse to explore themes in science; use new knowledge to understand current issues; critically evaluate media information using evidence from scientific studies; and communicate new knowledge.
BIOL-395 Independent Study
In this class, students will acquire hands-on experience in diverse aspects of the research process in a field of Biology, from familiarizing themselves with a research topic, generating interesting questions, designing experiments, acquiring technical skills, collecting and analyzing data, to writing and/or presenting their results. Spots are limited. Interested students should submit the departmental research application, which typically opens each semester ahead of the academic advising period. Faculty review applications after the deadline and inform students prior to the start of the following semester. A single credit requires an average of 3 hours of work per week. (Note: Some faculty may require a set weekly meeting time for a portion of this class.)
BIOL-399 Biology Journal Club/Data Hub
Reading and understanding research reports from the primary scientific literature is an essential skill for any scientist. Likewise, critiquing experimental proposals and freshly-minted data is one of the core components of the pursuit of science. Using the Biology Department Seminar series as a springboard, this course seeks to familiarize students with the process of understanding, appreciating, and critiquing scientific manuscripts. Additionally, drawing on projects being proposed and executed under the auspices of BIOL-395, this course seeks to help students develop comfort discussing "fresh" scientific data. This course will provide a valuable way to connect with active scientists, both developing and experienced, from within and beyond Mount Holyoke.
