Course Descriptions

BIO 227 - Conservation Biology & Biodiversity

This course focuses on the scientific study of biological diversity, its rapid loss in recent decades, and approaches for its conservation.  Broad topics include the definition and measurement of biodiversity, the value of biodiversity to humans, causes of biodiversity loss and extinction in the modern world, how biodiversity can be managed and conserved, as well as the challenges posed by the human dimensions of biodiversity and conservation.  Students will focus intensively on the primary literature in this course, with an emphasis on the interpretation of data and the design of investigations in conservation biology.  After completing this course, students should be able to apply the scientific method, data analysis, biological theory, and critical thought to real-world conflicts between human needs and the conservation of biological diversity.  The laboratory focuses on biodiversity and conservation assessment including field work and occasional field trips.

Satisfies Natural Science requirement.
Satisfies a depth and breadth course requirement in the Natural Science track of the Enviromental Studies major or minor.
 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO112/114, ENV 201, or permission of the instructor is required.  Satisfies Group B.
Not open to students with credit for BIO 237.

BIO 230 - The Host-Pathogen Interaction

This course will focus on the co-evolution (still in progress) of the protective mechanisms of organisms against a variety of pathogens and the pathogens’ evasion mechanisms of immune surveillance. Topics will include the nature of pathogens, mucosal surfaces as the first barrier to pathogens in vertebrates, evolution of the immune response to pathogens in the plant and animal kingdom, co-evolution of evasion mechanisms in viruses, bacteria, and protozoa to bypass or neutralize the immune response, diagnosis and treatment of microbial disease. Students will research a pathogen of their choice throughout the semester and will present their findings in poster format.

Satisfies a major requirement in Biology.

Prerequisites & Notes
BIO 111 or BIO 113. General knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function is assumed.

BIO 232 - Vertebrate Natural History

Natural history of vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds) emphasizing phylogeny, adaptations, ecology, and behavior. No laboratory.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112/114, or ENV 201, or permission of the instructor is required.  Not open to students with credit for BIO 222.

BIO 233 - Behavioral Ecology

Behavioral ecology represents the intersection of Animal Behavior, Evolutionary Biology, and Ecology.  Behavioral ecologists are particularly interested in the fitness consequences (the adaptive significance) of the behavior of animals.  In this course, we will investigate foraging behavior, anti-predator behavior, territorial behavior, conflict, sexual selection, mating systems, parental care, and social systems.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112/114 or permission of instructor is required.  Not open to students with credit for BIO 223.

BIO 237 - Biodiversity & Conservation

Focused on the peer-reviewed scientific literature, in this course we focus on understanding important patterns of biodiversity and the processes that lead to these patterns.  We consider the function and value of biodiversity to humans and the natural world and evaluate the efficacy of approaches to the conservation of biodiversity at local, regional, and global scales.  Students acquire transferable skills including data analysis, experimental design, and the interpretation of statistical results.

Satisfies a depth and breadth course requirement in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies major and minor.

 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112 or BIO 114, ENV 201, or permission of the instructor.
Not open to students with credit for BIO 227.

BIO 238 - Cell Biology & Signaling

In order to coordinate function within multicellular eukaryotic organisms, organelles and cells utilize an array of molecular transport and communication mechanisms.  Students compare wild type and altered signaling from phenotype to changes in the signaling mechanism.  Examples draw from human genetic variation and changes due to exposure to environmental toxicants.  No laboratory.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 is required.  Students with credit for BIO 208 may not enroll in BIO 238.

BIO 240 - Biostatistics for Life Scientists

Probability, descriptive statistics, and proper application, interpretation, and reporting of inferential statistics for biological research. Instruction in experimental design and use of statistical and graphics software. Recommended for pre-med and pre-veterinary students as well as those who plan to enroll in Biology group investigation or independent study courses.

Satisfies Mathematical & Quantitative Thought distribution requirement.
Satisfies the methodology course requirement for the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies major.
Satisfies a requirement in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114, or ENV 201, or permission of the instructor is required.   

BIO 250 - Group Investigations

BIO 251 - Light Microscopy

This group investigation course is a research-based, collaborative experience to build practical and theoretical knowledge of tissue preparation techniques and foundational light microscopy techniques such as brightfield, phase, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy. Emerging methodologies such as superresolution and light sheet microscopy are also considered.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 is required.

