BI 105 Biological Sciences I: Unity and Diversity of Life    4
An introduction to the structures and processes common to all of life. The course explores topics in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell structure and function, transmission genetics, evolutionary theory and population ecology. The laboratory portion of the course is inquiry-based and will introduce students to the methods and theory of modern biology. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week. (Fulfills natural sciences requirement.)     C. Freeman-Gallant and P. Hilleren
 
BI 106 Biological Sciences II: Diversity of Life    4
A comprehensive introduction to the diversity of life forms and life functions. The course explores topics in organismal biology with special emphasis on animals and plants, reproductive biology, physiology and developmental biology. Prerequisite: BI105. (Fulfills natural sciences requirement.)
D. Domozych and J. Ness
BI 240 Environmental Biology    4
An examination of the physical and biotic features of the earth, the role of humans in affecting the panet's ecology, and the ways ecological systems affect humans. This course provides the fundamental concepts of environmental biology along with specific examples from the natural world and human modification. Topics include the basics of the physical nature of the earth; physiological ecology, including biochemistry and metabolism of life forms and nutrient cycles; biodiversity; interspecific relationships; population and community dynamics; ecosystem structure; pollution and environmental toxicology; resource management; and restoration design. Laboratory consists of field trips, ecological sampling techniques, ecological survey of local habitats, phytoremediation, pollution simulation, and examination of biodiversity. Prerequisite: ES105. This course does not count toward the biology major.     J. Ness
BI 241 Ecology    4
A field, laboratory and lecture course in which interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment are explored. Students will observe ecological patterns and evaluate evidence and arguments for why those patterns exist. Prerequisites: BI106 or ES105 and BI240.     M. Raveret Richter
BI 242 Molecular Biology    4
The course provides a molecular view of essential features of eukaryotic cell biology. The laboratory portion of the course is project-based and designed to expose students to current methodologies and experimental strategies commonly used in molecular biology research. The overarching goal of the course is for students to gain an understanding of the molecular nature of key fundamental processes in cell biology including i) structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids and how they interact to promote cell function; ii) protein targeting and localization; and iii) eukaryotic cell cycle and regulation of cell growth; iv) cancer biology; and v) cell death. Prerequisites: BI106 and CH105.     P. Hilleren
BI 243 Plant Biology    4
A comprehensive study of plants, other photosynthetic eukaryotes and fungi. Lecture topics include: biochemistry, phytochemistry and phytopharmaceutical applications, cell and molecular biology, evolutionary biology, developmental biology and life cycles, primary and secondary physiology and ecology/biogeography. The laboratory consists of experimental and observational exercises and includes a full day, Saturday field trip. Prerequisite: BI106.     D. Domozych
BI 244 Comparative Vertebrate Physiology    4
The function and structure of major systems of vertebrates considered principally from the perspective of their ability to meet environmental demands. Prerequisites: BI106 and CH105 or BI105 and NS101. 
 R. Meyers
BI 245 Principles of Genetics    4
A study of biological patterns of heredity explained by genes, their structure, function and transmission from cell to cell and parent to offspring, and the expression of genetic information. Topics include an in-depth study of mitosis, meiosis, Mendelian genetics and extension of Mendelian genetics to complex traits and their analysis in individuals and populations. Prerequisites: BI106 or permission of instructor.   
B. Possidente
BI 246 Microbiology: Diversity, Disease, and the Environment    4
A comprehensive introduction to the biology of three major groups of microbes: bacteria, protists, and viruses. Microbial diversity will be explored in the context of the structure, physiology, metabolism, and molecular genetics of various microbial taxa. We will discuss microbial diseases, non-specific and specific human immune responses, and general strategies used by microbes to overcome these defenses. The final section of the course will explore key concepts in microbial ecology. Emphasis will be placed on the central role of bacteria in geochemical cycles and symbiotic associations with plants and animals. In the laboratory, students will isolate bacteria from a variety of environments (wounds, soil, etc.) and apply standard techniques used in clinical and environmental microbiology labs to study their physiology and metabolism. Prerequisite: BI106.     S. Franke
BI 247 Cell Biology    4
The course provides a cellular and organismal view of essential features of eukaryotic cell biology. Students will study cellular functions such as protein structure and function, cytoskeletal organization, cell migration, cellular metabolism, and cell signaling. In laboratory, students will gain experience with modern techniques for visualizing cell biological processes, with emphasis on differential interference contrast (DIC) optics, flourescence, and confocal microscopy. Prerequisites: BI106 and CH106.     J. Bonner
