Biology

Hereditary mechanisms of cells, individuals, and populations. Experiments and reasoning through which genetic information has been achieved will be described and analyzed. Heredity in microbes, plants, and animals is explored from the molecular, chromosomal and phenotypic points of view. Genetics is presented as unifying the study of all organisms.Prerequisite: BI102. Offered Fall.

This field study course runs in May as part of spring semester. It will explore New England coastal ecology, with special focus on outer Cape Cod. Course topics include coastal geomorphology; barrier island dynamics and estuarine ecology; plant succession on active dune systems; threatened and endangered coastal and marine species; human impacts to coastal ecosystems; and natural resource management issues in New England coastal systems. Prerequisite: BI101 or ES103 or GL115.

This course introduces the fundamental characteristics of the rainforest and adjacent ecosystems. Students will learn, through direct observation, lectures, seminars, field exercises and interpretation, about the physical and biological forces that shape the tropical forest and its plant and animal inhabitants. The course begins with a series of seminars in the fall semester on campus, followed by an extended field trip to Costa Rica during the winter break. Prerequisites: BI102 or ES104. Preference will be given to juniors and seniors majoring in Biology or Environmental Science. In addition, attendance at an information session prior to course registration is required for enrollment. Fall-January, alternate years

The interactions of individual organisms, populations, and communities with their environments. Lectures and laboratories emphasize principles and techniques of ecological investigations. Most lab sessions take place outdoors in the field, regardless of weather. Prerequisite: BI102, or ES104. Offered Fall.

This course examines the patterns of evolution seen in the fossil record and in current biodiversity on the planet, as well as the underlying processes that drive evolutionary change. Themes for the course include the importance of evolution to the study of biology at all levels, from the sub-cellular to the global ecosystem, and how knowledge of evolutionary processes is critical to understanding the future of life on Earth. Prerequisite: BI102 or ES104. Offered Spring.

The evolutionary history of the plant kingdom. Cytology, anatomy, physiology, and reproduction of land plants. Prerequisite: BI102 or ES104. Spring, alternate years

This course introduces the organization of the human body in the context of the unifying concepts of feedback regulation and homeostasis. The course assumes a general knowledge of cell structure and function and begins with a study of tissues and a general introduction to organs and systems. It then provides detailed study of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. This course has both a lecture and laboratory component. This course and BI 261, Anatomy and Physiology II provide students with a general introduction to the biology of the human body. It is required that the two courses be taken in sequence with BI260 coming first. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Natural Sciences, Inquiry & Analysis, and Critical Thinking. This course is cross-listed as AN 260. Prerequisite: BI102 or permission of the instructor. Fall

This course introduces the organization of the human body in the context of the unifying concepts of feedback regulation and homeostasis. The course assumes a general knowledge of cell structure and function and begins with a study of tissues and a general introduction to organs and systems. It then provides detailed study of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. This course has both a lecture and laboratory component. This course and BI 261, Anatomy and Physiology II provide students with a general introduction to the biology of the human body. It is required that the two courses be taken in sequence with BI260 coming first. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Natural Sciences, Inquiry & Analysis, and Critical Thinking. This course is cross-listed as AN 260. Prerequisite: BI102 or permission of the instructor. Fall

This course continues the study of the human body begun in BI 260, Anatomy and Physiology I. The course examines the relationships between endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, reproductive and urinary body systems along with the regulatory mechanisms that integrate them. The course also includes considerations of nutrient absorption and delivery, metabolism and excretory function. This course has both a lecture and laboratory component. This course and BI 260 Anatomy and Physiology I provide students with a general introduction to the biology of the human body. Prerequisite: BI 260 or course instructor’s approval. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Natural Sciences, Inquiry & Analysis, and Problem Solving. Offered in the Spring.

This course introduces students to the many ways our food is produced and the structures and principles of sustainable, resilient, and healthy food and water systems. The intent of the course is to help students explore historical and emerging agricultural systems and approaches including industrial, regenerative, and organic farming to gain a better understanding of the public health, environmental, social, and economic costs and benefits of current regional, national and global food systems. Prerequisite: BI235 or permission of instructor. Spring semester.

The vertebrates, with consideration of classification, adaptive radiation, functional morphology, and natural history of each class. Laboratory work stresses identification and field studies of local vertebrate fauna. Prerequisite: BI102 or ES104 Spring, alternate years

The use of computational resources to examine datasets of DNA, RNA and protein. The study of personalized medicine will focus on the application of genomic data to treatment of genetic diseases and cancer. Prerequisite: BI102, BI211 or permission of instructor. Spring, alternate years.

