Professors: Tom Root, Sallie Sheldon, Grace Spatafora (on leave academic year), Stephen C. Trombulak, Christopher Watters; Associate Professors: Andrea Lloyd, Helen Young (chair); Assistant Professors: Catherine Combelles, Mark Spritzer, Jeremy Ward; Associates in Science Instruction: Vickie Backus, Susan DeSimone, Matthew Landis; Visiting Scholar: Christopher L. Fastie; Department Coordinator: Joanna Shipley
The mission of the Department of Biology at Middlebury College is to provide students the opportunity to explore the science of life, in all its complexity and diversity, within the tradition of the liberal arts. We are committed to excellence in our teaching and research programs. We strive to develop each student's ability to acquire and critically interpret knowledge of basic facts and theories of biology, to relate that knowledge to other subject areas in the liberal arts, to add to the body of biological knowledge through research, and to communicate his or her understanding to others both within and outside the field of biology. We take pride in our innovative approaches in the laboratory and our availability to students. In the laboratory and in the field, students work in small groups directly with the faculty. We offer a variety of upper-level courses in each area, and we are well equipped to offer laboratory and field courses throughout the curriculum.
Our courses emphasize both written and oral communication, and all upper-level courses require independent study. Seniors frequently do independent research with the faculty, sometimes producing professional publications. The location of the College, with thousands of acres nearby owned by the College or within the Green Mountain National Forest, provides excellent opportunities for field studies.
The biology department offers a major and a minor in biology, participates in offering a major in the neuroscience and molecular biology/biochemistry programs, and participates in a formal joint major with environmental studies.
Requirements for the Biology Major: The Department of Biology is implementing a new core sequence beginning in the fall of 2006. Students matriculating prior to fall 2006 should consult with their biology department advisor to determine how best to complete the requirements for the major.
Requirements for the new biology major encourage both breadth across the subdisciplines of biology as well as depth in at least one subdiscipline. The introductory sequence includes two new courses, BIOL 0140 Ecology and Evolution and BIOL 0145 Cell Biology and Genetics, both of which are designed for students in their first year at the college who are considering a major in the life sciences, or for whom an in-depth coverage of the life sciences is of interest.
Requirements for the twelve course biology major are as follows:
1. BIOL 0140 Ecology and Evolution
2. BIOL 0145 Cell Biology and Genetics
3. Two organismal courses from among BIOL 0201 Invertebrate Biology, BIOL 0202 Comparative Vertebrate Biology, BIOL 0203 Biology of Plants, and BIOL 0310 Microbiology.
4. One course in experimental design and analysis from among BIOL 0211 (offered each winter term), MATH 0116 or PSYC 0201.
5. A college-level chemistry course with laboratory [NOTE: AP credit in chemistry or a bypass examination cannot be used to satisfy this requirement].
6. Six biology electives from the 0200-0500 level, with the following restrictions: (a) at least two of which must include a laboratory section; and (b) no more than one semester of BIOL 0500 may count as elective credit toward the major.
Guidelines and Restrictions Relevant to the Selection of Courses for the Major:
* It is expected that the core courses (BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145) will be completed by the end of the third semester.
* Students with strong high school preparation may take the BIOL 0140 or BIOL 0145 placement exam and if successful will be permitted to take 0200 and 0300-level courses.
* Except for transfer students, BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145 must be taken at Middlebury College.
* Departmental courses offered with laboratories must be taken with the laboratory to satisfy major or joint major requirements.
* Electives may include only one semester of BIOL 0500 Independent Study, and two winter term courses designated for major credit (not including BIOL 0211).
* A maximum of three courses taken off campus may be credited toward completion of the major (three toward completion of a joint major). This includes courses taken at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole. No BIOL 0500 credit will be granted.
* Except for transfer students, off-campus biology courses must be beyond the introductory level.
* When a course is offered at Middlebury with a lab or prerequisites, an equivalent off-campus course must also include a lab or prerequisites.
