Courses

Courses

Fall 2008

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056. Ecology and Society
None None T 2:30 - 3:55, TH 2:30 - 3:55
Presents an overview of ecology covering basic ecological principles and the relationship between human activity and the ecosystems that support us. Examines how ecological processes, both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living), influence the life history of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. Encourages student investigation of environmental interactions and how human-influenced disturbance is shaping the environment. Required field trips illustrate the use of ecological concepts as tools for interpreting local natural history.

061. Your First Nine Months: From Conception to Birth
Carey Phillips M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
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.

086. Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Peter Woodruff M 2:30 - 3:55, W 2:30 - 3:55
Scientific advances over the last few decades have greatly expanded our understanding of the natural world. Some of these discoveries have been applied to other fields to improve human health or solve problems facing society. Examines contemporary application of scientific progress in areas such as genetic engineering, stem cells, drug discovery, biofuels, and environmental remediation. Additionally, there will be an analysis of ethical concerns raised by advances in biotechnology and bioengineering.

101. Biological Principles I
Bruce Kohorn T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55
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
Michael Palopoli M 8:30 - 9:25, W 8:30 - 9:25, F 8:30 - 9:25
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.

154. Ecology of the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy
Damon Gannon T 1:00 - 2:25, TH 1:00 - 2:25
The Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy system is a semi-enclosed sea bordered by three U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. It supports some of the world’s most productive fisheries and played a key role in European colonization of North America. This course will investigate how the species found in this body of water interact with each other and with the abiotic components of their environment. Topics will include natural history; geological and physical oceanography; characteristics of major habitats; biology of macroinvertebrates, fishes, seabirds, and marine mammals; biogeography; food webs; and fisheries biology. The course will also examine how human activities, such as fishing, aquaculture, shipping, and coastal development affect the ecology of the region. The course will consist of lecture, discussions of the primary literature, and field excursions.

174. BioMathematics
Mary Zeeman M 8:00 - 9:25, W 8:00 - 9:25
A study of mathematical methods driven by questions in biology. Biological questions are drawn from a broad range of topics, including disease, ecology, genetics, population dynamics, neurobiology, endocrinology and biomechanics. Mathematical methods include compartmental models, matrices, linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, matrix iteration and simulation; ODE models and simulation, stability analysis, attractors, oscillations and limiting behavior, mathematical consequences of feedback, and multiple time-scales. Three hours of class meetings and two hours of computer laboratory sessions per week. Within the biology major, this course may count as the mathematics credit or as biology credit, but not both. Formerly Mathematics 174.

202. 3D Digital Animation Studio
Carey Phillips M 1:00 - 2:25, W 1:00 - 2:25
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 to create a three-dimensional animated film of the science problem.

210. Plant Physiology
Barry Logan M 9:30 - 10:25, W 9:30 - 10:25, F 9:30 - 10:25
An introduction to the physiological processes that enable plants to grow under the varied conditions found in nature. General topics discussed include the acquisition, transport, and use of water and mineral nutrients, photosynthetic carbon assimilation, and the influence of environmental and hormonal signals on development and morphology. Adaptation and acclimation to extreme environments and other ecophysiological subjects are also discussed. Weekly laboratories reinforce principles discussed in lecture and expose students to modern research techniques.

212. Genetics and Molecular Biology
Jack Bateman M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25
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
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
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
An examination of current concepts of embryonic development, with an emphasis on experimental design. Topics include cell fate specification, morphogenetic movements, cell signaling, differential gene expression and regulation, organogenesis, and the evolutionary context of model systems. Project-oriented laboratory work emphasizes experimental methods. Lectures and three hours of laboratory per week.

219. Biology of Marine Organisms
Amy Johnson T 8:30 - 9:55, TH 8:30 - 9:55
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.

223. Geobiology
Clara Chan T 11:30 - 12:55, TH 11:30 - 12:55
An exploration of the interface between geological and biological processes. Focused on the mutual effects of microorganisms and Earth's land, air, and water chemistry. Topics include biomineralization, origin and evolution of life, microbial energetics and diversity, and biological contributions to weathering, soil and rock formation, and the creation and remediation of environmental problems. Laboratories will include fieldwork, experiments, and light, fluorescence and electron microscopy.

232. Biochemistry
Danielle Dube T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
Focuses on the chemistry of living organisms. Topics include structure, conformation, and properties of the major classes of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids); enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and regulation; metabolic transformations; energetics and metabolic control.

253. Neurophysiology
Patsy Dickinson T 10:00 - 11:25, TH 10:00 - 11:25
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.

257. Immunology
Anne McBride M 11:30 - 12:55, W 11:30 - 12:55
Covers the development of the immune response, the cell biology of the immune system, the nature of antigens, antibodies, B and T cells, and the complement system. The nature of natural immunity, transplantation immunology, and tumor immunology are also considered.

317. Molecular Evolution
Michael Palopoli M 1:00 - 2:25
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.

327. Global Change Ecology
Philip Camill M 10:30 - 11:25, W 10:30 - 11:25, F 10:30 - 11:25
Human activities over the last several centuries have transformed landscapes, altered biogeochemical cycles, and moved species from one continent to another. These changes have resulted in widespread species extinction and climate change. Emphasis is on the implications of ecosystem degradation, climate change, and species introductions for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Course consists of lectures and student-led discussions of current and classic primary literature.

333. Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
Bruce Kohorn M 6:30 - 9:25
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.

394. The Ecology and Environmental History of Merrymeeting Bay
John Lichter W 1:00 - 4:55
Merrymeeting Bay, a globally rare, inland freshwater river delta and estuary that supports productive and diverse biological communities, is home to numerous rare and endangered species and is critical habitat for migratory and resident waterfowl, as well as anadromous fish. Explores the ecology and environmental history of Merrymeeting Bay in order to understand how its rare natural habitats might best be managed. Students participate in a thorough review of the scientific and historical literature related to Merrymeeting Bay, and help plan, conduct, and analyze a group study investigating some aspect of the ecology and/or environmental history of the bay, with the intent of submitting a manuscript for publication in an appropriate scientific journal.