The following section contains a complete list of courses for its curriculum. For current course listings please see the Course Description section of our website.
BIOL-1310/3 Biology I—Molecules, Cells, and Genes: An
exploration of living organisms at the molecular and cellular
levels of organization. Topics to be covered include biological
molecules, the structure and function of cells, the principles of
bioenergetics, and genetics. The course includes a laboratory
component, covering topics related to lectures and
emphasizing the scientific method and scientific reasoning. A
laboratory fee will be assessed. Students may not hold credit
both for this course and for BIOL- 1331/3. Prerequisites: Biology
40S, Chemistry 40S, and Math 40S (applied or pre-calculus).
BIOL-1320/3 Biology II—Evolution, Diversity and Function: A study of the evolutionary process and survey of current
biological diversity, with emphasis on the eukaryotes. An
overarching theme in the course is the connection between
form and function in living things, in the context of their
interactions with their biotic and physical environments.
Includes a laboratory component. A laboratory fee will be
assessed. Students may not hold credit both for this course and
for BIOL-1341/3. Prerequisite: BIOL 1310/3.
BIOL-1331/3 Biology—The Science of Life: A course on the
underlying features of life and living things. Topics covered
include scientific reasoning, the nature of life, and the
molecular and cellular composition of living things. Special
emphasis will be placed on heredity, genes, the decoding of
genetic information, and related topics such as genetic
engineering and the basis of evolutionary change. Intended
for non-science students. Students may not hold credit both for
this course and for BIOL-1310/3.
BIOL-1341/3 The Living Planet: A broad survey of the living
organisms on our planet, their interrelationships and their
interactions with each other, including an examination of the
concept of “species”, an exploration of the diversity and
interrelatedness of living things, and an overview of ecology
as a scientific discipline at the levels of populations,
communities and ecosystems. Topics to be covered include
species interactions (symbiosis, competition, parasitism and
predation), energy flow, nutrient cycling, and conservation
biology. Intended for non-science students. Students may not
hold credit both for this course and for BIOL-1320/3.
BIOL-1350/3 Microbes, Health, and Illness: An introduction
to the essential principles of microbiology, with an emphasis
on human health. The course covers basic biochemistry and
surveys the major types of microbes (bacteria, protists, microfungi,
and viruses). Building on that foundation, we will
examine interactions between humans and pathogens,
including the mechanisms of immune system function.
Selected diseases will be discussed, as illustrations of general principles in host-microbe interactions.
BIOL-1360/3 Anatomy of the Human Body: A study of
microanatomy and gross anatomy, including changes
occurring from conception to old age. Includes a laboratory
requirement. A laboratory fee will be assessed. No prerequisite
but high school biology strongly recommended.
BIOL-1370/3 Physiology of the Human Body: A course on
the functions of all anatomical systems of the human body,
with homeostatic regulatory mechanisms as foundational
themes. Includes a laboratory requirement. A laboratory fee will
be assessed. Prerequisite: BIOL-1360/3 or 1320/3.
