Courses in Environmental Science
To see a description of a course click on the course name or online syllabus.
Biology
Biology 111/101. Concepts in Biology/Introduction to Biology
Biology 107. The Biology of Exercise
Biology 201. Environmental Science
Biology 211. Genetics
Biology 215. Ecology
Biology 218. Tropical Ecology
Biology 221. Microbiology and Immunology
Biology/Psychology 226. Comparative Animal Behavior
Biology 231. Marine Biology
Biology 252. Parasitology and Symbiosis
Biology 262. Plant Biology
Biology 303. Evolution
Biology 331. Advanced Marine Biology. Online syllabus.
Biology 363. Plant Ecology
Biology/Chemistry 305. Biochemistry
Biology 399 Selected Topics. Department.
Biology 499 Independent Research. Department.
Biology 500 Individual Research (Senior Honors Thesis). Department.
Marine Ecology offered through Williams College - Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program.
Oceanography offered through Williams College - Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program.
Aquatic Ecosystems offered through Marine Biological Laboratory Semester in Environmental Science.
Terrestrial Ecosystems Ecosystems offered through Marine Biological Laboratory Semester in Environmental Science.
Mathematical Modeling of Ecosystems Ecosystems offered through Marine Biological Laboratory Semester in Environmental Science.
Microbial Methods in Ecology Ecosystems offered through Marine Biological Laboratory Semester in Environmental Science.
Chemistry
Chemistry 153 or 173. Chemical Principles
Chemistry 154 or 174. Inorganic Reactions
Chemistry 202. Organic Chemistry
Chemistry 203. Experimental Organic Chemistry
Chemistry 301. Analytical Chemistry
Chemistry/Biology 305. Biochemistry
Mathematics
Mathematics 104. Calculus II
Psychology
Psychology 226. Comparative Animal Behavior
Environmental Science Course Descriptions
Biology 101. An Introduction to Biology
Living systems from the molecular through ecosystem level of organization. Lectures emphasize interactions between levels and between structure, function, development, and heredity. The laboratory complements the lectures by providing practical experience in selected areas of the discipline. This course is designed for students with little or no previous knowledge of biology who do not intend to major in the natural sciences. Enrollment preference will be given to seniors and Continuing Education students followed by juniors, sophomores, and freshmen in that order. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Spring. (Laboratory Science) (Fahey, Department)
Biology 107. The Biology of Exercise
Responses and adaptations of the human body to exercise with emphasis on metabolism, skeletal muscles and the cardiovascular-respiratory system. Topics include aerobic performance, anaerobic capacity and the relationships between exercise and nutrition, weight control, strength and endurance training, sex and age differences, health states, drugs and performance aids. Intended for non-science majors. (Natural Science) (Tong)
Biology 111. Concepts in Biology
Introductory study of life for students interested in majoring in the sciences. Ecological, physiological, cellular and biochemical topics are covered, emphasizing systems and their interactions. Enrollment preference will be given to freshmen and sophomores planning to major in Biology or planning a pre-medical concentration. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Fall (Laboratory Science) (Department)
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Biology 201. Environmental Science
An overview of current environmental concerns and the scientific theory needed to address them. Population growth, community ecology, biodiversity, endangered species management, ground water quality, and introduced species. This class is designed for students pursuing the environmental science major, biology major (related course), or environmental studies minor, but is open to all students interested in the environment or wishing to fulfill the Natural Science requirement. This class is not intended to be a substitute for a course in ecology and students planning to pursue careers in ecology or environmental studies are advised to take Bio 215 or Bio 218 in addition to this class. Cannot be used as a 200-level course for the biology major, but may count as a related course. Spring 2001. Prerequisites: Biology 101 or 111. (Natural Science) (Shumway)
Biology 205. Nutrition
Fundamentals of nutrition and its application to daily life. The course deals with nutrients, changing nutrient needs during the life cycle, social and behavioral influences on eating, and health issues such as weight control and eating disorders. Part of the course presents an overview of some critical issues in nutrition such as the world food supply, the link between nutrition and cancer, the safety of chemical additives, the influence of advertising on food costs, and preferred foods. Three house lecture per week. Cannot be used as a 200-level course for the Biology major, but may count as a related course. Spring 2000. Prerequisite: Biology 101, 111 or equivalent. (Natural Science) (Brennessel)
Biology 211. Genetics
The nature of genes, gene function and gene regulation. The transmission of inherited characteristics and the behavior of genes in populations. Laboratory includes the collection and analysis of data from Drosophila crosses. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Spring. Prerequisite: Biology 101, 111, or equivalent. (Laboratory Science) (Dyer)
Biology 215. Ecology
