Courses
ANTH 370. Medical Anthropology
An introductory analysis of the social and cultural factors that impact health, health behaviors, and medical systems. As a professional and academic field, medical anthropology provides conceptual and analytical tools for a comprehensive understanding of health, illness, and healing.
BIOC 201. Principles of Nutrition
A biochemical and physiological look as aspects of nutrition. Students will examine the biochemical molecules and processes involved in nutrition. Current research and controversies within nutrition will be considered. For students who have an interest in science or health careers.
BIOC 310. Survey of Biochemistry
An introduction to the fundamental principles of biochemistry and the application of chemical principles to biological problems. Topics include the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, as well as the major catabolic and biosynthetic pathways.
BIOC 330. Biochemistry
Structure and function of biologically important molecules and their role(s) in life processes. Protein conformation, enzymatic mechanisms, nucleic acid conformation, and special topics will be analyzed. Prior completion of BIOL 150 is highly recommended. The 4-hour laboratory emphasizes spectrophotometry, enzyme purification and kinetics. Students will also complete a project using a variety of molecular biology and biochemical techniques.
BIOC 390. Advanced Biochemistry
A study of advanced topics in biochemistry including metabolism, information processing, biochemical aspects of disease, and current biochemical findings.
BIOL 150G. Investigating Biological Concepts
An investigative approach to learning fundamental concepts in biology from molecules to cells to organisms. Concepts include: the process of scientific inquiry, basic biochemistry, and basic cell function (cellular respiration, photosynthesis, protein synthesis, genetics, cell division). Labs will emphasize problem-based or inquiry-based learning. Lectures will combine traditional format with problem-posing and questioning.
BIOL 155. Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Diversity
An investigative approach to learning fundamental concepts in biology from organisms to ecosystems. Concepts will include: the process of scientific inquiry, mechanisms of evolution, the evolutionary history of biological diversity, and fundamentals of ecology. Labs will emphasize problem-based or inquiry-based learning. Lectures will combine traditional format with problem-posing and questioning.
BIOL 200. Cell Biology
Introductory study of the structure and function of living cells and their components. Laboratory will employ basic cell/molecular biology techniques and include: the preparation of reagents, DNA isolation, plasmid manipulation and DNA transfection. Students will have the opportunity to apply current recombinant in vitro DNA technology in preparation and expression of a transgene using a prokaryotic system.
BIOL 202. Genetics
An introduction to the principles of heredity in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Laboratory centers around an open-ended investigation into a biological problem using tools of classical and molecular genetic analysis.
BIOL 204. Human Anatomy and Physiology
A systematic analysis of the structure and function of the human body.
BIOL 307. Ecology
An introduction to the principles and concepts that describe the interactions of living organisms with their environments. Laboratory sessions involve field study of local flora and fauna and their habitats with the aim of illustrating fundamental concepts and basic ecological methodology.
BIOL 320. Parasitology
A general study of the biology of parasitism. Lectures and labs will emphasize systematics and taxonomy of the major groups, complex life cycles of parasites, behavioral and physiological effects of parasites on hosts (including humans), and how human modifications of landscapes affect parasites.
BIOL 325. Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
Detailed study of human and comparative anatomy and physiology, emphasizing musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular, neural, endocrine, respiratory, renal, digestive, and reproductive systems. Advanced Anatomy and Physiology will build on fundamental knowledge acquired in BIOL 204. Laboratory exercises will be both descriptive and experimental.
BIOL 345. Animal Behavior
(Cross-listed as PSYC 345) A study of the diverse and fascinating range of animal behavior. How do we explain that in various animals we can observe infanticide, competition, and polygamy, but also cooperation, altruism, and monogamy? Using an evolutionary approach, this course will examine both the proximate mechanisms and ultimate reasons that explain the great variety of animal behavior as elucidated by animal behaviorists through ingenious experimentation and patient observation.
BIOL 354. Molecular Biology
An in-depth look at DNA, RNA, and proteins. Emphasis is placed on the structure and function of nucleic acids and on DNA-protein interactions. The control of such processes as DNA replication, gene expression, and protein translation in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems will be addressed.
BIOL 369. Neurobiology
An introduction to the structure and function of the mammalian nervous system. This course will examine the circuits, cells, and molecules that direct behavior. Emphasis will be given to how the nervous system is built during development, how it changes through the lifetime, how it functions under normal behavior, and how it is affected by injury and disease.
CHEM 140G. General Chemistry
A general study of the properties, structure, and bonding of elements and compounds. Chemical calculations and an introduction to chemical thermodynamics are also included. The course also includes a 3-hour laboratory session each week.
CHEM 220. Introductory Analytical Chemistry
An introduction to data analysis, quantitative principles of chemical equilibrium, and quantitative analysis. The course also includes a 4-hour laboratory session each week that emphasizes precision and accuracy in the laboratory, scientific writing and data analysis.
CHEM 228. Organic Chemistry I
A study of organic chemistry including the structure and reactions of some biologically important molecules. A focus on how structure affects the properties of organic molecules. This course includes a 3-hour laboratory session each week.
CHEM 230. Organic Chemistry II
A study of the structure and reactivity of organic molecules, including kinetics and reaction mechanisms. This course also includes a 4-hour laboratory session each week.
CHEM 231. Principles of Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the study of the interaction between drugs and a living organism that has an effect on the biochemical function. This course will cover topics such as the principles of pharmacology and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of various classes of drugs.
