Oberlin College Course Catalog

Biology

The goals of the biology major are to: (1) teach the fundamental concepts and methods of the biological sciences; (2) engage all students in science as it is practiced by developing their capacities to use and evaluate scientific knowledge; and (3) explore relationships of biology to other sciences and to problems of social, cultural, and intellectual concern. By proper selection of biology and other science courses in consultation with a departmental advisor, the major in biology can prepare a student for graduate study and research in a wide range of areas including anatomy, biochemistry, bioengineering, biophysics, botany, cell biology, conservation biology, developmental biology, ecology, environmental sciences, immunology, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, mycology, physiology, virology, zoology, etc. The major in biology can also lead to a variety of careers in applied biology (medicine and agriculture and their allied fields) and science teaching.

Advanced Placement. Students earning scores of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Biology exam (AP Bio) will receive four hours of natural science credit applied toward graduation requirements. Four hours of biology major credit, designated as Biology 605, are automatically granted to students earning a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement exam, or at least 6 on the International Baccalaureate exam. Students granted AP credit in biology who intend to major in biology are exempted from taking the introductory sequence (Biology 118, 119, 120) but must still complete the 27-hour minimum for the major, by earning 23 biology credits in addition to the four granted as Biology 605. Students with AP credit may elect, if they so choose, to take either Biology 118 plus 119, or Biology 120, but not both. Students with AP credit must still take at least five laboratory courses.

Exemptions. Exemption (not Placement) tests, offered annually every August, may be taken by any student wishing to be exempted from taking Biology 118, 119 and/or 120. Note that a score of 5 in Advanced Placement Biology (AP Bio) will also exempt any student from taking these courses. It must be pointed out, however, that these courses are appropriate and helpful courses for those intending to take the MCAT or similar proficiency exams. It is thus recommended that students who foresee taking such exams take (or, minimally, audit) these courses.

Entry-Level Course Sequence Suggestions. Students with a strong high-school science background find taking Introductory Biology and Chemistry courses simultaneously in the first year both useful and challenging. Other students benefit greatly from taking only one of these courses during their first semester at Oberlin. Prospective Biology majors are urged to consult with a Biology faculty member during Freshman Advising Period to discuss these options.

Major. The biology major consists of 27 hours minimum in biology. Of these, nine hours must be advanced course work (defined as a biology course numbered 200 or above, except Biology 213/214, which forms part of the core), completed at Oberlin. No more than seven hours of advanced work for the major may be transfer credits. In addition to the 27 hours in biology, additional cognate work is required (see below).

A. Required Courses
1. Core Biology Courses:
Biology 118 (lecture), 119 (lab), Organismal Biology, four hours; Biology 120 (lecture and lab) Genetics, Evolution and Ecology, four hours; Biology 213 Cell and Molecular Biology, (lecture only), three hours. N.B.--Many advanced biology courses require Biology 214 Cell and Molecular Biology, (laboratory, one hour), so students are strongly advised to enroll in 214 as well as 213. Check the prerequisites for any course you contemplate taking.
2. Biology Laboratory Requirement:
Majors are required to take at least five laboratory courses or courses that include a laboratory. Biology 119 and 120 count as two of these five. Majors may count one semester of research (Biology 501 or 502) toward the laboratory requirement. Each laboratory course or course that includes a lab counts as a single lab course, regardless of how often the laboratory section meets.
3. Cognate Course Work:
   a. Chemistry 101 and 102 (or 103 in lieu of 101 and 102)
   b. Chemistry 205
   c. Four additional hours selected from the following: Calculus (MATH 131, 132 or 133), Chemistry (CHEM 254), Physics (PHYS 103), Statistics (MATH 113 or 114).

B. Additional Biology Courses. Up to three credit hours of a 400-level seminar and up to three credit hours of research, as BIOL 501 or 502, may be counted toward a Biology major. Honors candidates completing two full semesters of research may count up to four credit hours toward the major. Work done through Private Reading does not count toward completion of the major.

Other Courses. The following courses (including their laboratory components, when applicable) count toward the biology major:
1. All Neuroscience courses at the 200 and 300 level.
2. Environmental Studies 316 (Systems Ecology) and 340 (Environmental Systems Modeling).
3. Chemistry 374 (Biochemistry).
4. Geology 320 (Paleontology).

Minor. There is no minor offered in Biology.

