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Course Listing for BIOLOGY - Fall 2026 (ALL: 09/08/2026 - 12/23/2026)
Class
No.		 Course ID Title Credits Type Instructor(s) Days:Times Location Permission
Required		 Dist Qtr
3410 BIOL-103-01 Sex: The Riddle of Nature 1.00 LEC Maley, Abigail MWF: 11:00AM-11:50AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  NOTE: 8 seats reserved for first year students.
  This course will explore the “mystery” of sex in the natural world: What is it? Why does it exist? How do organisms use a diversity of tactics to accomplish this same goal? Other topics will include defining the sexes in the context of biology, sexual selection and the evolution of “unexpected” traits, conflict and cooperation in sexual behavior, and the impact of sexual reproduction on the evolution of species. Students will learn how to apply basic evolutionary concepts to investigate these and other questions surrounding the phenomenon of sexual reproduction in the natural world. No previous biology experience required. Not creditable to the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.
1492 BIOL-182-01 Evolution of Life 1.25 LEC Dunlap, Kent
Toscano, Benjamin
Patel, Nikisha
Keeffe, Rachel		 MWF: 10:00AM-10:50AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 84 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  NOTE: Students with questions about this course or enrollment should contact Professor Dunlap.
  This course will provide an introduction to life on Earth from an evolutionary perspective. Through lecture and discussion, we will examine evolutionary principles, inheritance, biodiversity, physiological adaptations, and ecology. The laboratory will provide the opportunity to explore biological concepts through observation, experimental design, and analysis.
1493 BIOL-182-02 Evolution of Life 1.25 LEC Dunlap, Kent
Toscano, Benjamin
Patel, Nikisha
Keeffe, Rachel		 MWF: 11:00AM-11:50AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 84 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  NOTE: Students with questions about this course or enrollment should contact Professor Dunlap.
  This course will provide an introduction to life on Earth from an evolutionary perspective. Through lecture and discussion, we will examine evolutionary principles, inheritance, biodiversity, physiological adaptations, and ecology. The laboratory will provide the opportunity to explore biological concepts through observation, experimental design, and analysis.
1494 BIOL-182-20 Evolution of Life 1.25 LAB Fournier, Claire T: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This course will provide an introduction to life on Earth from an evolutionary perspective. Through lecture and discussion, we will examine evolutionary principles, inheritance, biodiversity, physiological adaptations, and ecology. The laboratory will provide the opportunity to explore biological concepts through observation, experimental design, and analysis.
1495 BIOL-182-21 Evolution of Life 1.25 LAB Fournier, Claire T: 9:25AM-12:05PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This course will provide an introduction to life on Earth from an evolutionary perspective. Through lecture and discussion, we will examine evolutionary principles, inheritance, biodiversity, physiological adaptations, and ecology. The laboratory will provide the opportunity to explore biological concepts through observation, experimental design, and analysis.
1496 BIOL-182-22 Evolution of Life 1.25 LAB Maley, Abigail R: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This course will provide an introduction to life on Earth from an evolutionary perspective. Through lecture and discussion, we will examine evolutionary principles, inheritance, biodiversity, physiological adaptations, and ecology. The laboratory will provide the opportunity to explore biological concepts through observation, experimental design, and analysis.
1597 BIOL-182-23 Evolution of Life 1.25 LAB Maley, Abigail W: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This course will provide an introduction to life on Earth from an evolutionary perspective. Through lecture and discussion, we will examine evolutionary principles, inheritance, biodiversity, physiological adaptations, and ecology. The laboratory will provide the opportunity to explore biological concepts through observation, experimental design, and analysis.
1601 BIOL-182-24 Evolution of Life 1.25 LAB Fournier, Claire R: 9:25AM-12:05PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This course will provide an introduction to life on Earth from an evolutionary perspective. Through lecture and discussion, we will examine evolutionary principles, inheritance, biodiversity, physiological adaptations, and ecology. The laboratory will provide the opportunity to explore biological concepts through observation, experimental design, and analysis.
2706 BIOL-182-25 Evolution of Life 1.25 LAB Fournier, Claire M: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This course will provide an introduction to life on Earth from an evolutionary perspective. Through lecture and discussion, we will examine evolutionary principles, inheritance, biodiversity, physiological adaptations, and ecology. The laboratory will provide the opportunity to explore biological concepts through observation, experimental design, and analysis.
3169 BIOL-205-01 Evolution 1.25 LEC Patel, Nikisha TR: 10:50AM-12:05PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L or permission of instructor.
  This course covers fundamentals of evolutionary biology in theory and practice. Course content will focus on the evolution of animals and plants. Students will be introduced to biological processes including speciation, natural selection, hybridization, and gene flow. These concepts will be reinforced through hands on examination of plants and animal specimens in lab as well as data collection and analysis.
3170 BIOL-205-21 Evolution 1.25 LAB Patel, Nikisha T: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L or permission of instructor.