A survey of the basic principles of ecology. Emphasis is placed on terrestrial ecosystems of New England, as well as a survey of all biomes of North America. Laboratory emphasizes field work. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Fall. Prerequisite: Biology 101, 111, or equivalent. (Laboratory Science) (Kricher)
Biology 218. Tropical Ecology
A survey of ecosystems of Central and South America. Emphasis is placed on the tropical rainforest but other ecosystems, including savanna, cloud forest, mangrove and coral reef, and high altitude Andean ecosystems are also included. Three hours lecture per week. Fall 2001. Prerequisite: Biology 101, 111, or equivalent. (Natural Science) (Kricher)
Biology 221. Microbiology and Immunology
The biology of microorganisms concentrating on bacteria and viruses, and including a section dealing with the fundamental concepts of immunology. The laboratory focuses on the techniques used to culture and identify microorganisms. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Spring. Prerequisite: Biology 101, 111, or equivalent. (Laboratory Science) (Brennessel)
Biology / Psychology 226. Comparative Animal Behavior
An introduction to the use of evolutionary theory as an organizing framework of understanding human and non-human animal behavior, through a comparison of representative behavior patterns in a variety of animal species. The focus in these comparisons will include analysis of both the mechanisms and functions of behaviors. There is a three-hour optional lab. If demand requires it, lab assignments will be determined using a lottery system. Spring. Prerequisite: Biology 111 or 101 and an introductory psychology course. (Natural Science/Laboratory Science) (Morgan)
Biology 231. Marine Biology
An introduction to the biology of marine organisms from an ecological perspective. Species interactions, distribution patterns, and adaptations to the marine environment for the rocky intertidal, soft bottom, subtidal, deep sea, salt marsh, and mangrove habitats. Laboratories and field trips will provide a survey of marine algae and invertebrates. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Spring 2000. Prerequisites: Biology 101, 111, or equivalent (Laboratory Science) (Shumway)
Biology 252. Parasitology and Symbiosis
Parasitology as a world health problem with discussions on economic, political and medical aspects of parasite control. Descriptive parasitology and symbiosis. Genetic and physiological interactions between associated organisms. Three hours lecture. Fall 1999. Prerequisite: Biology 101, 111, or equivalent. (Natural Science) (Dyer)
Biology 262. Plant Biology
An introduction to the biology of plants with a survey of the major taxa of algae and green plants including mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, and flowering plants. Plant morphology and physiology will be addressed within an ecological and evolutionary framework. Laboratories will include examination of live specimens from all major plant taxa, student devised experiments, and field trips. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Fall. Prerequisite: Biology 101, 111, or equivalent. (Laboratory Science) (Shumway)
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Biology 303. Evolution
A detailed examination of the process of biological evolution. Includes in-depth discussion of Darwin's Origin of Species, as well as a critical examination of the process of natural selection. Readings and class discussions focus on contemporary topics about the evolutionary process. Spring. Three hours lecture. Prerequisite: Biology 101, 111, or equivalent. (Writing Intensive). (Kricher)
Biology/Chemistry 305. Biochemistry
The chemistry and metabolism of biological molecules. The laboratory will introduce the student to concepts and techniques of isolation and characterization of biomolecules, enzyme kinetics and genetic engineering. Three hours lecture, four hours laboratory per week. Fall. Prerequisites: Biology 101, 111 or equivalent, and Chemistry 202. (Writing Intensive) (Brennessel)
Biology 331. Advanced Marine Biology
A detailed analysis of marine environments and of the adaptations of animals to marine habitats. Topics include physical oceanography, life in flowing fluids, and adaptations to the open ocean. Lecture, laboratory, and mandatory fieldtrips are tightly integrated and culminate in completion of an individually chosen, collaborative research project. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Spring 2001. Prerequisite: Biology 231 or permission of the instructor. (R. Morris)
Biology 363. Plant Ecology
An in-depth coverage of plant community ecology, population biology, and physiological ecology. Pollination biology, plant-animal interactions, plant competition, stress physiology, seed ecology, clonal growth, and introduced species will be examined in detail. Class will be run in seminar format consisting of student-led discussion of the original literature. Students will learn how to critique scientific papers, write short review papers, and design a research project. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Spring 2001. Prerequisites: Biology 215 or 218 or equivalent and Biology 262, or by permission of the instructor. (Shumway)
Biology 399. Selected Topics
Discussion and research on special aspects of Biology such as animal or plant physiology, animal or plant development, ecology, microbiology and genetics; content varies with the interest of students and instructors. Offered at the discretion of the department. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and previous course work in the field. (Department)
Biology 499. Independent Research
One semester independent research supervised by a member of the Biology Department. Approval of the department is required.