Requirements for a Minor in Biology: BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145, and three elective courses from 0200-, 0300-, and 0400-level courses in the department, one of which must be an organismal course (BIOL 0201, 0202, 0203, or 0310), AND one of which must be at the 0300 or 0400 level.
Guidelines and Restrictions for the Minor:
* Except for transfer students, BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145 must be taken at Middlebury College.
* The three electives need to be related thematically.
* When a course is offered at Middlebury with a lab or prerequisites, an equivalent off-campus course must also include a lab or prerequisites.
* Transfer credit for a course will be given only after the department chair reviews the course material upon a student's return to campus. (See guidelines for transfer credit.)
Requirements for the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Major: See the listing for the Program in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry for a description of this major.
Requirements for the Neuroscience Major: See the listing for the Program in Neuroscience for a description of this major.
Requirements for the Joint Major with Environmental Studies: See the listing for the conservation biology focus under the Program in Environmental Studies.
Graduate or Professional Training: Students considering graduate or professional school in the life sciences should note that many programs require a year of inorganic chemistry (CHEM 0103, 0104), a year of organic chemistry (CHEM 0241, 0242), a year of physics (PHYS 0109, 0110), and a year of calculus (MATH 0121, 0122) for admission. Students are therefore strongly encouraged to meet with their faculty advisors early in their undergraduate career so the advantages of taking additional courses in the natural sciences can be discussed.
Departmental Honors: Students with an average of 3.3 or higher in departmental courses other than BIOL 0500 and BIOL 0700 are eligible for departmental honors, for which a 2-semester thesis project is also required. Normally, research for thesis projects begins during the first term of a student's senior year (or during the preceding summer). Students interested in field research should talk with a faculty member by winter term of their junior year. All other prospective thesis students should consult with prospective advisers concerning possible honors projects by spring term of their junior year. Thesis projects must be of at least two terms' duration (one term of BIOL 0500 and one of BIOL 0700) and result in the production of a written thesis, a public presentation of the thesis research, and an oral defense of the thesis before a committee of at least three faculty members. A recommendation of high honors may then be made by the committee, and subsequently approved by the department. A necessary, but not sufficient, condition for the awarding of high honors is a grade on the thesis project of at least B+.
Advanced Placement Credit: Middlebury College grants one college credit for a score of 5 on the biology advanced placement exam. However, because the biology department does not offer any introductory course that is the equivalent of an AP biology course, advanced placement credit does not exempt a student from any of the published requirements for the major, minor, or joint majors, nor can it satisfy the college's distribution requirement.
International Baccalaureate (IB): Students who have or anticipate applying IB credit to completion of the Middlebury College degree and who plan to enroll in Biology courses during their undergraduate career must first take the Biology Department bypass exams (for BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145) in order to determine proper placement. (NOTE: Students may only take a bypass exam once.)
Off-Campus Study: Students interested in taking biology courses off campus are strongly encouraged to discuss their plans with their adviser early in their college careers. Students should see the "Guidelines and Restrictions" section under the requirements heading for the biology major to learn more about obtaining transfer credit. Students seeking approval for biology courses taken off campus should be prepared, upon their return, to document course content with syllabi and class notes.
Master of Science Degree: The department admits a limited number of graduate students as candidates for the degree of Master of Science. Degree requirements are listed separately in the catalog under graduate programs.
