Biology at Beloit College

Human Biology. The anatomy and basic normal function of the human body with consideration of development, genetics, immunology, endocrinology, and disease and related molecular, cellular, and ecological concepts. Laboratory work includes dissection of a mink. For science and non-science students; most appropriate introductory course for students interested in the health professions. Three two-hour lecture/lab periods per week.

Zoology. A survey of the animal kingdom emphasizing structure and representative forms, evolutionary relationships, adaptations, ecology, and behavior of invertebrates and vertebrates. Lab work involves lots of dissection. For science and non-science students. Three two-hour lecture/lab periods per week.

Botany. A survey of plant life: algae, fungi, mosses, ferns, and seed plants. A comparative study with emphasis on form and function; growth and life history; contributions to habitats and to humans. Four lectures and one three-hour lab per week.

Microbiology. The structure, genetics, physiology, and culture of microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria. The course stresses scientific principles and experimental methods in the context of microbes and disease. Three two-hour lecture/lab periods per week.

Marine Biology. A survey of marine ecosystems from intertidal to deep sea. The course will emphasize ecology of individuals (distribution, form and function, adaptations, behavior) and ecology of communities (structure and composition). It will review marine organisms from algae to mammals.

Biological Issues. This course will examine the operation and limits of scientific inquiry by focusing on several contemporary biological issues such as Emerging Infectious Diseases, Population Growth and the Green Revolution, Genetic Engineering, and Genetically Modified Organisms. The basic biology of these issues will be studied, and each issue will be examined from an interdisciplinary perspective. The issue focus will teach students about important biological phenomena, about the epistemology of science, and about the critical examination of biologically based social controversies.

Environmental Biology. An exploration of biologic processes and interrelationships among population, species, communities, and ecosystems, on scales from local to biospheric, in search of understanding about natural biotic systems, their resource value, and their response to cultural impacts.

Natural History. The adaptations and ecology of living plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Geologic, geographic, and meteorologic controls on organism distribution will be emphasized. Laboratory and field work to stress identification, distribution, and the ethology of relevant regional species.

Paleobiology. The history of life from its origins to the present. The preservation, distribution, and identification of selected invertebrae, vertebrae, and plant fossils. Competing evolutionary theories are evaluated in the perspective of geologic time. Fossils are studied as once-living organisms adapting to changing ecosystems.
Note: If this is listed in your major requirements as Paleobiology, it has to be taken in the Bio department. If it's listed as Paleontology, it has to be taken in the Geo department.

Evolution. Evolution is a genetic consequence of ecological causes. The history and philosophy of evolutionary theory, te genetic basis of microevolution, contemporary hypotheses of speciation and phylogenetic systematics, and the evolution of homo sapiens compose the major course material. Frequent computer simulations and field trips to museums, zoos, a plant conservatory, a county fair, and paleontological collection sites are a big part.

Biometrics. The application of statistical methods to the solution of biological problems. Experimental design, sampling methods and statistical analysis of data using both parametric and nonparametric methods will be introduced. Computer-supported statistical packages will be used in laboratory exercises.

Cellular and Developmental Biology. Cells are recognized as the fundamental units of life. How do they grow, differentiate, divide, move, adjust to their environment, evolve? Cellular mechanisms of metabolism and regulation, motility, cytoarchitectural dynamics, pattern formation, morphogenesis, information transfer, permeability, and heat regulation will be explored. How are animal, bacterial, fungal, plant, and protozoan cells similar? Different? Laboratory projects emphasize synthesis of experimental, theoretical, and modeling approaches to cellular and developmental biology; digital video microscopy and quantitative image analysis; building a scientific apparatus; and generating original research. Prereq: Any college-level bio or chem course; calc reccomended.

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Molecular genetics, genetic engineering, immunology, and subcelluar structure and function are explored with emphasis on experimental methods and current scientific research. Especially useful for students wishing to understand the scientific, medical, and industrial impact of biotechnology, for science majors seeking summer internship positions in biomedical fields, and for non-majors wishing to prepare for careers related to science Laboratory includes biotechnology methods such as gene cloning and preparation of monoclonal antibodies.

Genetics. Mendelian, population, quantitative, and molecular genetics are developed through a problem-solving approach. Social controversies surrounding such items as genetic counseling, domestic breeding of crops, genetic engineering, mutagenic substances in our environment, and natural selection will be discussed. Two lectures, one computer session, one problem session, and one laboratory period per week.