BIO 252 - Avian Behavioral Ecology

BIO 256 - Applied Insect Ecology

This group investigation course examines applied ecology problems in insect pollinator communities and/or populations of urban forest pests.  Pollinator communities may be adversely affected in an urbanizing landscape, while a forest pest may actually benefit in the same landscape.  Students investigate the effects of park size, location, surrounding land use, and plant diversity on insect pollinator diversity.  Students may also investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of the fall cankerworm as well as assess the effectiveness of control efforts.  Projects have community-based learning and outreach components.  Students study insect population and community ecology, learn basic GIS and other digital skills, insect identification, and hone skills in experimental design, data analysis, and science communication.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112/114, ENV 201, or permission of instructor is required.

BIO 257 - Tree Taxonomy & Identification: Dendrology

This group investigation course provides a survey of the taxonomy of woody plants and an introduction to the major forest biomes of the mountain and piedmont regions of North Carolina and southwestern Virginia.  Students learn how to identify trees, shrubs, and woodly vies using summer and winter characteristics.  Class meetings emphasize time spent in the field.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112/114, ENV 201, or permission of instructor is required.

BIO 260 - Perspective on Darwinism

This seminar course focuses on the historical importance of the Darwinian revolution in biology.  To understand more fully Darwin’s accomplishments, students study evolutionary and anti-evolutionary thinkers who came before him.  In doing so, students come to understand more deeply the resistance to the Origin of Species at the time of its publication and similar resistance to evolutionary thinking before the Darwinian era.  Post-Darwinian controversies of the late 19th and early 20th century are considered as well as those emerging in contemporary biology.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112/114 or permission of the instructor is required.

BIO 261 - Neuroscience of Exercise

A seminar course examining the research investigating how physical activity influences the brain at multiple levels (molecular, cellular, physiology, behavioral). Emphasis is placed on developing strategies for identifying, reading, analyzing, and discussing a variety of literature on the topic (reviews, basic research, government documents, clinical research, public health studies, popular press reports, etc.). Oral communication, visual communication, and/or writing skills are also emphasized as ways to share scientific research with audiences of scientists and non-scientists. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 plus at least one other Biology course or CHE 115 are required. Restricted to sophomores and juniors.

BIO 262 - Forensic Serology

This seminar focuses on the science behind the courthouse headlines as we discuss the biological theory and analytical techniques that form forensic serology’s basics. Topics include the composition of blood and semen, the molecular basis for enzymatic and antibody based analytical techniques, DNA analysis (RFLPs, VTNRs, and SNPs), and modes of inheritance of different markers (nuclear or mitochondrial DNA and protein). We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of applying these techniques to samples collected in ‘real life’ situations and the potential ethical implications of DNA databases such as CODIS. In addition to participating in discussions of technical literature, students will give multiple oral presentations to the class and to public audiences.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and at least one upper level group A biology course are required. Permission of the instructor required to register for the course.

BIO 263 - Evolutionary Ecology

Satisfies a major and minor requirement in Biology.
Satisfies a major and minor requirement in Environmental Studies.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114 OR ENV 201.

BIO 264 - Evolutionary Medicine

Evolutionary concepts help explain why we remain vulnerable to disease, how pathogens and cancer cells evolve, and how the diseases that affected our evolutionary ancestors have shaped our biology.  In this seminar, we will read and discuss a new book by Stearns and Medzhitov (2015): Evolutionary Medicine.  Topics include defense mechanisms, pathogen evolution, cancer, reproductive medicine, mismatch, and mental disorders.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114.

BIO 266 - Synthetic Biology Discoveries

Students will read primary literature from the transdisciplinary field of synthetic biology. This relatively new discipline integrates molecular biology, chemical engineering, mathematics, and computer science. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO111/113.

BIO 267 - Cases in Environmental Health

Environmental health focuses on the factors external to people that have health implications.  In this seminar students develop skills in literature research, critical analysis, and communication exploring the intersection between cell biology, public health, and the environment.  Broad topics include regional and global examples investigating air quality, water quality, and exposure to environmental chemicals.  In groups, students define sub areas of interest such as home air quality, water purification byproducts, or mercury.  Students use research, creativity, and communication skills to compile materials and write case studies that are appropriate for use in undergraduate cell biology courses.

