Biology Courses

  • BIOL023 HM

    Credit: 1

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Application of molecular biology techniques to problems in human genetics, bioengineering, and environmental sensing.

  • BIOL046 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Adolph, Bush, Donaldson-Matasci, Hur, Schulz

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Topics in ecology, evolution, molecular genetics, and computational biology.

    Corequisites: CSCI005 HM or CSCI005GR HM or CSCI042 HM 

  • BIOL048 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Ahn

    Description: The class will examine the process of science and contrast it with pseudoscience. Students will learn about the flaws in human thinking as we critically evaluate information and misinformation. Some major, biologically-relevant topics will be covered in more depth, such as placebo medicine and the anti-vaccine and anti-GMO movements. Additional pseudoscience topics will be determined by students, e.g., denialism, conspiracy theories, ESP, etc. The class will be taught from the perspective of a scientist.

  • BIOL054 HM

    Credit: 1

    Instructors: Ahn, McFadden, Stoebel

    Offered: Spring

    Description: Investigations in physiology, biochemistry, ecology, molecular biol­ogy, and other areas of experimental biology.

    Corequisites: BIOL023 HM and BIOL046 HM 

    Concurrent requisites: BIOL154 HM 

  • BIOL081 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall

    Description: Study of a biological topic of current importance to society. Active participation and discussion are stressed. May not be counted for credit toward the biology major.

    Prerequisites: Dependent on topic

  • BIOL101 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Ahn

    Offered: Spring

    Description: The general aim will provide a broad introduction to comparative physiology. Students will learn the links between cellular & molecular mechanisms, organ systems, and organismal function in animals. Students will examine the relationship between structure and function in biology. During the process, students will be introduced to the diversity of animals and the scientific tools used to make physiological measurements.

    Prerequisites: BIOL046 HM 

  • BIOL103 HM

    Credits: 2

    Instructor: Ahn

    Offered: Fall, alternate years

    Description: Experimental techniques and concepts in plant and animal physiology, including the general areas of cellular biology, energetics, ionic regulation, and signaling. The final third of the course will involve independent student research projects culminating with oral and written presentations of experimental investigations.

    Prerequisites: BIOL054 HM and BIOL101 HM 

  • BIOL108 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Adolph, McFadden

    Offered: Spring

    Description: Principles of organization of natural communities and ecosystems, including population dynamics, species interactions, and island biogeography. Modern experimental and mathematical approaches to ecological problems. Application of ecological principles to conservation biology, climate change, and other environmental impacts.

    Prerequisites: BIOL046 HM and MATH019 HM 

  • BIOL109 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Adolph, McFadden

    Offered: Fall

    Description: Evolutionary mechanisms, including natural selection, population genetics, speciation, and macroevolutionary processes. Modern methods of phylogenetic reconstruction. History of biological diversity and the fossil record.

    Prerequisites: BIOL046 HM and MATH019 HM 

  • BIOL110 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Donaldson-Matasci

    Offered: Spring, alternate years

    Description: Design and analysis of ecological experiments with an emphasis on hypothesis testing, sampling techniques, and computer-based statistical analysis of data. Most projects are field-based, designed to address aspects of population, community, physiological, and behavioral ecology in animals and plants; work in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Includes several all-day field trips to local coastal, desert, and mountain sites.

    Prerequisites: BIOL054 HM and BIOL154 HM 

    Corequisites: BIOL108 HM 

  • BIOL111 HM

    Credits: 2

    Instructors: Hur, Schulz, Stoebel

    Offered: Fall

    Description: Basic techniques of molecular biology, including restriction mapping, DNA cloning, protein expression, and fluorescence microscopy.

    Prerequisites: BIOL054 HM and BIOL154 HM 

    Corequisites: BIOL113 HM 

  • BIOL113 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Hur, Schulz, Stoebel

    Offered: Fall

    Description: Molecular description of gene function in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including DNA, RNA, and protein structure; DNA replication; transcription and translation; and gene regulation.

    Prerequisites: BIOL046 HM and CHEM042 HM 

  • BIOL119 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Adolph, de Pillis (Mathematics), Jacobsen (Mathematics)

    Offered: Fall

    Description: Advanced study of mathematical models of biological processes, including discrete and continuous models. Examples are drawn from a variety of areas of biology, which may include physiology, sys­tems biology, cancer biology, epidemiology, ecology, evolution, and spatiotemporal dynamics.