BI 275 Introduction to Biological Research   1
An introductory exploration of research in the biological sciences. Students plan, design and implement a small research project from the laboratory or field in coordination with a faculty member. This experience will allow students a various stages of their careers to sample research methodologies in particular subdisciplines of biology. Students may only take four BI275 courses in their careers and no more than two in any given semester. If more than one is taken in one semester, each BI275 must be in a different section. Prerequisites: Completion of one 100-level course in biology or requirements set forth in individual sections plus permission of instructor     The Department
BI 299 Professional Internship in Biology    3
Internship opportunity for students whose curricular foundations and experience have prepared them for professional work related to the major field. With faculty sponsorship and departmental approval, students may extend their educational experience into such areas as laboratory or field research, or clinical medicine. Does not count toward the major. Offered Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Prerequisite: completion of at least one related 200-level course (as determined by the department).
BI 302 Behavioral Ecology    3
An examination of the relationship between ecological factors and animal behavior, particularly social behavior. Students will analyze comparative studies of behavior, employ and critique economic models of behavior and models of evolutionarily stable strategies, and explore relationships among resource distribution, kinship, breeding systems and social evolution. Prerequisites: BI106 or ES105 and any two 200-level biology courses.     M. Raveret Richter
BI 305 Cardiovascular Physiology    4
A consideration of cardiovascular physiology including cellular physiology of the heart, mammalian cardiovascular dynamics, aspects of comparative cardio-physiology, and human clinical cardiology. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BI106 and any two 200-level courses in biology. Offered in alternate years.     R. Meyers
BI 306 Mammalian Physiology    4
A study of selected topics in mammalian physiology including respiratory, renal and neural physiology. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week Prerequisites: BI106 and BI244. For NS students: NS101, BI105, and BI244. Offered in alternate years.     R. Meyers
BI 307 Ornithology    4
Birds as model organisms for an integrative study of biology. This course explores avian forms and function, the ecology, evolution, and behavior of birds, and avian conservation. Three hours of lecture, three hours of field or laboratory work a week. One Saturday field trip. Prerequisites : BI106 or ES105 and any two 200-level courses in biology.     C. Freeman-Gallant
BI 311 Biological Electron Microscopy    4
Practical and theoretical study of the operation and application of electron microscopes and the preparation of samples for electron microscopy. Topics include: chemical fixation, cryofixation, cytochemistry, immunolabeling, ultramicrotomy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microscopic photography. Two hours of lecture, four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BI106 and BI243 or 244.       D. Domozych
BI 316 Animal Behavior    4
Behavior is a product of evolution and a means of animal adaptation. This course considers the mechanisms, proximate causes, and ultimate origins of behavior. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory or field work per week. One Saturday field trip. Prerequisite: BI106 or ES105 and any two 200-level courses in biology. For NS students: NS101, BI105, and BI244.     M. Raveret Richter
BI 323 Developmental Biology    4
The study of progressive, sequential changes that occur within cells, tissues, and organisms over time. The study of development encompasses molecular, cellular, morphological, and physiological organizational levels. Course topics range from gametogenesis and embryonic development to molecular mechanisms of gene regulation. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BI106 and any two 200-level courses in biology. For NS students: NS101, BI105, and BI244.     The Department
BI 324 Evolution    4
A survey of topics in evolutionary theory: the evidence for evolution, mechanisms of evolutionary change, species concepts, and speciation. Introduction to the concepts of variability, adaptation, neutrality, and phylogeny through discussion and lab work. Three hours of lecture, three hours of lab per week. Prerequisite: BI106 or ES105 and any two 200-level courses in biology.     C. Freeman-Gallant
BI 325 Tropical Ecology    3
An introduction to the ecology of tropical regions, with an emphasis on Central and South American forests. In this course, we will take an ecological approach to investigating the patterns, processes, and organisms characterizing tropical ecosystems. We will study the forces that gave rise to tropical biodiversity, and discuss both the preservation and the destruction of tropical ecosystems. Prerequisites: BI106 or ES105 and any two 200-level courses in biology.     M. Raveret Richter
TX 301 Tropical Field Ecology   2