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113, BIO 112/114, or ENV 201 is required.  

BIO 303 - Biochemistry

Satisfies a requirement in Group A of the Biology major.
Satisfies a requirement in the Chemistry major.
Satisfies a requirement in the Neuroscience major and interdisciplinary minor.
Satisfies a requirement in the Genomics major and interdisciplinary minor.
Satisfies a requiremet in the Bioinformatics major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and CHE 250 are required.  One laboratory meeting per week.

BIO 305 - Microanatomy of Vertebrates (Histology)

BIO 306 - Developmental Biology

Investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate animal development covering topics such as fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, axis specification, and organogenesis via analysis of classical and modern experiments.  Laboratory sessions emphasize experimental manipulations of early embryos culminating in student-designed research projects.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 is required.  BIO 201 or 208/238 recommended.  Not open to students with credit for BIO 336.  Satisfies Group A.

BIO 307 - Immunology

Introduction to the immune system with an emphasis on mammalian models.  Course focuses on the cellular and molecular levels of the immune system in health and disease.  Topics include recognition of antigens, development of lymphocyte repertoires, and adaptive immune responses.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113, CHE 115, and one of the following: BIO 201, 202, or 208/238 are required.  Not open to students with credit for BIO 337.  Limited to sophomores, juniors, and seniors or permission of instructor.  One laboratory meeting per week.  Satisfies Group A.

BIO 309 - Genomics

Students use published resources to understand how genome-scale information (e.g., DNA sequences, genome variations, transcriptomes, proteomes, and clinical studies) can provide a systems biology perspective. Students also use databases and bioinformatics tools to analyze data and post their analyses online. May be taken simultaneously with BIO 343.

Counts as an elective in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful compeletion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114 and one of the following: BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 209, 303, 306/336, 307/337, 333, or 343 are required. Satisfies group A only in combination with BIO 343.

BIO 310 - Human Physiology

BIO 311 - Comparative Anatomy

BIO 317 - Entomology: The Insects

Biology of insects and related arthropods, structured around application and investigation of issues such as recent major losses in insect abundance and diversity, medical entomology, evolutionary history, biodiversity and systematics of insects, forensic entomology, conservation, and ecology.  Major emphasis in the laboratory involves an independent research project, field trips, and the making of a collection of local insects.

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114, ENV 201, or permission of instructor is required.  One laboratory meeting per week.  Satisfies Group B.

BIO 321 - Ecology

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114, or ENV 201, or permission of the instructor is required.  One laboratory meeting per week.  Satisfies Group B.

BIO 331 - Behavioral Neuroscience (= PSY 303)

(Cross-listed as PSY 303)  Role of the nervous system; sensory and motor mechanism; physiological bases of motivation and emotion; sleep and arousal; and physiological bases of learning, memory, and language.  Extensive laboratory training.  Work with animals is required.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of PSY 101 or BIO 111/113 and 112/114 as well as permission of the instructor are required. 

BIO 332 - Functional Neuroanatomy (= PSY 324)

BIO 333 - Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience

An advanced examination of neurons at the cellular and molecular levels. Topics include the structure of neurons and glia, neurogenesis, synapse formation, and the molecular basis of neuronal signaling and communication. Special attention is paid to nervous system development, degeneration, and the molecular basis of common neurological disorders. Laboratory projects will utilize the nematode C. elegans to investigate molecular and cellular neurobiology questions using genetic methods.

Prerequisites & Notes
BIO 111/113 and one of the following: BIO 201 (strongly recommended), 208/238, 306/336, 309, or 331 are required.  Not open to first-year students.  Satisfies Group A.

BIO 336 - Animal Development

Investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate animal development from fertilization to organogenesis, emphasizing classical and modern experiments.  No laboratory

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 is required with BIO 201 and/or 208/238 recommended.  Students with credit for BIO 306 may not enroll in BIO 336.

BIO 337 - Principles of Immunology

Introduction to the immune system with an emphasis on mammalian models.  The course focuses on the cellular and molecular levels of the immune system in health and disease.  Topics include recognition of antigens, development of lymphocyte repertoires, and adaptive immune responses. No laboratory.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and one of the following:  BIO 201, 202, or BIO 208/238 are required.  Students with credit for BIO 307 may not enroll in BIO 337. 