    Prerequisites: MCBI118A HM 

  • BIOL121 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: McFadden

    Description: Advanced ecology focusing on marine communities. Dispersal, recruitment, competition, disturbance, plant/animal interactions, and other topics. Readings in the primary literature. Counts as a seminar course for Biology majors.

    Prerequisites: BIOL154 HM. It is strongly preferred to have taken BIOL108 HM 

  • BIOL122 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Hur

    Offered: Spring, alternate years

    Description: An examination of the fundamental unit of life, the cell. By exploring the boundary between chemical reactions and living systems, we will learn how interactions among biological molecules that are ruled by fundamental physical and chemical laws constitute and define life. Readings from the text as well as primary literature, with emphasis on experimental design and analyses.

    Prerequisites: BIOL113 HM 

  • BIOL129 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Bush

    Description: What makes humans different from our closest relatives and how have these differences evolved? This course examines human evolution from several perspectives, ranging from studies of the fossil record to computational and genomic approaches. It relies heavily on readings from the primary literature, and counts as a seminar course for Biology majors.

    Prerequisites: BIOL154 HM. It is also recommended to have taken one of BIOL109 HM or BIOL113 HM 

  • BIOL154 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Donaldson-Matasci, Stoebel

    Offered: Spring

    Description: Statistical techniques for analyzing biological data, including parametric, nonparametric, and randomization methods. Statistical aspects of experimental design with an emphasis on analyzing data collected in BIOL054 HM.

    Prerequisites: CSCI005 HMCSCI005GR HM, or CSCI042 HM 

    Corequisites: BIOL046 HM 

    Concurrent requisites: BIOL054 HM 

  • BIOL160 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Schulz

    Offered: Spring, alternate years

    Description: The number of microbes in the human body is comparable to the number of human cells. How does the immune system identify and respond to the small number of these microbes that can cause illness or death? In this course, we will explore fundamental processes of the immune system and how they relate to medicine and biotechnology. Topics will include antibody and T-cell receptor structure and function, cells and molecular mediators that regulate the immune response, allergy, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, tissue and organ transplants, and tumor immunology. 

    Prerequisites: BIOL113 HM 

  • BIOL161 HM

    Credits: 1-3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Original experimental investigations in biology undertaken in consultation with a faculty member. May not be counted for credit toward the biology major. 1 credit hour for each 3 hours of research per week.

    Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

  • BIOL171 HM

    Credits: 4

    Instructor: MBL Staff

    Offered: Fall

    Description: The nature and controls of ecosystem processes (production, decomposition, element cycling, and biogeochemistry) in freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. Application of basic principles of ecosystems ecology to contemporary environmental problems such as coastal eutrophication, fisheries exploitation, effects of introduced species, acid deposition, and global change. Includes lecture, discussion, laboratory, and field work. Offered only through the Semester in Environmental Science Program at the MBL Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

    Prerequisites: BIOL046 HM, BIOL054 HM,CHEM024 HM, CHEM042 HM, and MATH019 HM 

  • BIOL173 HM

    Credits: 4

    Instructor: MBL Staff

    Offered: Fall

    Description: Fundamental biogeochemical processes in fields, pastures, tundra, and forested ecosystems. Physiological ecology of land—plants and soil organisms in an ecosystems context. Impacts of environmental change on the landscape at local, regional, and global scales. Includes lecture, discussion, laboratory, and field work. Offered only through the Semester in Environmental Science Program at the MBL Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

    Prerequisites: BIOL046 HM, BIOL054 HM,CHEM024 HM, CHEM042 HM, and MATH019 HM 

  • BIOL174 HM

    Credits: 2

    Instructors: Gerbode (Physics), Ilton (Physics)

    Offered: Spring

    Description: Selected topics in biophysics focusing on active research in the field. Possible topics include: biolocomotion, membrane biophysics, imaging techniques. Seminar format.

    Prerequisites: BIOL046 HM and PHYS051 HM 

  • BIOL182 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Haushalter, Vosburg (Chemistry)

    Offered: Spring

    Description: Relation of molecular structure and energy flow to reactions in living systems.

    Prerequisites: CHEM056 HM 

  • BIOL183 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Ahn

    Description: Readings from the primary literature in animal physiology. Specific topics may vary. Counts as a seminar course for Biology majors.

    Prerequisites: BIOL101 HM 

  • BIOL184 HM

    Credit: 1

    Instructors: Haushalter, Vosburg (Chemistry)

    Offered: Spring

    Description: Experiments in biochemistry.