Prosemiar. Electron Microscopy. Covers the basic theory and function of electron microscopes as well as specimen preparation and use of ultramicrotome. Each student gains experience in the operation of a transmission electron microscope including photography of biological specimens.

Proseminars. Designed to pursue topics of special interest such as history, philosophy, and sociology of biology, aquatic invertebrates, advanced human genetics, immunology, endocrinology, sociobiology, liminology, marine biology, ornithology, histology, prairie ecology, or microbial physiology. The offerings vary in accord with the interests of students and faculty. One or more proseminars usually are available each semester and each typically involves the preparation and oral presentation of a paper. May or may not involve a laboratory.

Introduction to Biochemistry. An overview of biochemistry covering macromolecular structure, function, and manipulation; intermediary metabolism and electron transport; energetics; kinetics; and chemical mechanisms of enzyme catalysis. Lab work is focused on purification and characterization of macromolecules. Four class periods and one lab per week.

Population Biology. The factors that determine the size of a population, its distribution and the kinds of individuals that it comprises. Population genetics, population ecology, ecological genetics and evolutionary ecology will be introduced using observational, experimental, and theoretical analysis. Lab exercises stress examination of natural populations in the field.

Neurobiology. Survey of neurophysiology and neuroanatomy. The mechanisms of cellular information processing, tissue specialization, neurophysiological control, behavioral integration, neuromuscular and neuroendocrine interactions will be discussed.

Animal Behavior. Animal Behavior is the study of the development, causation, function, and evolution of behavior from a biological perspective. We will employ a hypothesis-testing approach to seek answers to the fundamental question of animal behavior: how and why do animals behave as they do? The behavior of animals will be viewed from theoretical and empirical perspectives, and observational and experimental methods will be employed in field and laboratory exercises. Four lectures and one lab/week. Prereq: an organismal bio course, or Anth 220, or Psych 200; statistics recommended.

Plant Ecophysiology. This course examines the physiological interaction between plants and their environment. We will examine questions such as: How do plants obtain sufficient amounts of solar energy? How do plants acquire the water and mineral nutrients that are available in the soil? How do plants utilize energy, water, and mineral nutrients to grow and develop? What is plant stress? What structural and functional mechanisms do plants use to solve these problems? We will examine these physiological processes at the cellular, organism, and canopy levels, emphasizing quantitative methods of analysis and description. No previous background in physiology or plant biology is required. Four lectures and one lab/week. Prereq: An organismal bio course, Bio 247, and one more 200-level bio course.

Comparative Physiology. The general principles concerning the functioning of tissues, organs, and organ systems including mechanisms of control and integration of various systems. Higher plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates will be discussed.

Ecology. Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and interactions between organisms and the non-living environment. Ecologists study these interactions to understand the patterns of organism abundance and distribution that occur in different ecosystems. In this course, students examine these interactions at the population, community, ecosystem, and landscape levels trough classroom, field, and laboratory activities. Contemporary questions about sustainability, biological diversity, and global change will be examined at each of these levels using quantitative methods.

Senior Seminar. The Senior Sem in Biology is the capstone experience for All biology and biochemistry majors at Beloit College. This two-semester course (1/2 credit each semester) focuses on the professional activities of biologists and is intended to transform an undergraduate biology and biochemistry major into a biologist. Throughout the course there will be an explicit emphasis on the formation and testing of scientific hypotheses and on the reporting of results. Students will participate in seminars presented by invited speakers, will give seminar presentations, will review manuscripts written by student authors, and will write and submit manuscripts for publication. Manuscripts accepted for publication will be compiled and printed in The Beloit Biologist, which will be distributed to all participants before commencement exercises.

Special Projects. Individual study under faculty supervision with evaluation on appropriate evidence of achievement.

Directed Readings in Biology. Individual study under faculty supervision with evaluation on appropriate evidence of achievement. Prereq: sophomore standing, consent of the Chair.

Independent Research in Biology. Research project conducted by a student with supervision by a faculty member. Prereq: sophomore standing and consent of the Chair.

Teaching Assistant. Work with faculty in classroom and laboratory instruction.

Teaching Assistant Research. Course, laboratory, and curriculum development projects with faculty.

Professional Experience. Depending on the interests and goals of the individual student, this provides the opportunity for formally acknowledging, on a student's permanent transcript, experience as a teaching assistant, in the preparation or design of laboratory materials, or as a research assistant. Involvement in this professional experience is ordinarily less independent and less extensive than that associated with Bio 390 (Special Projects).

Classes Offered by the Beloit College Biology Department