BIO 342 - Evolutionary Biology

BIO 343 - Laboratory Methods in Genomics

In this lab-only course, students participate in a real genome sequencing project (sequencing performed off-site). Students analyze sequences and annotate genes in the genome. This original research is computer intensive and contributes to the growing body of knowledge in genomics. Students participate in collaborative research projects and generate reports of their findings. May be taken simultaneously with BIO 309.

Counts as an elective in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114, plus one of the following:  BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 209, 303, 306/336, 307/337, 309, or 333 are required. Satisfies group A only in combination with BIO 309.

BIO 352 - Genetics of Mitochondrial Shaping

In this group investigation course, students explore novel questions regarding the molecular basis of mitochondrial movement and shaping in developing fruit fly sperm cells, learning to design and carry out experiments employing classical and molecular genetic techniques including fly husbandry and recombinant DNA technology, along with basic microscopy. Students give frequent oral presentations on their experimental results, ending the semester with a formal write-up. Emphasis is also placed on searching for and analyzing recent relevant journal articles.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201 and permission of the instructor are required.

BIO 355 - Genome Editing

Very recently revolutionary new techniques made it possible to edit the genomes of living organisms directly.  Scientists can now, theoretically, engineer any living cell in very specific manners.  This group investigation course explores the technical literature on genome editing and current uses of the methods in research and in the repair of genetic diseases.  In parallel, students design experiments to edit the genome of C. elegans animals and engineer worms for research purposes. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 is required.

BIO 356 - Diversity & Extinction Analysis (= ENV 356)

This group investigation course focuses on the analysis of patterns of biodiversity and biodiversity loss. Students conduct literature reviews to compile data on biodiversity and/or extinction events to identify patterns of biodiversity, biodiversity function, and extinctions, with the goal of understanding the causes and consequences of biodiversity variation and loss. An emphasis is placed on the analysis of biodiversity data and the development of novel analyses to address issues such as sampling effects, extinction bias, random extinction, and emergent properties of biodiversity. The course culminates with a group project that addresses student-driven questions via the application of analyses developed during the semester.

Counts as an elective in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor.
Counts as an Applied Environmental Science course in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112/114 and BIO 227 or 321 is required.  Completion of BIO 240 is recommended.

BIO 357 - Biotoxicity of Hookah Tobacco Smoke

Pairs of students will investigate whether altering hookah configurations changes the resulting smoke’s affect on cultured lung cells, as measured by biochemical analysis of cellular viability metrics. The group investigation will include significant experimental design and bench research as well as oral presentations to different audiences, preparing and presenting a scientific poster, and writing a research article. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of CHE 115, BIO 111/113, and at least one BIO 200+ course are required.

Instructor permission is required to register for the course.

Restricted to juniors and seniors

BIO 360 - Biology of HIV/AIDS

In this upper-level seminar course, students read and discuss primary journal articles related to HIV/AIDS in a chronological fashion, beginning with the first scientific reports of HIV/AIDS from 1981 and progressing through the most recent articles.  Through this in-depth analysis of the scientific literature, students see how current advances in the field are predicated on earlier knowledge and begin to learn how technological advancements have led to new scientific knowledge. Throughout the semester, students also examine popular press accounts of major scientific advancements and investigate the role of reportage in this pandemic.
 

Satisfies the Justice, Equality, and Community requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201, 202, or 208/238 and permission of the instructor are required.

BIO 362 - Issues in Reproductive Medicine

Advances in medical science give us an ever-increasing mastery of our “natural” reproductive processes.  Technologies for controlling our fertility, diagnosing and treating the fetus, and allowing premature neonates to complete their development ex-utero challenge our traditional ideas of parenthood, family, and even personal identity.  This seminar course addresses a myriad of economic, sociocultural, ethical, and legal questions by the new reproductive technologies.  The course is discussion-based, includes a semester-long project, and involves technology applications.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114 or permission of instructor are required.

BIO 363 - Human Genetics

This upper-level seminar focuses on different human genetic disorders with primary research papers as the main resource.  Students explore 1) the methods by which the genes associated with each disorder were identified; 2) the biology of the disorder at the organism, tissue, cell, and molecular level; and 3) strategies to treat each condition with gene therapy and other methods.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201 and permission of the instructor are required.

