Courses

Course: BIOL 421: Techniques in Mol. & Cell Biol | Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Term: Fall 2024
Section: AS01
Instructors: Dr. Nina Bernstein and Dr. Habib Rezanejad

In this project, students will investigate the effect of specific chemicals on inducing differentiation of blood cells (hematopoiesis). Students will culture a human leukemia cell line and treat it with a proposed chemical inducer, which they will select based on the scientific literature. The effects of the test substance will be assessed at the molecular level by monitoring the levels of RNA and protein markers of blood cell differentiation. Throughout this project, students will develop skills in a variety of techniques common to research in molecular biology, as well as examining the theoretical basis of these techniques. Students will also be introduced to the proper documentation of the research process through a formal laboratory notebook, and will develop skills in scientific writing through preparation of a research proposal and a full manuscript describing the outcome of their research. The technical and communication skills developed during this course will prepare students for work in a collaborative research environment in the field of molecular biology.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of B- in BIOL 205 and in any two of BICM 310, BICM 320, BICM 330, BICM 340, BIOL 300, BIOL 313, GENE 369, GENE 370, or consent of the department.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: BIOL 422: Experimental Ecology | Ravine Vegetation Ecology and Insect Evolution Ecology
Term: Fall 2024
Section: AS01
Instructors: Dr. David Locky and Dr. Kevin Judge

Through guided field- and lab-based research projects, students will engage in independent scientific inquiry. Students deepen their understanding of ecological theory through the application of ecological research methods. Emphasis is placed on the analysis and presentation of quantitative data collected in both field (ecology of urban ravines) and lab (mating systems of field crickets) settings.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of B- in BIOL 208 and BIOL 337, and at least one of BIOL 310, BIOL 312, BIOL 314, BIOL 316, BIOL 365, BIOL 367, or BIOL 371.

Permission Required: No

Course: BIOL 495: Special Topics | Plant-Animal Interactions
Term: Fall 2024
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Arthur Whiting

Plants and animals have a long co-evolutionary history, and this course explores many of the ways in which plants and animals use and abuse each other. Specific topics include pollination biology, herbivory, and dispersal. Emphasis is on both the evolutionary ecology and ecological implications of these interactions.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of B- in BIOL 208; and in one of BIOL 312, BIOL 314, BIOL 316, or BIOL 371. Completion of BOTN 205 is recommended, but not required.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: BIOL 495: Special Topics | Bacterial Virology: Bacteriophage and Host Interactions
Term: Winter 2025
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Randi Guest

Viruses that infect bacteria, called bacteriophages, have a significant impact on the world around us. From shaping microbial ecosystems to contributing to biotechnology and combating antibiotic resistance, bacteriophages affect various aspects of our lives. This offering of BIOL 495 will explore the interaction between bacteriophage and their bacterial hosts, with a specific focus on bacteriophage life cycles and bacterial immunity. This is a literature-based course with an intensive reading component. Students will be required to read selected primary scientific literature prior to class and actively discuss this literature critically and in detail during class time. Students will be made aware of additional resources that provide important background information on each article. It is intended that students will use these additional resources to enhance their analysis of the assigned research articles and thereby improve class discussion.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of B- in GENE 369 and in one additional 300- or 400- level course in the molecular/cellular stream.

Permission Required: Yes