Courses

Course covers basic topics in cell biology, bioenergetics, gene expression, and patterns of inheritance with a focus on important topical issues. Designed for nonscience majors. Laboratory emphasizes the experimental nature of biological investigation. Three class hours and laboratory. Students may not receive credit for both BIO 101 and BIO 110.

Designed for nonscience majors. Course covers selected biological topics related to human diseases and focuses on contemporary problems and their possible solutions. Three class hours and laboratory.

Designed for nonscience majors. Course covers selected biological topics related to insects, their relationships with humans, and how our changing world is impacting them. Three class hours.

Introduction to cell biology, bioenergetics, gene expression, and patterns of inheritance with a focus on important topical issues. Laboratory emphasizes the experimental nature of biological investigation. Students not majoring in biology but who are interested in the health professions may, with a grade of C- or better in Biology 110, enroll in Biology 112. Three class hours and laboratory. Students may not receive credit for both BIO 101 and BIO 110.

Introduction to general biological principles, taught through themes with a focus on topical issues and applications. Topics may include adaptation, bioenergetics, patterns of inheritance, the history of life, ecology, gene expression, and cell biology. Designed for science majors with a high school background in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Three class hours and one hour of weekly laboratory activity.

Designed for science majors. Morphology and physiology of plants and animals are emphasized. Lecture and laboratory topics include nutrition, energetics, internal regulation, neural and hormonal integration, and reproduction. Prerequisite: Bio 111, or Bio 110 (prior to Fall 18), with a C- or better. Three class hours and laboratory.

One-semester research experience for first-year students. This course alternates between two different topics, one that is lab-based, and the other, which is a combination of lab- and field-work. On even-numbered years students will investigate mechanisms that protect DNA and the cancer-enabling properties of cells in which critical cancer-protective proteins are missing, with a view to understanding “why normal cells get it right every time they divide, and why cancer cells get it wrong every time they divide”. Projects use techniques of genetics, molecular biology, and genetic engineering to investigate how genome instability, marked by loss of cell cycle control and impairment of DNA repair, accelerates cancer progression. On odd-numbered years students will investigate the startling global declines of amphibians (salamanders, frogs, and caecilians). Projects will include work on limb deformities, estrogenic compounds, ecosystem services, emerging infectious diseases, and species "arks." Students will learn techniques in experimental design, modeling, field sampling, histology, quantitative PCR, and project-specific methodologies (e.g. diet analysis, GIS, etc.).

Identification, classification, structural diversity, ecology, and evolutionary relationships of the angiosperms. Course includes field work for collection and identification of local flora. Three class hours and laboratory-field work.

Exploration of environmental effects on fundamental physiological processes and adaptations used by animals to cope with both abiotic factors such as temperature and water availability and biotic forces such as herbivory, predation and competition. Factors determining the distribution and abundance of animals will also be discussed. The history of studies in physiology and ecology will be introduced. Prerequisite: BIO 111 & 112 (grade of C or better in each course). BIO 110 is an acceptable pre-requisite for students who also have completed an Ecology course such as ES 211

Overview of principles of genetics. Topics include chemical nature of genes, Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, gene regulation, genetic engineering, molecular evolution, and population genetics. Three class hours and laboratory. Prerequisite: Bio 112 with a grade of C- or better and Chem 107.

Structure and function of eukaryotic cells. Topics include protein structure, enzyme function, membrane structure and transport, protein sorting, energy transduction by mitochondria and chloroplasts, chromosome structure, cell division and cell-cycle control, cell communication, cell motility, and cell biology of cancer. Three class hours and laboratory. Prerequisite: Bio 112 and Chem 108 with a grade of C- or better in both courses.

Principles of ecology, with emphasis on three levels of the biological hierarchy-organisms, populations, and communities-that are needed to understand the factors that determine the abundance and distribution of any species. Course includes a number of field trips. Three class hours and laboratory-field work.

Covers basic topics in genome science, focusing on describing and annotating a newly sequenced phage genome obtained by students in the previous fall semester. Designed for science majors. Laboratory emphasizes the experimental nature of biological investigation. Three lecture/computer laboratory class hours. Prerequisite: BIO 111

Exploration of common themes in symbiotic associations between organisms, techniques used to investigate these relationships, and future trends of this increasingly important field of biology. Topics include components of animal behavior, development, genomics, evolution, and ecology. Primarily a lecture format although will also include in-class demonstrations and projects. These projects will occasionally require a greater time commitment than the scheduled class meetings. Prerequisite: Biology 112. Counts as an Organismal course within the BIO major.

