2005-06 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

macroevolution), Mathematics (theoretical biology), and Psychology (behavior); the School
of Engineering (biomechanics); and the N.S.E.E.S. (ecology).
Students entering the program generally have a broad background in biological sciences
supplemented with basic courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Biochemistry and
physical chemistry are strongly recommended for students interested in molecular areas, and
advanced courses in mathematics are recommended for students in population genetics and
ecology. While deficiencies may be corrected by taking appropriate courses during the first
year of graduate study, it is advised that students search widely in both the Bulletin of Duke
University; Undergraduate Instruction and the Bulletin of Duke University; Graduate
School for information about the intellectual resources of the University. Special attention
should be given to announcements of the departments listed above, as well as to those of
Cultural Anthropology, History, Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Philosophy,
and Sociology, and of the School of Engineering and the Nicholas School of the
Environment and Earth Sciences.
203L. Marine Ecology. Factors that influence the distribution, abundance, and diversity of
marine organisms. Course structure integrates lectures and field excursions. Topics include
characteristics of marine habitats, adaptation to environment, species interactions,
biogeography, larval recruitment, and communities found in rocky shores, tidal flats,
beaches, mangrove, coral reefs, and subtidal areas. Open to undergraduates only under
Biology 129L. (Given at Beaufort fall and summer and at Bermuda, spring.) Prerequisite:
introductory biology. Instructors: Crowder or Kirby-Smith (Beaufort); Lipschultz and
Smith (Bermuda). 4 units. C-L: Environment 219L
204LS. Field Ecology. Ecosystem, community, and physiological ecology of temperate
plants and animals through hands-on experimentation. How biological processes are
affected by biotic interactions, Theory and methods reviewed through discussions;
hypothesis formulation, experimental design, data acquisition and processing, and data
analysis learned through field investigation. Includes several field trips, including two
weekends. Prerequisites: Biology 25L, Mathematics 31. Biology 110L or other course in
ecology, or consent of instructor. Instructor: Reid. 4 units. C-L: Environment 204LS
211L. Microbial Ecology and Evolution. Survey of new advances in the field of
environmental and evolutionary microbiology, based on current literature, discussion, and
laboratory exercises. Topics to include bacterial phylogeny, molecular ecology, emerging
infectious diseases, bacterial symbiosis, experimental evolution, evolution of drug
resistance, and microbial genomics. Prerequisite: Biology 25L, 103L, 118, or consent of
instructor. Instructor: Vilgalys. 4 units.
214. Biophysics in Cellular and Developmental Biology. 3 units. C-L: see Physics 214
215. Tropical Ecology. 3 units. C-L: see Environment 217
217. Ecology and Global Change. Feedbacks between ecological processes and global
environmental change; physiological and ecosystem ecology using a variety of sources,
including the primary scientific literature. Topics include global warming, biodiversity,
land-use change, ozone depletion, and the application of ecological research to policy.
Prerequisite: Biology 25L or equivalent; recommended: Biology 110L or equivalent.
Instructor: Jackson. 3 units.
220L. Mycology. Survey of the major groups of fungi with emphasis on life history and
systematics. Field and laboratory exercises. Instructor: Vilgalys. 3 units.
221S. Topics in Advanced Mycology. Current research on fungal evolution, genetics,
physiology, and ecology. Prerequisite: Biology 220L or consent of instructor. Instructor:
Vilgalys. 3 units.
222L. Entomology. The biology of insects: diversity, development, physiology, and
ecology. Field trips. Prerequisite: Biology 25L or equivalent. Instructor: H. Nijhout. 4 units.
234S. Problems in the Philosophy of Biology. 3 units. C-L: see Philosophy 234S
Biology (BIOLOGY) 81