Biology 500. Individual Research (two or more semesters) (two semesters are required for departmental honors) Two to four semester courses. Members of the department supervise the individual research of a limited number of advanced students with a B+ average in the major and a B average overall. Preliminary consultation with advisors in the area of the student's special interest, and the approval of the department are required. Only students who are candidates for departmental honors may register for this course.
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Chemistry 153. Chemical Principles
Basic concepts: atomic structure, periodic relationships, thermochemistry, gas laws, chemical bonding, properties of liquids and solutions, equilibrium, reaction rates. Designed for science majors. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisite: chemistry in secondary school or Chemistry 103. (Laboratory Science) (Muller, Department)
Chemistry 154. Inorganic Reactions
Precipitation reactions, acids-bases, coordination chemistry, oxidation-reduction, electrochemistry, qualitative analysis, and nuclear chemistry. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 153 or 173, or by permission. Chemistry 103, Chemistry 153 or 173, and 154 or 174 are required for students who plan to apply to medical, dental, or veterinary school. (Laboratory Science) (Muller, Department)
Chemistry 202. Organic Chemistry
Chemistry of carbon compounds including stereochemistry, theory of organic reaction mechanisms, methods of synthesis, spectroscopy. Three hours lecture throughout the year for two course credits. Prerequisite: Chemistry 153 or 173 or by permission. Chemistry 203 is a co-requisite for chemistry or biochemistry majors and students who plan to apply to medical , dental, or veterinary school. (Natural Science) (Pastra-Landis)
Chemistry 203. Experimental Organic Chemistry
Basic organic techniques, isolation, preparation and identification of organic and biological compounds, mass spectroscopy, chromatography, infrared, ultraviolet, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Five hours laboratory and lecture per week throughout the year for one course credit. Chemistry 202 is a co-requisite or prerequisite. (Pastra-Landis, Cammett)
Chemistry 301. Analytical Chemistry
Chemical equilibrium and its application to the analysis of inorganic substances, including neutralization, redox, complexometric titrations and optical methods. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 154 or 174. (Ellison, Kukla)
Chemistry 500. Individual Research
Research under the direction of individual department members for two semester course credits. A thesis is required of each student. Open to junior and senior majors by permission. (Department)
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Mathematics 104. Calculus II
Taking the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus as a starting point, Calculus II explores the solution of definite integrals by both analytic and computational methods. These ideas provide a gateway to the careful study of infinite series, which in turn resolves Zeno's paradox. The deep structure of an infinitely-differentiable function and the beauty of snowflake fractals are also understood through infinite series. The course culminates by introducing functions which model phenomena that depend on several variables, such as temperature, which varies across the surface of the earth. Four hours per week, including computer labs. Prerequisite: Mathematics 101. (Mathematics/Logic) (Department)
Content by Bob Morris (bmorris@wheatonma.edu )
& Scott Shumway (sshumway@wheatonma.edu)
Designed by Academic Computing
Last update: 12/2001
