Course No. |
Course Title |
Description |
Ecosystem Conservation and Human Society |
As the natural resources on which human society depends are depleted, the need for sound conservation policies increases. The course examines a new approach in conservation biology that identifies and places economic value on the services that natural ecosystems provide. Such services are basic to sustainable societies and include clean water and air, waste decomposition, pollination and farm land productivity. Major themes the course covers include an overview of other approaches in conservation biology, a review of the services that ecosystems provide, ways the value of these services are determined, and how this novel approach is influencing economic and political policy at local, national, and international levels. |
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Principles of Biology I |
The first semester in a year long course sequence designed for majors and minors biochemistry, molecular and cellular evolution, cell reproduction, fundamentals of genetics and molecular biology |
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Principles of Biology II |
The second semester of the introductory sequence designed for majors in biology. Topics include: Evolution (natural selection, speciation, plant and animal diversity), Biodiversity, Plant and animal physiology, Ecology (population genetics, ecosystem structure, species interactions). |
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Introductory Biology Laboratory |
This is the lab course which accompanies the lecture course Principles of Biology II. The content of the course is drawn from the lecture material. Topics include plant and animal diversity, anatomical dissections, methods in bacteriology, animal behavior, and basic physiology. An emphasis is placed on problem solving, critical thinking and experimental design. |
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Perspectives in Biology I |
The first semester of a two-course introductory sequence for students with a strong background in science. Topics include biochemistry, molecular and cellular evolution, cell reproduction, fundamentals of genetics and molecular biology. This course differs from BIO 110: there will be greater emphasis on the chemistry underlying biological processes and on experimental approaches, data analysis, and quantitative methods. It will also include reading original papers, and a significant writing component (e.g. preparation of a book review from among selected titles, such as The Selfish Gene). Note both BIO 110 and BIO 112 are designed to prepare students who intend to major in biology. |
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Perspectives in Biology II |
Second semester of a two-course introductory sequence for students with a strong background and interest in science. Topics include: evolution, organismal diversity, ecology, and functional biology. This course differs from BIO 111 in that there will be greater emphasis on experimental approaches, data analysis, and quantitative methods, and will include reading original papers. Note both BIO 110 and BIO 112 are designed to prepare students who intend to major in biology. Open only to freshman prospective majors or by permission of instructor. |
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Perspectives in Biology Lab |
This is the laboratory course which accompanies the lecture course Perspectives in Biology II. Course content is drawn from the lecture material and includes biological diversity, ecology, evolution, animal behavior, physiology and bioinformatics. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, critical thinking, experimental design and data analysis. |
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Introduction to Biochemistry - Lab |
The course is designed to introduce sophomore biology majors to experimental approaches in biochemistry, including enzyme assays, protein analysis, and the use of antibodies. Students will also develop light microscopic skills, e.g. , using fluorescent dyes in organelle isolation. The laboratory emphasizes experimental design and data analysis and complements BIO 250, Biochemistry. This course can be used to satisfy a ½ laboratory requirement in the BA and other UPBM tracks. |
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Principles of Genetics |
Methods of genetic analysis are stressed. Topics include: Mendelian assortment; gene interaction; linkage and mapping; methods of genetic analysis in yeast, bacteria and phage; DNA replication, recombination, repair and mutation; gene expression and its regulation; transposons and retroviruses; recombinant DNA technologies; cancer as a genetic disease. |
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Principles of Genetics Lab |
This course is an introduction to basic genetic theory and laboratory practices. Topics include classical inheritance in eukaryotes, bacterial genetics and molecular technology techniques. Emphasis is on data analysis and experimental design. |
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Lectures in Physiology |
Function of various mammalian systems with special emphasis on humans. Topics include: excitable tissue, respiration, nutrition, reproduction, endocrinology, skeletal, circulatory and renal systems; homeostatic mechanism. Students will attend lecture and take examinations with students in BIO 204, Mammalian Physiology, and attend one hour of mandatory recitation per week. Laboratory exercises will not be conducted. |
