BIOLOGY

2009-2010

Professors: David Bodznick; Barry Chernoff, Earth and Environmental Sciences; Frederick Cohan; J. James Donady; Laura B. Grabel; John Kirn; Janice Naegele, Sonia Sultan; Chair;  Michael Weir

Associate Professors: Ann Burke, Stephen Devoto

Assistant Professors: Gloster B. Aaron Jr., Michael S. Singer

Adjunct Associate Professor: Laurel Appel, McNair Program Director

Undergraduate Program

Departmental Advising Experts 2009-2010:  All departmental faculty

Department/Program Home Page

These are thrilling times to be a biologist.  Advances in molecular biology, computer science, and bioinformatics have changed our conception of what is possible for us to find out in all fields of biology, from evolutionary ecology to development, cell biology, and neuroscience, as well as the applied biomedical sciences.  For example, the recent publication of the human genome created an unprecedented optimism about how deeply we can know our history, and ourselves, and how well we can control our own destiny. Concerns ranging from healthcare to climate change are motivating students to learn about areas that lie at the intersections between biology and other fields of study. Increasingly, the challenges we confront are those of a global society where the world's people are brought closer due to rapidly spreading epidemics and worldwide environmental issues. For these reasons, many biology majors take courses in genetics and molecular biology to learn about gene structure and how to manipulate genes for treating genetic diseases. Additional courses in ecology, immunology, neuroscience, environmental studies, and science and society address issues including the ethics of embryonic stem cell research, reproductive technologies, the AIDS epidemic, and global warming. As humans live longer and remain physically active throughout their lives, citizens with strong training in the biological sciences are needed to meet an increasing demand for qualified researchers and physicians for treating Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. We are in the midst of an electrifying revolution in the field of biology, and we welcome students of all backgrounds and interests to join us.

Major program.  The program consists of the introductory courses BIOL181-182 (or 195/182 or 181-196) and their labs, BIOL191-192, as well as a minimum of six upper-level biology courses in the 200, 300 and 500 series (500 level being graduate courses). It should be noted that most medical and other health-related graduate schools require two years of college-level chemistry. A strong chemistry background is especially recommended for students planning to enter graduate or medical school.

It is advisable to begin the major in the freshman year to take maximum advantage of the upper-level courses and research opportunities of the Biology Department in later years. A prospective biology major begins with a series of two core introductory courses. Students should begin the core series with BIOL181 (or 195) and its associated laboratory course (BIOL191), which are offered in the fall semester. Also offered are two additional sections of BIOL181 (02,03). These small-enrollment sections are a good choice for students preferring greater emphasis on continuous assessment and problem-based learning. Given the small enrollment, Section 02 is also a good choice for students with less extensive previous backgrounds in biology. The informational role of DNA and proteins in molecular cellular biology will be a central theme throughout the course. Section 03 will address similar topics to Section 02. Students should enroll separately in for the lab course, MB&B/BIOL191. These courses do not have prerequisites or co-requisites, but it is useful to have had some chemistry background or to take chemistry concurrently. In the second semester, the prospective major should take BIOL182 (or 196, the Honors section) and its laboratory course, BIOL192. To complete a biology major, students must take six upper-level credits in the 200, 300, and 500 series, including one course from BIOL208, 210, 212, or 218, and one course from BIOL213, 214, or 216. Required courses outside the Biology Department include 5 semesters from at least 2 different departments: 2 semesters of general chemistry (CHEM141 or 142 or 143 or 144); physics (PHYS111 or 112 or 113 or 116), organic chemistry (CHEM251 or 252), Math (MATH117 or higher), statistics (MATH132 or BIOL320/520 or PSYC201) or computer science (COMP211 or higher). Courses in the BIOL400 series (such as research tutorials) contribute toward graduation but do not count toward the major.

One course of each column (1 and 2) below is required, plus four additional courses from any of the four subcategories.

Please note: Students planning to go on to medical, dental, a Ph.D program, or other health professions schools should note that a year each of introductory biology, physics, and math (such as calculus or statistics) and two years of chemistry (general and organic) are required for admission, including any laboratory components.

Electives may usually be chosen from among the following courses at the 200, 300 or 500 level.

