Courses

BIOL B110 Biological Exploration I

Fall 2024

BIOL B110 is an introductory-level course designed to encourage students to explore the field of biology at multiple levels of organization: molecular, cellular, organismal and population. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours a week. BIOL B110 explores the ways the central dogma of molecular biology relates to the biochemical basis of human traits through the lens of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology. The laboratory portion of the course will explore the fundamentals of molecular and cellular biology through scientific research, with an emphasis on scientific process and experimental design. Topics include genetically modified organisms, stem cell biology, and molecular biological techniques.

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BIOL B111 Biological Exploration II

Spring 2025

BIOL B111 is an introductory-level course designed to encourage students to explore the field of biology at multiple levels of organization: molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours a week. Spring 2023: BIOL B111 will explore how organisms interact with and adapt to their environments, both abiotic and biotic. Topics to be investigated include development, physiology, photosynthesis, ecology (population, community and ecosystem), and evolution. The laboratory portion of the course will explore the fundamentals of organismal biology through scientific research, with an emphasis on the scientific process and experimental design.

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BIOL B201 Genetics

Fall 2024

This course focuses on the principles of genetics, including classical genetics, population genetics and molecular genetics. Topics to be covered include the genetic and molecular nature of mutations and phenotypes, genetic mapping and gene identification, chromosome abnormalities, developmental genetics, genome editing and epigenetics. Examples of genetic analyses are drawn from a variety of organisms including Drosophila, C. elegans, mice and humans. Lecture three hours a week. Prerequisite: BIOL B110 and CHEM B104.

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

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BIOL B215 Biostatistics with R

Fall 2024

An introductory course in statistical analysis focusing on biological data. This course is structured to develop students' understanding of statistics and probability and when to apply different quantitative methods. The lab component focuses on how to implement those methods using the R statistics environment. Topics include summary statistics, distributions, randomization, replication, and probability. The course is geared around problem sets, lab reports, and interactive learning. No prior experience with programming is required. Suggested Preparation: BIOL B110 or B111 is highly recommended. Students who have taken PSYC B205/H200 or SOCL B265 are not eligible to take this course.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

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BIOL B216 Genomics

Not offered 2024-25

An introduction to the study of genomes and genomic data. This course will examine the history of this exciting field, the types of biological questions that can be answered using large biological data sets and complete genome sequences as well as the techniques and technologies that make such studies possible. Topics include genome organization and evolution, comparative genomics, and analysis of transcriptomes, with a focus on animal genomics and humans in particular. Prerequisite: One semester of BIOL 110. BIOL 201 highly recommended.

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BIOL B255 Microbiology

Spring 2025

Invisible to the naked eye, microbes occupy every niche on the planet. This course will examine how microbes have become successful colonizers; review aspects of interactions between microbes, humans and the environment; and explore practical uses of microbes in industry, medicine and environmental management. The course will combine lecture, discussion of primary literature and student presentations. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 110 and CHEM B104.

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BIOL B271 Developmental Biology

Fall 2024

An introduction to embryology and the concepts of developmental biology. Concepts are illustrated by analyzing the experimental observations that support them. Topics include gametogenesis and fertilization, morphogenesis, cell fate specification and differentiation, pattern formation, regulation of gene expression, neural development, and developmental plasticity. The laboratory focuses on observations and experiments on living embryos. Lecture three hours, laboratory three scheduled hours a week; some weeks require additional hours outside of the regularly scheduled lab. Prerequisite: one semester of BIOL 110-111 or permission of instructor.

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BIOL B327 Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics

Not offered 2024-25

This seminar course will discuss evolution primarily at the level of genes and genomes. Topics will include the roles of selection and drift in molecular evolution, evolution of gene expression, genomic approaches to the study of quantitative variation, evolutionary history of humans, and evolutionary perspectives on the study of human disease. Students will read papers from the primary literature, lead and participate in class discussions and debates, and write reviews of research articles. Quantitative proficiency required. Pre-requisites: One semester of BIOL 110-111 and BIOL 201, or BIOL 236, or permission of instructor.

