Biology at Washington & Jefferson College

 

Courses Offered in 2004-2005 School Year
(On-line Syllabi Available Here)

Required Courses for Biology Majors

1.      General Biology - Biology 101, 102, and 200; plus at least one course from Biology 201, 212, or 215; at least two courses from 202, 204, 205, 206, 209, 219, or 235; at least two courses from 311, 314, 320, 333, 335, 412, 416, or 435; and at least one additional course at the 200 level or above.  Total courses for the major is nine.  Additional courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, computers, and language are highly recommended.

2.      Cell/Molecular Biology - Biology 101, 102, 201 or 212, 215 or 314, 311, and 333; plus at least two courses from 201 or 212, 202 or 235, 215 or 314, 412, 500 or 501 (but not both); and one additional course at the 200 level or above.  Chemistry 105, 106, 207, and 208. Physics 101 & 102 – (Introductory Physics) or Physics 107 & 108 (General Physics-calculus based)

MINOR REQUIREMENTS: Biology 101 and 102 and four additional courses numbered 200 or above, including a course in botany and one course from each of the three groups indicated below:

Group 1--Biology 201, 212, or 215

Group 2--Biology 202, 204,205, 206, 209, 219, or 235

Group 3--Biology 311, 314, 320, 333, 335, 412, 416, or 435.

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
An introductory laboratory biology course for non-science majors. In any one session the content will focus on any one or more of the following themes to discuss the basic concepts of biology: fitness and exercise, disease and malignancy, environmental issues, and evolutionary biology. Where possible, items from the current popular press will be used as a significant resource. This course satisfies the core laboratory science requirement.

Three lecture-recitations and one-three-hour laboratory per week.
A study of the basic biology of the cell including respiration, mitosis and meiosis, membrane transport, photosynthesis, and protein synthesis; genetics from molecular to organismic including recombinant DNA and oncogenes; plant and animal development; and a survey of prokaryotes, algae, fungi, and plants. This course satisfies the core laboratory science requirement.

Three lecture-recitations and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Based on the theme of organic evolution, this is an introductory course of integrated lectures and laboratory experiences in animal biology covering anatomy, physiology, behavior, evolution, and ecology. Animal diversity is surveyed from sponges through the culminations of the protostome and deuterostome lines. Laboratories incorporate the scientific method of gathering and evaluating data, as well as field experience. This course satisfies the core laboratory science requirement.

Three lectures per week.
Course offerings in various areas of current biological interest (e.g. genetics, evolution and society, horticulture) designed to amplify the life science background of the educated individual. Consult the pre-registration bulletin for the topic being offered.

Three lectures per week.
An exploration of the physiological, sociological, and psychological components of human sexuality. Emphasis will be placed on the biological aspects of sex in man; however, such topics as sexual attitudes and behavior and sexual aberrations will also be discussed.

Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. A course in the structure, function and evolution of plants. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of plants to civilization as well as their ecology and home horticultural practices.

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
An introduction to Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics and population genetics. Discussions will include problem solving, fundamentals of inheritance, linkage, chromosomal aberrations, molecular control at the gene level, gene expression, mutation, gene manipulations, polygenic inheritance and analysis of population variation. Laboratory investigations will provide students with the opportunity to use various biological materials and organisms to collect and mathematically analyze genetic data to promote insight as to the way genetics and geneticists work.

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
This course will provide an introduction to the major events and mechanisms of organismal development. Topics will include classical embryology such as cleavage, gastrulation, and organogenesis. Additionally, the evolutionary conservation of molecular mechanisms regulating developmental events will be emphasized. The laboratory will include anatomical, physiological, and genetic approaches to the study of developmental biology.

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
A study of the biology of insects with emphasis on identification at the family level. Laboratories include fieldwork and identification, and present techniques for collecting, extracting specimens from samples, mounting, and preparing collections.

One lecture and two two-hour laboratories per week. A survey of protist and animal diversity emphasizing form and function in the relationship of invertebrate groups to their particular habitats. Coverage includes parasitic relationships with emphasis on parasites of medical or veterinary importance. Laboratories provide comparative anatomical observation to complement functional morphologies illustrated in lectures.

Two lectures per week.
A study of animal behavior from a biological viewpoint, in which the physiological, ecological, and evolutionary aspects of what an animal does, and how he does it will be examined. Behavior phenomena will be examined in the laboratory utilizing a number of different animals.

209. VERTEBRATE ANATOMY

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Lectures on vertebrate morphology are structured around the two themes of evolution and ecology. The various vertebrate groups are discussed in phylogenetic order from fishes to mammals. In addition, the geology and paleocology of the time periods when the major vertebrates arose are examined. In laboratory, the emphasis is on manunalian anatomy, with a thorough dissection of the cat being conducted. Various structural aspects of the human body are also considered.

210. INTRODUCTION TO NEUROBIOLOGY

*Prerequisite:  Biology 102 and Psychology 101*

Cross-listed as NSC 210, PSY 210
This course is intended to expose students to the world of the Neuroscientist.  A major goal is to introduce students to the subject matter of Neuroscience and to provide insight into its interdisciplinary nature, bridging psychology and biology, as well as topics in physics and chemistry.  To this end, we will examine various topics from the perspectives of these different disciplines.  Examples of topics may include: cognition, motor systems, emotion, sensory systems, development, consciousness, evolution, and pharmacology.  Each module will include lecture and background information, a discussion on a specific research question within the topic and some type of demonstration or applied experience.