This travel seminar and its companion lecture course, Tropical Ecology (BI 325), comprise a classroom- and field-based introduction to the ecology of tropical regions, with an emphasis on Central and South American forests. Students, who must be concurrently enrolled in BI 325, will meet in a discussion section throughout the semester, and will travel to the tropical cloud forest community of Monteverde, Costa Rica, during spring break. TX 301 does not count toward the biology major as a 300-level elective course, nor does it count as a supportive course for eceology, evolution, and behavior concentrators; BI 325 does fulfill these requirements. Prerequisites: BI106 or ES105 and any two 200-level courses in biology. Offered in alternate years.     M. Raveret Richter and Biology Faculty
BI 327 Conservation Ecology    3
Focuses upon developing an understanding of the diversity of life, in an ecological and evolutionary context, and applying that understanding to critical analyses of issues and problems in conservation biology. Prerequisites: BI106 or ES105 and any two 200-level courses in biology.     M. Raveret Richter
BI 337 Plant Physiology    4
The behavior, growth, transport processes, and environmental response of plants. Topics include membrane dynamics and function, plant cell development and polarity, solute and water transport, mineral and vitamin nutrition, respiration photosynthesis, hormone action, photoperiodism, taxes, and stress biology. Two hours of lecture, four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BI106 and BI243.     D. Domozych
BI 338 Plant Biotechnology    4
A modern analysis of humankind's use of plants and fungi and their derived products. Major subjects covered include: ethnobotany, plant genetic engineering, plant biochemistry, techniques of plant production, agricultural practices, horticulture, and medicinal botany/mycology. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: BI 106 and BI 243.     D. Domozych
BI 339 Plant-Animal Interactions    4
Exploration of the evolution and ecology of interactions between plants and animals. Topics include mutualism (e.g., pollination, frugivory), antagonism (e.g., herbivory, granivory), indirect effects that cascade across taxa, and mechanisms by which plant-animal interactions affect the susceptibility of both groups to the pathogenic microbes and fungi. Students perform all the steps of active research (research design, data collection, analysis and presentation), as well as read and critique classic and recent studies from the literature. Student research in Skidmore's North Woods and surrounding areas will be emphasized. Three hours of lecture/discussion and one three-hour lab per week. Prerequisites: BI 105, BI 106, and any two 200-level BI courses.     J. Ness
BI 342 Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience      
This course will explore “hot topics” in Neuroscience. We will discuss how novel approaches in cell culture, animal and human studies are being used in current molecular Neuroscience research. In addition to lectures, students will review current literature from top journals, give group presentations in class and write a paper. This course will be divided into two sections: 1) topics in Neurogenesis (neuron birth in the adult brain) and 2) topics in Neurodegeneration (mechanisms of cell death in disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease). Students will develop skills in critically reading research papers and giving presentations. Prerequisite: BI106, BI242, and any other 200-level course in biology. For NS students: NS101, BI105, and BI244.     The Department
BI 344 Biological Clocks    4
Organisms in all the major taxonomic groups have internalized geophysical and other periodicities in the form of endogenous biological mechanism that function as clocks. Theoretical, molecular, cellular, physiological, behavioral, ecological, and biomedical aspects of biological clocks will be examined with an emphasis on circadian clocks. Three hours of lecture, three hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: BI106 and any two 200-level courses in biology. For NS students: NS101, BI105, and BI244.     B. Possidente
BI 348 Immunobiology    4
A study of the ways in which the immune system recognizes and responds to cells or molecules that are non-self. The course will explore the basic biological processes that underlie the function of the immune system in health and disease. Prerequisite: BI106, BI242, and any other 200-level course in biology.
The Department
BI 349 Neuroendocrinology    4
Hormones act throughout the body to coordinate basic biological functions such as development, reproduction and metabolism. This course will investigate how hormones work in the brain to regulate physiology and behavior. We will study the molecular bases of neuroendocrine regulation, with a focus on how the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis functions to regulate reproduction, homeostasis, metabolism and stress. Laboratory sessions will explore various approaches to neuroendocrine research, including detection of hormone receptors in the brain and assessment of biological functions through bioassays. Prerequisites: BI106, BI242 or BI244, and any other 200-level course in biology (both BI242 and BI244 recommended). For NS students: NS101, BI105, and BI244.     
BI 351 Topics in Biology    3 or 4
This course gives students the opportunity to study topics that are not offered on a regular basis. The specific topics will vary each time the course is taught. All courses fulfill the 300-level requirements for the biology major. Three-credit courses are taught without laboratories; four-credit courses include a weekly three-hour lab. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: permission of the department     The Department
 
