Biology Course Descriptions - 400 Level
Contents
450
Molecular Biology
B. Hoopes, M. Kainz
An in-depth study of
biological processes at the molecular level, including transcription, RNA
processing, translation, DNA replication and recombination. Emphasis is on
experiments that have led to our current understanding of these processes
and the means by which these processes are regulated. Experiments from the
current literature are discussed. Each student is required to write a mock
grant proposal that includes an extensive review of the current literature.
Prerequisite: BIOL 212 or permission of instructor.
451 Topics
in Advanced Cell Physiology
Staff
Cellular function is
examined at the molecular and biochemical level. This seminar/discussion
course addresses features of the intracellular milieu and the mechanisms by
which cells regulate and maintain that milieu in a changing environment. The
course addresses the important historical experiments leading to our current
understanding, as well as the techniques used in the study of cell
physiology. Readings are taken from the primary scientific literature but
may include advanced textbooks as well. Students are required to write an
extensive review of the current literature on one of the topics pertinent to
the course. Prerequisite:
BIOL 212
or permission of instructor.
453
Writing in the Natural Sciences
V. McMillan, D. Huerta
This course, designed
for all natural science concentrators and those considering careers in the
health sciences, examines the aims, formats, and stylistic challenges of
professional scientific writing. Topics include the role of writing in
scientific inquiry; the structure and function of research and review
papers; popular science writing; standard documentation methods; and
advanced techniques for accessing scientific literature. Assignments include
a popular science article, a major review paper, and other types of
scientific writing. This course presumes knowledge of the basic skills
addressed in COMP 130.
Prerequisite: successful completion of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics
distribution requirement, including at least one laboratory science course.
No first-year students; second-year students by permission only. This course
is also listed as COMP 453
461 Animal Behavior
J. Novak
This seminar covers
known behavior patterns of select invertebrate and vertebrate groups with
emphasis upon their ontogeny, evolution, and adaptive significance. Lecture
topics include social organization, communication, territoriality, and
mating systems. Students read original literature for discussion in class.
Selected laboratory exercises apply data acquisition techniques to the
behavior of crickets, crayfish, fish, and birds. A behavioral research
project, review paper, and oral presentations of contemporary literature are
required
Prerequisite: BIOL 211 or permission of instructor.
Course open only to juniors and seniors.
464 Population
Biology
F. Frey
This seminar covers
current issues in population biology and draws from the fields of population
genetics, evolutionary ecology, community ecology, and biogeography.
Students learn the tools of evolutionary genetics and read original
literature for class discussion. Specific course topics vary across
offerings and are selected based on student interest. Past courses have
focused on topics including the evolution of parasite virulence, the
maintenance of sexual reproduction, the evolution of cooperative behavior,
and the evolution of senescence. Students are required to lead class
critiques of the literature and perform an independent research project as
an integral part of the course. The research project may either be a formal
experiment or a synthetic review of the current literature on a particular
topic of interest.
Prerequisite:
BIOL
211.
No first-year students;
second-year students by permission only.
478 Animal
Systematics and Phylogeny
D. McHugh
This research tutorial
exposes students to the theory and practice of systematics and their
application to the study of animal ecology and evolution. Topics include
life history evolution of marine invertebrates, biogeography of deep-sea hot
vent animals, and the developmental evolution of animal body plans. In the
laboratory, students pursue independent research projects using molecular
techniques, and phylogenetic analytical methods. In addition to reading and
discussing primary literature, students are required to give oral
presentations on their research and to prepare a final written report of
their results.
Prerequisite: permission
of instructor.
479
Investigations in Evolutionary Ecology
F. Frey
Evolutionary ecology is the study of how ecological interactions among
organisms (e.g., pollination, predation, competition, etc.) influence
evolutionary change. With the guidance of the instructor, individual
students or small teams test novel hypotheses in evolutionary ecology using
field and/or laboratory research methods. Projects usually fall under the
umbrella of plant-animal or plant-plant interactions, and potential topics
include how pollinators shape floral evolution, plant defense against
natural enemies, sexual dimorphism, or the maintenance of variation in
natural populations. Weekly meetings provide a forum for project and paper
discussions. Students are expected to keep a detailed research notebook and
present their results in manuscript form, with the goal of submission to a
scientific journal. In addition, students make a formal presentation of
their results to the department at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
481 Physiological
Ecology and Mating Strategies in Algae
R. Hoham
This research tutorial
is designed for students with interest in physiological ecology and mating
strategies in algae. Students work with the instructor on experimental
design, the collection, compilation and assessment of data, the review,
presentation, and discussion of pertinent literature, and the writing of a
research paper using scientific format. Students investigate the effects of
physical and chemical parameters on the growth and mating potentials of
selected strains of cryophilic algae (snow algae) under defined laboratory
conditions. The goal of the research is publication in a scientific journal,
and the research is presented to the department at the end of the semester
at a poster session
Prerequisite: permission of
instructor.