    Corequisites: BIOL182 HM or CHEM182 HM 

  • BIOL185 HM

    Credits: 1.5-3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Topics in a particular area of biology, depending on the instructor.

    Prerequisites: BIOL046 HM; additional prerequisites may be required dependent on topic 

  • BIOL187 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Haushalter

    Description: The molecular biology of HIV infection, the biochemistry of antiviral interventions, and the causes and impact of the global HIV-AIDS pandemic, including the inter-relationships among HIV-AIDS, prejudice, race, and stigma.

    Prerequisites: BIOL113 HM and (BIOL182 HM or CHEM182 HM)

  • BIOL188 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Bush

    Offered: Fall, alternate years

    Description: Computational algorithms and methods used in the study of genomes. Lectures, dis­cussions, and computer laboratory exercises.

    Prerequisites: MCBI118B HM 

  • BIOL189 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Haushalter, Hur, Schulz, Stoebel

    Offered: Fall

    Description: Advanced topics at the interface between chemistry and biology. Counts as a seminar course for Biology majors.

    Prerequisites: BIOL113 HM and senior standing

  • BIOL190B HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Ahn

    Offered: Fall, alternate years

    Description: Mechanical properties of biological tissues, including bone, connective tissue, and muscles. Static analysis of joints. Analysis of how muscle generates motion, leading to dynamics, including kinematics, kinetics, and locomotion, and how these principles scale for different sized animals. Focus on applications and primary literature.

    Prerequisites: BIOL046 HM and ENGR083 HM 

  • BIOL191 HM

    Credit: 0.5

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Oral presentations and discussions of selected topics including recent developments. Participants include biology majors, faculty members, and visiting speakers. Required for junior and senior biology majors. No more than 2.0 credits can be earned for departmental seminars/col­loquia.

    Prerequisites: HMC Biology (including joint majors) only.

  • BIOL193 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: A year-long experimental investigation in biology under the direction of a faculty advisor. Two oral presentations, a written proposal, and a thesis are required. Required of all senior biology majors.

    Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

  • BIOL195 HM

    Credits: 6

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Intensive experimental research in biology undertaken in consultation with a faculty member. Replaces 3 credits of BIOL193 HM and 3 credits of advanced biology courses for credit toward biology major.

    Prerequisites: BIOL161 HM, and departmental approval of formal application

  • BIOL197 HM

    Credits: 1-3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Directed readings or independent laboratory research in selected topics in biology. With prior permission, up to 2 credits may count toward the biology major.

    Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

  • MCBI117 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Donaldson-Matasci (Biology)

    Description: An introduction to game theory, a branch of mathematics that studies strategic interactions between individuals, with applications in fields such as biology, economics and political science. The course will introduce classical game theory, representations of games and Nash equilibria. The second part of the course will focus on evolutionary game theory, equilibrium concepts, and the evolution of cooperation.

    Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

  • MCBI118A HM

    Credits: 1.5

    Instructors: Adolph (Biology), de Pillis (Mathematics), Donaldson-Matasci (Biology)

    Offered: Spring

    Description: An introduction to the field of mathematical biology. Continuous and discrete mathematical models of biological processes and their analytical and computational solutions. Examples may include models in epidemiology, ecology, cancer biology, systems biology, molecular evolution, and phylogenetics.

    Prerequisites: MATH073 HMMATH082 HM, and BIOL046 HM 

  • MCBI118B HM

    Credits: 1.5

    Instructors: Bush (Biology), Donaldson-Matasci (Biology), Wu (Computer Science)

    Offered: Spring

    Description: An introduction to the field of computational biology. Algorithms for phylogenetic inference and computational methods for solving problems in molecular evolution and population genetics.

    Prerequisites: CSCI005 HM and BIOL046 HM 

  • MCBI199 HM

    Credit: 0.5

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Students registered for joint colloquium must attend a fixed number of colloquium talks during the semester in any field(s) related to their interests. The talks may be at any members of The Claremont Colleges or a nearby university and may be in any of a wide array of fields including biology, mathematics, computer science and other science and engineering disciplines including bioengineering, cognitive science, neuroscience, biophysics, and linguistics. Students enrolled in the joint colloquium are required to submit a short synopsis of each talk that they attend. No more than 2.0 credits can be earned for departmental seminars/col­loquia.

See Also