BIO 364 - Immune System Dysfunction

This seminar course builds upon the knowledge from Immunology (BIO 307/337) in which basic immunology vocabulary and concepts are first introduced.  Students use case studies of immunological disorders to synthesize and apply knowledge to actual cases, become familiar with the techniques used to investigate immune system dysfunction in clinical research and in animal models of human disease, and learn to evaluate experimental design critically by presenting and evaluating scientific arguments from the primary literature.  Students integrate these newly acquired skills by writing a short proposal for a clinical or research study.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 303, 306/336, or 307/337 is required.  Restricted to juniors and seniors.

BIO 365 - Biology of Cancer

Investigates the molecular basis of cancer through a study of the hallmarks of cancer, signal transduction pathways, cancer critical genes, and current therapeutic approaches.  Seminal experiments in the field of cancer biology are discussed throughout.

 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114 plus one of the following: BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 303, 306/336, 307/337, 309 + 343, or 333.

BIO 366 - Renewable Natural Resources: Science & Policy (= ANT 382, ENV 366)

This interdisciplinary seminar course focuses on developing a scientific understanding of renewable natural resources such as fisheries and forests and how resources are then used, overused, managed, and conserved by humans.  The course primarily consider smodern methods of resource management, including adaptive and ecosystem-based management.  The course builds upon knowledge gained in the foundation courses of Anthropology, Biology, or Environmental Studies.  It addresses natural resource and environmental issues from ecosystem and policy perspectives.  Through case studies, readings, class discussions, and knowledge construction, students gain deep knowledge of ecosystem ecology and management policies and approaches.  Students then apply their knowledge to identify management principles that are consistent with a more holistic ecosystem approach and develop a case study of one natural resource and how it is managed.

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural or Social Science track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor or the breadth requirement of the Humanities track.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112/114, ANT 101, ENV 201, or ENV 202 is required.

BIO 367 - Ecotoxicology (= ENV 367)

Ecotoxicology is the science that examines the fate and effects of toxicants in and on ecological systems.  Although toxicology examines effects at molecular, cell, and organism levels, effects at higher levels are not always predictable based on findings at lower levels.  Ecotoxicology integrates effects at multiple levels of biological organization.

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.
Counts as an Applied Environmental Science course in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/14 or ENV 201 is required as well as permission of the instructor.  CHE 115 is recommended.

BIO 368 - Health Care Issues in Zambia

An interdisciplinary examination of the impact of disease on the people in sub Saharan Africa.  The course includes a one-month cultural and medical experience in Mwandi, Zambia during the summer, preceded by preparatory meetings during the spring semester and culminating in a seminar in the fall semester following the trip.  Students submit applications and are interviewed for the course during the fall semester preceding the next summer’s trip.

Satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Permission of the instructor is required.  Fee.

BIO 370 - Directed Reading in Biology

BIO 371 - Research in Biology I

Successful completion of at least one course above BIO 200.

BIO 372 - Research in Biology II

BIO 373 - Research in Biology III

BIO 374 - Research in Biology IV

BIO 379 - Thesis in Biology

BIO 381 - Environmental Field Studies

BIO 382 - Environmental Field Studies

BIO 383 - Environmental Field Studies

BIO 385 - Techniques in Environmental Field Research

BIO 391 - Maternal & Fetal Health

Satisfies a requirement within Health and Human Values

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114 plus one of the following: BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 303, 306/336, 307/337, 309 + 343, or 333.

BIO 392 - Medical Biotechnology

This seminar course explores the biological and chemical principles behind the newest biotechnology tools in medicine. Topics such as nanotechnology based drug delivery approaches, 3D organ printing for transplantation, cancer immunotherapy approaches, and molecular diagnostic tools will be selected based on student interest. Students will analyze primary literature, then organize and present findings in oral presentations and term papers.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 303, 306/336, 307/337, or 333 is required.

BIO 393 - Advances in Genome Editing

El Bejjani

Revolutionary new techniques that make direct genome editing in living organisms allow scientists the potential to engineer any living cell in very specific manners.  This seminar course explores the technical literature on genome editing as well as the rapidly expanding uses of genome editing methods in research and the repair of genetic diseases. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO111/113 is required, BIO 201 is recommended.  Not open to students who have credit for BIO 355.

