This course introduces students to the academic study of Buddhism through readings, lectures by Smith faculty and guests, and trips to local Buddhist centers. We critically examine the history of Buddhist studies within the context of numerous disciplines, including anthropology, art, cultural studies, gender studies, government, literature, philosophy and religion, with a focus on regional, sectarian and historical differences. Materials to be considered include poetry, painting, philosophy, political tracts and more. This course meets during the first half of the semester only. S/U only.

The culminating experience for the book studies concentration is an independent research project that synthesizes the student’s academic and practical experiences. The student’s concentration adviser may or may not serve as the sponsor for the project; topics for this capstone project is decided in concert with the student’s adviser and vetted by the concentration’s director. The seminar meets once each week to discuss methodology and progress on the independent projects and to discuss general readings in book studies theory and praxis.

Students in this seminar discuss articles from the primary literature representing diverse fields of biology and present on their own research projects. Journal articles will be selected to coordinate with departmental colloquia. In alternate weeks, students present talks on research goals, data collection and data analysis. This course is required for graduate students and must be taken both years.

Through this lab students will (1) become familiar with using tools to measure physiological processes (e.g. Li-Cor 600 to measure stomatal behavior, Osmometer to measure leaf water stress, PMS Pressure Chamber to measure plant water stress), (2) in groups, design an experiment investigating plant biological responses to climate change (e.g.

Understanding human induced climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. This course approaches the topic from two different ways of knowing: plant biology and the arts. These paired approaches ground this course in the scientific underpinnings of climate change and its impact on biological life, creating a space to engage with what climate change means—for us, for the greater human community and for the earth. At the same time, we will explore how complex scientific content and deep existential challenges can be effectively communicated to the broader public.

This lab course involves field and laboratory investigations of plant ecology, with an emphasis on Northeastern plant species and plant communities. The labs explore interactions between plants and insects, visit wetland and upland habitats, and investigate plant population dynamics at sites around western Massachusetts. Students gain hands-on experience with descriptive and experimental research approaches used to investigate ecological processes in plant communities. BIO 364 must be taken concurrently. Enrollment limited to 20.

This course surveys the environmental factors, historical processes and ecological interactions that influence the distribution and abundance of plant species in the landscape. The class examines how plant communities are assembled and what processes influence their structure and diversity, including past and present human activities. We focus in particular on plant communities of the Northeast, using examples from the local landscape to illustrate key ecological concepts. Prerequisite: a course in plant biology, ecology or environmental science; statistics is recommended (e.g., MTH 220).

Research design and methodology for field and laboratory studies of animal behavior. Prerequisite, one of the following: BIO 260, 272, 362, a statistics course, or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 15 students.

This seminar focuses on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), parasitic and viral diseases other rare diseases that are a public health concern, including Ebola, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, West Nile, SARS, avian influenza, malaria, river blindness, anthrax and smallpox. We look at pandemics of the past (the influenza of 1918, the Black Death of the Middle Ages, the typhus epidemic of 1914–21) and modern biotechnology.

Ongoing developments in high-throughput sequencing technologies have made genomic analysis a central feature of many scientific disciplines, including forensics, medicine, ecology, and evolution. This course will review the scope and applications of genome sequencing projects. After completing the course, students will be prepared to design a high-throughput sequencing project and interpret the results of genomic analysis. Prerequisite: BIO 230, BIO 232, or permission of the instructor.