BIOL 111 - Fundamentals of Biology

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

Topics for Winter 2012:

BIOL 111-01: Fundamentals of Biology: Biology of Marine Organisms (3). Corequisite: BIOL 113. 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 specific examples of the unique biology of marine organisms and ecosystems, building upon fundamental concepts to explore advanced topics and research. We follow lines of scientific inquiry that have brought us to the current state of understanding on these specific examples. In the process, we progress through different levels of organization, generally starting with molecular / cellular biology and moving up through population and community ecology.This course, and its companion laboratory, are prerequisites for all higher-level biology courses. (SL: BIOL 113 is a co-requisite for students seeking laboratory science credits.) Humston. ~

BIOL 111-02: Fundamentals of Biology: Adaptation and Biodiversity (3). Corequisite: BIOL 113. 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 concerned with three major questions about biological diversity on earth: (1) how did it come to be? (2) what is its present condition? and (3) what is its future? Over the course of the semester we cover physiological adaptations, genetic sources of diversity, evolutionary and ecological processes, anthropogenic threats to biodiversity, and conservation. This course, and its companion laboratory, are prerequisites for all higher level biology courses. (SL: BIOL 113 is a co-requisite for students seeking laboratory science credits.). Hurd.

BIOL 111-03: Fundamentals of Biology: Disease Ecology (3). Corequisite: BIOL 113. An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. This course gives a holistic view of disease and its effects on human and animal populations throughout history. We learn about disease dynamics from the genetic level to the epidemiological level by focusing on diseases such as influenza, malaria, amphibian chytridiomycosis, and MRSA. This course, and its companion laboratory, are prerequisites for all higher-level biology courses. (SL: BIOL 113 is a co-requisite for students seeking laboratory science credits.) Marsh.

BIOL 111-04: Fundamentals of Biology: Rapid Communication in Animals (3). Corequisite: BIOL 113. 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. This course, and its companion laboratory, are prerequisites for all higher-level biology courses. (SL: BIOL 113 is a co-requisite for students seeking laboratory science credits.) Watson.

Topics for Fall 2011:

BIOL 111A-01: FS: Fundamentals of Biology: Foundations of Modern Biology (3). First-year Seminar. Prerequisite: First-year classes only. Corequisite: BIOL 113. 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 history of biological thought from the Greeks to Darwin to the present genomic revolution. The course focuses on how scientists first addressed the fundamental phenomena in life: 1) reliable reproduction and genetic programming; 2) development from a single cell to a fully differentiated multicellular adult; and 3) the origin of species and the evolution of diversity. This course, and its companion laboratory, are prerequisites for all higher level biology courses. (SL when taken with BIOL 113). Ayoub.

BIOL 111-01: Fundamentals of Biology: Addiction and Drugs of Abuse (3).   Corequisite: BIOL 113.  An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism.  This course will use addiction as a model for understanding basic principles of genetics, cell biology, anatomy, and physiology. An in-depth discussion of the common mechanisms of action of addictive substances will be included, as well as relevant information about treatment and recovery strategies. This course, and its companion laboratory, are prerequisites for all higher level biology courses. (SL BIOL 113 is a co-requisite for students seeking laboratory science credits.) Blythe.

BIOL 111-02: Fundamentals of Biology: Human History (3). An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication, examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. Traditionally, the history of the human species has been the purview of archeologists and historians. More recently, genetic data have been used to explore and better understand many facets of human history. How are Neandertals related to modern humans? Where and when did modern humans evolve? What does genetics tell us about the peopling of the Americas? Did the first farming technologies spread through cultural diffusion or expansion of farming populations? This course examines the foundations and background of human population genetics in addition to research articles investigating the history of the human species.This course, and its companion laboratory, are prerequisites for all higher level biology courses. (SL: BIOL 113 is a corequisite for students seeking laboratory science credits). Cabe.

BIOL 111-03: Fundamentals of Biology: Heart Attacks and High Fructose Corn Syrup (3). Corequisite: Biology 113. 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. (SL when taken with BIOL 113). Hamilton.

BIOL 111-04: 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 111-05: Fundamentals of Biology: Genes, Drugs and Toxins (3). Corequisite: BIOL 113.  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 the interplay between genetic variation and differences in the ways in which people respond to therapeutic drugs and environmental toxins. Example case studies will include the genetic basis for resistance to drugs used to treat cancer and individual variation in sensitivity to common pesticides. Our readings will be primarily from the current scientific literature as we focus on the new and emerging fields of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics. This course, and its companion laboratory, are prerequisites for all higher level biology courses. Whitworth.