Below are planned offerings for 2009/2010. Courses that we do not expect to offer in the next two years are marked with an asterisk(*). See WesMaps for updates. The courses are grouped thematically for your convenience only.

CELL and DEVELOPMENT BIOLOGY

• BIOL212 Principles and Mechanisms of Cell Biology
• BIOL218 Developmental Biology
• BIOL245 Cellular Neurophysiology
• BIOL315/515* Genes in Development
• BIOL325 Stem Cells: Basic Biology to Clinical Applications
• BIOL340/540 Issues in Development and Evolution
• BIOL343/543 Muscle and Nerve Development
• BIOL/NS&B345 Developmental Neurobiology
• MB&B232 Immunology

EVOLUTION, ECOLOGY, and CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

• BIOL214 Evolution
• BIOL216* Ecology
• BIOL220 Conservation Biology
• BIOL235 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
• BIOL254* Comparative Animal Behavior
• BIOL286* Evolution in Human-Altered Environments
• BIOL290 Plant Form and Diversity
• BIOL306* Tropical Ecology and the Environment
• BIOL316/516 Plant-Animal Interactions
• BIOL318/518* Nature and Nurture: The Interplay of Genes and Environment
• BIOL327/527 Evolutionary and Ecological Bioinformatics
• BIOL337/537 The Origins of Bacterial Diversity
• BIOL340/540 Issues in Development and Evolution

GENETICS, GENOMICS, and BIOINFORMATICS

• BIOL210 Genomics: Modern Genetics, Bioinformatics, and the Human Genome Project
• BIOL315/515* Genes in Development
• BIOL327/527 Evolutionary and Ecological Bioinformatics
• BIOL337/537 The Origins of Bacterial Diversity
• BIOL350/550 Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
• MB&B231 Microbiology
• MB&B294 Advanced Laboratory in Molecular Biology and Genetics
• MB&B333/533 Gene Regulation

• BIOL/NS&B213 Behavioral Neurobiology+
• BIOL224 Hormones, Brain, and Behavior
• BIOL235 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
• BIOL245 Cellular Neurophysiology
• BIOL247 Laboratory in Neurophysiology
• BIOL249* Neural Systems and Behavior
• BIOL/NS&B250 Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Neurobiology
• BIOL254* Comparative Animal Behavior
• BIOL/NS&B345 Developmental Neurobiology
• BIOL/NS&B351 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
• BIOL290 Plant Form and Diversity
• BIOL324/524 Neuropharmacology
• BIOL347 Mammalian Cortical Circuits

Courses in the 400 series contribute toward graduation but do not count toward the major.

Depending on the student's specific program, and with prior permission from the chair, up to two biology courses from outside the department may be counted toward the major. Some Wesleyan courses that fall into this category are MB&B344 (Gene Expression: The Translation Step), and ANTH349 (The Human Skeleton). These allowable outside credits might alternatively be filled by an appropriate biology course from another institution. Prior permission must be obtained from the departmental liaison (2009-2010 - Jim Donady) to ensure appropriateness and creditability of specific courses from other institutions.

Courses from other departments that are listed under the four categories may be directly credited to the biology major without counting toward the two-course limit for courses taken outside the department. This also applies to approved courses such as MB&B208 (Molecular Biology) and MB&B383 (Biochemistry) that do not fall into any of our four categories.

Several faculty members in the Biology and Psychology departments also participate in the Neuroscience and Behavior Program, which at the undergraduate level constitutes a separate major. Information about that program can be found at http://www.wesleyan.edu/nsb.

The biology major can be complemented with one of two certificate programs:

• Environmental Studies Certificate Program, an interdisciplinary program that covers the areas of natural science, public policy, and economics. See: http://www.wesleyan.edu/escp
• Informatics and Modeling Certificate Program, the integrative genomic science pathway within this certificate will be of particular interest for life science majors. See http://igs.wesleyan.edu.

The BA/MA program provides an attractive option for life science majors to enrich their course and research background. Students are advised to begin research by their junior year if they intend to pursue the BA/MA. Admission is competitive and based on GPA, faculty recommendations, and research experience.

