Courses

Courses

Fall 2007 Courses

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053. Biofuels
Peter Woodruff M 8:30 - 9:25, W 8:30 - 9:25, F 8:30 - 9:25 Druckenmiller-020
Alternative energy has generated a great deal of recent interest as a way to reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels. Examines fuels from biological sources, and the contribution they can make towards energy independence and combating global warming. Topics include the molecular structure and production of the major types of biofuels in a setting for students who do not have a great deal of experience in biology.

061. Your First Nine Months: From Conception to Birth
Carey Phillips M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55 Cleaveland-151
Covers the biological events from the process of fertilization through early development and birth of a human. Intended for those who have had little biology or do not intend to major in biology. Explores the formation of the major organ systems and how the parts of the body are constructed in the correct places and at the correct times. Also discusses topics such as cloning and the effects of prenatal use of drugs as they relate to the biological principles involved in early human development. Includes a few in-class laboratory sessions in which students learn to do experiments, and collect, analyze, and interpret data.

067. Emerging Diseases
Anne McBride T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Kanbar Hall-107
Explores the biology of microorganisms implicated in new and recurrent infectious diseases in the context of their global impact. Emphasizes class discussion of topics including microbial growth and reproductive strategies, pathogen-host interactions, and social and economic issues relating to infectious diseases. Not open to students who have credit for Biology 76. See Biology 367 for more information about this course.

101. Biological Principles I
Bruce Kohorn T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55 Druckenmiller-020
The first in a two-semester introductory biology sequence. Topics include fundamental principles of cellular and molecular biology with an emphasis on providing a problem solving approach to an understanding of genes, RNA, proteins, and cell structure and communication. Focuses on developing quantitative skills, as well as critical thinking and problem solving skills. Lecture and weekly laboratory/discussion groups. First-year students are required to take the biology placement examination during orientation.

109. Introductory Biology
Barry Logan M 8:30 - 9:25, W 8:30 - 9:25, F 8:30 - 9:25 Druckenmiller-016
Lectures examine fundamental biological principles, from the subcellular to the ecosystem level. Topics include bioenergetics, structure-function relationships, cellular information systems, physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Laboratory sessions are intended to develop a deeper understanding of the techniques and methods of science by requiring students to design and conduct their own experiments. Lecture and weekly laboratory/discussion groups.

109. Introductory Biology
Barry Logan M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25 Druckenmiller-016
Lectures examine fundamental biological principles, from the subcellular to the ecosystem level. Topics include bioenergetics, structure-function relationships, cellular information systems, physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Laboratory sessions are intended to develop a deeper understanding of the techniques and methods of science by requiring students to design and conduct their own experiments. Lecture and weekly laboratory/discussion groups.

202. 3D Digital Animation Studio
Carey Phillips M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25 Druckenmiller-024
Explores the uses of art and three-dimensional animations in communicating complex dynamic and spatial relationships, primarily as they pertain to explaining scientific concepts. Students use primary literature to explore a science problem in a seminar-type format. Study of filmmaking and use of high-end three-dimensional animation software. Concludes with a team effort in creating a three-dimensional animated film of the science problem.

212. Genetics and Molecular Biology
William Steinhart M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25 Druckenmiller-004
Integrated coverage of organismic and molecular levels of genetic systems. Topics include modes of inheritance, the structure and function of chromosomes, the mechanisms and control of gene expression, recombination, mutagenesis, the determination of gene order and sequence, and genetic engineering applications. Laboratory and problem-solving sessions are scheduled.

213. Neurobiology
Hadley Horch M 11:30 - 12:25, W 11:30 - 12:25, F 11:30 - 12:25 Druckenmiller-020
Examines fundamental concepts in neurobiology from the molecular to the systems level. Topics include neuronal communication, gene regulation, morphology, neuronal development, axon guidance, mechanisms of neuronal plasticity, sensory systems, and the molecular basis of behavior and disease. Weekly lab sessions introduce a wide range of methods used to examine neurons and neuronal systems.