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BIOL B375 Biochemistry

Fall 2024

This course will focus on the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, enzyme kinetics, and central metabolic pathways. Students will explore these topics via lecture, critical reading and discussion of primary literature and laboratory experimentation. Three hours of lecture, three hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: BIOL B110 and two semesters of Organic Chemistry (CHEM B211/B212).

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BIOL B376 Molecular Biology

Spring 2025

This course focuses on the analysis of nucleic acids and gene regulation through lecture, critical reading and discussion of primary literature and laboratory experimentation. Three hours of lecture, three hours of lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 201 or BIOL B375 or permission of instructor.

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CHEM B103 General Chemistry I

Fall 2024

This is an introductory course in chemistry, open to students with no previous chemistry experience. Topics include aqueous solutions and solubility; the electronic structure of atoms and molecules; chemical reactions and energy; intermolecular forces. Examples discussed in lecture and laboratory include applications of the material to environmental sciences, material science and biological chemistry. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour and laboratory three hours a week. Prerequisite: Quantitative Readiness Required.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

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CHEM B104 General Chemistry II

Section 001 (Spring 2024): Enriched Section
Section 001 (Spring 2025): Enriched Section

Spring 2025

For students who have completed General Chemistry I or have some previous work in chemistry. Topics include chemical kinetics; aqueous solutions and solubility; chemical equilibrium; electrochemistry; thermochemistry. Examples discussed in lecture and laboratory workshop include nuclear chemistry, geochemistry, environmental sciences, material sciences and biological chemistry. One section of the course is designed for students considering a major in the sciences and takes an interdisciplinary approach to the course topics. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour and laboratory three hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM B103 with a grade of at least 2.0 or permission of the instructor.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

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CHEM B211 Organic Chemistry I

Fall 2024

An introduction to the basic concepts of organic chemistry, including acid-base principles; functional groups; alkane and cycloalkane structures; alkene reactions; alkynes; dienes and aromatic structures; substitution and elimination reactions; alcohol reactivity; and radical reactions. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour a week. There is no longer a laboratory portion of CHEM B211. Instead, students can enroll in CHEM B216 which is a half-credit laboratory course that introduces basic operations in the organic chemistry lab, spectroscopy, and reactions discussed CHEM B211. Students should consult with their deans/advisors about whether to enroll in CHEM B216. Students planning to major in STEM disciplines or intending to fulfill pre-health requirements will need to take CHEM B216 in addition to CHEM B211. Prerequisite: CHEM 104 with a grade of at least 2.0.

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

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CHEM B212 Organic Chemistry II:

Spring 2025

The second semester of organic chemistry includes discussion of the reactivity of carbonyl carbons such as ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and derivatives, saccharides and enolate chemistry. This course also emphasizes biologically relevant topics. There is no longer a laboratory portion of CHEM B212. Instead, students can enroll in CHEM B217 which is a half-credit laboratory course that covers reactions discussed in CHEM B212, more advanced NMR spectroscopy and an extended total-synthesis project. Students should consult with their deans/advisors about whether to enroll in CHEM B217. Students planning to major in STEM disciplines or intending to fulfill pre-health requirements will need to take CHEM B217 in addition to CHEM B212. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 with a grade of at least 2.0.

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CHEM B213 Organic Chemistry I

Fall 2024

An introduction to the basic concepts of organic chemistry, including acid-base principles; functional groups; alkane and cycloalkane structures; alkene reactions; alkynes; dienes and aromatic structures; substitution and elimination reactions; alcohol reactivity; and radical reactions. The laboratory course introduces basic operations in the organic chemistry lab, spectroscopy, and reactions discussed in lecture. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour and laboratory five hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 104 with a grade of at least 2.0. For students enrolled in the postbaccalaureate premedical program only

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

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CHEM B214 Organic Chemistry II: Biochemistry

Section 001 (Spring 2024): Biological Organic Chemistry
Section 001 (Spring 2025): Biological Organic Chemistry

Spring 2025

The second semester (biological organic chemistry) is broken into two modules. In the first module, the reactivity of carbonyl carbon is discussed, including ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and derivatives, saccharides and enolate chemistry. Traditional biochemistry coverage begins with the second module. Amino acids (pI, electrophoresis, side chain pKa), protein structure (1°, 2°, 3°, 4°), and enzymatic catalysis, kinetics and inhibition are introduced. The reactivity of the co-enzymes (vitamins) is also covered as individual case studies in bio-organic reactivity. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour and laboratory five hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 213 with a grade of at least 2.0. For students enrolled in the postbaccalaureate premedical program only.