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
This course examines the internal functioning of cells and the interactions involved in multicellular systems. Topics include membrane transport, organelle function, signal transduction systems, extracellular matrix interactions, cytoskeletal elements, cell motility, cell cycle control, and protein sorting and distribution. Lectures incorporate problem solving skills and current investigative methods. Laboratory activities involve the culture of different types of eukaryotic cells and utilize molecular techniques in the study of cell functions.

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
This course is designed to expose students to many different aspects of microbiology to allow them to glimpse the excitement of a dynamic scientific field. Emphasis in this course is on bacteria, viruses, immune response, microbial control and genetic engineering. The laboratory is designed to prepare students to function in a clinical setting, while dealing mostly with non-pathogenic bacteria.

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
A study of the major physiological phenomena as illustrated by members of the animal kingdom. Although mammalian physiology will be an important component of the course, the physiology of other vertebrates and invertebrates will also be considered to produce a broad comparative investigation. Lecture and laboratory will emphasize heart and muscle physiology, control and distribution of body fluids, hormonal regulation, sensory biology, and nervous function.

*Prerequisite:  Biology 102, Psychology 101, and Biology/Neuroscience 210*

Cross-listed as NSC 300
This course will combine lectures, laboratory exercises, discussions, and independent projects to allow students to explore topics in across the breadth of the field of neuroscience.  These topics will include neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, synaptic transmission, anatomy and physiology of sensory and motor systems, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and neural development.  In the laboratory, students will learn a wide variety of experimental techniques focused on anatomical techniques, physiological techniques, behavioral techniques, and computational techniques.  Through these exercises, the students will learn to design, implement, and analyze experiments.  Scientific writing will be emphasized.  Finally, students will learn to critically read and evaluate research as presented in the primary literature through class presentations and discussions.

* Prerequisite: Junior status and permission of the department. *

One half course credit. One two-hour meeting per week.
Under the guidance and with the approval of the biology faculty, students will select and present the results of current research published in professional journals. Discussion follows each oral presentation, providing a critical evaluation of the article and its implications. Each seminar series has a theme that varies from year to year.

Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
This course is intended to introduce students to the concepts of molecular biology and to some of the important insights that have come from the molecular approach. Lectures will focus on the biological macromolecules of the cell (proteins, nucleic acids and polysaccharides) and how the genetic information they carry is organized, expressed, maintained and replicated. Laboratories will include experiments intended to introduce students to the techniques used by molecular biologists.

Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Immunology is the study of the immune system both its helpful and harmful faces. T'his system is made up of a multitude of factors working together to protect us from the daily onslaught of would-be attackers, but at the same time it can turn on oneself, as seen in allergies or autoimmune disease. Today immunology is bridging many areas of life. immunological principles are being applied to clinical, industrial, and research realms. This course allows the student to glimpse some of the excitement present in a dynamic field of biology.

One lecture and two three-hour lecture-laboratories per week.
Field observation and identification of various plant and animal groups are undertaken to introduce the student to life under natural conditions. Lectures stress taxonomic considerations; laboratories emphasize techniques for maintaining, preserving, mounting, or preparing specimens for study.

320. ECOLOGY

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
A study of the interrelations between organisms and the integration of organisms with their natural environments. Aspects of energy flow, nutrient cycling, population growth and regulation, and community organization and dynamics are considered in the context of the ecosystem. Laboratories include fieldwork and emphasize techniques for collecting data and testing hypotheses.

Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. An introduction to fundamental principles of biochemistry with emphasis on the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids in living systems. An attempt will be made to acquaint students with current approaches to the study of biochemistry and molecular biology by incorporating pertinent recent research articles into the course content. This is the same course as Chemistry 333.

* Prerequisite: Math 125, Probability and Statistics *
This course is an introduction to measurement, statistics and computers, as used by the biologist. Emphasis will be placed on setting up biological experiments to make the best use of statistical tests. We will examine the more commonly used parametric and nonparametric biological statistics including: t-tests, analysis of variance (one and two way), covariance, regression, chi-square, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, etc. These tests will be studied with the purpose of determining when, why, where, and how to use them. The use of computers in biology will be examined through example programs such as word processing, spreadsheet, data collection, computer modeling and simple interfacing. Some programming in beginning BASIC will enable students to write simple statistical and interfacing programs. This course will give the student a basic knowledge of the use of both statistics and computers in biology.

Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. The course is designed to acquaint students with current problems in experimental biology Consideration will be given to classical material on which modem biology is based. In any one session, the content will be restricted to one or two particular fields of biology, with possible variation in the subject matter from year to year.

Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
This course involves analysis of the mechanisms by which organic evolution operates, with emphasis on population genetics, including such factors as mutation rates, selection, and population size. The major factors influencing organic evolution, such as ecology, continental drift, climate and catastrophic effects, will be discussed. We will also examine the end result of evolution, the fossil evidence leading toward our present understanding of the organismic relationships.

* Prerequisite: Biology 235. *

Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
This course will combine lectures, laboratory exercises, discussions, and independent projects to allow students to explore topics in cellular and molecular neurobiology. Lectures and discussions will cover topics including membrane biophysics, ion channel structure and function,
synaptic physiology, neuromodulation, sensory
transduction, and neural development.The laboratory will use invertebrate preparations including the crayfish and the land snail to investigate advanced neurophysiological concepts and techniques. Through these exercises, students will learn to design, implement, and analyze experiments. Scientific writing in the form of both
independent and group lab reports will be emphasized. Finally, students will learn to critically read and evaluate research as presented in the primary literature through class presentations and discussions.

An outline of the study, acceptable to the project adviser, must be distributed to all biology faculty and others concerned with the project during the academic session one year prior to the session in which the study is to be completed. Students meeting this requirement may register for the course for the academic session in which the study is completed. For further details, obtain General Requirements for "Independent Study in Biology' from a biology faculty member.

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