215. Behavioral Ecology and Population Biology
Nathaniel Wheelwright T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Druckenmiller-020
Study of the behavior of animals and plants, and the interactions between organisms and their environment. Topics include population growth and structure, and the influence of competition, predation, and other factors on the behavior, abundance, and distribution of plants and animals. Laboratory sessions, field trips, and research projects emphasize concepts in ecology, evolution and behavior, research techniques, and the natural history of local plants and animals. Optional field trip to the Bowdoin Scientific Station on Kent Island.

217. Developmental Biology
William Jackman T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Druckenmiller-020
An examination of current concepts of embryonic development, with emphasis on their experimental basis. Topics include morphogenesis and functional differentiation, tissue interaction, nucleocytoplasmic interaction, differential gene expression, and interaction of cells with hormones and extracellular matrix. Project-oriented laboratory work emphasizes experimental methods. Lectures and three hours of laboratory per week.

219. Biology of Marine Organisms
Kurt Bretsch M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55 Kanbar Hall-109
The study of the biology and ecology of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, intertidal and subtidal invertebrates, algae, and plankton. Also considers the biogeographic consequences of global and local ocean currents on the evolution and ecology of marine organisms. Laboratories, field trips, and research projects emphasize natural history, functional morphology, and ecology. Lectures and three hours of laboratory or field trip per week. One weekend field trip included.

225. Community, Ecosystem, and Global Change Ecology
John Lichter M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25 Druckenmiller-110
Community ecology is the study of dynamic patterns in the distribution and abundance of organisms. Ecosystem ecology is the study of the flow of energy and cycling of matter through ecological communities. Global change ecology examines how human activities alter communities and ecosystems and how these changes play out at the global scale. Topics include the creation and maintenance of biodiversity, the complexity of species interactions in food webs, the role of disturbance in ecological processes, the importance of biodiversity in ecosystem processes, and human influences on global biogeochemical cycles and climate change. Laboratory sessions consist of local field trips, team research exercises, and independent field research projects. Current and classic scientific literature is discussed weekly.

232. Biochemistry II: Enzymes and Metabolism
David Page M 11:30 - 12:25, W 11:30 - 12:25, F 11:30 - 12:25 Druckenmiller-004
An introduction to metabolism. Topics include pathways in living cells by which carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and other important biomolecules are broken down to produce energy and biosynthesized.

253. Neurophysiology
Patsy Dickinson T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25 Kanbar Hall-107
A comparative study of the function of the nervous system in invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Topics include the physiology of individual nerve cells and their organization into larger functional units, the behavioral responses of animals to cues from the environment, and the neural mechanisms underlying such behaviors. Lectures and four hours of laboratory work per week.

263. Laboratory in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Katherine Farnham M 2:30 - 3:55 Druckenmiller-110
Comprehensive laboratory course in molecular biology and biochemistry that reflects how research is conducted and communicated. Includes sequential weekly experiments, resulting in a cohesive, semester-long research project. Begins with genetic engineering to produce a recombinant protein, continues with its purification, and finishes with functional and structural characterization. Emphasis is on cloning strategy, controlling protein expression, and protein characterization using techniques such as polymerase chain reaction, affinity chromatography, isoelectric focusing and high-performance liquid chromatography. Students also learn to manipulate data using structural and image analysis software.

317. Molecular Evolution
Michael Palopoli M 1:00 - 2:25 Druckenmiller-110
The dynamics of evolutionary change at the molecular level are examined. Topics include neutral theory of molecular evolution, rates and patterns of change in nucleotide sequences and proteins, molecular phylogenetics, and genome evolution. Explores the evolution of development and the application of molecular methods to traditional questions in evolutionary biology.

333. Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
Bruce Kohorn M 6:30 - 9:25 Druckenmiller-110
An exploration of the multiple ways cells have evolved to transmit signals from their external environment to cause alterations in cell architecture, physiology, and gene expression. Examples are drawn from both single-cell and multi-cellular organisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, land plants, insects, worms, and mammals. Emphasis is on the primary literature, with directed discussion and some background introductory remarks for each class.

367. Topics in Infectious Diseases
Anne McBride T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55 Kanbar Hall-107
Explores the biology of microorganisms implicated in new and recurrent infectious diseases. Topics include microbial growth and reproductive strategies, pathogen-host interactions, and vaccination strategies. Focuses on analysis of papers from the primary literature and scientific writing and oral presentation skills. Students also act as science mentors in Biology 67 for group discussions and final projects.

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