Honors. Candidates for honors in biology enroll as seniors in BIOL 501 and 502, carry out a research project in consultation with a faculty committee, write and defend a thesis based on completed work, and give a required research seminar. Students interested in this program should initiate a discussion of research possibilities with any member of the staff during the junior year. Students are not accepted formally into the honors program until their proposed research is reviewed by the department at the beginning of their first semester of research.

Off-Campus or Summer Study. The Department offers limited scholarships for summer course work at approved field (inland and marine) stations in the United States. Applications for these scholarships are invited early in the Spring Semester; awards are made in May. In general, students planning off-campus study are advised to consult first with their advisor, and then the Chairman to determine acceptability of courses to the major. Transfer of Credit. Credits in biology earned elsewhere may be applied to the Oberlin biology major with the approval of the department chair, as long as 14 of the 27 hour minimum in biology, including nine hours of advanced course work (defined above, under 'major'), are completed at Oberlin.

Winter Term. Among the topics for Winter Term projects that members of the Biology department are willing to sponsor are the following: Mr. Allen: projects relying upon genetic, molecular biological, and biophysical techniques to address cell physiological questions. Readings in the physiology of muscle and motile cells. Instruction and readings in Old Icelandic and Old English literature. Ms. Bennett: intensive science review; pre-medical internship. Mr. Benzing: the technology of winemaking and viticulture; tropical biology. Mr. Braford: laboratory research in comparative neuroanatomy for students who have had Biology 320; neurobiology; evolution; systematics. Ms. Cruz: projects involving comparative embryology, developmental biology, marsupial biology. Readings in the history of biology, philosophy of science, evolution. Ms. Garvin: projects and readings in parasitology, entomology, ornithology, epidemiology, and ecology. Ms. Laskowski: projects involving plant physiology, plant molecular biology. Mr. Laushman: projects involving conservation biology, population genetics, and aquatic vascular plants. Mr. Luck: laboratory research involving recombinant DNA technology for students who have had Biology 309. Ms. McCormick: projects on the evolution of vertebrate auditory and lateral line systems; topics on the evolution of vertebrate structure. Mr. Miller: holistic health; new age/transformational subjects; psychic healing group project; new paradigms in science; noetic sciences. Mr. Tarvin: projects and readings in vertebrate evolutionary and behavioral ecology, ornithology, avian blood parasites, molecular genetic tools for evolutionary analyses and readings in human behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology. Ms. Thornton: projects involving neuroendocrinology and behavioral neuroendocrinology. Ms. Treichel: projects involving immunology, virology, or cancer; health career internships.

Preparation for Post-Graduate Education
Medical School, Dental and Veterinary Medicine. Most medical, dental, and veterinary schools require:
  1. One year of General Biology with laboratory.
  2. Two years of Chemistry with laboratory.
  3. One year of Mathematics.
  4. One year of Physics with laboratory.
  5. One year of English.

Students planning careers in medicine should consult the Health Career Advisors, the Office of Career Services, and references in the Science Library for details.

Graduate Schools. Most graduate schools in biology expect a major in the biological sciences to include:
  1. Two years of Chemistry with laboratory.
  2. One year of Physics with laboratory.
  3. College-level Mathematics (Calculus and Statistics).
  4. Courses in Computer Science.

Certain deficiencies in course work may be made up in graduate school but generally not for graduate credit. Students planning to pursue an advanced degree should consult individual admission requirements of the schools and graduate departments in which they are interested. The qualifying examination for most graduate schools is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) which consists of two parts, the General Examination and an Advanced component in biology. The majority of graduate schools require the General Examination for admission but there is variation with respect to the Advanced requirement. Students are strongly urged to consult with members of the Biology Department in preparing for graduate work.

In this Department

First-Year Seminars

First-Year Seminars

FYSP 116. Field-Based Writing: Ecology of the Vermilion River Watershed 4 hours
2NS, 2HU, WRi
First Semester. For description, please see "First-Year Seminar Program" in this catalog. Enrollment Limit: 14.
Ms. Garvin, Ms. Cooper

FYSP 121. Everyday Evolution 3 hours
3NS, WR
Next offered 2004-2005.