BIOL 0140 Ecology and Evolution (Fall, Spring)
In this introduction to ecology and evolutionary biology we will cover the topics of interspecific interactions (competition, predation, mutualism), demography and life-history patterns, succession and disturbance in natural communities, species diversity, stability and complexity, causes of evolutionary change, speciation, phylogenetic reconstruction, and population genetics. The laboratory component will examine lecture topics in detail (such as measuring the evolutionary response of bacteria, adaptations of stream invertebrates to life in moving water, invasive species and their patterns of spread). We will emphasize experimental design, data collection in the field and in the laboratory, data analysis, and writing skills. 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab SCI DED (fall: A. Lloyd, spring: S. Sheldon)
BIOL 0145 Cell Biology and Genetics (Fall, Spring)
In this introduction to modern cellular, genetic, and molecular biology we will explore life science concepts with an emphasis on their integral nature and evolutionary relationships. Topics covered will include cell membrane structure and function, metabolism, cell motility and division, genome structure and replication, the regulation of gene expression and protein production, genotype to phenotype relationship, and basic principles of inheritance. Major concepts will be illustrated using a broad range of examples from plants, animals, and microorganisms. Current topics in biology will be integrated into the course as they arise. 3 hrs. lect./disc./3 hrs. lab SCI DED (fall: J. Ward; spring: C. Combelles)
BIOL 0201 Invertebrate Biology (Fall)
The study of invertebrate animals, which comprise more than 90 percent of all animal species and represent the most diverse approaches to life on earth. A wide variety of protozoans cnidarians, echinoderms, mollusks, crustaceans, arachnids and insects are examined. Animals are studied primarily in the field for the first half of the course and the lab in the second. Emphasis is upon their ecology, evolution, behavior, and taxonomy. Specialized topics include regeneration, parasitology, sociality, and adaptations to freshwater, marine, and terrestrial habitats. Oral, written, and independent projects are required. (BIOL 0190 or BIOL 0195 or BIOL 0140) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab SCI (T. Root)
BIOL 0202 Comparative Vertebrate Biology (Spring)
This course will explore the evolution of the vertebrate classes and the adaptations that allow them to live in almost every habitat on Earth. We will study the taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, and ecology of the major extinct and extant taxa of vertebrates and discuss how each group solves the problems of finding food, finding mates, and avoiding predators. Laboratory exercises will focus on the comparative anatomy of a cartilaginous fish (the dogfish shark) and a mammal (the cat). Students will learn to identify the anatomical structures of the vertebrate body and observe the evolutionary homologies. Occasional field trips will introduce the local vertebrate fauna in their natural habitat. (BIOL 0190 or BIOL 0195 or BIOL 0140) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab SCI (M. Spritzer)
BIOL 0203 Biology of Plants (Fall)
An introduction to plants, their life cycles, and their relationships to each other, as well as to the animals that pollinate them and eat them. We will discuss morphology, physiology, evolution, and natural history of plants (mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms). The laboratory will emphasize plant identification (students will make a plant collection), various aspects of plant ecology and physiology, plant morphology, and plant use by humans. Field trips will be the norm early in the semester. (BIOL 0190 or BIOL 0195; or BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab SCI (H. Young)
BIOL 0211 Experimental Design and Data Analysis (Winter)
Experimental design is one of the most important parts of doing science, but it is difficult to do well. How do you randomize mice? How many replicate petri plates should be inoculated? If I am measuring temperature in a forest, where do I put the thermometer? In the course students will design experiments across the sub-areas of biology. We will run student-designed experiments, then learn ways to analyze the data and communicate the results. Students planning to do independent research are encouraged to take this course. DED (S. Sheldon)
BIOL 0216 Animal Behavior (Spring)
The behavior of animals primarily from an ethological perspective, with respect to genetics, physiology, evolution, and other biological factors. The course follows the history and methods of studying individual and social behaviors like feeding, courtship, mating, parental care, defense, predation, and migration. We examine live animals in the field and lab to illustrate such processes as instinct, learning, and communication. Discussion topics include behaviorism, intelligence, and sociobiology, analytical methods from tracking animals in the field to computerized motion analysis in the lab are utilized, and students design their own research projects. Oral, written, and independent projects are required. (BIOL 0190 or BIOL 0195 or BIOL 0140 or BIOL 0145) 2.5 hrs. lect./1 hr. video screen./3 hrs lab SCI (T. Root)