  This course covers fundamentals of evolutionary biology in theory and practice. Course content will focus on the evolution of animals and plants. Students will be introduced to biological processes including speciation, natural selection, hybridization, and gene flow. These concepts will be reinforced through hands on examination of plants and animal specimens in lab as well as data collection and analysis.
3171 BIOL-226-01 Molecular Biology 1.25 LEC Bennett, Heather TR: 10:50AM-12:05PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 16 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L, Biology 183L, and Chemistry 111L or Permission of Instructor.
  NOTE: 3 seats reserved for NESC majors.
  Gene therapy, genetically-engineered crop plants, and transgenic mice are all possible because of the powerful techniques developed to manipulate nucleic acids and proteins. This course will introduce you to the fundamental methods at the heart of this technology-identification, isolation, and functional analysis of genes, advanced PCR techniques, detection of mutations, cloning, and CRISPR Cas 9 technology to name a few. The emphasis will be on the laboratory experience, with hands-on application of some of the techniques outlined. Lectures will cover current examples of research using the techniques described.
3172 BIOL-226-20 Molecular Biology 1.25 LAB Bennett, Heather W: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 16 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L, Biology 183L, and Chemistry 111L or Permission of Instructor.
  Gene therapy, genetically-engineered crop plants, and transgenic mice are all possible because of the powerful techniques developed to manipulate nucleic acids and proteins. This course will introduce you to the fundamental methods at the heart of this technology-identification, isolation, and functional analysis of genes, advanced PCR techniques, detection of mutations, cloning, and CRISPR Cas 9 technology to name a few. The emphasis will be on the laboratory experience, with hands-on application of some of the techniques outlined. Lectures will cover current examples of research using the techniques described.
2560 BIOL-227-01 Cell Biology 1.25 LEC Bue-Hepner, Catherine MWF: 9:00AM-9:50AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Also cross-referenced with NESC
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L, Biology 183L, and Chemistry 111L or Permission of Instructor.
  A study of cell structure and function, emphasizing molecular components, metabolism, organelles, motility, and growth and division. The molecular biology of cells and the regulation of cellular processes are emphasized. Laboratory exercises will include light microscopy, molecular cellular experiments, and other experiments in cell biology.
2561 BIOL-227-20 Cell Biology 1.25 LAB Bue-Hepner, Catherine R: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Also cross-referenced with NESC
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L, Biology 183L, and Chemistry 111L or Permission of Instructor.
  A study of cell structure and function, emphasizing molecular components, metabolism, organelles, motility, and growth and division. The molecular biology of cells and the regulation of cellular processes are emphasized. Laboratory exercises will include light microscopy, molecular cellular experiments, and other experiments in cell biology.
3187 BIOL-317-01 Biochemistry 1.00 LEC Guardiola-Diaz, Hebe TR: 8:00AM-9:15AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Also cross-referenced with NESC
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L and Biology 183L and either B- or better in Chemistry 211L or C- or better in Chemistry 212L
  A study of the molecular reactions that sustain life. Topics include biomolecule structure and function, enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, and integration and regulation of metabolic pathways. Students majoring in biochemistry or using the course to satisfy the Group II requirement for the biology major must also enroll in the lab.
3188 BIOL-317-20 Biochemistry Laboratory 0.25 LAB Bue-Hepner, Catherine W: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 18 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 317-01, or concurrent enrollment.
  An exploration of how biochemistry is probed in the laboratory. Experiments may include chromatography, electrophoresis, enzyme kinetics and DNA manipulation.
2059 BIOL-319-01 Physiology 1.25 LEC Dunlap, Kent TR: 9:25AM-10:40AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182, Biology 183, and Chemistry 111 or permission of instructor.
  This course surveys the major physiological systems - musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, sensory, digestive, osmoregulatory, thermoregulatory, endocrine and reproductive - in humans and other vertebrate animals. It emphasizes the integration of body systems, the link between molecular and whole-organism functions, and constraints and adaptations of physiological systems. Laboratory exercises examine neural control of muscle function, neurochemical regulation of cardiac physiology, cardiovascular responses to exercise and hormonal regulation of development and osmoregulation. Students have opportunities to design their own lab experiments within these experimental systems.
2060 BIOL-319-20 Physiology 1.25 LAB Dunlap, Kent T: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 24 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182, Biology 183, and Chemistry 111 or permission of instructor.
  This course surveys the major physiological systems - musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, sensory, digestive, osmoregulatory, thermoregulatory, endocrine and reproductive - in humans and other vertebrate animals. It emphasizes the integration of body systems, the link between molecular and whole-organism functions, and constraints and adaptations of physiological systems. Laboratory exercises examine neural control of muscle function, neurochemical regulation of cardiac physiology, cardiovascular responses to exercise and hormonal regulation of development and osmoregulation. Students have opportunities to design their own lab experiments within these experimental systems.
