2010-2011 - Sweet Briar College

BiologySweet Briar CollegeBIOL 104 (3)–Plants and Human AffairsPrerequisite: Not open to junior or senior biologymajors or minors. An introduction to plantsand their remarkable impact on diverse aspectsof human activity. This course will explore theways in which humans use plants for food,medicine, and other products; the role of plantsin our environment; and the implications ofplants in areas such as economics and humanculture. Some topics will be based on studentinterest and may include current concerns suchas world hunger, use of chemicals in agriculture,use of genetically-engineered foods, and uses ofnative plants. Three hours lecture. V.8a.BIOL 107 (1)–Laboratory in Plants andHuman AffairsPrerequisite: Not open to junior or senior biologymajors or minors. Prerequisite or co-requisite:BIOL 104. An introduction to the scientificmethod and its application in plant biology.Observations and experiments will emphasizecrop plants, plant growth and morphology,human impacts on natural systems, genetic engineering,and the properties of plant products.Students will present their findings in oral andwritten form. V.8b.BIOL 111 (4)–Introduction to OrganismsAn introduction to organismal and populationbiology. Topics include genetics, evolution andecology, and the interactions of organisms withtheir environment. Three hours lecture and onethree-hour laboratory. V.8ab.BIOL 112 (3)–Introduction to CellsPrerequisite: BIOL 111. An introduction to cellbiology, including the chemistry of biologicalmacromolecules, cell structure, function, andreproduction. Additional topics include geneticengineering, viruses and cancer, and the cellularbasis of immunity. Three hours lecture. V.8a.BIOL 113 (1)–Introductory LaboratoryTechniquesPrerequisite or co-requisite: BIOL 112. Anintroduction to basic methods and instrumentationin biology, emphasizing fundamental laboratoryprocedures. Techniques to be studied includelight and electron microscopy, spectrophotometry,electrophoresis, and chromatography. The use ofcomputer applications for the basic analysis andpresentation of data is also examined. One threehourlaboratory. III.Q, V.8b.BIOL 147 (4)–Human Anatomy andPhysiology IPrerequisites: BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. Basichistology, anatomy (gross and microscopic), andphysiology of the human integumentary, skeletal,muscular, nervous, and sensory systems.Human anatomy is studied using charts andmodels. Superficial anatomy is studied on thehuman body, and dissection examines homologousstructures on the cat. This course may notbe counted towards the major or minor in biology.Offered alternate years. Three hours lecture andone three-hour laboratory.BIOL 205 (3)–GeneticsPrerequisite: BIOL 112. An introduction togene action and the principles of inheritance.Topics include Mendelian genetics, chromosometheory, and molecular genetics, as well asrecombinant DNA, extranuclear genomes, andpopulation genetics. Four hours lecture anddiscussion. V.8a.BIOL 206 (1)–Laboratory in GeneticsPrerequisite: BIOL 113. Prerequisite or corequisite:BIOL 205. A laboratory study ofconcepts in genetics ranging from classical tomolecular genetics. Students learn to apply thetools of genetics to explore Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance patterns and to investigatethe nature of DNA. The interpretation ofquantitative data is explored using appropriatestatistical analyses. One three-hour laboratory.BIOL 209 (3)–Marine BiologyPrerequisites: BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. A surveyof marine organisms and their adaptations toseawater chemistry, seafloor geology, and waves,tides, and currents. Our comprehensive survey ofmarine microbes, fungi, plants, invertebrates, andvertebrates will then enable us to discuss the ecologyof specialized marine communities, such as kelpforests, polar seas, the open ocean, intertidal zones,seagrass beds, coral reefs, and the deep sea.58­