Biochemistry

This course introduces students to theyfundamentals of ecology and evolution throughydiscussions of and laboratory activities relatedyto the history of life on Earth, interactionsyamong organisms and between organisms and theyenvironment, population and community dynamics,ythe mechanisms of evolution, speciation, andyextinction. Students successfully completing theycourse will be able to draw connections betweenyecology and evolution as interrelated aspects ofybiology and will be prepared to continue on toygenetics (BIO 260) and upper-level electives,yparticularly courses focusing on ecology,yevolution, and organismal biology. Prerequisite:yBIO-120, or permission. Offered spring term.

The field of molecular biology explores theychemical and physical mechanisms that underlieygenetic phenomena, from the organization andymaintenance of the genome, the transmission andyexpression of genetic information, geneyregulatory networks, molecular interactions ofynucleic acids with each other and with proteinsyand how all of these activities govern cellystructure and function. In this course studentsywill engage in a detailed study of varied aspectsyof molecular biology and have significantyexposure to techniques used in molecular biologyyresearch.

Through lecture and lab experience, students willybe exposed to and will demonstrate anyunderstanding of the factors that determine theyspeed and extent of chemical reactions - kinetics,yequilibria, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry.yPrerequisite: Chemistry 125. Offered spring term.yy

A study of the properties and reactions of carbonycompounds. Prerequisite: Chemistry 125, 126 (oryequivalent).

Biochemistry studies the organic chemistry ofycompounds and processes occurring in livingyorganisms. This course teaches the efforts toyunderstand biology within the context of chemistryyand how molecular structure and function relate toymetabolic cycles. Students successfully completingythe course will demonstrate an understanding ofyclassical biochemistry techniques, such as proteinypurifications and enzyme kinetics. Lecture andylaboratory. Prerequisite: Chemistry 205.yOffered spring term.

A two-semester laboratory or field researchyproject required of all biology majors. yStudentsywill complete the research project they proposedyin Biology Research I (BIO 351, CHM 351, oryEVS-351). To successfully complete this sequenceyof courses students will conduct their scientificystudy by carrying out laboratory or fieldyexperiments, taking appropriate notes, analyzingytheir data, and presenting their findings in aywritten thesis and oral or poster presentation. yThis course will incorporate regular groupy(research team) meetings in order to fosterycollaboration among researchers

An introduction to research techniques inychemistry, experimental design, literatureysearching methods, scientific writing, recordykeeping, and ethical perspectives. Studentsysuccessfully completing the course willydemonstrate an understanding of several scientificytopics, investigate them thoroughly in theyscientific literature and present their result inya written and oral setting. This report willyinclude an original research proposal that will beypursued in Research II and III.yPrerequisite: Chemistry major and junior standing;yChemistry 126 and Chemistry 205, or permissionyfrom instructor. Offered spring term.

This course is a continuation of Chemistry 495yResearch II. This is the third course in a threeycourse sequence. The student engages in anyoriginal, independent research project conductedywith a chemistry faculty member. Studentsysuccessfully completing the course willydemonstrate an understanding of research andycomplete their studies with a report in anyappropriate format. Prerequisite: Chemistry 495.yOffered spring term.

Microbiology introduces the student to theystructure and function of prokaryotic life formsyand relevant eukaryotic microbes. Topicsyaddressed include diversity in habitat andymetabolic capabilities, historical and currentyimpacts (both positive and negative) on humans andyhuman society, and control and evolution ofymedically relevant forms. Upon completion of thisycourse, students will be competent in handlingymicroorganisms in lab, understand the importanceyof microbes to the human state, understand how theymetabolic diversity of microbes impacts the earthyin its current form, understand that evolution isya central concept in biology, a concept thatyincludes biodiversity, adaptability, change,ysurvival, and mutagenesis, and how evolution fitsyinto a study of microbiology.

This is a detailed course in human anatomy andyhistology of major body systems. With theysuccessful completion of this course, studentsywill be able to identify the major organs,ystructures, and the major functions of each bodyysystem. They will understand how form leads toyfunction and be able to predict the function of aystructure or organ based on its histology andyorganization. Students will engage in learningythese structures and their relationships to eachyother through anatomical models, histologicalypreparations, and study of human cadavers. Throughythis investigation, students will be able toypredict which organs or body systems are affectedywith disease or injury. Students will workycollaboratively to learn the organization of theyhuman body and will gain an appreciation of theyintricacy and detail of the human body.

Developmental Biology encompasses the process ofyanimal conception and development that begins withya single cell and ends with a complexymulticellular organism. Upon successfulycompletion of this course, students willyunderstand the importance of egg preparation andythe stages of development including fertilization,ycleavage, gastrulation, neurulation,yorganogenesis, limb development, andygametogenesis. Students will integrate theiryknowledge of genetics and cell biology toyunderstand the complex interplay of signals thatydirect the organization of developmental processesyacross Animalia. Prerequisite: BIO 120, 121,y260. Offered alternate spring terms

The study of the structures, properties, andyreactivities of selected elements. Studentsysuccessfully completing the course willydemonstrate an understanding of modern theories ofychemical bonding, transition metal andyorganometallic chemistry, as well as newlyydiscovered compounds. Lecture and laboratory.yPrerequisite: Chemistry 126. Offered alternateyspring terms.

A course designed to meet the needs of theypreprofessional student and the science major asywell as providing an introduction to physics foryall students. Topics covered include mechanics,yoptics, thermodynamics, sound, electricity andymagnetism, electronics, and selected areas ofymodern physics. Lecture and laboratory.yPrerequisite: Mathematics 105, 125 (oryequivalent).