CHEM 331. Medicinal Chemistry
This course covers the basics of medicinal chemistry. Topics will include descriptions of receptor protein structure, dynamics, and interactions; different strategies of drug development and design;
pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
CHEM 340. Instrumental Analysis
A study of the principles and practice of modern instrumental methods of analysis and of chemical instrumentation. Spectroscopic, chromatographic and surface analysis techniques are emphasized.
CHEM 380. Advanced Organic Chemistry
Study of advanced current topics in Organic chemistry. Each 0.5 semester course will have a different emphasis, such as Medicinal Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, or Advanced Synthetic Methods.
COMP 151. Introduction to Programming
Introduction to Programming teaches basic programming skills that are applicable to a variety of disciplines and also acts as a bridge to continued studies in Computer Science. Students will work with the Python programming language in order to solve basic problems involving digital media: text, images, and sound. By the end of the course students will be able to read and develop computer programs utilizing the following programming concepts: basic data types and encoding, variables and scope, array and list data structures, if statements and conditional execution, loops and iteration, functions, and object types.
GPHS 101. Introduction to Public Health
This course will introduce students to the field of public health, which focuses on the physical, mental and social well-being of populations. Course topics will include tools for understanding public health; health policy and law; ethics; prevention of disease and disability; healthcare systems; and contemporary public health issues.
GPHS 105. Introduction to Epidemiology
This course will provide students with an introduction to the field of Epidemiology, which is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and diseases in populations. Course content will include the history of the field; current tools and use of data to study disease; descriptive epidemiology; association and causation; analytic epidemiology; and applications to public health and policy.
NEUR 350. Science Seminar
An introduction to the literature of the physical and biological sciences providing the student with the opportunity to prepare and present oral reports. Two semesters are required for students majoring in neuroscience; one semester must be taken in the senior year.
NEUR 420. Neuroscience Research Seminar
The development and completion of a major research project during the senior year. Students will read and critique their own and other research literature, and conduct and report their research project. A senior comprehensive examination is administered.
PHIL 207. Ethics: Philosophical and Religious
(Cross-listed as RELG 207) This course will examine some of the moral problems we face in our lives and will consider a variety of ways of thinking about how to understand them as well as how we talk about them in dialogue. Beginning with an overview of some of the main theoretical approaches in ethical thought in the Western philosophical tradition, the class will then consider specific issues, which may include: sexual ethics, violence and peace, economic justice, environmental ethics, business ethics, race, gender, etc.
PHYS 130G. Introductory Physics I (with lab)
An introduction to topics in classical mechanics, including kinematics, Newton’s laws, work-energy principles, momentum and impulse, and rotational motion. Some differential calculus is used.
PHYS 132G. Introductory Physics II (with lab)
Continuation of Physics 130. Topics include: electricity, magnetism, and simple circuit analysis. Differential and integral calculus used freely.
PHYS 190. Digital Electronics
An introduction to digital circuit design, both combinational and sequential, and their application in constructing digital instruments. May include microprocessor and elementary assembly language. There is a strong laboratory component to this course.
PSYC 101G. Introduction to Psychology
An examination of the scientific study of psychology. Lectures emphasize current concepts in the biological roots of behavior, learning and memory, perception, social behavior, psychopathology, and applied psychology. Laboratories stress the application of quantitative interpretations of data and the scientific method to the study of human behavior.
PSYC 201. Research Methods I: Statistical Analysis
An introduction to the methods involved in behavioral research. Includes the logic, preparation, and design of controlled experiments. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of data and the communication of results. Experience is gained in literature search and writing reports using appropriate style and format. Includes laboratory.
PSYC 236. Abnormal Psychology
A study of the origins, symptoms, and classification of mental illness, including the study of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. Includes comparisons among the various biological and psychological approaches to therapy, and critical analysis of the influence of politics and culture in diagnosis.
PSYC 240. Personality
A theory-oriented exploration of human differences and similarities. Covers psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioristic models. Topics include: the role of the family, cross-cultural variables, and the immediate social-environment in shaping personality.
PSYC 243. Mind, Brain, and Behavior
A first exposure to the relationship between the brain and behavior. Topics include: neuronal communication, perception, cognition, learning and memory, and the biological basis of consciousness.
PSYC 303. Drugs and Behavior
This course provides an introduction to the field of psychopharmacology, with special emphasis on the relationships between drugs and human behavior. Students will be introduced to specific neurotransmitter systems and the neurophysiology of specific drug use. Students will be able to appreciate more fully why people use both prescription and recreational drugs and the potential physiological and psychological consequences of such drug use, including addiction.
PSYC 304. Cognitive Neuroscience
Provides a deeper understanding of the neural basis of behavior and mental activity. Topics include the cellular and molecular basis of cognition, gross and functional anatomy of cognition, methods of cognitive neuroscience, and processes such as selective attention, language, emotion, and learning and memory.
PSYC 305. Behavioral Neuroscience
This course provides students a comprehensive review of the many applications of neuroscience to the understanding of behavior. Topics include the biological foundations of behavior, evolution and development of the central nervous system, sensation and perception, motor control, the effects of hormones on behavior, emotions and mental disorders, and cognitive neuroscience.
PSYC 318. Biopsychology
This course emphasizes understanding the function of the brain and its relation to behavior. Topics include: the biochemistry of neural conduction and synaptic transmission, neuro-psychology, brain disorders, the biochemistry of learning and memory, and mechanisms of action of psychoactive drugs.
STAT 201. Statistics I
An introduction to statistical methods with examples and problems aimed toward the sciences. Topics include data summary and visualization, sampling and experimental design, elementary probability, and statistical inference, simple linear regression, and chi-square tests.