BIOL

Despite advancements in the development of antimicrobials and vaccines and in securing clear water and food supplies, modern civilizations are not immune to epidemic diseases. This course will provide insight into the role of different technologies in the struggle to attain disease control and eradication and explore the challenge of forecasting emerging plagues, describing the nature and evolution of diseases and conveying their significance in shaping Western culture and civilization, their impact, their consequences, their costs, and the lessons learned.

A comprehensive survey of the insects, including taxonomy, morphology, physiology, reproductive and developmental biology, and ecology. Research techniques in entomology will be learned through both field and laboratory work. Writing skills will be learned through written summaries, essay exams, laboratory reports and research proposals. This is a writing intensive course. Prerequisites: BIOL 291 and BIOL 292 must be passed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.

An exploration of the ecology of inland and coastal wetlands and their plants. The course emphasizes wetland and aquatic plant identification, field and laboratory methods, and core concepts important to wetland plants and their ecology. Linkages to wetland delineation and wetland adjacent systems will be made. Weekly field-based laboratories are expected to local wetlands focusing on hands on opportunities and research methods. Prerequisites: BIOL 291 OR BIOL 308 must be passed with a grade of 'C' or higher; prerequisite waivers may be requested from the instructor.

The biology of marine and freshwater fishes including morphology, physiology, evolution, distribution, ecology, and reproduction. Prerequisites: BIOL 292 must be passed with a grade of C or higher and junior standing.

The major objective of this hands-on course is to prepare students to independently perform basic laboratory techniques, assays, and experiments commonly used in entry-level immunology laboratory positions. The course will cover theory, sample and reagent preparation, instrumentation, data analysis and interpretation, and applications in immunology. Several topics covered in-class include ELISAs, mammalian cell culture, and flow cytometry; however, additional topics (such as confocal microscopy) will be covered using virtual technologies.

A structured specialty course for students at the senior level. Courses may include lecture and laboratory components. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.

A lecture and laboratory course designed to introduce students to important ecological processes operating in coastal marine environments. The course covers synthetic topics as well as the ecology of specific marine habitats. The laboratory is designed to provide students with experience in marine research and the organisms and ecological conditions common in various marine habitats visited by the class. Prerequisites: BIOL 291 and BIOL 331 and ENGL 211C or ENGL 221C or ENGL 231C must be passed with a grade of 'C' or higher; instructor approval required.

An exploration of the ecology of inland and coastal wetlands and their plants. This course emphasizes wetland and aquatic plant identification, field and laboratory methods, and core concepts important to wetland plants and their ecology. Linkages to wetland delineation and wetland adjacent systems will be made. Weekly field-based laboratories are expected to local wetlands focusing on hands on opportunities and research methods. Prerequisites: A botany course.

This course is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of the human nervous system, with a major focus on neuroanatomy. The basic principles of cellular neuroscience, neurophysiology, as well as, the sensory and motor pathways will be discussed in detail. Clinically relevant applications will be discussed when relevant. The laboratory component of this course will use cadavers and human tissue to study head and neck structures. Prerequisites: BIOL 241 or BIOL 251 and BIOL 293 must be passed with a C (2.0) or better.

This is the second course of a two-semester laboratory and analysis sequence that is designed to provide a genuine research experience for undergraduate students. In this semester, students will analyze data generated during the previous semester in BIOL 380. Modern methods of data analysis will be used, including statistical and bioinformatics techniques. Data and analyses generated during these courses may be used for publication in scientific journals. Prerequisite: BIOL 294; BIOL 380 preferred.