BI 351A: Fulfills the 300-level elective course requirement of the ecology, evolution, and behavior concentration.

BI 351E: Fulfills the 300-level supportive or elective course requirements for the ecology, evolution, and behavior concentration.

BI 351M: Fulfills the 300-level supportive course requirement of the molecular biology and genetics concentration or the 300-level elective course requirement of the ecology, evolution, and behavior concentration.
BI 352/353 Topics in Advanced Genetics    3 or 4
An opportunity to study advanced topics in genetics that are not offered on a regular basis. The specific topic may vary each time the course is taught. All courses fulfill the 300-level requirements for the integrative biology concentration. Three-credit courses are taught without lab; four-credit courses include a weekly three-hour lab. Different topics may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: BI106 and either BI242 or BI245, or permission of the instructor.     The Department

BI352/353E: Fulfills the 300-level supportive or elective course requirement for the ecology, evolution, and behavior concentration.

BI352/353M: Fulfills the 300-level supportive course requirement for the molecular biology and genetics concentration.
BI 360 Gene Expression I: DNA Metabolism    3
An examination of eukaryotic chromatin structure, maintenance, and function. We will explore the structural and molecular composition of chromatin, how this macromolecule is assembled, how it is faithfully maintained, and how its molecular architecture controls gene expression. Integral to this course will be the study of various modes of inquiry and research tools utilized by scientists to investigate these questions. In addition, we will examine how defects in many of these processes contribute to human diseases. Prerequisites: BI106, BI242 and CH221, BI245 suggested.     P. Hilleren
BI 361 Biology of Viruses    3
An exploration of the structure, genetics, and pathogenesis of all types of viruses, from bacterial to mammalian. Rather than taking an encyclopedic approach, the course begins as an overview of common themes in the life cycles of all viruses. Building on this foundation, the course will then draw largely from recent published research to explore features of the life cycle and pathogenesis of specific viruses. Prerequisites: BI106 and BI242 or BI246.     The Department
BI 362 Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Molecular Approach    3
An exploration of the latest techniques used to study bacteria-host interactions at the molecular level. The course delves into common obstacles that disease-causing bacteria must overcome in order to colonize a human host and the general strategies bacteria have evolved to overcome these obstacles. Comparisons will be made to symbiotic bacteria-host interactions and questions such as “how did pathogenic bacteria evolve?” will be addressed. Grounded in current published research, the class will also explore, at the molecular level, mechanisms used by specific pathogens to colonize and damage host tissue. Prerequisites: BI106 and BI246, BI245 recommended.     The Department
BI 363 Gene Expression II: mRNA Metabolism    3
An investigation into our current and mechanistic understanding of the central features of eukaryotic gene expression, including the synthesis, processing, export, translation, and turnover of mRNA and the biological machines that carry out these fundamental processes. In addition, we will examine how defects in the processes contribute to human disease. Prerequisites: BI106, BI242 and CH221; BI360 strongly recommended; BI245 recommended.     P. Hilleren
BI 370 Computer Modeling of Biological Systems    4
An introductory course in the methods, procedures, uses, and implications of digital computer modeling of biological processes from the molecular through the population level of organization, with particular focus on the systems level. Three hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BI106 or ES105.     R. Meyers
BI 371 Independent Study    3
An opportunity for students to pursue in depth specialized topics not available through regular course offerings. Prerequisite: agreement of a faculty member to serve as tutor, a topic acceptable both to student and tutor, and permission of the Department. Biology majors may take either BI 371 or 385 only once to substitute for a 300-level biology course requirement.     The Department
BI 377 / 378 Senior Capstone in Biology     3 (2+1)
A two-part course consisting of BI 377 (2 credits), to be taken in the fall of the senior year, and BI 378 (1 credit), to be taken in the spring of the senior year. An integration of curricular experiences in the biology major with emphasis on development of students into participating members of the scientific community. Students will independently demonstrate and document their mastery of biological concepts and techniques, and collaborate to communicate research to each other, the department, and the college. Prerequisites: Senior status.      The Department
BI 385 Research Methods in Biology
I. Methods in Integrative Biology
E. Methods in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
M. Methods in Molecular Biology and Genetics

An opportunity for students to engage in laboratory or field research in collaboration with a faculty member. Emphasis is on the development of analytical and technical expertise in biological research. Students meet weekly for one hour of discussion but work independently with their individual faculty mentors in pursuit of their research. Students defend their results in the form of an oral presentation to the Department. S/U only. Prerequisites: agreement by a faculty member to serve as mentor, completion of two 200-level courses in BI, and permission of the Department.     The Department
BI 399 Professional Internship in Biology    3 or 6
Professional experience at an advanced level for juniors and seniors with substantial academic experience in the major field. With faculty sponsorship and departmental approval, students may extend their educational experience into such areas as laboratory or field research, or clinical medicine. Does not count toward the major. Offered satisfactory/unsatisfactory only. Prerequisite: completion of at least one related 300-level course (as determined by the department)