Arianna Smith

This is the first laboratory course a student takes and is a prerequisite for all upper-division laboratory courses. Students are introduced to the processes of investigative biology and scientific writing. It is not designed to accompany any particular core lecture course. Laboratories cover topics presented in the core lecture courses, BIOL 115 and 116, and introduce a variety of techniques and topics, including field sampling, microscopy, PCR, gel electrophoresis, enzyme biochemistry, physiology, evolution and population biology. The course emphasizes the development of inquiry skills through active involvement in experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis, integration of results with information reported in the literature and writing in a format appropriate for publication. The year culminates in six-week student-designed investigations that reinforce the research skills developed during the year. Evaluation is based on short reports, quizzes, lab performance and scientific papers, as well as oral and written presentations based on the independent project. Enrollment is limited to 14 students in each section. Prerequisite: BIOL 109Y and 115 or equivalent. Required for the major.

How is information generated, transmitted, stored and maintained in biological systems? The endeavor to understand the flow of biological information represents a fundamental undertaking of the life sciences. This course examines the mechanisms of heredity, the replication and expression of genetic information and the function of genes in the process of evolution, with an emphasis on the tools of genetics and molecular biology to address research questions in these areas. This course is required for the major and, as such, biology majors should take this class prior to the junior year. Prerequisite: BIOL 115, permission of instructor or equivalent. Offered every year.

This course introduces students to the wide variety of questions being asked by researchers in this exciting field and the approaches they are taking to answer them. This course complements BIOL 263 in content, concentrating on the nongenomic aspects of the cell. We cover topics such as biological membranes and ion channels, cell organelles and their function, cell regulation, and intercellular and intracellular communication. This counts toward the upper-level cellular/molecular biology requirement for the major. Prerequisite: BIOL 116. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 121 or 122. Generally offered every other year.

This laboratory course is designed to complement BIOL 266. The topics covered in the laboratory expose the student to some of the standard techniques used in modern cell biology. The laboratories also illustrate some of the fundamental ideas of the field. Instead of covering a wide variety of techniques and preparations superficially, we concentrate on a select few, covering them in greater depth. Some topics to be covered are protein separation, cell permeability and cell motility. This counts toward the upper-level laboratory requirement. Prerequisite: BIOL 109Y-110Y. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOL 266. Generally offered every other year.

The world around us is teeming with microorganisms, many of which are capable bringing us to our knees. Despite this looming devastation, most individuals manage to remain healthy, not succumbing to the ever-present pathogens in our environment. Immunology is the study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms employed to protect against infection. The cells and organs of the immune system are many and, consistent with this diversity, play many important roles in health and development. Every day, components of the immune system must identify harmful invaders and eliminate them, a process that requires critical distinction between host vs. harmful cells. They also provide long-lived protection against recurring infection. In this course, we embark on a journey through the immune system. We explore the mechanisms employed by the innate immune system to provide first response to foreign invaders. Additionally, we dissect the complex processes by which cells of the adaptive immune system recognize and respond to pathogens and establish long-term immunity. Last, we explore the consequences of impaired immune response in a variety of contexts. This counts toward the upper-level cellular/molecular biology requirement for the major. Prerequisite: BIOL 255, 263, 266 or 238. Generally offered every other year.

This course continues the honors research project and gives attention to scientific writing and the mechanics of producing a thesis. A thesis is required and is defended orally to an outside examiner. The letter grade is determined by the instructor and project advisor in consultation with the department. Permission of instructor and department chair required. Prerequisite: BIOL 385 and 497.