Cell chemistry, structure/function, molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic cellular processes. Eukaryotic cells are considered with the objective of developing a conceptual model of the cell adequate to explain its operation. Techniques utilized by cell biologists, with a focus on Bioinformatics, will be featured in the laboratory. Prerequisite: BI211

Overview of the microbial world including the fundamental concepts of microbial genetics, pathogenesis, physiology and diversity. Laboratory emphasizes sterile technique, microscopy and characterization of microorganisms through molecular, metabolic and physical characteristics. Prerequisites: BI102, CH102.

This course will emphasize the specific organisms known as a human parasite, diseases caused, vectors involved, treatment, and any epidemiology. When dealing with insecta there will be emphasis of both those taxa which are parasitic and those which are known vectors of other organisms. Prerequisite: BI102

The role of the vertebrate immune system is to protect the body from infection. In this course we will examine the principles of immunology that underlie an organism’s ability to orchestrate the sophisticated development of an immune response. Topics covered will include: development of the immune system, general properties of immune responses; cells and tissues of the immune system; immunity to microbes; immunodeficiency and AIDS; autoimmune diseases; transplantation. Prerequisites: C or better in BI101/102; BI211; CH101/102 recommended

Nutritional insights and recommendations for: pregnancy; the use of probiotics and nutritional supplements; vegetarianism, veganism, and macrobiotic diets; eating disorders; patients with food allergies; patients with cancer; preventing adult and childhood obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes; preventing heart disease and hypertension; elder care; and providing guidelines for peak physical activity and professional training diets. Prerequisite: BI102 and BI235. Offered Fall.

Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for the synthesis and secretion of hormones that enable the maintenance of homeostasis. This course will address the normal anatomy and physiology of the organs of the endocrine system. Further, understanding of endocrine pathophysiology will be pursued through appropriate background information and the current original literature. An inquiry-based approach will engage in for discussions of each unit. Prerequisite: BI102.

This course provides students with an overview of pharmacology with an emphasis on mechanisms and clinical applications, using a body systems approach. Explores indications, modes of action, effects, contraindications and interactions for selected drugs. Prerequisites: BI101, BI102, CH211 or permission of instructor

The investigation of mammal biology, including the evolution, radiation, reproductive biology, behavior and natural history of mammals. Laboratory work stresses the identification of New Hampshire mammals, field studies, and proper museum preparation of mammal study specimens. Prerequisite: BI102 or ES104 Fall, alternate years

Application of knowledge of human physical structure and function in the analysis and appreciate of human movement; theory and practice of human movement analytic techniques. Prerequsiite: BI260. Offered: Fall and Spring.

A survey of human physiology parameters as related to physical exercise and work and the development of physiological fitness factors. Physiological foundations will be considered. Prerequisite: BI260, BI261 Corequisite: BI402L Fall and Spring

This is a lecture and laboratory course designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of laboratory and field assessment techniques used in exercise physiology, fitness/wellness facilities, and--to a minor extent—clinical situations. This course will emphasize fitness assessment and exercise program design principles for cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, body composition, balance and flexibility. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: BI400 with a grade of C or higher. Offered Fall and Spring.

This course includes a review of resistance training based upon the scientific literature and is intended to promote the use of a structured scientific approach in the prescription of progressive resistance training and metabolic conditioning. Prequisites: BI400 with a grade of C or higher. Offered Fall and Spring.

This is a lecture, 3 credit course that will provide students with a detailed understanding and clinically relevant ability to comprehend the pathophysiology on a range of conditions, including CVD, pulmonary, metabolic, older adults, pregnancy, and assess the health risk impact on various people. This course is case-based with emphases on the major related health factors of the apparently healthy person, as well as individuals with various health conditions. This course can be viewed as the capstone for the Certificate in Exercise Physiology. Prerequisites: BI260, BI261, BI370, BI400, BI402, BI403, BI404. Offered Spring.

Examines the basic ecological processes that influence forest type and forest structure. Topics covered range from broad scale landscape patterns of natural and human disturbance to the specific habitat requirements of individual plant species. The laboratory section consists of weekly field trips to forests both on and off the campus, and will emphasize quantitative techniques for the collection and interpretation of field data, as well as basic natural history. Prerequisite: BI218 or permission of instructor.