BIOL 295 - Seminar in Biology

Credits: 1
Planned Offering: Fall, Winter

Prerequisites: BIOL 111 and 113, at least junior standing and departmental consent. Seminar topics vary with instructor and term. Sample topics include: genetics, molecular genetics, virology, evolutionary biology, history of medicine, biology of aging, ecology, cancer, reproductive strategies, neuroendocrinology, microbiology and immunology. These are in-depth studies of restricted topics within the broad areas indicated by the titles, involving critical review of literature, discussion and oral and/or written presentation. One such seminar is required of each major pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, and no more than two may be counted toward the 30 credits in biology required for the major. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.

Winter 2014 Topics:

BIOL 295-01: Topics in Biology: Yellowstone Ecology (1). Prerequisites: BIOL 111 and 113, and either junior standing or departmental permission. This course examines the interactions of microbes, plants and animals in the world’s oldest national park. Through weekly readings, discussions, presentations and written works we cover topics including soil microbes, grazing, fire, predators, and ecosystem function. Hamilton

BIOL 295-02: Topics in Biology: Impacts of Non-Native Fish Introductions (1). Prerequisites: BIOL 111 and 113, and either junior standing or departmental permission. Intentional and accidental introductions of non-native fish have a long history but their impacts are still poorly understood. Can our fish communities be restored once they have been altered by invaders? How does a new species alter the food web and, in turn, the essential functioning of the ecosystem? This class will explore the known documented impacts of fish introductions, some predicted impacts of recent introductions, as well as options for control of noxious, invasive fish species. Humston

Fall 2013 Topics:

BIOL 295-01: Seminar: The Obesity Epidemic (1). Obesity, once a rare condition, now affects more than one-third of Americans. Is it simply that people now consume too many calories and burn too few? Or is there something more complicated (and biologically interesting) going on? In this seminar we examine the recent scientific literature on the potential causes of the obesity epidemic. We read about and discuss topics such as uterine programming, epigenetics, intestinal community ecology, and toxicology. Marsh

BIOL 295- 02 Seminar: Bug Brains (1). Question: What can fruit flies teach us about the human brain? Answer: A lot! Many advances in neuroscience would not have been possible without the knowledge first acquired in invertebrate organisms. This seminar uses primary literature and student presentations to examine the role of invertebrate animal models in fundamental neurobiological experiments. Blythe