2007-08 - Pitzer College

256 SCIENCE
SCIENCE
146L. Ecology. An exploration of the factors and interrelationships in influencing the
distribution and abundance of organisms. Theoretical models and empirical data are
applied to questions of biogeography, life histories, population regulation, community
structure and resource management. Laboratory component will include an introduction
to computer modeling in ecology, and the processing of quantitative data from field and
laboratory investigations. Prerequisites: Biology 43, 44. Enrollment limited. Laboratory
fee: $50. Fall, D. McFarlane.
149. Neurobiology. This course will examine the structure, function and organization of
nervous systems. Topics will include signal transduction, electrophysiology, the role of
trophic factors, development of the nervous system, and neural networks. Consideration
will also be given to neuropathologic conditions such as Parkinson’s’ and Alzheimer’s
diseases. Prerequisites: Biology 43, 44; Chemistry 14, 15, or both semesters of the AISS
course. Enrollment limited. Spring, M. Coleman.
150La,b. Functional Human Anatomy and Biomechanics a: Limbs and Movement; b:
Back and Core Stabilization.
150La. Limbs and Movement. Development and evolutionary principles of limb design
and function; mechanical properties of bone, soft tissues, muscle, nerve; interrelationships
between structure, biomechanics, and function; open chain versus closed
chain kinematics; mobility of limb girdles; mechanisms of injury and prevention.
Laboratory involves dissection of human cadavers. Prerequisites: Biology 39L (or Dance
160 or Dance 163); an introductory course in biology (Biology 43 or 44, or both semesters
of the AISS course, or equivalent); a course in classical mechanics (Physics 30 or 33, or
equivalent), and permission of instructor. Enrollment limited to 15. Laboratory fee: $100.
Spring, J. Milton, Joint Science; E. Rega, Western University.
150Lb. Back and Core Stabilization. Evolution and development of pronograde versus
orthograde stance; development of pelvic diaphragm; mechanical properties of disks and
vertebrate (creep); passive versus active stabilization and limb movement; back pain.
Prerequisites: Biology 39L (or Dance 160 or Dance 163); an introductory course in biology
(Biology 43 or 44, or both semesters of the AISS course, or equivalent); a course in
classical mechanics (Physics 30 or 33, or equivalent), and permission of instructor.
Enrollment limited to 15. Laboratory fee: $100. [not offered 2007-08]
151L. Developmental Biology. Lectures, discussions and laboratory exercises explore the
current state of our understanding of how complex organisms arise from single cells.
Topics will include growth, differentiation and pattern formation at the organismal,
cellular and molecular levels, as well as the scientific basis of animal cloning and stem
cell research. Prerequisites: Biology 43, 44; Chemistry 14, 15 (or 29), or both semesters of
the AISS course, or permission of instructor. One previous upper-division Biology course
is strongly recommended. Enrollment limited to 18. Laboratory fee: $50. Spring, R. Justice.
154. Animal Behavior. Lectures, discussion and videos covering the biological approach
to behavior. Topics include the physiological, neurological, genetic, evolutionary and
ecological approaches to behavior, with an emphasis on behavioral ecology. Enrollment
limited to 50. Prerequisites: Biology 43, 44, or both semesters of the AISS course, or
permission of instructor. Fall, D. Thomson.
157L. Cell Biology. This course examines the function of organisms at the cellular and
molecular level through discussion, analysis of scientific literature, and laboratory
experimentation. Topics include signal transduction, nuclear structure and function, cell
division, and apoptosis (cell suicide). The laboratory uses modern cell biology techniques
including fluorescent microscopy and immunodetection of proteins. Prerequisites:
Biology 43, Chemistry 14 and 15 (or29), or both semesters of the AISS course, or permission
of instructor. One previous upper-division Biology course is strongly recommended.
Enrollment limited to 18. Laboratory fee $50. Fall/Spring, Z. Tang, J. Armstrong.
158. Cell Cycle, Diseases and Aging. Introduces properties of cell-division cycle.
Explores mechanisms of aging and diseases including cancer based on principles of cell
cycle control. Elaborates on signaling pathways and molecular nature of the regulation
fundamental to all eukaryotes. Emphasizes the advancements and current understanding
of the field. Lectures, paper presentations, and discussions. Prerequisite: Biology 43, 44,
or both semesters of the AISS course, and Chemistry 14, 15, or 29, or both semesters of
the AISS course. Spring, Z. Tang.
257
159. Natural Resource Management. A course designed to allow students to appreciate
the importance of the role of science in understanding environmental systems. Lectures
will consist of an intensive analysis of natural resource problems and the impacts of
human activities on these resources. Appropriate for biology or environmental studies
concentrators with upper-division standing. Prerequisites: Biology 44. Enrollment limited.
Spring, E. Morhardt.
160. Immunology. A course dealing with topics of current research in immunology, such
as antigen-antibody interactions, antibody synthesis, hypersensitivity, and autoimmunity.
Students will prepare papers and participate in discussions based on the current
literature. Outside speakers may supplement the material. Prerequisites: Biology 43, 44,
or both semesters of the AISS course; Chemistry 14, 15 or both semesters of the AISS
course; some advanced work in biology. Enrollment limited. [not offered 2007-08]
161. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. Current and historic methods of analysis will
be discussed in relation to neurons and nervous system function. The focus will be on the
cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal activity and function. The
laboratory will introduce students to methods used for cellular neurobiology.
Prerequisites: biology 43 and 44, or both semesters of the AISS course, and Chemistry 14
and 15 (or 29), or both semesters of the AISS course. Enrollment limited to 18. Fall, M. Coleman.
165. Advanced Topics in Environmental Biology. Readings and discussion of current
technical journal articles in active areas of environmental biology. Topics are chosen for
their current relevance and technical interest. Students present papers for class
discussion, and conduct a formal literature review on the topic of their choice.
Prerequisites: Biology 43, 44, or both semesters of the AISS course, or equivalent.
Enrollment limited. Fall, E. Morhardt.
166. Animal Physiological Ecology. This is an animal physiological ecology course that
will emphasize physiological interactions of animals with their biotic and abiotic
environments. Information about the physiology and ecology of animals will be
integrated from the tissue, organ, and whole organism levels. We will cover a series of