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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 Biology 605 may elect, if they so choose, to take either Biology 118 plus 119, or Biology 120 for four credits; if both of these courses are taken, Biology 605 credit will not be granted. 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 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 semester 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 a minimum of 27 hours of course work in categories I through IV and additional cognate course work in category V. A minimum of nine hours of advanced course work (defined as courses in categories II, III and IV) must be completed at Oberlin. No more than seven hours of the advanced course work may be transfer credits. Requirements for the Biology Major I. Core Biology Courses: A. Biology 118 (Organismal Biology, lecture) and Biology 119 (Organismal Biology, lab) B. Biology 120 (Genetics, Evolution and Ecology, lecture, and lab) C. Biology 213 (Cell and Molecular Biology, lecture) II. Upper-level Biology Courses Taken at Oberlin College: A. At least two 200- or 300-level Biology lecture courses (exclusive of Biology 213) B. At least one 200- or 300-level Biology lab experience (exclusive of Biology 214) III. Additional Laboratory Courses: Two laboratory experiences, one of which may be replaced by a semester of research taken for credit. (Each lab course or course that includes a lab counts as a single lab course regardless of the number of lab meetings per week.) IV. Additional Upper-Level Courses to bring the total number of hours to at least 27: Requirements in categories III and IV above may be fulfilled by taking 200- or 300-level courses in Biology; 200- or 300-level courses in Neuroscience; Environmental Studies 316 (Systems Ecology) and 340 Environmental Systems Modeling); Chemistry 374 (Biochemistry); and Geology 320 (Paleontology). Up to three credit hours of a 400-level Biology or Neuroscience seminar course and up to three credit hours of research may be counted toward the major. Honors candidates completing two full semesters of research may count up to four credit hours toward the major. Private readings do not count for major credit. V. Cognate Course Requirements: A. Chemistry 101 and 102 (or 103 may replace 101 and 102) B. Chemistry 205 C. Four additional hours selected from the following: Calculus (Math 131, 132 or 133), Chemistry (Chem 254), Physics (103), Statistics (Math 113 or 114). 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.
FYSP 116. Field-Based Writing: Ecology of the Vermilion River Watershed 4 hours 2NS, 2HU, WRi Next offered 2005-2006. FYSP 121. Everyday Evolution 3 hours 3NS, WR First Semester. For description, please see "First-Year Seminar Program" in this catalog. Enrollment Limit: 14. Mr. Laushman FYSP 156. Biological Advances and Ethical Dilemmas 3 hours 1.5NS, 1.5HU, WR Next offered 2005-2006. FYSP 165. Feeding the World 3 hours 3NS, QPh, WR Next offered 2005-2006. FYSP 181. Science From a Bird's Eye View: Ecology, Evolution, and the Study of Birds 3 hours 3NS, WRi Next offered 2005-2006. FYSP 182. Traditions of Health and Disease in Folk and Conventional Medicine 3 hours 3NS, WRi Second Semester. For description, please see "First-Year Seminar Program" in this catalog. Enrollment Limit: 14. Mr. Allen
032. Body in Health and Disease 1-2 hours 1-2 NS First Semester. Intended primarily for non-science majors, this colloquium explores how the body functions. Focus of study is shaped by students' interests and previously has concerned reproductive and sexual health, as well as approaches, both conventional and alternative, to preventing and treating disease. Enrollment Limit: 8. Consent of instructor required. Mr. Allen 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: 17. Mr. Benzing 118. Organismal Biology (Lecture only) 3 hours3NS First Semester. This course provides prospective biology majors and others with an integrated introduction to the biology of organisms, from the subcellular level, through the cellular, tissue, organ, and whole organismal level. Ms. Cruz, Staff 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. Note: 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, Staff 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. Mr. Laushman, Ms. Bennett, Staff
201. Invertebrate Biology 4 hours 4NS First Semester. Invertebrates represent over 97 percent of the animal kingdom. This course is a study of the anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology of representatives of the major phyla and their evolutionary relationships. Lectures will emphasize functional adaptations of the major organ systems. Laboratories will include observation, collection, identification and dissection of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine invertebrates. Prerequisite: BIOL 120. Enrollment Limit: 15. Staff 203. Vertebrate Structure and Evolution 6 hours 6NS 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. Note: 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 Next offered 2005-2006. 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 and stability; population cycles; metapopulation dynamics; and management considerations. Labs will include field trips to study natural populations, and computer modeling to understand population dynamics. Prerequisite: BIOL 120 and consent of instructor. Enrollment Limit: 14. Mr. Laushman 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 Next offered 2005-2006. 