This course uses evolutionary theory as a framework to introduce students to insect biology. An emphasis is placed on insect ecology and its influence on major group radiations. Students learn major concepts in insect form and function as well as in the ecology, behavior, development, and conservation of insects. This course also addresses the impact of insects in human society. Laboratories provide students with a hands-on introduction to insect anatomy, identification and entomological techniques. We experience insects in their natural habitats with a series of field trips and a semester-long research project on insect diversity.

Introduction to systematics, distribution, reproduction, and population dynamics of vertebrates. Field and laboratory emphasis on natural history, collection, and identification. Optional trip to North Carolina. Six hours in class, laboratory, and field work.

Study of animal behavior through readings, discussions, and field and laboratory observations. Phenomena considered range from simple reflex response to complex social organization. Role of behavioral adaptations in the biology of animal species is emphasized. Three class hours and laboratory.

Study of the structure, physiology, and behavior of the major groups of animals representing 99 percent of the animal kingdom. Focus is on functional morphology and evolutionary adaptation. Course includes individual or group research projects. Six hours in class-laboratory work.

Biology of tropical marine organisms and study of the geological, chemical and physical processes in tropical marine ecosystems. Course requires a 2-week summer field/lab program at a marine research station in the Bahamas (additional costs). In the field, the students snorkel to observe diverse marine organisms in habitats such as coral reefs and rocky/sandy intertidal zones. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

This course familiarizes students with current and relevant topics in tropical biology. Students learn major concepts in tropical biodiversity, community ecology, and conservation and discuss current research advances in these areas. Students also develop an appreciation for the diversity of life and the processes than contribute to this diversity. This course combines a lecture/seminar section during the Spring semester with a lab section/field trip to Manu National Park in Perú, at the beginning of the summer break. Prerequisite: Bio 111, BIO 112 and permission of the instructor

Biology of viruses and bacteria, with emphasis on morphology, metabolism, taxonomy, reproduction, and ecology. Laboratory includes isolation, culture, environmental influences, identification, and biochemical characterization of bacteria and their viruses. Three class hours and laboratory.

Paleobiology. Diversity, biology and ecology of ancient life; the major biological and geological changes that had a significant impact on our evolutionary history and the key geological and physical processes that shaped our earth during its 4.5 billion year history. Laboratory component introduces students to the techniques required for the proper collection, preservation, identification and cataloging of fossils; and involves visits to local fossil collection sites and museums. Students are required to develop a personal fossil collection during this course.

Exploration of a particular topic in Biology, chosen by a faculty member

Introduction to the emerging field of bioinformatics, where biology and computer science intersect to interpret and use the rapidly expanding volume of biological information produced by genome sequencing and proteomic exploration of life processes. Application of bioinformatic software tools to the analysis of gene sequences and protein structures is emphasized. Students undertake a laboratory project combining in silico and in vitro approaches to isolate and then analyze a segment of their own DNA. An introduction to computer algorithms used in bioinformatic software is provided. Three class hours and laboratory.

A discipline comprising pure and applied science, which focuses on the preservation of biological diversity. Focus implicitly recognizes that preserving the genetic and ecological features of a species requires preservation of that species' niche. Topics include food web organization, spatial heterogeneity and disturbance, consequences of small population size and inbreeding, captive propagation, demographics of population growth, and species reintroduction and management. Prerequisite: Environmental Studies 211 or BIO 111. BIO 256 and ES 256 are cross-listed.

Designed for students in biology who plan to engage in individualized study and/or research. Topics include the nature of biological data and the statistical procedures to analyze them. Special attention given to experimental design and hypothesis testing. Three class hours and one hour discussion. Credit cannot be received for both this course and Health Science 232, Mathematics 107, Psychology 205, or Economics 241.

Quarter credit internship graded S/U.

Analysis of the ecology of marine systems. The open ocean, estuaries, salt marshes, beaches, mud and sand flats, seagrass beds, rocky shores, coral reefs, and deep sea are examined. Problems of pollution, beach erosion, and the management of declining fisheries is also presented. Quantitative field work in a variety of coastal habitats is conducted on a required field trip to Duke University Marine Laboratory and the Outer Banks barrier island chain. Three class hours and laboratory-field work. Alternate years. Prerequisite: ES 211.

Study of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of inland waters. Topics include nutrient cycling, biological interactions, and effects of human activities. Course includes individual research projects and a number of field trips. Six hours in class, laboratory, and field work. Capstone Course. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing.

Study of the transformation and diversification of populations through time. Topics include history of life, adaptation, selection and population genetics, speciation and extinction, evolutionary innovations, and patterns of diversity. Three class hours and laboratory. Capstone course. Prerequisite: Bio 211.

