Biology 110 – Biological Exploration I: Genetic Control of Phenotype
BIOL B110 is an introductory-level course designed to encourage students to explore the field of biology at multiple levels of organization: molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological. Each course will explore these areas of biology through a unifying theme. In Fall 2019, BIOL B110 will explore the biology underlying cancer. Topics to be investigated include biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, genomics and gene expression, which will build a picture of cell function that helps explain the physiology of cancer. The laboratory portion of the course will explore the fundamentals of molecular and cellular biology through scientific research, with an emphasis on scientific process and experimental design; topics include genetically modified organisms, stem cell biology, and molecular biological techniques. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours a week. Quantitative readiness is required.
This course focuses on the principles of genetics, including classical genetics, population genetics and molecular genetics. Topics to be covered include the genetic and molecular nature of mutations and phenotypes, genetic mapping and gene identification, chromosome abnormalities, developmental genetics, genome editing and epigenetics. Examples of genetics analyses are drawn from a variety of organisms including Drosophila, C. elegans, mice and humans. Lecture, three hours a week. Prerequisite: BIOL B110 and CHEM B104.
Biology 376 – Molecular Biology
In this course, students will investigate the analysis and manipulation of DNA as well as various mechanisms by which gene regulation is achieved through lecture, critical reading and discussion of primary literature and laboratory experimentation. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 201 – Genetics or Biology 375 – Biochemistry or permission of instructor.
Biology 393 – Senior Seminar in Molecular Genetics
This seminar course focuses on topics of current interest and significance in genetics, molecular genetics and genomics. Topics vary, and may include the characterization of functional DNA elements, the effects of allelic variation, mechanisms of gene regulation, and/or genetics as a tool for understanding development. Students investigate topics of interest through critical reading of primary literature and hone written and oral communication skills via the presentation and discussion of scientific information and ideas. In addition, students write, defend, and publicly present one long research paper. Three hours of discussion per week, supplemented by regular meetings with individual students. Prerequisites: BIOL 201 or Biology 271 or Biology 376, or permission of instructor.