BIOL 0222 Human Nutrition from an Evolutionary Perspective (Winter)
Should we eat like our ancestors? Was their nutrition better than ours? What nutritional problems may have accompanied the dietary shift of early humans from a hunting and gathering to an agricultural mode of existence? We will discuss possible answers to these and other questions as we approach human nutrition from an evolutionary perspective, derived in part from Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel. We will focus on the diets that archaeologists, anthropologists, and primate biologists believe our hunting and gathering and agriculturalist ancestors ate, as well as those of "modern" primitive societies and of our primate relatives. Using these perspectives along with our modern understanding of nutrition, we will critically examine the ways we eat and how we possibly ought to eat, including consideration of the Atkins high protein diet, traditional diets emphasizing complex carbohydrates and fiber, and the more recent Paleo Diet. We may also investigate such related topics as hypoglycemia and water balance in exercise, insulin and diabetes, brown fat thermogenesis in new-born and hibernating mammals, and the role of fats and lipoproteins in heart disease. Emphasis will be placed on a critical approach to both written and virtual forms of scientific and popular resource material, and students will write several short papers and make an oral presentation of nutritional topics. This course satisfies the Biology elective credit. Students who have taken FYSE 1095 are not eligible to register for this course. (BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145; or CHEM 0322 and approval) SCI (C. Watters)
BIOL 0225 Human Genetics (Spring)
This course incorporates both classical, molecular, and bioinformatics based approaches to study the structure of the human genome, gene function, the effects of mutation, and analysis of the genetic structure of pedigrees and populations. We will examine a collection of human genetic diseases with a focus on their molecular and biochemical basis and medical implications. Further, emphasis is placed on the study of the origin of Homo sapiens, modern genetic diversity in humans, and the molecular evolutionary changes that define humans relative to other primates and animals. (BIOL 0140 and 0145, or BIOL 0195 or waiver) 3 hrs. lect. SCI DED (J. Ward)
BIOL 0230 Global Change Biology (Spring)
We will examine the effects of global change (climate and land use change) on ecosystems. Our emphasis will be on exploring what we know about global change biology, and also how we know it: how do biologists study processes on a global scale? How can we accurately predict future changes in ecosystems? We will also investigate biological feedbacks on the earth system: how changes in the composition of ecosystems and the rate of basic ecosystem processes (photosynthesis, respiration) may alter the climate of the earth. (BIOL 0190 or BIOL 0140) 2 hrs lect/1 hr disc. SCI (A. Lloyd)
BIOL 0302 Vertebrate Natural History (Not offered 2008-09)
This course deals with the natural history of vertebrates in the context of the forests, fields, wetlands, and rivers of western Vermont. We will explore in depth the taxonomy of the local vertebrate fauna; techniques for capturing and handling live animals, particularly birds, mammals, and fish; and address experimentally specific questions about the distribution and abundance of vertebrates in a range of natural plant communities. Topics considered will include conservation biology, population and community ecology, and behavior. Field work will involve several early morning and weekend trips. (BIOL 0190 or BIOL 0140) 6+ hrs. lab/field. SCI
BIOL 0304 Aquatic Ecology (CW 12) (Fall)
This field course will introduce students to the freshwater aquatic ecosystems of the northeastern U.S., including lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands. We will explore the ecological processes that dominate these systems, the organisms that inhabit them, and the ecological techniques central to their study. Field exercises will include trips to many aquatic ecosystems in the region; experience with sampling techniques for measurement of physical, chemical, and biological features; and experimental design for answering questions about the relationships among species and between species and their environment. (BIOL 0190 or BIOL 0140) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab. SCI (S. Sheldon)
BIOL 0305 Developmental Biology (Not offered 2008-09)
Have you ever wondered how an embryo develops from a simple fertilized egg to a complex adult? This course explores this question, examining the preparation and initiation of development (gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavages, and gastrulation), the formation of embryonic structure (morphogenesis), the creation of embryonic pattern (pattern formation), and the control of gene expression during embryogenesis. In lab, students will design and carry out experiments at the cutting edge of developmental biology, incorporating modern cellular, molecular, and genetic techniques with classical embryological approaches. Fundamental mysteries of development will be investigated in model organisms that best illustrate each process. (BIOL 0250, or BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145) 3 hrs. lect./4 hrs. lab. SCI