1713 BIOL-333-01 Ecology 1.25 LEC Toscano, Benjamin TR: 9:25AM-10:40AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 23 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L, or permission of instructor.
  A study of the adaptations of organisms to their environment and of the interrelationships among organisms that determine the structure and attributes of natural populations and biological communities. Field trips and laboratory exercises use sampling methods and statistical techniques to analyze the response of organisms to their physical environment, selected population phenomena, and different natural communities. Several field trips are required during the term. It is recommended that students take Biology 215L and 222L before enrolling, but they are not prerequisites.
1714 BIOL-333-20 Ecology 1.25 LAB Toscano, Benjamin R: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 23 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182L, or permission of instructor.
  A study of the adaptations of organisms to their environment and of the interrelationships among organisms that determine the structure and attributes of natural populations and biological communities. Field trips and laboratory exercises use sampling methods and statistical techniques to analyze the response of organisms to their physical environment, selected population phenomena, and different natural communities. Several field trips are required during the term. It is recommended that students take Biology 215L and 222L before enrolling, but they are not prerequisites.
1468 BIOL-399-01 Independent Study 0.50 - 1.00 IND TBA TBA TBA Y NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Independent research supervised by a faculty member in an area of the student’s special interests. Submission of the special registration form, available in the Registrar’s Office, and the approval of the instructor are required for enrollment.
1469 BIOL-419-01 Research in Biology - Lib 0.50 IND TBA TBA TBA Y NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  NOTE: Requires completion of a Special Registration Form, available in the Office of the Registrar.
  Students will conduct library research projects under the direction of an individual faculty member. Students electing this type of independent study should plan on a full semester culminating with the completion of a final formal paper. Seniors and those using library research to satisfy the Group IV requirement must simultaneously enroll in the Research Seminar (Biology 403). Submission of the special registration form, available in the Registrar’s Office, and the approval of the instructor are required for enrollment.
1683 BIOL-425-01 Research Biology 0.50 - 1.00 IND TBA TBA TBA Y  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
3362 BIOL-437-01 Diverse Biology of Sex 1.00 SEM Keeffe, Rachel M: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 14 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 182, Biology 183, Biology 205 and Biology 315.
  Biological sex is extraordinarily complex and plastic in nature. No single trait can unambiguously assign sex in all individuals of any species. Biological sex involves the intricate interplay of genetics, gonads, hormones, genitalia, and the environment. In addition, just like any other biological phenotype, these traits are not binary. They exist on a continuous distribution that often defies categorization. In this class, we will examine the diverse sexual strategies that have occurred over 500 million years of evolutionary history; from fungi with thousands of mating types, to birds with four sexes, to sequential hermaphroditism in fishes, to intersex snakes. We will explore the origin of the sexual binary, its strengths and weaknesses, and discuss better ways to approach the nuances of biological complexity. Students will engage with these ideas by reading classic and modern scientific literature, keeping an inquiry journal to record their questions and insights, participating in class discussions, and giving a short presentation on a topic of their choosing at the end of the semester.
1470 BIOL-466-01 Teaching Assistant 0.50 IND TBA TBA TBA Y  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Submission of the special registration form, available online, and the approval of the instructor are required for enrollment. Guidelines are available in the College Bulletin. See paragraph on teaching assistants in the description of the major. Not creditable to the major.
2696 BIOL-497-01 Honors Thesis 0.50 IND TBA TBA TBA Y WEB  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Biology 419 or Biology 425 and Biology 404.
  An extended paper on the subject of the student’s two-semester research project with a professor in biology, to be read by three or more members of the department. This course is open only to those biology majors who wish to qualify for honors (see paragraph on Honors in Biology in the description of the major). Simultaneous enrollment in Biology 419 or 425 and 404, submission of the special registration form available online, and approval of the instructor and chair are required for enrollment.
2556 NESC-101-01 The Brain 1.00 LEC Poisson, Carli MWF: 10:00AM-10:50AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 35 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Also cross-referenced with BIOL, PSYC
  NOTE: 15 seats reserved for first year students, 10 for sophomores, 10 instructor seats.
  Recent developments in neuroscience have revolutionized our views of familiar human experiences such as locomotion, substance abuse, mental illness, sleep, and memorization. Through highly enjoyable and selected readings, presentations by visiting faculty, demonstrations and other activities, we will explore the foundations of this field as well as recent discoveries. The overall objective of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of neuroscience, enabling them to make important decisions that may affect their lives.
3433 NESC-291-20 Principles of Neuroscience-Lab 0.25 LAB Swart, Chris W: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 19 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Also cross-referenced with BIOL
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Biology 183L or permission of instructor.
  A team-taught introductory course in neuroscience that will examine the neuron and its biological interactions in animal nervous systems. Topics will include the anatomy, development, chemistry, and physiology of nervous systems.