FYSP 156. Biological Advances and Ethical Dilemmas 3 hours
1.5NS, 1.5HU, WR
First Semester. For description, please see "First-Year Seminar Program" in this catalog. Enrollment Limit: 14.
Ms. Cruz, Ms. McClure

FYSP 165. Feeding the World 3 hours
3NS, WP, QPh
First Semester. For description, please see "First-Year Seminar Program" in this catalog. Enrollment Limit: 14.
Ms Laskowski

FYSP 181. Science From a Bird's Eye View: Ecology, Evolution, 3 hours
and the Study of Birds
3NS, WRi
First Semester. For description, please see "First-Year Seminar Program" in this catalog. Enrollment Limit: 14.
Mr. Tarvin

FYSP 182. Traditions of Health and Disease in Folk and 3 hours
Conventional Medicine
3NS, WRi
Second Semester. For description, please see "First-Year Seminar Program" in this catalog. Enrollment Limit: 14.
Mr. Allen

In this Department

Introductory Courses

Introductory Courses for Non-majors and Prospective Majors

115. Field Botany 2 hours
2NS
Second Semester. Second Module. A study of vegetation emphasizing vascular plants as they occur in Northern Ohio. Identification of species and types of plant communities and selected aspects of natural history will be emphasized. Prerequisite: BIOL 118, 119, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 15.
Mr. Benzing

118. Organismal Biology (Lecture only) 3 hours
3NS
First Semester. This course provides prospective biology majors and others with an integrated introduction to the organismal biology of animals and plants, from the subcellular level, up through the cellular, tissue, organ, and whole organismal level.
Ms. Cruz, Ms. Laskowski

119. Organismal Biology (Laboratory only) 1 hour
1NS
First Semester. Laboratory exercises will emphasize anatomical and physiological studies of higher vertebrate and flowering plant whole organisms. Preserved animals are dissected in some laboratories. Some exercises and discussions are designed to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in data analysis and interpretation. Enrollment Limit: 24 per section. Notes: Students must be concurrently enrolled in or have already had BIOL 118. Priority will be given to first- and second-year students.
Ms. Bennett, Ms. Cruz, Ms. Laskowski

120. Genetics, Evolution, and Ecology 4 hours
4NS
Second Semester. This course provides prospective biology majors and others with an integrated introduction to key biological principles of genetics, ecology, and evolution. The labs feature exercises and discussions designed to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in data analysis and interpretation. Note: Priority will be given to first- and second-year students.
Ms. Garvin, Mr. Laushman, Ms. Bennett

In this Department

Intermediate and Advanced Course

Intermediate and Advanced Courses

201. Invertebrate Biology 4 hours
4NS, WR
Next offered 2004-2005.

203. Vertebrate Structure and Evolution 5 hours
5NS
Second Semester. A study of vertebrate structure from evolutionary and functional perspectives. This topic is introduced by a discussion of the origin of vertebrates and their phylogeny and basic embryology. The morphological differences in each major organ system are studied primarily in terms of phylogenetic history and functional adaptation. All students must participate fully in the anatomical laboratory exercises. Prerequisite: BIOL 119 or consent of instructor. BIOL 120 recommended. Enrollment Limit: 20.
Ms. McCormick

204. Plant Biology 4 hours
4NS
First Semester. An introduction to the anatomy, development, and physiology of plants with emphasis on flowering plants. Lectures and laboratories will highlight fundamentals of plant structure and function including adaptive features for life in specific types of environments. Prerequisite: BIOL 118, 119, 120, or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 16.
Mr. Benzing, Mr. Miller

205. Community Ecology 4 hours
4NS, WRi
First Semester. This course is a study of the natural patterns and processes that occur between and among species. Topics will include symbiosis, island biogeography, diversity and succession. Readings from the primary literature will be the focus of classroom discussions and writing assignments. Labs will include weekly field trips to familiarize students with local natural communities and field techniques. Through both lecture and lab students will gain an understanding of experimental design, data collection, analysis and interpretation. Prerequisites: Biology 120 and consent of instructor. Note: This course is offered in alternate years. Enrollment Limit: 14
Ms. Garvin

206. Population Ecology 4 hours
4NS, QPh, WR
First Semester. Population ecology deals with the biotic and abiotic factors that influence population size and stability. Variation in these factors leads to temporal and spatial differences among populations. Major topics include: population growth; demographic variation & stability; population cycles; metapopulation dynamics; and management considerations. Labs will include field rips to study natural populations, and computer modeling to understand population dynamics. Prerequisite: BIOL 120, or consent of instructor. Note: This course is offered in alternate years. Enrollment Limit: 14.
Staff