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CHEM B216 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I

Fall 2024

This is a half-credit laboratory course that introduces basic operations in the organic chemistry lab, spectroscopy, and reactions discussed CHEM B211. 1 hour of lecture and 4 hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Either concurrent enrollment in CHEM B211 or prior completion of CHEM B211 with a grade of at least 2.0.

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

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CHEM B217 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

Spring 2025

This is a half-credit laboratory course that covers reactions discussed in CHEM B212, more advanced NMR spectroscopy and an extended total-synthesis project.. 1 hour of lecture and 4 hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHEM B216 with a grade of at least 2.0 and either concurrent enrollment in CHEM B212 or prior completion of CHEM B212 with a grade of at least 2.0.

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

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CHEM B221 Physical Chemistry I

Fall 2024

Introduction to quantum theory and spectroscopy. Atomic and molecular structure; molecular modeling; rotational, vibrational, electronic and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Lecture three hours. Prerequisites: CHEM B104 and MATH B201.

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CHEM B222 Physical Chemistry II

Spring 2025

Modern thermodynamics, with application to phase equilibria, interfacial phenomena and chemical equilibria; statistical mechanics; chemical dynamics. Kinetic theory of gases; chemical kinetics. Lecture three hours. Prerequisite: CHEM B104 and MATH 201. May be taken concurrently with CHEM B212, with permission of instructor.

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CHEM B231 Inorganic Chemistry

Spring 2025

Bonding theory; structures and properties of ionic solids; symmetry; crystal field theory; structures, spectroscopy, stereochemistry, reactions and reaction mechanisms of coordination compounds; acid-base concepts; descriptive chemistry of main group elements. Lecture three hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 212.

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CHEM B242 Biological Chemistry

Fall 2024

The structure, chemistry and function of amino acids, proteins, lipids, polysaccharides and nucleic acids; enzyme kinetics; metabolic relationships of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids, and the control of various pathways. Lecture three hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM B212 or CHEM H222.

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CHEM B251 Research Methodology I

Fall 2024

This is a laboratory topics course integrating advanced concepts in chemistry from biological, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Students gain experience in the use of departmental research instruments and in scientific literature searches, quantitative data analysis, record keeping and writing. Prerequisite CHEM B212. Co-requisite: CHEM B221 or B231 or B242. Attendance at departmental colloquia is expected of all students.

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CHEM B252 Research Methodology II

Spring 2025

This laboratory course integrates advanced concepts in chemistry from biological, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Students will gain experience in the use of departmental research instruments and in scientific literature searches, quantitative data analysis, record-keeping, and writing. Attendance at departmental colloquia is expected of all students. Course Prerequisites: CHEM B212. Course Co-requisites: CHEM B222 or CHEM B231 or CHEM B242.

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CHEM B345 Advanced Biological Chemistry

Fall 2024

This is a topics course. Topics vary. Prerequisite: CHEM B242 or BIOL B375.

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CHEM B377 Biochemistry II: Biochemical Pathways and Metabolism

Spring 2025

This course is a continuation of CHEM B242 or BIOL B375. Biochemical pathways involved in cellular metabolism will be explored in molecular detail. Energy producing, degradation, and biosynthetic pathways involving sugars, fats, amino acids, and nucleotides will be discussed with an emphasis on structures and mechanisms, experimental methods, regulation, and integration. Additional topics, drawn from the primary research literature, may be covered. Readings will be drawn from textbooks and from the primary literature and assessments may include oral presentations, problem sets, written examinations, and writing assignments. This is a second course in Biochemistry and assumes a strong foundation in the fundamentals of Biochemistry. Prerequisite: BIO 375 or CHEM 242, or permission of instructor.

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CHEM B515 Topics in Organic Chemistry

Spring 2025

This is a topics course. Topics may vary. Prerequisite: CHEM B242 or permission of instructor.

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