In this intellectually rigorous writing class, students will learn how to craft compelling “true stories,” using the journalist’s tools. They will research, report, write, revise, source, and share their work—and, through interviewing subjects firsthand, understand how other people see the world. We will consider multiple styles and mediums of journalism, including digital storytelling. Prerequisite: One WI course. Students should focus their attention and effort on academic exposition and argumentation before learning other forms of writing. Enrollment limit of 16.

Applied regression analysis. The specification and estimation of economic models, hypothesis testing, statistical significance, interpretation of results, policy implications. Emphasis on practical applications and cross-section data analysis. Prerequisites: ECO 150, ECO 153, MTH 111 and either ECO 220, MTH/SDS 220 or MTH/SDS 291.

Sectioned course: During this period of remote learning, staying active is especially important for individual health. This course is an introduction to the principles and methods of training to improve and maintain fitness. After completing a survey of their personal fitness goals, living environment and fitness level, each student will design and follow their individualized conditioning program. Students will also be encouraged to discuss their experiences in order to promote a supportive community.. Enrollment limited to 20.

Fundamental concepts of nervous system function at the cellular level (electrical signals, membrane potentials, propagation, synapses) and also the systems level (motor control, generating behavior, perception of visual form, color and movement). This course provides a strong foundation for BIO 310 and NSC 318. See website (tinyurl.com/bio300) for full syllabus. Prerequisites: BIO 200 or 202 or NSC 210.

Fundamental concepts of nervous system function at the cellular level (electrical signals, membrane potentials, propagation, synapses) and also the systems level (motor control, generating behavior, perception of visual form, color and movement). This course provides a strong foundation for BIO 310 and NSC 318. See website (tinyurl.com/bio300) for full syllabus. Prerequisites: BIO 200 or 202 or NSC 210.

Topics course: There is increasing evidence of epigenetic phenomena influencing the development of organisms and the transmission of information between generations. These epigenetic phenomena include the inheritance of acquired morphological traits in some lineages and the apparent transmission of RNA caches between generations in plants, animals and microbes. This seminar explores emerging data on epigenetics and discusses the impact of these phenomena on evolution. Participants write an independent research paper on a topic of their choice.

This lab will cover genomic analysis pipelines from nucleic acid isolation to sequence analysis in Linux and R environments. Students will independently design and execute a high-throughput sequencing experiment to measure genetic variation in natural populations. Prerequisite: BIO 230, BIO 232, or permission of the instructor. Genomics Lecture (BIO 336) normally taken concurrently.

Evolution frames much of biology by providing insights into how and why things change over time. For example, the study of evolution is essential to: understanding transitions in biodiversity across time and space, elucidating patterns of genetic variation within and between populations, and developing both vaccines and treatments for human diseases. Topics in this course include population genetics, molecular evolution, speciation, phylogenetics and macroevolution. Prerequisite: BIO 130 or BIO 132 or permission of the instructor.

In this course you will learn how animal bodies function from the molecular to the organismal level and how the physiology of animals, including humans, has been shaped by evolution to enable survival in a wide range of environments. Course content is organized by body system (cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, etc.). Assignments provide opportunities for students to practice applying their knowledge of physiology to real-life situations, predicting the outcomes of experiments, and interpreting and writing about the primary literature.