207. The Fungi 3 hours
3NS
First Semester. First Module. A study of the major groups of the fungi. Lectures and laboratory will deal with the ecological and economic importance, the life cycles, and evolutionary relationships of the fungi. Laboratories will emphasize the collection and identification of local edible and poisonous species of mushrooms with weekly Tuesday field trips. Thursday labs will be devoted to identifying new specimens and examination of important, smaller, less well-known fungi. Prerequisites: BIOL 118, 119, and 120 or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 16.
Mr. Miller

211. Genetics 3 hours
3NS
Second Semester. The principles of heredity: an examination of the genetics of plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses. Topics include concepts of dominance, gamete formation, epistasis, penetrance, mutation, and linkage. Microbial genetics will be treated extensively. Probability will be discussed, as will human genetics, genetic screening and counselling, and issues raised by genetic advance. Prerequisite: BIOL 120 or consent of instructor.
Staff

212. Behavioral Ecology 4 hours
4NS, WR, QPh
Next offered 2004-2005.

213. Cell and Molecular Biology (Lecture only) 3 hours
3NS
First Semester. A detailed study of cell structure and function at the molecular level. Topics to be discussed include structure and function of membranes and cell organelles; gene structure, function and regulation; bioenergetics; cell cycle control, signal transduction and genetic engineering. The intent of the course is to integrate molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology in order to provide a firm foundation for many of the more specialized courses in the major. Prerequisites: BIOL 118, 119, or 120, and CHEM 102 or 103. Not recommended for first-year students.
Mr. Luck, Ms. Treichel

214. Cell and Molecular Biology (Laboratory only) 1 hour
1NS
First Semester. Laboratory exercises are designed to illustrate processes central to cell and molecular biology and to familiarize students with basic skills required at the laboratory bench. Co-requisite: BIOL 213. Enrollment Limit: 20 per section.
Mr. Luck, Ms. Treichel, Staff

215. Ornithology 3 hours
3NS
Second Semester. This course will present birds both as a unique group and as representative of vertebrates. The course will emphasize adaptation, ecology, and behavior of birds, and introduce students to methods used in modern ornithology. We also will consider current views of the systematic relationships among living birds, and the evolutionary history of birds, including the debate regarding their origin in relation to dinosaurs. Prerequisite: BIOL 118 or BIOL 120. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 24.
Mr. Tarvin

216. Ornithology Laboratory 1 hour
1NS
Second Semester. Laboratory sessions will meet on alternate Saturday or alternate Sunday mornings (occasionally at night), and emphasize field identification, habitat relationships, migration, and behavior. Co-requisite: BIOL 215. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12 per section.
Mr. Tarvin

218. Evolution 3 hours
3NS
First Semester. Principles of microevolution (selection, gene flow, mutation, genetic drift, and factors that influence population genetic structure), evolutionary ecology (life history strategies, gene-environment interactions), and macroevolution (changes above the species level) will be studied, with emphasis on both the process and pattern of organic evolution. Prerequisites: BIOL 118, 120. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 24.
Mr. Tarvin

301. Developmental Biology 3 hours
3NS, WR
Second Semester. A survey of the developmental processes at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels in vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and also certain plants and protists. Two 50-minute lectures will explore cell differentiation, pattern formation, and morphogenesis in embryos, presented with an emphasis on evolution. A three-hour demonstration-discussion session per week will complement lecture material with specimens, models and student-led presentations. Prerequisites: BIOL 118, 119 and 213; or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 15.
Ms. Cruz

302. Developmental Biology Laboratory 2 hours
2NS
Second Semester. Experiments and laboratory exercises designed to familiarize students with approaches to the study of embryogenic and developmental processes at the cell, tissue, and organismal levels. Live and preserved animals will be used in class, which will meet for one-half to two hours per week in addition to regularly scheduled class times. Pre- or co-requisite: BIOL 301. Enrollment Limit: 15.
Ms. Cruz

303. Microbiology 4 hours
4NS
First Semester. The biology of microorganisms, with major emphasis on bacteria. Both medical and non-medical topics are covered, as are basic principles of microbial genetics, virology, and immunology. Prerequisites: BIOL 214 and CHEM 205. Enrollment Limit: 16.
Staff

