BIOL 111 - Fundamentals of Biology

FDR: SL, GE5a: BIOL 113 is a corequisite for students seeking laboratory science credits.
Credits: 3
When Offered: Fall, Winter

Topics for Winter, 2010:

BIOL 111A: Fundamentals of Biology: Communication from Cells to Organisms. An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. A discussion of the issues of communication of a cell with its external environment beginning with the single-celled organism. We move on to a consideration of cell size and the evolution of multi-cellular organisms. Multi-cellular forms of communication are introduced and their role in maintaining a stable environment for the individual cells of the whole organism is studied. This course, and its companion laboratory, are prerequisites for all higher level biology courses. I’Anson.

BIOL 111B: Fundamentals of Biology: Marine Biology. (This course is not intended to be a survey of marine life.) An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. This course explores specific examples of the unique biology of marine organisms in relation to the selective pressures of their environment, building upon fundamental concepts to delve into advanced topics and research. We focus on a handful of specific examples of recent topics in marine biology, including: Why do swordfish heat their brains? Why are coral reefs dying around the world? How do elephant seals stay underwater for up to two hours on a single breath? As we explore these topics, we progress through different levels of organization, generally starting with cellular biology and physiology and moving up through population and community ecology.  Humston.

BIOL 111C: Fundamentals of Biology: Heart Attacks and High Fructose Corn Syrup. An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. We investigate the importance of nutrition in the context of the sweetening of our food supply by understanding the biochemical and physiological basis of atherosclerosis which in many patients, when left untreated, leads to a heart attack.  Hamilton.
 

Topics for Fall, 2009:

BIOL 111A: Fundamentals of Biology: Bacterial Genetics (3). An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. This course is an introduction to the genes and the mechanisms of gene expression by bacterial cells. It focuses on the current issues of bacterial infections in humans. Simurda

BIOL 111B: Disease Ecology (3) An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. This course takes a holistic approach to understanding the effects of disease from the genetic to the ecosystem level. Topics of emphasis include host-parasite interactions, disease evolution, and the effects of environmental change on disease spread, all of which are examined in the context of diseases such as influenza, amphibian chitridiomycosis, and malaria. Marsh

BIOL 111C: Fundamentals of Biology: Rapid Communication in Animals (3). An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. This course examines the structure and function of nerve cells with an emphasis on electrical excitability, synaptic transmission, and sensory transduction. In addition, we study the anatomy of the brain and examine the cellular mechanisms underlying simple behaviors and the pathology of degenerative CNS diseases. Watson

BIOL 111D: Fundamentals of Biology: Heart Attacks and High Fructose Corn Syrup (3). An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. We investigate the importance of nutrition in the context of the sweetening of our food supply by understanding the biochemical and physiological basis of atherosclerosis which in many patients, when left untreated, leads to a heart attack. Hamilton

BIOL 111E: Fundamentals of Biology: Human Physiology (3). An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. Homeostasis, the maintenance of the steady state, is a unifying principle which underlies biological functioning at every level, from cell to system. In this course, students explore the centrality of homeostasis in four body systems: nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, and endocrine. The case-study approach and discussion-based learning are utilized and emphasis is placed upon the development of written and oral communication skills. Wielgus