Courses

• CAS BI 302: Vertebrate Zoology
  Methods and principles of comparative vertebrate zoology. Phylogeny, natural history, adaptation, and taxonomy. Laboratory emphasis on correlation among structural, physiological, and evolutionary features of selected vertebrates by both dissection and experimentation. Field trips. Two hours lecture, six hours lab.
• CAS BI 303: Evolutionary Ecology
  Investigation of ecological processes and patterns at the individual, population, and community level. An evolutionary approach is emphasized. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. One research paper and one daylong field trip required.
• CAS BI 306: Biology of Global Change
  The ecological impacts of human activity on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Climate change, forest decline, eutrophication, acidification, loss of species diversity, and restoration of ecosystems. Three hours lecture, three hours lab.
• CAS BI 307: Biogeography
  Examines the spatial distribution of plants and animals from historical, ecological, and analytical perspectives. Environmental and human influences on species distribution, abundance, and diversity are considered, as are changes resulting from past and projected climate change. Also offered as CAS GE 307.
• CAS BI 309: Evolution
  Introduction to modern concepts, controversies, and analytical approaches in evolutionary biology. Topics include adaptation, natural and sexual selection, species and speciation, phylogenetics, comparative analysis, basic population and quantitative genetics, origin of novelty, adaptive radiation, development and evolution.
• CAS BI 311: General Microbiology
  Biology of bacteria and related microorganisms; morphology, physiology, genetics, ecology, and control. Brief introduction to pathogenicity and host reactions. Three hours lecture, four hours lab.
• CAS BI 315: Systems Physiology
  An introduction to physiological principles applied across all levels of organization (cell, tissue, organ system). Preparation for more advanced courses in physiology. Topics include homeostasis and neural, muscle, respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and metabolic physiology. Three hours lecture, three hours lab.
• CAS BI 325: Principles of Neuroscience
  Fundamentals of the nervous system, emphasizing synaptic transmission; hierarchical organization; autonomic nervous system; mechanisms of sensory perception; reflexes and motor function; biorhythms; and neural mechanisms of feeding, mating, learning, and memory. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Lecture portion meets with CAS NE 203.
• CAS BI 371: Reading in Biology III
  Library research on a well-defined topic in biological sciences, chosen in conjunction with a faculty member. Individual conferences and discussion with the faculty member are required as well as paper presentation. Does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
• CAS BI 372: Reading in Biology III
  Library research on a well-defined topic in biological sciences, chosen in conjunction with a faculty member. Individual conferences and discussion with the faculty member are required as well as paper presentation. Does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
• CAS BI 385: Immunology
  The constituents and regulation of mammalian immune systems are described at the levels of the gene, protein, and cell. Topics include nonspecific, T cell and B cell recognition and responses, genetics of immune receptors, inflammation, tolerance, memory, and evolution and manipulation of defense systems. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.
• CAS BI 391: Undergraduate Research in Biology III
  Research in biological science for students at the junior level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Two-credit research does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
• CAS BI 392: Undergraduate Research in Biology III
  Research in biological science for students at the junior level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Two-credit research does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
• CAS BI 401: Honors Research In Biology
  Mentored laboratory or field research with a faculty member of the Biology Department leading to graduation with Honors in Biology. Minimum 12 hours/week in lab or fieldwork, data analysis, and writing.
• CAS BI 402: Honors Research in Biology
  Mentored laboratory or field research with a faculty member of the Biology Department leading to graduation with Honors in Biology. Minimum 12 hours/week in lab or fieldwork, data analysis, and writing.
• CAS BI 407: Animal Behavior
  Ethological approach to animal behavior; physiological, ontogenic, and phylogenic causes; and adaptive significance of behavior examined within an evolutionary framework, minimally including humans. Three hours lecture, three hours lab.
• CAS BI 410: Developmental Biology
  Contemporary aspects of embryonic development, drawing from current literature. Emphasis on the use of experimental approaches to address topics such as polarity in the egg, body axis specification, embryonic patterning, and organogenesis. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.
• CAS BI 411: Microbiome: Our Intimate Relationship with Microorganisms
  The microbial community - referred to as "microbiome" - that colonizes our body plays an important role in our health. Topics include (1) the human microbiome; and (2) fundamental aspects of the interactions between animals and the microorganisms that reside on them. Three hours lecture; one hour discussion.
• CAS BI 413: Microbial Ecology
  Microbes (bacteria, archaea, and fungi) are the most diverse, abundant living organisms and microbial communities are key contributors to ecosystems. Topics include microbial cell structure and physiology, microbe-microbe interactions including biofilm formation and quorum sensing, and microbe-environment interactions.
• CAS BI 414: Ornithology
  Examines the behavior, ecology and morphology, physiology, classification, and evolution of birds. Flight, navigation, migration, territorial courtship, nesting, and parental behavior. Field trips. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion and demonstrations.

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