304. Mechanisms of Plant Adaptation 3 hours
3NS
Second Semester. This course focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms that affect plants' ability to succeed in natural and agricultural populations. Topics will include central issues of plant physiology such as control of flowering, and nitrogen use, which have implications for agriculture, as well other issues of ecological significance such as natural defenses against plant pathogens, response to stresses such as cold and salinity, and mechanisms of light perception. Creation of transgenic plants for use in agriculture and research will be discussed. Prerequisite: BIOL 213 or consent of the instructor.
Ms. Laskowski

305. Experiments in Plant Growth and Development 2 hours
2NS
Second Semester. In this laboratory course, students will learn some of the molecular and genetic techniques currently used in plant research and employ them in independent projects. Working together, we will choose a set of novel projects that can be carried out over the course of the semester. Because we will work with living organisms, and use experimental techniques that do not always fit into three-hour labs, students will be required to work independently for three to four hours per week outside of scheduled lab times to complete their projects. Some additional hours outside of scheduled class time will also be required. Co-requisite: BIOL 304. Enrollment Limit: 8.
Ms. Laskowski

308. Genes and Genetic Engineering (Lecture only) 3 hours
3NS
Second Semester. A lecture course on the chemical, physical and biological properties of nucleic acids, with emphasis on current topics related to the organization, replication, transcription, translation, regulation, and manipulation of genetic material. Prerequisites: BIOL 213 and CHEM 205.
Mr. Luck

309. Genes and Genetic Engineering (Lecture and Laboratory) 4 hours
4NS
Second Semester. Identical to BIOL 308 but with the addition of one laboratory per week. Laboratories will emphasize techniques used in working with nucleic acids. Prerequisites: BIOL 214 and CHEM 205. Enrollment Limit: 16.
Mr. Luck

312. Animal Physiology 4 hours
4NS, WR
First Semester. This course explores the function of the body, from the molecular level (e.g., generation of electrical signals in the nervous system) to the organismal level (e.g., adaptations to pregnancy, exercise, or extreme environments). Classes and laboratories study the physiology of excitable cells (e.g., nerves and muscles), cardiovascular system, lungs and respiratory system, kidneys and renal system, and reproduction. Prerequisite: BIOL 213 or NSCI 201 or NSCI 204 or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 28.
Mr. Allen

313. The Living Cell 3 hours
3NS, WR
Second Semester. Course explores the vibrant activity of cells, ranging from intracellular shuttling of vesicles and organelles to locomotion of cells during events such as embryogenesis, cancer, or wound healing. To understand how this activity arises, the course studies the design and function of the involved proteins, as well as the signaling pathways orchestrating the activity. Involves each week two class meetings and one small-group discussion. Prerequisite: BIOL 213 or NSCI 201 or NSCI 204 or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 16.
Mr. Allen

314. The Living Cell (with Research Project) 3 hours
3NS
Second Semester. Shares two weekly classes with BIOL 313, but includes a semester-long, small-group research project in place of the small-group discussions. Chosen by students in consultation with instructor, the projects will develop students' mastery of current cell biological research techniques (e.g., mutagenesis, genetic screens, spectroscopy, or advanced microscopy), as well as skills at designing, performing, and then communicating experiments. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 10.
Mr. Allen

325. Principles of Vascular Plant Taxonomy and Systematics 2 hours
2NS, WR
First Semester. First Module. This course constitutes an introduction to plant taxonomy and systematics. Lectures, discussions, and readings will focus on the evolutionary history of vascular plants, mechanisms of speciation, methods for inferring plant phylogeny and taxonomic nomenclature. The laboratories will be devoted primarily to familiarization with the information necessary to identify plants in the field and from preserved specimens. Prerequisite: BIOL 119, 120 or consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 24.
Mr. Benzing

326. Vascular Plant Diversity and Systematics 2 hours
2NS, WR
Second Semester. Second Module. This course deals with the diversity of vascular plants broadly defined. Specific subjects include the adaptive strategies of higher plants, relationships among the major taxa, particularly families within the angiosperm complex, and plants as actors within biological communities and as partners in symbioses. Most of the laboratories will be devoted to field work and familiarization with the local flora in winter condition and early during the growing season. Enrollment Limit: 24. Prerequisite: BIOL 119, 120 or consent of instructor. BIOL 325 highly recommended. Mr. Benzing

329. Virology 3 hours
3NS
Next offered 2004-2005.

333. Laboratory in Mammalian Cell Culture 2-3 hours
2-3NS
Next offered 2004-2005.

411. Seminar: Conservation Biology 3 hours
3NS, WR
Next offered 2004-2005.

In this Department