482 Adaptation to
Environment
N. Pruitt
This laboratory-based,
research-oriented course examines the molecular and cellular mechanisms that
enable animals to withstand a variety of environmental conditions. Students
design, implement, and report on their own original research using various
approaches, from classical physiology and biochemistry to modern molecular
biology. Students lead weekly discussions of relevant journal articles and
submit final papers written in the format of published articles. Students
also present the results of their research at a departmental poster session. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
483 Intracellular Transport
K. Belanger
Most macromolecules
expressed in cells must be targeted to specific intracellular locations
where they can perform their intended functions. This research tutorial
examines the mechanism by which specific proteins undergo regulated
transport into and out of the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Students use
classical and molecular genetics to identify genes encoding proteins
involved in nuclear transport, and utilize recombinant DNA techniques,
biochemistry, and microscopy to characterize the newly identified proteins
and their interactions with other nuclear transport factors. Students read
and discuss primary literature examining intracellular transport and
describe the results of their laboratory research in oral and poster
presentations at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
484 Molecular Analysis of
Microbial Gene Expression
M. Kainz
This research tutorial
examines the mechanism and regulation of gene expression in bacteria and
viruses. Students address these questions by conducting research projects using
biochemical and molecular biological approaches. In addition, weekly meetings
explore the current scientific literature as it pertains to the research
question. Each student writes a paper that describes his/her research and makes
a formal presentation to the department.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
485 Experimental
Animal Behavior
J. Novak
This research tutorial
explores issues, methodology, and experimental designs relevant to topics such
as foraging strategies, courtship feeding, reproductive patterns, territorial
behavior, and others. Each student examines relevant scientific literature in
preparation for a research project that results in a formal presentation and
written research paper. Projects are drawn from a variety of invertebrate and
vertebrate species and the research can involve both field and laboratory work.
The course provides time for discussion as well as experience in independent
research.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
486 Eukaryotic Gene Expression
B. Hoopes
A laboratory-oriented
research tutorial that applies a variety of molecular genetic techniques to
problems in gene regulation of eukaryotic organisms. With the guidance of the
instructor, students design projects that apply techniques in molecular biology
to problems of their interest. Weekly seminar meetings allow students to examine
papers from the current scientific literature and to talk about their projects.
Each student is required to perform a literature search relevant to the project,
write a paper describing the research, and make a formal presentation to the
department.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
487 Advanced Aquatic Ecology
R. Fuller
This course provides
students with an opportunity to do research in freshwater ecology. Projects are
field- or laboratory-oriented investigations of either stream or lake ecology
and often require a group effort. In conversation with the instructor, the
student designs a study that is of mutual interest to the student and faculty
member. Past projects have involved predator-prey relations or competition among
stream insects, role of bank-side vegetation in influencing stream
macroinvertebrate communities, bacterial/algal interactions in streams, nutrient
limitation of algae, effects of insect grazers on stream algae, or the impact of
nutrient inputs from tributaries on lake productivity. Weekly meetings discuss
papers in the scientific literature, and there are student-directed discussions
of individual projects. Each student writes a paper in scientific journal format
on his or her project and makes a formal presentation to the department (either
orally or as part of a poster session).
Prerequisite: BIOL 335 or permission of the instructor. Course open to juniors
and seniors only.
488 Investigations in Vertebrate Ecology
T. McCay
This research tutorial
provides students the opportunity to plan, conduct, and present original
research in vertebrate ecology. Projects involve investigations in the field,
laboratory, or both. Students focus on a particular species or group of species
according to interest and feasibility. Potential topics for projects include
microhabitat selection, competition among similar species, and dispersal through
fragmented landscapes. Emphasis is placed on the application of ecological,
behavioral, and physiological principles to understanding the abundance and
distribution of vertebrates in real landscapes. Weekly meetings allow students
to discuss their projects and relevant papers from the primary literature.
Students are expected to keep a research notebook and formally present research
findings to the department. Students also complete a report of research
activities in scientific format, with the goal of publication in a scientific
journal. Students are encouraged to take BIOL
255
or 311 before taking this
course.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
489
Research in Plant Physiological Ecology
Staff
This research tutorial
uses higher plants to investigate the relationships between internal events
(physiology) and external events (ecology) by combining current readings
from the primary scientific literature with laboratory and field
experiments. Topics include energetics, reproductive strategies, and seed
dormancy and germination. The goal is completion of a project suitable for
publication in a scientific journal. Students learn how to search
literature, critique articles, design experiments, collect and analyze data,
and present information in manuscript form to submit for publication.
Students make a formal presentation to the department describing the results
of their research projects.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
491 Independent Studies
Staff
Students concentrating in biology may, with approval of the department,
pursue special problems involving independent, advanced training in areas
not adequately covered by formal course work.
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