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Course Criteria
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3.00 Credits
An introduction to the biology of plants and animals with an emphasis on the evolution of structure, function, and diversity within these groups. The inquiry-based, collaborative laboratory studies introduce students to fundamental principles of form and function in the organismal world, the quantitative analysis of data, scientific writing, and utilizing the primary literature. This course is intended to serve as the entry point for all life science majors including biology, biological chemistry, neuroscience, and environmental studies (science concentration). [S] [L] [Q] Normally offered every year. Staff.
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3.00 Credits
This course examines the biology of sensation in humans and other organisms. It focuses on the chemical (taste, smell) and mechanical (touch, hearing) senses, and includes other topics such as electroreception in fish, magnetoreception in migrating animals, and vision in vertebrates and invertebrates. Laboratory exercises examine our own senses (why, for example, do peppers seem hotter to some humans than others ), as well as those of other organisms, such as aversive behaviors to chemical or tactile stimuli in invertebrates, and reaction to touch in carnivorous plants. Enrollment limited to 40. [S] [L] N. Kleckner.
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3.00 Credits
In this course, students examine the biological basis of cancer, including the role of oncogenes and tumor suppressors in regulating how the cell divides, how environmental agents and viruses can induce DNA mutations leading to cancerous growth, and the genetic basis of certain predispositions of inherited cancers. Students also examine how cancer treatments (radiation, chemotherapy drugs) work to kill cancerous cells. Finally, they explore emerging technologies that are developing new targeted cancer therapies, based on understanding the basic biological processes of cell division and blood vessel growth. Enrollment limited to 40. [S] S. Richards.
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3.00 Credits
Biologists have been increasingly alarmed by the accelerating loss of animal and plant species from nature. This introductory course in biological conservation explores what we mean by biodiversity, how it is being lost, and what is being done to preserve it. Students examine historical and current patterns of extinction of earth's fauna and flora, and learn about the types of human activities and natural phenomena that threaten species' survival. Through lecture, discussion, and classroom exercises, the human issues that are integrally involved in conservation are considered in conjunction with the ecology of declining species. Enrollment limited to 40. [S] Staff.
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3.00 Credits
Physiology, the study of how organisms function, has benefited tremendously from studies of amazing animals doing amazing things. How do bar-headed geese fly over the top of Mount Everest when humans struggle to reach the summit How do fish withstand body temperatures below the freezing point of water This course explores how animals work under extreme environmental conditions and what this reveals about human physiology in health and disease. Enrollment limited to 40. [S] R. Bavis.
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3.00 Credits
Insects-numerous, ubiquitous, diverse, and uniquely equipped-strongly influence ecosystem processes and human health, culture, and history. This course introduces insects' biology and diversity and explores insects' ecological roles and consequent impacts on human affairs. Selected topics-such as medical entomology, typhus and war, silk in history, twentieth-century popular culture, and the politics of pesticides-illustrate how insect-human interactions contribute to social history in ways both obvious and obscure. Not open to students who have received credit for Biology s22. Enrollment limited to 40. [S] [L] S. Kinsman
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3.00 Credits
Issues and potential problems related to toxic materials are reported almost daily by the mass media. Misunderstandings raised by the reports are often due to a lack of basic knowledge about toxicology. This course introduces basic principles of toxicology by discussing topics such as the Woburn, Massachusetts, leukemia cluster and trichloroethylene groundwater contamination that was publicized by A Civil Action. The course focuses on the principles essential to assessing risks chemicals pose to humans, but students also consider the impacts of chemicals on organisms at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. Not open to students who have received credit for First-Year Seminars 377. Enrollment limited to 40. [S] [L] R. Sommer.
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3.00 Credits
A survey of economically and historically important plants, with emphasis on aspects of agronomy, forestry, plant biochemistry, and ethnobotany. Plant products studied include perfumes, spices, medicinals, fermentation products, oils, rubber, textiles, wood, sugar, cereals, and legumes. Not open to students who have received credit for Biology s20. Enrollment limited to 40. [S] [L] R. Thomas.
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3.00 Credits
Emerging infections are those that are newly described, appear in different geographic regions, or move into new host populations. Reemerging infections are those that were controlled in the past but are again of concern. In this course students examine the biology of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms that cause these infections as well as the mechanisms by which they produce disease. Consideration is given to transmission patterns, treatments, and prevention. Topics may include infections of global concern such as malaria, tapeworms, dengue fever, HIV-AIDS, polio and other childhood diseases, cholera, and tuberculosis. Not open to students who have received credit for Biology s28. Not open to students who have received credit for First-Year Seminars 236. Enrollment limited to 40. [S] K. Palin.
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3.00 Credits
This course examines five types of disease, considering for each the Western biomedical perspective and a perspective from at least one of the many other systems of medicine from around the world. Students consider infectious disease, noncommunicable diseases, environmental health, nutritional diseases, and stress-derived diseases. They learn the physiological, cellular, and genetic mechanisms that underlie the disease, and that form the basis of therapy, from a biomedical perspective. They also consider how traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, naturopathy, and other medical systems understand, categorize, diagnose, and treat these conditions. Enrollment limited to 40. [S] P. Baker.
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