The graduate program is an integral part of the Biology Department's offerings. Not only are graduate students active participants in the undergraduate courses, but also, upper-level undergraduates are encouraged to take graduate-level courses and seminars. Research opportunities are also available for undergraduates, and, frequently, these involve close interaction with graduate students. Graduate-level courses are numbered 500 and above.

The seminar series features distinguished scientists from other institutions who present lectures on their current research work. These seminars are usually held on Thursdays at noon in 107 Shanklin or 121 Science Center and are open to all members of the university community. One objective of these seminars is to relate material studied in courses, tutorials, and research to current scientific concerns.

Honors in Biology. To be considered for departmental honors, a student must

• Be a biology major and be recommended to the department by a faculty member. It is expected that the student will have at least a B average (grade point average 85) in courses credited to the major.
• Submit a thesis based on laboratory research, computational research, or mathematical modeling. The thesis is carried out under the supervision of a faculty member of the department.

Graduate Program

The Biology Department offers graduate work leading primarily to the degree of doctor of philosophy. A master of arts degree may be awarded under certain conditions. Although the primary emphasis is on an intensive research experience culminating in a thesis, the student will also be expected to acquire, through an individual program of courses, seminars, and readings, a broad knowledge of related biological fields. The low student-faculty ratio in the department ensures close contact between faculty and students. Research seminars are offered by students, faculty, and invited outside speakers; additional courses and lectures of interest offered by other departments are also available to biology students. All graduate students have the opportunity for some undergraduate teaching in favorable circumstances and with faculty supervision. Teaching assistants are involved primarily in preparing materials for, and assisting in, laboratory courses, tutoring, and evaluating student work. In the later years of the PhD program, a limited amount of classroom teaching may be offered to those qualified. Students are encouraged to spend a summer at the Marine Biological Lab in Woods Hole, Cold Spring Harbor labs, or another institution offering specialized graduate courses. Funds are available to support this work.

Requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy. The PhD is a research degree, demanding rigorous scholarly training and creativity; the result is an original contribution to the candidate's field. A program of study for the first two years will be worked out by the student and a faculty committee at the time of matriculation. This program will take into account the student's proposed field of interest and prior background in biology and related sciences. No specific courses are required but rather, a subject-matter requirement is used. Before taking the qualifying examination, all students must have at least one course above the introductory level (at Wesleyan or elsewhere) emphasizing a modern approach to each of the following areas: genetics; evolution, population biology; physiology, neurobiology, behavior; cell biology, developmental biology; biochemistry; molecular biology. The adequacy of the courses that have been taken at other institutions will be evaluated by the faculty committee through its meeting with the student. Students with focus in bioinformatics may substitute upper-level courses (200, 300, or 500) in two areas of computer science. All graduate students must take a minimum of two advanced-level (300 or 500) courses within the Biology Department. At least one of these should be taken during the student's first year. Departmental and interdepartmental seminars will be included in the program, and additional individual reading in particular areas may also be required. First-year students are exposed to research in the department through two one-semester lab rotations or research practica. Toward the end of each semester of the first year, each student will meet with an evaluation committee of the faculty to review progress and to discuss any modification of the proposed schedule.

A qualifying examination will be taken before the end of the second year. The examination is designed to test the student's knowledge of biology and ability to think critically. It includes a written research proposal, followed by an oral examination to discuss the proposal and evaluate the student's breadth in biology. The examination will be administered by four faculty members of the department (or associated departments), chosen by the student and his or her research advisor. The examining committee will include the research advisor and one member who does research in a field clearly outside the student's area of special interest.

All students should be familiar with the use and capabilities of the University's computer facilities. Knowledge of a computer programming language or a foreign language will be recommended to those students for whom it is likely to be of benefit.

The most important requirement is a PhD thesis, an original contribution to biology, that merits publication. The candidate will receive advice and guidance from the thesis director but must demonstrate both scientific competence and originality. Normally, the candidate will choose a thesis topic, after consultation with appropriate faculty, during the second year of graduate work.

A thesis committee of three members, chosen by the student and thesis advisor, will meet with the student and advisor at least twice a year to review progress. This committee determines when sufficient experimental work has been completed and must approve the final written document.

A minimum of three semesters as a teaching assistant is required.

Last updated: March 31, 2008.

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