Biology Course Descriptions
Biology 101
- Introductory Biology
Full course for one semester each, taught by several staff members.
The course furnishes an understanding of biological principles and
the properties of life. Among topics considered are structure and
function of plants and animals, relations of organisms to each
other and to their environment, energy relations of organisms,
integrative and coordinating mechanisms of organisms, cell biology
principles, genetics, molecular biology, reproduction, development
and growth, and the evidence for organic evolution. The laboratory
work deals with the descriptive and experimental aspects of the
topics covered in the lectures. Biology 101 or consent of the
instructor is a prerequisite for Biology 102. Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 102
- Introductory Biology
Full course for one semester each, taught by several staff members.
The course furnishes an understanding of biological principles and
the properties of life. Among topics considered are structure and
function of plants and animals, relations of organisms to each
other and to their environment, energy relations of organisms,
integrative and coordinating mechanisms of organisms, cell biology
principles, genetics, molecular biology, reproduction, development
and growth, and the evidence for organic evolution. The laboratory
work deals with the descriptive and experimental aspects of the
topics covered in the lectures. Biology 101 or consent of the
instructor is a prerequisite for Biology 102. Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 242
- Human Genetics
One-half course for one semester. An investigation of the nature
and function of genes and genomes, using the human as subject
organism. Readings include classic and modern examples from the
primary literature, to illustrate fundamental genetic approaches
and concepts. Consent of the instructor is required for students
who have completed related 300-level coursework. Prerequisite:
Biology 101/102. Lecture-conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Biology 263
- Molecular Ecology
One-half course for one semester. A survey of how molecular genetic
tools are used to investigate ecological processes in natural
populations of plant and animal species. Specific topics include
methods for studying genetic variation at the protein and DNA
levels, quantitative predictions from ecological and evolutionary
theory, and application of molecular genetic markers to research
questions related to natural selection, gene flow, genetic drift,
and non-random mating. Conferences will be student-led and based on
the primary literature. Prerequisites: Biology 101/102. Consent of
the instructor is required for students who have completed related
300-level coursework. Lecture-conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Biology 272
- Reproductive Biology
One-half course for one semester. An introduction to the cellular,
endocrine, and evolutionary aspects of reproduction in animals.
Lectures will emphasize the cell biology, anatomy, and physiology
of vertebrate reproductive systems and present a comparative
approach to understanding sex determination. Conferences will
highlight contemporary literature on topics such as in vitro
fertilization, birth control, hormone imposters, and animal
cloning. Prerequisites: Biology 101/102. Lecture-conference.
Biology 281
- Exercise Physiology
One-half course for one semester. This course will explore the
metabolic, muscular, cardiovascular, and sensorimotor aspects of
human physiology. Particular attention will be directed to the
requirements for and responses to vigorous physical exercise.
Prerequisite: Biology 101 or 102. Consent of the instructor is
required for students who have completed more advanced work in
biology. Lecture-conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Biology 322
- Plant Physiology
Full course for one semester. An analysis of cell biology,
biochemistry, metabolism, ecophysiology, and development of plants.
Lecture topics include water relations, respiration,
photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, mineral nutrition, plant
hormones, plant molecular biology, genetic engineering, the role of
environmental signals in plant development, and the environmental
physiology of Pacific Northwest forests. Lectures will be
supplemented with readings in research journals. Laboratory
exercises are designed to demonstrate basic research techniques as
well as the principles covered in lectures. Students are required
to conduct an advanced, independent project. Prerequisites: Biology
101/102 and Chemistry 101/102. Chemistry 201/202 is recommended.
Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 332
- Vascular Plant Diversity
Full course for one semester. A survey of vascular plants using
evolutionary and ecological principles to interpret patterns of
diversity in vascular plant form and function. Topics include plant
species, methods of phylogenetic reconstruction, paleobotany, plant
reproductive biology, and plant ecological interactions. Laboratory
work will include a survey of flowering plant families with an
emphasis on learning elements of the flora of the Pacific
Northwest. Laboratory projects will demonstrate methods used for
establishing evolutionary relationships, assessing genetic
structure in natural populations, and identifying adaptive features
of plant form and function, and will include independent research
in the laboratory or field. Prerequisite: Biology 101/102.
Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 342
- Animal Behavior and Behavioral Ecology
Full course for one semester. A survey of the main questions facing
behavioral biologists--proximate causation, ontogeny, evolutionary
change, and the functional significance of behavior. Lecture topics
include hormonal, neural, and genetic control of behavior and the
theory of natural selection as applied to foraging, fighting,
mating, communication, parental care, and social and mating
systems. Emphasis is on an evolutionary perspective and the match
between theory and empirical results. Optional conferences on
papers from the primary literature and films are used to develop
analytical skills and a hypothesis testing approach. Field and
laboratory work develops methods of behavioral analysis through
experiments that illustrate lecture topics. An independent research
project in the field or laboratory is required. Prerequisite:
Biology 101/102. Mathematics 141 is strongly recommended.
Lecture-laboratory. Not offered 2005-06.
Biology 351
- Developmental Biology
Full course for one semester. An analysis of mechanisms of early
development of invertebrates and vertebrates. Emphasis is on the
cellular, molecular, and genetic study of the determination of the
body plan, with readings from the primary literature. The
morphogenesis of selected organ systems is also presented. The
laboratory emphasizes experimental work. An independent laboratory
project is required. Prerequisites: Biology 101/102 and Chemistry
101/102. A course in genetics or cell biology is strongly
recommended. Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 356
- Genetics and Gene Regulation
Full course for one semester. The molecular biology of eukaryotes,
particularly as it relates to the control of gene expression.
Genome organization, packaging and perpetuation, and mechanisms of
gene regulation will be treated in depth, with the focus on
experimental approaches and what they reveal about the conversion
of genotype to phenotype. The laboratory will emphasize molecular
approaches to analysis of complex genomes and gene expression.
Prerequisites: Biology 101/102 and Chemistry 101/102. Chemistry
201/202 is recommended. Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 358
- Microbiology
Full course for one semester. The biology of microorganisms,
including structure and function of the prokaryotic cell,
metabolism, genetics interactions with host organisms, and
cell-to-cell communication. Course will emphasize current areas of
active research using the primary literature to illustrate key
concepts discussed in lecture. Laboratory exercises emphasize
interactions of bacteria with their environment and with host
organisms, using classical and molecular genetic techniques to
address biological problems. An advanced independent research
project is required. Prerequisites: Biology 101/102, Chemistry
101/102. Recommended: one course in genetics (Biology 356 or 361).
Lecture-laboratory. Not offered 2005-06.
Biology 361
- Genetics
Full course for one semester. Basic concepts of genetics, with
emphasis on molecular genetics. Topics include DNA structure and
replication; RNA structure; transcription; translation; genetic
code; mutations and mutagenesis; recombinant DNA technology;
genomics; genetics of cancer; principles of gene segregation;
genetic analysis of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including humans;
and gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In the
laboratory, students spend most of the semester on an original
molecular genetics research project. Prerequisites: Biology 101/102
and Chemistry 101/102. Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 366
- Population Biology: Ecology and Evolution
Full course for one semester. The basic concepts of population
ecology and population genetics are explored to provide an in-depth
understanding of evolutionary biology and conservation biology.
Topics include population growth and regulation, demography,
interspecific interactions, population genetics, quantitative
genetics, evolution of phenotypic plasticity, evolution of life
histories, and basic molecular evolution. Examples are chosen
primarily from the vertebrate literature. Laboratories emphasize
the ecology of amphibian development, experimental design, and
computer simulation. These skills are then put to use in both field
and laboratory independent projects. The course is supplemented by
field trips and video presentations. Prerequisite: Biology 101/102.
One upper-division biology course is highly recommended.
Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 367
- Scientific Computation
Full course for one semester. See Physics 367 for description.
Physics 367 Description
Biology 372
- Cellular Biology
Full course for one semester. An in-depth study of the
structure-function relationships within eukaryotic cells. The
course emphasizes macromolecular organization and compartmentation
of cellular activities. Lecture topics include evolution of cells,
cellular reproduction, motility, signal transduction, cell-cell
interactions, RNA and protein processing, energy transduction,
functional specialization, cell death, and cancer. Laboratories
investigate models of cellular regulation and incorporate methods
that integrate morphological and biochemical techniques.
Prerequisites: Biology 101/102 and Chemistry 101/102. Chemistry
201/202 is recommended. Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 381
- Animal Physiology
Full course for one semester. An intensive treatment of the
cellular biochemistry and biophysics that result in the structure
and integrative function of signaling pathways and the organisms
that they regulate. Endocrine and neuronal regulatory interactions
receive equivalent attention. Emphasis is placed on contemporary
research examples to illustrate the concepts and topics discussed.