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Molecular Biology |
This course deals with the molecular mechanisms of gene replication, gene expression, and the control of gene expression in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Topics include: enzymatic mechanisms of DNA replication, recombination and repair; transposable elements; DNA transcription; RNA splicing; RNA translation; repressors, activators and attenuators; recombinant DNA and genetic engineering. |
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Mammalian Anatomy |
This course deals with the structural and systematic anatomy of animals with special emphasis on human beings. Laboratory includes the dissection of fresh and preserved tissue plus analysis of structures and systems. |
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Mammalian Physiology |
Function of various mammalian systems with special emphasis on humans. Topics include: excitable tissue; respiration; nutrition; reproduction; endocrinology; skeletal, circulatory and renal systems; homeostatic mechanisms. |
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Evolution |
Fundamentals of Evolution. Topics include natural selection and its ecological basis, population genetics including selection and drift, speciation, and molecular evolution including the neutral theory, molecular phylogeny and the molecular clock. |
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Molecular Cell Biology |
An intermediate level course that covers fundamental cell processes at the molecular level. Topics include organelle structure and functions, membrane biogenesis, cytoskeleton, cell signaling, cell cycle growth and death. |
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Molecular Biology of Cell Signalling |
This course offers an introduction to cell signalling. We will explore basic molecular mechanisms of signal transduction, and study how these mechanisms are used in different contexts to direct cell fate during development, physiology and disease. The course will draw heavily on experiments from the classic and most recent primary literature. |
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| Advanced Cell Biology | An advanced course focusing on a mechanistic understanding of cellular organization and function. This course relies heavily on the primary research literature, classic and recent, and the design and interpretation of experiments, drawn from biochemistry, microscopy and genetics. Topics include the cytoskeleton, membrane traffic, cell-cell signaling and the cell cycle. Active participation in classroom discussions is an essential feature of the course. |
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Biology of Aging |
This course focuses on molecular mechanisms of aging. We will discuss popular theories of aging, model organisms used in aging research, evolution of aging, relation between aging and cancer, human progeroid syndromes, and interventions to slow aging. |
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Laboratory in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology |
This course emphasizes the development of testable questions and implementation of appropriate observations and experiments on a series of topics in ecology and evolution. Many of the mini-studies will be done in the field on non-model organisms native to New York. Students will gain experience on field and lab methods used in ecology and evolutionary biology (including relevant computer applications), critiquing published scientific studies, writing scientific reports, and presentation of scientific results. |
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Developmental Biology |
This course deals with the cellular and molecular aspects of animal development, with emphasis on processes and underlying mechanisms. Topics include embryonic cleavage, gastrulation, early development of model vertebrates and invertebrates, patterning of cell fates along embryonic axes of Drosophila and vertebrates, organogenesis and stem cells. |
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Eukaryotic Gene Regulation |
This advanced course examines mechanisms of transcription initiation, eukaryotic chromosome structure and its modifications, mechanisms of chromatin-mediated regulation of gene expression, as well as epigenetics and functional genomics. Lectures and readings draw heavily on primary literature both classic and most recent. IND 443 and BIO 443 students are required to give a 30 minute presentation on a selected topic. |
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Environmental Animal Physiology |
This course is designed for sophomore biology majors who want to deepen their understanding of animal function by examining how animals cope with environmental challenges. This includes cellular and physiological adaptations to extremes of temperature, salinity, and altitude. This course can be used to satisfy an upper level elective/diversity requirement in all UPBM tracks and as a "group" A requirement in the BA track. |
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Introduction to Biochemistry |
Biochemistry 250 will cover fundamental aspects of biochemistry, including bioenergetics, protein structure, kinetic analysis of enzyme action, and general intermediary metabolism. The text will be the 5th edition of Lehninger's "Principles of Biochemistry" by Nelson and Cox, with its accompanying Web site, which includes access to CHIME tutorials that explore structure- function relationships in biomolecules. |