BIO 394 - Molecular Machines

How do ribosomes really synthesize proteins? How do proteins transport cargo-filled vesicles along the cytoskeleton? How do some bacteria manage to swim in solution? The answers to these questions are provided by the study of molecular machines. In this seminar class, students will analyze primary literature to learn how tiny molecular machines power so many essential biological processes

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO111/113 and BIO303 or CHE230; or permission of instructor.

BIO 395 - Biochemistry Seminar (= CHE 430)

BIO 396 - Ecology of Disease

This upper-level seminar examines on how ecological theory can contribute to understanding and preventing the emergence and progression of disease.  Students use literature from ecology, epidemiology, microbiome research, and physiology to explore diseases of vertebrate animals.  Writing intensive.

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114 are required.

CIS 140 - Introduction to Jewish Studies

An introduction to the foundational narratives, ethics, laws and values, life-cycle rituals, and key social dilemmas faced by a range of contemporary Jewish communities in the US, Latin America, Israel and the Middle East. Topics of exploration will include diasporic and transnational relationships, secular and religious identities, Holocaust memory and memorialization, contemporary anti-Semitism, (linguistic and cultural) innovation and revival, Israeli state-formation and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Satisfies a major and minor requirement in Anthropology
Satisfies the Social-Scienctific Thought requirement
Satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement

CIS 150 - Revolutionary Literature & Politics

Globalize your semester with a collaborative, comparative look into the history of two world-changing historical events:  the Russian Revolution (100 years old in October 2017) and Japan’s 19th century Meiji Restoration.  While the material we will study comes from the past, the course will use cutting-edge digital tools borrowed from the information revolution that is reshaping our world today. 

Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.

CIS 230 - Seminar in Applied Research Design and Data Analysis

In this course students will work with an external partner on an applied research project and explore how that work can strengthen and deepen their liberal arts education. The projects will vary in nature and involve a combination of the following: helping the partner figure out questions to ask about a product, topic, or market; collecting data for a particular project or question; organizing or cleaning messy data; analyzing data with a range of statistical methods; and presenting the results of analysis through visualization or other methods.

Teams of 3-4 students will work on each partner’s project. This work will use students’ existing skills and knowledge, but also require students to learn new abilities. Indeed, a central course goal is teaching students how to learn on their own and respond nimbly to unexpected needs and challenges - which will definitely arise while working on the external partner’s project. During the semester, students will also improve their ability to collaborate with their team and the external partner. By the end of the semester, each student team will produce a concrete product for the external partner, such as a market analysis with research questions to explore, an original dataset with accompanying summary, or a visualization of sophisticated data analysis.

The course is also intended to help students understand and experience how some of the core attributes of a liberal arts education - critical thinking, creativity, intellectual dexterity, appreciation of competing viewpoints, effective communication - can be applied, strengthened, and deepened in their work beyond campus. The external partner projects will require students to use these attributes in multiple ways. In addition, two assignments will require students to reflect on this interaction between the project work and a liberal arts education. These reflections will deepen the students’ learning, while helping the College understand how these applied research experiences can enhance a liberal arts education.

While no specific courses are required as prerequisites, students enrolling in the seminar should have some prior experience in designing research projects, creating data sets, conducting statistical analysis, or visualizing data.

CIS 230-250 - Special Topics Classes

Topics and course numbers announced in advance of registration.

CIS 253 - True Stories

New course. Information coming soon.

CIS 292 - Collective Memory (= PSY 292)

Instructor
Multhaup

Remembering is a social as well as cognitive experience.  For example, we reminisce with others, select which details we share and don’t share based on who those others are, and which portions of memories we rehearse and silence affects what we later remember. Students in this course will explore current theory and research regarding collective memory, primarily from a psychological perspective. We will explore questions raised by Boyer and Wertsch’s (2009) influential book (e.g., How do we build shared collective memories? How does memory shape history?  How does memory shape culture?) and related issues (e.g., silencing of memories, borrowing others’ memories, how culture influences memory).  Our study will be grounded in cognitive psychology and draw upon additional subfields (e.g., social psychology, cross-cultural psychology) and intersections with related fields (e.g., sociology, cultural studies, museum studies).

Provides elective credit toward the Psychology major.
​Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement.

