This course examines evolutionary biology with an emphasis on the scientific basis of evolution, and attention to the implications of evolutionary thought in contemporary society. Not intended for life-science majors. (Gen.Ed. BS)

This course covers the anatomy and physiology of the five primary senses: vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch. We will introduce general concepts of sensory signal processing, elaborate the molecular and cellular basis of all the five senses, and discuss integration of different senses at the organism level. We will focus on the normal functions of vertebrate sensory systems and we will discuss examples of genetic diseases that affect sensory functions.

There are a mind-boggling 400,000 species of plants on earth, with new species discovered every year. Plants have evolved over hundreds of millions of years to efficiently capture the sun's energy and cycle oxygen in the atmosphere. How did this diversity come to be, and why are plants so varied in form and function? Explore the plants of the world in a hands-on laboratory setting using live temperate and tropical plants from the UMass greenhouses and forests. You will use this new-found knowledge to study your favorite plant in an independent project for the web.

Lectures cover the physiology of animals on a system by system basis (e.g. circulatory system, digestive system, etc.) with an emphasis on the vertebrates. Comparisons between animals within each system and adaptations to "extreme" environments are emphasized. Weekly problem sets provide practice in physiological reasoning for each system covered.

Prerequisites: BIOLOGY 100 & 101 with a grade of 'C' or better in both courses.

Presentation of principles needed to appreciate the physiological mechanisms unique to plants. General areas include components and functions of cell structures and mechanisms of development. Examples from recent literature consider genetic engineering, sensory processes, and protection from biotic and abiotic stresses. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 100-101 or BIOLOGY 103.

Presentation of principles needed to appreciate the physiological mechanisms unique to plants. General areas include components and functions of cell structures and mechanisms of development. Examples from recent literature consider genetic engineering, sensory processes, and protection from biotic and abiotic stresses. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 100-101 or BIOLOGY 103.

Presentation of principles needed to appreciate the physiological mechanisms unique to plants. General areas include components and functions of cell structures and mechanisms of development. Examples from recent literature consider genetic engineering, sensory processes, and protection from biotic and abiotic stresses. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 100-101 or BIOLOGY 103.

Presentation of principles needed to appreciate the physiological mechanisms unique to plants. General areas include components and functions of cell structures and mechanisms of development. Examples from recent literature consider genetic engineering, sensory processes, and protection from biotic and abiotic stresses. Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 100-101 or BIOLOGY 103.

The physiology of humans and other vertebrates on a system-by-system basis (e.g., circulatory, respiratory, digestive, etc.). Emphasis on understanding fundamental physiological concepts. Concentrates primarily on human physiology, but examples from other vertebrate animals used to illustrate some physiological phenomena.