The study of the factors that shape the evolution of genes and genomes. The organization, origin, and mechanisms of change of viral, prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes are explored. Topics include: structure and function of genes, chromosomes, and genomes; the roles of natural selection and chance as drivers of molecular evolution; rates and patterns of DNA and amino acid sequence evolution; molecular phylogeny; reticulate evolution; gene duplication and mobile elements; genome evolution. Prerequisite: BIO 211

Survey of the phenomena and principles of animal development. Major attention is given to the genetic and cellular mechanisms that control cell differentiation and the development of form in several model organisms. Vertebrates are emphasized in the study of organ development. Three class hours and laboratory. Capstone course. Prerequisite: Bio 211 and 212.

Introduction to the vertebrate immune system at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. Antibody structure, antigen-antibody interaction, the genetics of antibody diversity, the immune response, and the bases of self/non-self discrimination are emphasized. Three lecture hours plus one hour discussion. Prerequisite: Bio 211, or Bio 212.

Detailed survey of the primary and secondary metabolic processes in living cells. Topics discussed include the overall organization of metabolic pathways, carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, biological oxidation and reduction and energy production. Special attention is given to regulation, hormone action, metabolic disorders and disease. Laboratory work includes an independent research project. Three class hours and one laboratory. Spring semester. Capstone course for Biology majors. Prerequisite: CHEM 204. Biology majors -- BIOL 212 and CHEM 204, or permission of the instructor.

An exploration of the biological basis of brain function, including: electrical and chemical signaling of nerve cells; modulation and plasticity of signaling occurring in different behavioral states or during learning; and the structure, function, and development of circuits of interconnected nerve cells involved in sensory perception and motor coordination. Emphasis is placed on the behavioral and clinical aspects of modern neurobiology: how particular properties of the brain underlie specific behaviors, and how malfunctions of neural mechanisms lead to various neurological disorders. Capstone course for Biology majors. Prerequisite: Bio 212 with a C- or better or Bio 112 and Psych 236 both with a C- or better.

Regulation of basic physiological processes in animals. Unifying principles are studied using a comparative approach. Three class hours and laboratory. Credit cannot be received for both this course and HS 210. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in Bio 212.

Study of the basic mechanisms of information storage and retrieval from DNA and RNA. Topics include genome organization and the regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; DNA replication and repair; molecular genetics of cancer and human-inherited disorders; and recombinant DNA technology. Three class hours and laboratory. Capstone course. Prerequisite: Bio 211 and 212.

Combined upper-level biology and chemistry laboratory where students design and synthesize organic compounds and determine the impact of structural modifications on these compounds’ biological activity. The semester is divided into two parts: the synthesis, isolation, and characterization of a derivative of a known, biologically active organic compound; and the assessment of its biological activity using in vivo disease models. Two laboratories. Spring semester. Prerequisite: CHEM 204 and BIO 211 or permission of the instructor.

Study of the application of evolutionary thinking to human health issues. Topics to be covered include evolution of pathogens and virulence; mal-adaptations to modern lifestyles; genetic conflicts associated with reproduction including pregnancy; evolution of aging and age-related diseases. Seminar will address if and when medical treatment or public health policies benefit from incorporating an evolutionary perspective. Prerequisite: BIO 211

Individualized tutorial counting toward the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded A-F

Individualized tutorial counting toward the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded S/U

Individualized tutorial not counting in the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded A-F

Independent investigation of a topic of special interest, directed by a faculty member familiar with the general field of study. May be used as preparation for enrollment in Biology 460. Prerequisite: Approval of directing faculty member.

Independent investigation of a topic of special interest, normally including both literature and laboratory research. Directed by a faculty member. Results of investigation are presented to the department. Open to juniors and seniors. Capstone course Prerequisite: Approval of both the directing faculty member and department.

Individualized research counting toward the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded S/U Capstone course

Individualized research not counting in the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded A-F

Individualized research not counting in the minimum requirements in a major or minor graded S/U

Internship counting toward the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded A-F

Internship counting toward the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded S/U

Internship not counting in the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded A-F

Independent internship experience under the direct supervision of professional personnel in a variety of biology-related areas. Internship may be arranged by the department or the student. Must combine practical work experience with an academic dimension. Library research paper on a subject related to the experience is required. Prerequisite: Approval of both supervisor and department. Contact Center for Career Development for application and further assistance.

Summer Internship graded A-F, counting in the minimum requirements for a major or minor only with written permission filed in the Registrar's Office.

Summer Internship graded S/U, counting in the minimum requirements for a major or minor only with written permission filed in the Registrar's Office

Half credit internship, graded S/U.

Quarter credit internship, graded S/U.