*Interlinked Memory Studies Courses
Five different courses that engage with phenomena of memory will link up once a week for common readings and discussions. Students will meet one day a week with their course instructor to engage in the discipline-specific study of memory. On the other day each week, students and faculty members in all five courses will meet together to compare and share different disciplinary and personal ideas about the study of memory; the creation and effects of memory; the representation of memory; and the social, cultural, and personal creative processes that make memory.  Participating courses are:

AFR 320 / EDU 320 / SOC 320 (Kelly) Growing Up Jim Crow
CIS 292 / PSY 292 (Multhaup) Collective Memory
ENG 204 (Parker) Introduction to Writing Fiction
GER 433 / HIS 433 (Denham) The Holocaust and Representation
​HIS 287 (Mortensen) Memory and Identity in the People’s Republic of China

CIS 330 - Special Topics Seminar (CIS 330-350)

Topics and course numbers announced in advance of registration.

CIS 331 - Applied Values Theory

In this hands-on course, students will examine different notions of “value” and apply them through a final product design project.  Guest speakers, including professors and practitioners across disciplines and industries, will guide the class through critical analyses of economic, cultural, aesthetic, political, social, sentimental, and other forms of value.  Students will debate which value systems have historically and currently taken precedence in various communities.  After a survey of these value systems. students will work in teams to collaboratively design a product of their choosing and will receive mentors from the community to assist in maximizing a project’s value.

CIS 395 - Independent Study

CIS 495 - Thesis I/Capstone

Required weekly common meetings for all CIS majors.

Prerequisites & Notes
(Fall)

CIS 496 - Thesis II

Required weekly common meetings for CIS majors completing a thesis.

Prerequisites & Notes
(Spring)

CHE 106 - Chemistry of Fibers and Dyes

CHE 108 - Food Chemistry

Chemistry 108 is a non-major’s chemistry course that focuses on what components make up our food, the properties of those components, and what changes occur during processing, handling, and storage.  This course is designed to allow the students to read about, observe, manipulate, and explore model food systems.

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.

CHE 115 - Principles of Chemistry

Topics include stoichiometry, chemical thermodynamics, atomic and molecular structure, chemical equilibria, chemical dynamics, and descriptive chemistry of the main group elements.  The laboratory illustrates the lecture topics and emphasizes quantitative measurements.  This course is intended for students who plan to take additional courses in chemistry.

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
A satisfactory score on the departmental diagnostic exam, or completion of the departmental online chemistry tutorial.  One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 220 - Introduction to Analytical Chemistry (=ENV 315)

CHE 230 - Introduction to Biological Chemistry

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.
Satisfies a requirement in Group A of the Biology major.
Satisfies a requirement in the Chemistry major.
Satisfies a requirement in the Neuroscience major and interdisciplinary minor.
Satisfies a requirement in the Genomics major and interdisciplinary minor.
Satisfies a requirement in the Bioinformatics major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 115 and 250. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 240 - Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry

Satisfies Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 115. One laboratory meeting per week. (Spring)

CHE 250 - Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Satisfies Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 115. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 260 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 115; Math 111 or 112. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall)

CHE 320 - Experimental Analytical Chemistry

In-depth course in analytical methods including optical spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, separations, and advanced topics in chemical equilibrium. Emphasis will be placed on the principles behind, and components of, chromatographic and mass spectrometry instrumentation.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 215/220. One laboratory meeting per week. (Spring, offered every two years)

CHE 321 - Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry: Mass Spectrometry

FALL 2019

Mass Spectronomy
Instructors
Blauch

This course examines the principles of mass spectrometry, including the design and operation of ion sources and mass analyzers, interpretation of mass spectra and fragmentation processes.  Mass spectrometry is applied to problems in chemistry, biochemistry, food science, and environmental science.

CHE 325 - The Chemistry of Hookah Smoke

What is smoke, how is smoke formed, what instrumental methods are associated with the characterization of the physical and chemical properties of hookah smoke, and how do they work? In the second half of the course, students will investigate the physical and/or chemical properties of smoke formed as a function of a variable of interest such as type of filtration media or shisha or height of water pipe.

