An overview of horticulture with background material on plant structure and function. Methods for growing plants, plant nutrition, seed biology, asexual propagation, plant pests and diseases, soils, compost, and an introduction to biotechnology. Laboratory (BIO 123) must be taken concurrently. Enrollment limited to 30.

A consideration of the plants which are useful or harmful to humans; their origins and history, botanical relationships, chemical constituents which make them economically important, and their roles in prehistoric and modern cultures, civilizations and economies. Classes of plants surveyed include those that provide food, timber, fiber, spices, essential oils, medicines, stimulants and narcotics, oils and waxes, and other major products. Topics include the history of plant domestication, ethnobotany, biodiversity issues, genetic engineering and biotechnology. No prerequisites.

Variable credit (1 to 5) as assigned

Topics course. Known since the ancient Egyptians, cancers may be considered a set of normal cellular processes gone awry in various cell types. This seminar will consider chemical and radiation carcinogenesis, oncogenesis, growth factor signaling pathways and the role of hormones in cancers, as well as the pathologies of the diseases. Prerequisites: BIO 202 and BIO 203.

Techniques of modern biochemistry: ultraviolet spectrophotometry and spectrofluorimetry, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Scatchard analysis, and a project lab on linked enzyme kinetics. Prerequisite: BIO 203. BCH 252 is a prerequisite or must be taken concurrently.

Techniques of modern biochemistry: ultraviolet spectrophotometry and spectrofluorimetry, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Scatchard analysis, and a project lab on linked enzyme kinetics. Prerequisite: BIO 203. BCH 252 is a prerequisite or must be taken concurrently.

Structure and function of biological macromolecules: proteins and nucleic acids. Mechanisms of conformational change and cooperative activity; bioenergetics, enzymes, and regulation. Prerequisites: BIO 202 and CHM 223. Laboratory (253) must be taken concurrently by biochemistry majors; optional for others.

Independent research in astronomy. Admission by permission of the department. The student is expected to define her own project and to work independently, under the supervision of a faculty member.

A calculus-based introduction to the properties, structure, formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. The laws of gravity, thermal physics, and atomic physics provide a basis for understanding observed properties of stars, interstellar gas and dust. We apply these concepts to develop an understanding of stellar atmospheres, interiors, and evolution, the interstellar medium, and the Milky Way and other galaxies. Prerequisites: two semesters of college-level physics and second-semester calculus.