The laboratory portion introduces the student to diverse techniques
of modern cellular physiology. Prerequisites: Biology 101/102,
Chemistry 101/102, and Chemistry 201/202, or consent of the
instructor. Lecture-laboratory.
Biology 431
- Seminar in Biology: Contemporary Topics
One-half course for one semester. An examination of current topics
and areas in biology with an emphasis on primary literature.
Participants will lead group discussions and/or make oral
presentations. Prerequisites: Biology 101/102, two additional units
of biology with laboratory and junior or senior standing, or
consent of the instructor.
Bacterial Pathogenesis. An examination of
how plant, animal, and human bacterial pathogens interact with host
organisms to cause disease. Topics include adhesion, colonization,
invasion, subversion of host cell signaling events, toxins, evasion
of the host immune response, and bacteria-to-bacteria signaling as
they pertain to pathogenesis. Not offered 2005-06.
Biological Aspects of Climate Change. An
examination of the causes and biological consequences of global
climate change. Consideration will be given to underlying
physiological processes involved in responding to environmental
challenges resulting from both elevated CO2 concentrations and from
predicted shifts in temperature and precipitation in diverse
ecosystems. Offered every other year.
Cambrian Zoology. Origin and
relationships of the animal phyla as illuminated by the structure
and development of extinct and extant species. Not offered
2005-06.
Cellular Regulation. A rigorous treatment
of eukaryotic cells as complex systems and of basic cellular
regulatory mechanisms. Areas of emphasis include cell–cell
interactions, cell cycle regulation, and signal transduction.
Chromosome Structure and Function.
Investigation of elements needed for chromosome stability, in
particular telomeres, using contemporary studies of telomere
metabolism, regulation of telomere length, and the role telomeres
play in cellular senescence and cancer.
Conservation Biology. Topics include
history of biological conservation, population viability analysis,
minimum viable populations, island biogeography, and the concepts
of rarity and diversity. The course will also evaluate the role
that a biologist can play in the conservation movement. Offered
every other year.
Development and Evolution. An examination
of the role of morphogenetic processes and mechanisms in generating
new phenotypes. Topics include changes in early and late pattern
formation, larval development, heterochrony, and developmental
constraint.
Field Biology and Natural History of
Amphibians. Evening field trips every other week will be taken
to a variety of habitats to study the diversity and natural history
of a fascinating group of animals. On alternate weeks students will
lead discussions on the evolution of life history strategies in
amphibians. Offered every other year. Not offered 2005-06.
Forest Canopy Biology. An examination of
biological processes in the tops of tall trees, especially in the
old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. The emphasis is on the
physiology and ecology of higher plants and their symbiotic
relationships. Offered every other year. Not offered 2005-06.
Membrane–Membrane Interactions.
Consideration of contemporary research on the secretory pathway and
exocytosis. How do proteins destined for the cell surface get
there?
Molecular Genetic Analysis of Plant
Evolution. Issues of current controversy and active research in
plant evolution, highlighting places where molecular techniques and
data are providing new insights for classical problems in plant
evolution. Not offered 2005-06.
Molecular Virology. Discussion of RNA
viruses, focusing on genome organization, gene expression,
replication, and viral–host interactions. Prerequisite: Biology 361
or 356.
Plant Evolutionary Biology. An emphasis
on such topics as empirical and theoretical issues of plant mating
systems, pollination ecology, plant–herbivore interactions,
agroecology, or plant-biotechnology.
Reproductive Behavior. Advanced
discussion of evolutionary and ecological theories of sexual
behavior in birds. The specific topic changes yearly, rotating
among color signaling, molecular and quantitative genetic
approaches, and vocal communication in birds. Group discussion,
individual research proposal, and occasional trips for field
experiments. Not offered 2005-06.
Biology 462
- Advanced Molecular Genetics
One-half course for one semester. Focuses on current research on
the molecular properties of genes and gene expression in
eukaryotes. Topics include genomic and bioinformatics approaches to
elucidating genome organization and gene function, epigenetic
mechanisms of gene expression regulation, RNA processing
mechanisms, translational recoding, nonsense-mediated decay and
non-stop decay of mRNAs, and RNA interference and silencing.
Prerequisites: Biology 101/102 and one of Biology 361 or 356.
Lecture-discussion.
Biology 470
- Thesis
One-half or full course for one year.
Biology 481
- Special Topics
One-half course for one semester. Independent laboratory or library
research on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. A
final written report is required. Prerequisites: standing as a
junior or senior biology major, and approval of instructor,
department, and division.
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