Prerequisites & Notes
Notes and Prerequisites - Chemistry 220. (Fall)

CHE 330 - Experimental Biological Chemistry

Chemistry and mechanisms of gene expression, signal transduction, and advanced metabolism.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 230.  Biology 111 recommended. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall)

CHE 331 - Topics in Biological Chemistry: Protein Chemistry

Advanced topics in protein chemistry including: protein synthesis, isolation, purification, manipulation, and characterization. A strong emphasis will be placed on the biochemical and biophysical methods that lead to protein characterization. This course also will include the study of protein-protein and protein-small molecule interactions as well as structure-function relationships. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 230. No laboratory. (Fall)

CHE 335 - Research Methods in Biological Chemistry

This course is designed to expose students to critical components of the biological chemistry research experience including reading and interpretation of the primary literature, writing literature reviews and proposals, completing an independent project around a guided question, and presenting the results of their work in oral and written forms. 

Methods covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s areas of interest and expertise. 

 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 230. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 340 - Experimental Inorganic Chemistry

A survey of experimental methods for the synthesis, isolation and purification, identification, and characterization of inorganic compounds.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 240. One laboratory meeting per week. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 341 - Topics in Inorganic Chemistry: Batteries from a Chemical Perspective

Energy in the form of chemical potential is a powerful and efficient method of energy storage. However, batteries, the most common implementation of this principle, can be complex and still in need of optimization. A historical survey of battery technologies will be undertaken with the express purpose of identifying the aspects that chemistry has and can continue to improve. New and nascent technologies will be identified and explored, identifying how chemistry can make them viable. Course work will involve literature studies on battery technology, analysis of battery components, presentations from experts on related topics, and group work and presentations on cutting-edge research.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 220 or 240.

CHE 345 - Research Methods in Inorganic Chemistry

This course is designed to expose students to critical components of the inorganic chemistry research experience including reading and interpretation of the primary literature, writing literature reviews and proposals, completing an independent project around a guided question, and presenting the results of their work in oral and written forms. 

Methods covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 240 (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 350 - Experimental Organic Chemistry

CHE 351 - Pharmacology

Satisfies a major requirement in Chemistry.
Satisfies requirement in the Biochemistry interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 250 and 230; Chemistry 330, or Biology 208 and 303, strongly recommended. (Spring)

CHE 351 - Topics in Organic Chemistry:Pharmacology

Satisfies a major requirement in Chemistry.

Prerequisites & Notes
CHE 250 required and CHE 230 preferred.
No laboratory.

CHE 355 - Group Investigation in Organic Chemistry: Carbohydrates in Materials and Medicine

Methods covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

SPRING 2018
Instructor: N. Snyder

Carbohydrates and their corresponding glycoconjugates (e.g., glycoproteins and glycolipids) play critical roles in a number of biological processes from mediating cellular communication to preserving proteins under extreme environmental conditions.  In the first half of this group investigation, you will learn about the roles of glycoconjugates in normal and abnormal physiological processes.  We will specifically focus on innovative scientific developments using carbohydrate-based constructs for topics as diverse as the prevention and treatment of infections (bacterial, viral and parasitic) and cancer, to protecting proteins from extreme desiccation.  Our discussions on these topics will provide a foundation for the second half of this group investigation, which will involve exploring the glycosphere in a laboratory setting.  Each student will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the design and development of carbohydrate-based constructs for targeted applications.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 250. 

CHE 360 - Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy

CHE 361 - Topics in Physical Chemistry

Physical chemistry topics covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 260. No laboratory. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 365 - Research Methods in Physical Chemistry

This course is designed to expose students to critical components of the physical chemistry research experience including reading and interpretation of the primary literature, writing literature reviews and proposals, completing an independent project around a guided question, and presenting the results of their work in oral and written forms. 

Methods covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 260. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 371 - Energy

Course focuses on energy fundamentals such as the various guises of energy, combustion, inescapable inefficiencies, electric generation, and the planet’s energy balance. Unsustainable energy technologies (coal, oil, gas, nuclear, and hydropower), sustainable energy technologies (solar, photovoltaics, wind, wave and tidal, biomass, geothermal, and fusion), and other fuel technologies such as hydrogen/fuel cells, carbon sequestration, and syngas production will be discussed and, in some cases, demonstrated.

Satisfies depth and breadth course requirement in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.
Counts as an Applied Environmental Science course in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 260. No laboratory.

CHE 372 - Environmental Chemistry

Satisfies depth and breadth course requirement in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.
Counts as an Applied Environmental Science course in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 220. No laboratory. (Not offered 2016-17)