BIOL 0310 Microbiology (Not offered 2008-09)
The microbiological principles emphasized in this class will provide students with a foundation for advanced study in many areas of contemporary biology. The course will integrate basic and applied aspects of microbiology into a study of the prokaryotic microorganisms. General principles of bacterial cell structure, function, and the role of microorganisms in industry, agriculture, biotechnology, and disease will be discussed. An independent laboratory project will stress basic microbiological techniques as applied to the isolation, characterization, and identification of microorganisms from the natural environment. (BIOL 0250, or BIOL 0145 and BIOL 0140 and CHEM 0103) 3 hrs. lect./4 hrs. lab./1 hr. prelab. SCI
BIOL 0314 Molecular Genetics (Spring)
This course will focus on the structure and function of nucleic acids in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Lectures will center on molecular mechanisms of mutation, transposition, and recombination, the regulation of gene expression, and gene control in development, immune diversity and carcinogenesis. Readings from the primary literature will complement the textbook and classroom discussions. The laboratory will provide training in both classic and contemporary molecular-genetic techniques including nucleic acid isolation and purification, cloning, electroporation, nick-translation, Southern/Northern blotting, DNA sequencing, PCR and RT-PCR. (BIOL 0250, or BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145 or waiver) (approval required) 3 hrs. lect./4 hrs. lab./1 hr. prelab. SCI (J. Ward)
BIOL 0323 Plant Community Ecology (CW14) (Spring)
This course will explore the structure and dynamics of plant communities, with a particular emphasis on temperate forest communities. We will investigate patterns in community diversity and structure, explore how plant populations and plant communities respond to environmental disturbances, and investigate the effects of anthropogenic influences (climate change, introduced species, habitat conversion) on plant communities. Labs will emphasize fieldwork at local research sites, and will provide exposure to techniques of experimental design in plant ecology and basic approaches to describing plant community structure and dynamics. (BIOL 0190 or BIOL 0140) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab. SCI (A. Lloyd)
BIOL 0330 Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis (Not offered 2008-09)
Many microorganisms have the potential to cause disease. An understanding of the mechanisms that promote bacterial pathogenesis is therefore essential for the development of effective disease prevention and/or treatment strategies. This course will explore the mechanisms by which microbial pathogens adhere to, invade, and persist in the human host. While an emphasis will be placed on microbial mechanisms of disease, the host response to the infectious process will also be discussed. (BIOL 0250, or BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145) 3 hrs lect/disc. SCI
BIOL 0331 The Genetics of Cancer (Winter)
This course will examine the genetic mechanisms that serve to regulate normal cell proliferation, survival, and senescence in order to understand how alterations in these mechanisms can lead to cancer. Students will develop research projects based on their own specific interests and review of the primary literature. The laboratory portion of the course will cover tissue culture, cell enumeration, apoptosis, cellular differentiation, and DNA based molecular diagnostics. Topics covered may include: the classification of cancers, cancers that have animal models, oncogenes and tumor suppressors, mitogenic signals, angiogenesis and metastasis, genetic and epigenetic alterations, external causes of cancer (viruses and toxins), and a survey of current treatment protocols. (BIOL 0250, or BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145) (approval required) 10 hrs lect./12 hrs. lab per week. SCI (J. Ward)
BIOL 0335 Human Microanatomy (Not offered 2008-09)
This histology course will focus on the relationships between the structure and function of cells and tissues. You will gain a deep understanding of the cellular features that characterize individual cell types and how these are organized to form each tissue type. Structural features will be used to explore and discuss functions at the cellular, tissue, and whole organ system level. We will cover the specialized tissues and major organs of the human body. This is a course in which laboratory sessions are designed to provide you with an active learning experience that reinforces lecture content. Based on this combination of lecture and laboratory components, students will be able to identify and interpret sections of human tissues and correlate microscopic architecture with function and/or pathology. Students will also prepare and stain their own tissue sections for fluorescence microscopy. (BIOL 0250, or BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145, or waiver). SCI
