BIOL101 Biology Explorations
Biology Explorations is the “jumping on” point for all students to begin their college-level biology learning through small-class and small-group exploration of a focused biology topic. The course will use a “framework of five” core biology concepts (evolution; structure/function; information flow; energy; systems) to guide study of this biology topic. Each small class will periodically combine with other BIOL-101 classes for “conference” days where students will be exposed to large-group presentations/ discussion. The course culminates in a “conference” day poster session where students will be challenged to teach about a topic that they explored during the quarter via a poster presentation.
BIOL232 Plant and Fungal Biology with Lab
This course will explore two eukaryotic kingdoms: plants and fungi! These awesome creatures are very different from animals: they are usually stuck in one place; they do not process information with a brain; they are modular; they have some very interesting reproductive strategies and genetics; they have evolved to eat the sun (plants) and degrade other organisms (fungi). We will learn about the plant and fungal kingdoms generally, including their major phyla, while covering broad aspects of structure, development, growth, reproduction, and symbioses of these organisms. This course is for any student who is interested in learning more about plants and fungi at different levels of organization: from molecular to ecosystem.
BIOL322 General and Medical Microbiology with Lab
This course includes a general introduction to microbiology including the structure and function, metabolism, and genetics of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and eukaryotic microbes. This basic introduction is expanded by topics including the roles of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycling, food microbiology, the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, and the benign and beneficial role that microorganisms play in the human body. Labs will focus on using standard microbiological techniques (e.g. sterile technique, dilution and culture-dependent assays, microscopy, molecular and computational biology) as tools for inquiry-based explorations of the microbial world.
BIOL303 Writing and Quantitative Literacy for Biology (LAB)
(co-taught with other department members)
A comprehensive overview of current symbiosis research literature, focusing on animal-
Biologists generate data about the natural world. The specific details can obscure the fact that data and communication of data in biology have certain shared qualities. Details can also distract us from important data-related topics, such as generative AI, weaponization of data, and research ethics. In this class, you will think more broadly about the communication (writing) of biological data (quantitative information). Through weekly activities, small group discussions, readings, and response/assignments, you will gain practice with data literacy and scientific communication. You will additionally plan your summer, and your senior year of college, to prepare your Senior Individualized Project (SIP) and post-K plans.