212. Behavioral Ecology 4 hours 4NS Second Semester. Behavioral ecology is the study of how behavior (broadly defined) influences lifetime reproductive success of individuals. It is therefore deeply rooted in evolutionary theory, and considers the ways in which behavior may be adaptive. Topics will include life history strategies, optimal foraging and habitat selection, signaling and communication, sexual selection and mating strategies, and social organization and cooperation. Lectures, laboratories, and discussion sessions will primarily emphasize field studies and will illustrate observational, experimental, comparative, and modeling approaches. Laboratories occasionally meet at night. Prerequisite: BIOL 120. Enrollment Limit: 24. Note: BIOL 212 meets during alternate spring semesters. Staff 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. Note: 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. Thornton, Ms. Treichel, Ms. Romberg 215. Ornithology 3 hours 3NS Next offered 2005-2006. 216. Ornithology Laboratory 1 hour 1NS Next offered 2005-2006. 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. Staff 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 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. Co-requisite: BIOL 304. Enrollment Limit: 8. Ms. Laskowski 306. Microbiology (Lecture only) 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. The study of microorganisms with an emphasis on prokaryotes. Major areas to be covered include microbial cell structure and function, physiology, metabolism, genetics, diversity, and ecology. Applied aspects of microbiology will also be discussed such as biotechnology, the role of microorganisms in environmental processes, and medical microbiology. Prerequisites: BIOL 214 and CHEM 205. Enrollment Limit: 25. Ms. Romberg 307. Microbiology (Laboratory) 1 hour 1NS Second Semester. Laboratory exercises are designed to illustrate processes central to microbiology and to familiarize students with basic skills required for working with microorganisms. Topics will include asceptic technique, microscopy, and isolation and identification of unknown bacteria. Co-requisite. BIOL 306. Enrollment Limit: 16. Ms. Romberg 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) 3-4 hours 3-4NS 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 327. Immunology 3 hours 3NS Next offered 2005-2006. 328. Immunology Laboratory 1.5 hours 1.5NS Next offered 2005-2006. 329. Virology 3 hours 3NS Second Semester. An introduction to the basic principles of virology, including the biochemistry, molecular genetics, and genetics of viruses with emphasis on animal viruses. Lectures will examine viruses as important model systems for elucidating the basic principles of molecular biology and also as important agents of disease. Medical topics will include a discussion of the pathogenesis, immunology, and prevention/treatment of important human viral diseases. Prerequisite: BIOL 213. Enrollment Limit: 24. Ms. Treichel 403. Seminar: Prokaryotic Cell Biology 3 hours 3NS First Semester. Recent research in microbiology has indicated that bacteria have far more complicated life cycles and structural organization than had previously been realized. Principles for achieving this organization are similar to those used by eukaryotic cells, but the detailed mechanisms often differ substantially. Topics covered in this course may include bacterial cell structure, the cell cycle, developmental pathways, response to the enviromnent, motility, and membrane physiology. Methods for studying prokaryotic cell biology and biochemistry will be explored through readings from the primary literature. Lectures will alternate with in-class discussions. Prerequisite: BIOL 213/214. Consent of instructor required. Preference to juniors and seniors. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Romberg 411. Seminar: Conservation Biology 3 hours 3NS, WR Next offered 2005-2006.
501, 502. Research 1-3 hours 1-3NS Projects for original investigation are developed by students in consultation with a faculty member. Students in the Honors Program enroll for both semesters of their senior year. A maximum of three credit hours (four hours for Honors students completing two semesters of research) and one laboratory unit may be earned in this course towards the requirements for a biology major. Research sponsored by Mr. Allen, Mr. Benzing, Mr. Braford, Ms. Cruz, Ms. Laskowski, Mr. Laushman, Mr. Luck, Ms. McCormick, Mr. Miller, Ms. Romberg, Ms. Thornton, and Ms. Treichel. Consent of instructor required. 995. Private Reading 1-3 hours 1-3NS Independent study of a subject arranged by student with member of Biology teaching staff, who supervises the project. Only subjects beyond the range of catalog course offerings permitted. Special approvals required from: project supervisor, student's academic advisor, and department chairman. Note: A student is limited to one private reading course per semester. Private readings sponsored by Mr. Allen, Ms. Bennett, Mr. Benzing, Mr. Braford, Ms. Cruz, Ms. Laskowski, Mr. Laushman, Mr. Luck, Ms. McCormick, Mr. Miller, Ms. Romberg, Ms. Thornton, and Ms. Treichel. Consent of instructor required. |
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