BIOL 0340 Immunology (Not offered 2008-09)
How does the immune system work to fight disease? How can it respond to tens of millions of different substances, even those never found in nature? Why does one retain an immunity to previously encountered diseases? This course will examine the functions of the immune system. Topics to be covered include the cells of the immune system, how foreign substances are removed and inactivated, antibody structure and function, important molecules in the immune response, development and regulation of the immune system, and the importance of immune system function and malfunction in medicine. (BIOL 0250 or BIOL 0145) 3 hrs lect. SCI
BIOL 0350 Endocrinology (Fall)
Endocrinology is a branch of animal physiology devoted to the study of hormones and the endocrine glands that produce them. Hormones are essential for maintaining homeostasis and coordinating biological functions such as growth, reproduction, metabolism, and reaction to stress. This course will cover the diverse mechanisms that hormones use to influence physiology and behavior. We will consider hormone function from comparative, clinical, and environmental perspectives. Lectures will describe the molecular basis of endocrine regulation and consider the function of each of the major hormone groups produced by the body, such as hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal, and sex steroids. Weekly journal article discussions will focus on current topics in endocrinology. (BIOL 0250, or BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145) 3 hrs. lect. SCI (M. Rendi)
BIOL 0370 Animal Physiology (CW10) (Fall)
This course examines the body functions of animals and humans using general physiological principles and a comparative approach. Lectures will cover the function of each of the major physiological systems (nervous, endocrine, muscular, etc.) and will describe how animal physiology has been shaped by evolution to allow animals to survive in a wide range of environmental conditions. Lectures will focus mainly on physiological processes occurring at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. Occasional journal article discussions will focus on current topics in animal physiology. Laboratory exercises, reports and oral presentations emphasize experimental design, analysis and independent study using techniques like electrophysiology, neurotransmitter manipulations, nutritional analysis, and exercise physiology. (BIOL 0250 or BIOL 145) and (BIOL 216 or BIOL 0195 or BIOL 0140). 3 hrs. lect/3 hrs. lab. SCI (M. Spritzer)
BIOL 0392 Conservation Biology (Spring)
This course will focus on advanced topics in applied ecology and population genetics as they relate to the protection and restoration of biological integrity in the natural world. Emphasis will be placed on in-depth exploration of current issues, such as the design of nature reserves, genetic and demographic factors associated with population decline, metapopulation analysis, corridors, and large-scale ecological processes. This course will involve extensive reading from the primary literature, discussion, and writing assignments, and will build upon the information presented in the prerequisite courses. (BIOL 0190 and BIOL 0195, or BIOL 0140). SCI (S. Trombulak)
BIOL 0395 Advanced Evolution (CW 8) (Spring)
This course will examine in depth many special topics in evolutionary biology: genetic variation in natural populations, field and laboratory investigations of natural selection, special problems of small populations, evolution at the molecular level, sexual selection, evolution of senescence, and population genetics. Current theories will be explored through readings of primary literature and the textbook. Each student will conduct an independent research project on a topic of their choosing. (BIOL 0195, or BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145) 3 hrs. lect./disc. SCI (H. Young)
BIOL 0440 Membranes in Health and Disease (Not offered 2008-09)
A critical examination of the roles of cellular membranes in healthy and diseased cells, specifically in the areas of transport, recognition and signaling, and synthesis and recycling. These phenomena will be studied in the context of current research on the importance of ion channels, pumps and membrane receptors in regulating cellular function, on the infection and replication of animal viruses and other pathogens, and on the sorting and targeting of newly synthesized cellular components using cloned Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as a tag. Students will prepare brief oral and written presentations of primary literature and write a critical review of a current research topic. (BIOL 0145, or BIOL 0250 and CHEM 0241; or CHEM 0322 and permission; or PSYC 0301 and by waiver) 3 hrs sem. SCI
BIOL 0450 Topics in Reproductive Medicine (Spring)
