Course No. |
Course Title |
Description |
Introduction to Modern Biology |
This non-majors course focuses on how science is done and evidence-based conclusions are reached, including a discussion of the scientific method, experimental design, data analysis and statistics, correlation vs. causation, alternative explanations, and sources of bias and conflict. Biological and biomedical topics of contemporary interest to be discussed may include, but are not limited to, cancer, aging, stem cells, genetic engineering, and the genetic basis of human disease. |
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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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Ethics & Science of Stem Cells |
Stem cell research is one of the most important and exciting fields of current biological research. But the use of stem cells created from human embryos raises a number of ethical issues, many of which are unique to stem cells. This course will explore some of those ethical issues, but to understand these issues, the course will also help students understand the science behind the research. |
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Principles of Biology I |
The first semester in a year long introductory course sequence: Topics include biochemistry, molecular and cellular evolution, cell reproduction, fundamentals of genetics and molecular biology. Both BIO 110 and BIO 112 are designed for majors and minors and prepare students for upper level biology courses. |
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Principles of Biology II |
The second semester of the introductory sequence designed for majors in biology. Topics include: Evolution (natural and sexual selection, population genetics, speciation, origin of life), Biodiversity, Physiology, Ecology (communities, ecosystems, biomes) and Conservation biology. |
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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, biology of protista, animal behavior, bioinformatics, and physiology. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, critical thinking and experimental design. |
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Perspectives in Biology I |
The first semester in a year long introductory course sequence: Topics include biochemistry, molecular and cellular evolution, cell reproduction, fundamentals of genetics and molecular biology. This course differs from BIO 110 in that material will be covered in greater depth and there will be greater emphasis on experimental approaches, data analysis and quantitative methods and will include additional readings of original research papers. Open only to freshman prospective majors or by permission of instructor. Both BIO 110 and BIO 112 are designed for majors and prepare students for upper level biology courses. BIO 112 is designed for first year students with a strong biology background (see prerequisites). |
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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 111 and BIO 113 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 and experimental design. |
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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 1/2 laboratory requirement in the BA and other UPBM tracks. |
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Genetics and the Human Genome |
The course will cover the basics of Mendelian and molecular genetics with a focus on the structure, function and evolution of the human genome. Recommended for non-Biology majors, however this course will also satisfy the "Genetics" requirement for Biology majors (consult the UPBM web page: http://www.rochester.edu/College/BIO/UPBM/upbmmajmin). The optional companion lab for this course is BIO 198P.
A student cannot receive credit of both BIO 190 and BIO 198. |
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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 |
Broad survey of evolutionary biology, in theory and in practice. Topics include the history of evolutionary thought, population and quantitative genetics, molecular evolution, the history of life, speciation, and human evolution. |
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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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Biostatistics |
This course will familiarize students with the essential statistical concepts necessary to evaluate primary literature in the biological sciences. Students will be introduced to the statistical program, R. Topics covered in the course will include: descriptive statistics and graphics, estimation, elementary probability theory, statistical distributions, hypothesis testing, goodness of fit tests, experimental design, correlation, analysis of variance and regression. Please note that, because of the significant overlap between them, students may earn degree credit for only one of the following courses: BIO214, CSP/PSI 211, STT211, STT212 and STT213. May only be used as an allied field elective, NOT a diversification elective for BIO majors. |
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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. Open to BEB majors only. |
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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. |
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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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Human Anatomy |
Human Anatomy is the detailed study of the human organism at the cellular, tissue and organ systems levels. The relationship between structure and function is covered with emphasis on structural relationships. The course includes both lectures and laboratory sessions, an provides a basis for further professional and clinical experience. |
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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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Genetic Research A |
This 4-credit course is geared towards providing hands on experience in conducting genetic research, with a focus on the genetics of complex traits such as behavior, development, morphology and/or physiology. Genetics of complex traits is an exciting and rapidly growing field. You will gain experience in conducting research in a laboratory environment using the insect Nasonia vitripennis and its sibling species (see link information below). In the first portion of the course you will choose a trait to study and develop methods to quantify differences in the trait between the species. You will then conduct experiments to study the genetic basis of the species differences. The skills you will develop include experimental design, genetic crossing, data analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), animal husbandry, research record keeping, basic bioinformatic (blast searching a database) and genomic methods, and research presentation. You have the option of continuing with your project in BIO 262. The following link gives some more information on Nasonia: http://www.rochester.edu/College/BIO/labs/WerrenLab/WerrenLab-NasoniaResearch.html |
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Genetic Research B |
This 4-credit course is the second semester for BIO 261. It is geared towards providing hands on experience in conducting genetic research, with a focus on the genetics of complex traits such as behavior, development, morphology and/or physiology. Genetics of complex traits is an exciting and rapidly growing field. After developing a project in BIO 261, you will continue your research on the genetic basis of the quantitative trait you developed in the first semester, with the goal of mapping the trait to a specific region using genetic crosses and the genomic resources available in your study animal, Nasonia vitripennis (see link information below). You will further develop skills in bioinformatics and genomics, experimental design, genetic crossing, data analysis (including relevant statistics), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), research record keeping, and methods of oral and written research presentation. The following link gives some more information on Nasonia: http://www.rochester.edu/College/BIO/labs/WerrenLab/WerrenLab-NasoniaResearch.html |
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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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Ecological Communities |
Survey of ecological communities of eastern North America, with emphasis on field sampling methods, indicator species, species assemblages, ordination analysis, anthropogenic and natural disturbances, ecological succession, and habitat conservation. This is a hands-on, field-focused course that travels to natural and agricultural ecosystems of upstate New York, including beech-maple forests, ash-silver maple swamplands, sand dunes habitats, old fields, and apple orchards. |
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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. |
Tree of Life |
This course will be centered around a survey of life's diversity with an emphasis on understanding phylogenetic relationships, trends in diversity over macroevolutionary time, and the use of comparative methods to address topics such as adaptation and convergent evolution. Methods for reconstructing phylogenetic trees (e.g., neighbor-joining, parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian), and the application of these trees to macroevolutionary questions will be reviewed. |
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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Topics in Drug Development |
Americans today live longer and healthier lives than they did fifty years ago. Many of these health advances have been due to the discovery and development of therapeutic compounds (drugs). Despite these gains, there are still many health problems for which there are few therapeutic options. Thus, the development of new drugs to treat these diseases is the focus of intense effort. We will explore drug development approaches, including evaluation of natural products, screening compound libraries, and rational drug design. Students will choose a topic, write short pieces that serve as building blocks for the final 10-15 page review article, and revise this paper at least once. |
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Developing a Professional Biology Writing Portfolio |
After completing a Biology degree, many people apply to graduate or medical school, become laboratory technicians, or do work that in some way describes science to non-scientists. These options all require writing, although the particulars vary. In this class, students will complete short writing assignments that tailor information about a single topic to different audiences. They will then identify the area(s) where they would like to concentrate their efforts, and write and revise at least one significant piece of scientific writing. More than one piece may be required; the final project should contain 10-15 pages of writing (split as desired between projects). |