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Computational Biology |
An introduction to the history, theory, and practice of using computers to conduct biological research. Topics include the fundamentals of Linux-based computing and perl programming, accessing and storing biological data, alignment of molecular sequences, and computer-based analysis of data. |
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Animal Behavior |
Examines animal behavior from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. Topics include social organization, mating systems, foraging, aggression, and animal learning. Students also learn quantitative techniques in behavioral biology. |
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Ecology |
A survey of adaptations to the physical environment, dynamics of natural populations, interactions between species, and human impact on the environment. |
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Molecular Evolution |
This course explores evolution at the molecular level. We will use basic evolutionary principles to infer history from DNA sequences; to determine what forces have shaped the evolution of genes and genomes; to understand the relationship between molecular evolution and phenotypic evolution; and to address applied problems, like assigning biological function to genome sequences, finding the sources of epidemics, and finding the genes involved in human disease. |
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Laboratory in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology |
This course is designed to provide (1) introduction to model organisms (2) training in specific methods used in molecular, cell and developmental biology research, with emphasis on data acquisition and analysis (3) experience in the design and execution of experiments, reading and writing scientific reports, and public scientific presentation. |
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BIO 420 |
Advanced Cell Biology |
An advanced course focusing on a mechanistic understanding of cellular organization and function. This course relies heavily on the primary research literature, classic and recent, and the design and interpretation of experiments, drawn from biochemistry, microscopy and genetics. Topics include the cytoskeleton, membrane traffic, cell-cell signaling and the cell cycle. Oral and written student presentations and active participation in classroom discussions are essential features of the course. |
BIO 422 |
Biology of Aging |
This course focuses on molecular mechanisms of aging. We will discuss popular theories of aging, model organisms used in aging research, evolution of aging, relation between aging and cancer, human progeroid syndromes, and interventions to slow aging. |
BIO 443 |
Eukaryotic Gene Regulation |
This advanced course examines mechanisms of transcription initiation, eukaryotic chromosome structure and its modifications, mechanisms of chromatin-mediated regulation of gene expression, as well as epigenetics and functional genomics. Lectures and readings draw heavily on primary literature both classic and most recent. IND 443 and BIO 443 students are required to give a 30 minute presentation on a selected topic. |
BIO 465 |
Molecular Evolution |
This course explores evolution at the molecular level. We use evolutionary principles to infer history from DNA sequences, to determine what forces have shaped the evolution of genes and genomes, to understand the relationship between molecular evolution and phenotypic evolution, and to address applied problems, like assigning biological function to genome sequences, finding the sources of epidemics, and finding the genes involved in human diseases. |
BIO 468 |
Laboratory in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology |
A series of experiments, each lasting two or three weeks, introducing various organisms and techniques. Emphasizes (1) data acquisition and analysis (2) experience in the design and execution of experiments, writing scientific reports, and public scientific presentation. |
BIO 47x |
Advanced Evolutionary Genetics Topics |
One of a four-course sequence that provides comprehensive coverage of advanced topics in ecology and evolutionary biology. Areas covered include: population and community ecology; population and quantitative genetics; molecular evolution; evolutionary genomics; evo-devo; phylogenetics; and speciation. This course is intended for graduate students; exceptional undergraduate students can enroll by permission of the course coordinator. |
BIO 516 |
Cell/Dev/Mol Biology Seminar |
This one credit course examines current topics in cell, developmental and molecular biology. Student-led seminars and discussions based on representative publications in the recent literature. One or several broad topics, drawn from active fields of cell, developmental and molecular biology, will be covered each semester. |
BIO 580 |
Journal Club in Ecology and Evolution |
Current topics in ecology and evolutionary biology are explored by reading research and review papers. Students choose topics for reading and lead discussions of their chosen topics. This course carries one credit. |
BIO 584 |
Seminar in Evolution |
Biology Colloquium. Members of the staff and advanced students in the biological sciences meet on regularly announced dates for presentation and discussion of research by members of the department or invited guests. These seminars are open to all. |