Biological Sciences 337 - Symbiotic Interactions

Spring
2017
01
4.00
Jason Andras
MW 01:15PM-02:30PM
Mount Holyoke College
99082
Kendade 303
jandras@mtholyoke.edu
From mutualism to parasitism, symbiotic interactions are a universal feature of life. In this seminar we will study the mechanisms underlying symbiotic interactions and consider their significance for the ecology and evolution of organisms. Through foundational texts and current scientific literature, we will explore some of the most spectacular and important examples of contemporary symbioses - from coral reefs, to infectious diseases, to the vast communities of microbes that live on and in our bodies - and we will learn how symbiosis is responsible for major milestones in the history of life, such as the origin of the eukaryotic cell, the emergence of land plants, and the evolution of sex.
Prereq: BIOL-223 or BIOL-226.
Permission is required for interchange registration during the add/drop period only.