In this course we will examine the fundamentals of human reproduction and modern reproductive intervention strategies. Rapid discoveries in medical technologies have allowed us to push the limits of the human body, and we will explore the scientific and medical challenges that surround the control of fertility and infertility, fetal life, birth, and the neonatal period. Through critical review of the primary literature, writing, and informed dialogues, students will gain an understanding of key topics in reproductive medicine. (BIOL 0250 or BIOL 0145, and one other 0200 or 0300-level biology course, or by waiver) 3 hrs sem. SCI (C. Combelles)
BIOL 0460 Plant-Animal Interactions (Fall)
The mutualisms and antagonisms between plants and animals will form the focus of this seminar. We will discuss pollination, seed dispersal, insect defense of plants, and herbivory from both perspectives (the plant's and the animal's) and the evolutionary responses of these intense co-evolving entities. The format for the course will be both classroom and field based. Students will lead discussions of papers from the primary literature, perform individual or group research projects, and present results in both oral and written form. (BIOL 0190 or 0140, and one other 0200- or 0300-level biology course). 3 hrs seminar/lab SCI (H. Young)
BIOL 0470 Neural Disorders: Individuals, Families, and Society (Not offered 2008-09)
Neuroscience is one of the newest and most rapidly progressing areas of science, and results of basic scientific and clinical studies affect how we view both the brain and ourselves. In this lecture/seminar course, we will examine the human nervous system, and problems that arise when the nervous system goes awry. Readings and discussions will include popular writings as well as primary literature to focus on disorders such as multiple sclerosis, autism, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and Parkinsonism. Students read for each meeting from the current literature, and prepare in-depth class presentations on topics of their choosing. (BIOL 0370 or PYSC 0301) 3 hrs. sem. SCI
BIOL 0480 Neurobiology (Fall)
Only recently has it become possible to study brain function and behavior at the level of cells and neural circuits. We study neurophysiology by examining how neurons, their connections, circuits, brain pathways and regulatory centers help form behaviors. By focusing primarily upon recent research on simple animals or simpler human brain circuits, we learn about neural controls and extrapolate to human behavior. Topics include genetic, developmental and molecular neurobiology, sensation, learning and the control of motion, feeding, and escape. Students present topics on current neurobiological literature and learn techniques from the literature. (BIOL 0250 or BIOL 0145; and BIOL 0216 or PSYC 0301) 3 hrs.sem/ 3 hrs lab. SCI (T. Root)
BIOL 0490 Seminar in Plant Ecology (Not offered 2008-09)Why are Vermont forests the way they are? In this course, we will explore the forces that have shaped Vermont’s forest ecosystems, with particular attention to the the influence of humans—past, present, and future—on Vermont’s plant communities. We will learn a variety of techniques for reconstructing ecological history, with particular emphasis on the use of tree rings to reconstruct forest history. The course will be based on reading and discussing papers in the primary literature, as well as intensive fieldwork at local field sites. Students will be expected to complete an extensive independent field research project. (BIOL 0190 or BIOL 0140, and one other 0200 or 0300 level biology course) 3 hrs. sem. SCI
BIOL 0500 Independent Study (Fall, Winter, Spring)
Individual projects involving laboratory and/or field research or extensive library study on a topic chosen by the student and a faculty adviser. For biology majors, joint majors, and molecular biology and biochemistry majors. (Prior to registering for BIOL 0500, a student must have discussed and agreed upon a project topic with a member of the biology department faculty.) 3 hrs. disc. (Approval required) (Staff)
BIOL 0700 Senior Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)
Seniors majoring in Biology who have completed one or more semesters of BIOL 0500 independent research and who plan to complete a thesis should register for BIOL 0700. In this course students will produce a written thesis, deliver a public presentation of the research on which it is based, and present an oral defense of the thesis before a committee of at least three faculty members by the published deadlines. Additional requirements include participation in weekly subgroup meetings and attending regular departmental seminars. (BIOL 0500, Approval required) 3 hrs. disc. (Staff)
BIOL 0900 Research and Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)
Required for all M.S. degree candidates. (Approval required from the department chair.) 3 hrs. disc. (Staff)
Semester Program at Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory
Students of biology and/or environmental studies with a science focus may elect to spend the fall semester at the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory. They may obtain four units of credit for: Aquatic Ecosystems (with lab), Terrestrial Ecosystems (with lab); Mathematical Modeling or Microbial Ecology, Science Writer's Seminar, and an Independent Research Project. Students should consult the biology department and the Office of Off-Campus study for more information about this program.