This course covers current topics in genetics and and the social, ethical and legal issues surrounding genetic technology. Topics include genome structure and evolution, genetics of disease, personal genomics, human microbiomes and epidemiology. Students will have the opportunity to submit their DNA for genome-wide SNP and gut microbiome determination. Practical skills for analyzing genetic and genomic data are taught through weekly bioinformatic sessions in the R statistical programming language.

In this interdisciplinary laboratory course, we will explore the topic of imaging biological material, beginning with optics and basic microscopy. Students will perform hands-on exercises in the use of the light microscope, digital cameras, and image processing and quantification. Common pitfalls in imaging biological samples will be covered. Students will perform experiments to test and quantify various aspects of cell migration, cell cycle regulation, mitosis and endocytosis.

This lab course offers an overview of insect diversity. Students will assemble and curate a collection of local insects, learn to identify insect orders and common families, participate in class research projects, and conduct an individual research or service project. Projects may involve analyzing composition of local insect communities, helping curate the UMass insect museum collection, creating online identification resources through iNaturalist, or becoming a relative expert on taxonomy of a particular insect group.

This lab course offers an overview of insect diversity. Students will assemble and curate a collection of local insects, learn to identify insect orders and common families, participate in class research projects, and conduct an individual research or service project. Projects may involve analyzing composition of local insect communities, helping curate the UMass insect museum collection, creating online identification resources through iNaturalist, or becoming a relative expert on taxonomy of a particular insect group.

Learn the vascular plants of the region in their natural habitats through field trips and in the laboratory with the use of botanical keys and manuals. Field experience will include some collecting and pressing of specimens. The class also visits the herbarium and greenhouses. Recognition of certain plant families and familiarity with terminology will be gained. Prerequisite: Introductory biology. or consent of instructor.

Learn the vascular plants of the region in their natural habitats through field trips and in the laboratory with the use of botanical keys and manuals. Field experience will include some collecting and pressing of specimens. The class also visits the herbarium and greenhouses. Recognition of certain plant families and familiarity with terminology will be gained. Prerequisite: Introductory biology. or consent of instructor.

Learn the vascular plants of the region in their natural habitats through field trips and in the laboratory with the use of botanical keys and manuals. Field experience will include some collecting and pressing of specimens. The class also visits the herbarium and greenhouses. Recognition of certain plant families and familiarity with terminology will be gained. Prerequisite: Introductory biology. or consent of instructor.

This course introduces life in the sea from ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Topics will include primary and secondary production, interrelations of marine organisms and their environment (e.g. rocky intertidal, estuaries, interstitial communities, coral reefs, deep-sea communities), adaptations of marine organisms, human impacts on marine life, biodiversity, conservation, and aquaculture.

This course introduces life in the sea from ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Topics will include primary and secondary production, interrelations of marine organisms and their environment (e.g. rocky intertidal, estuaries, interstitial communities, coral reefs, deep-sea communities), adaptations of marine organisms, human impacts on marine life, biodiversity, conservation, and aquaculture.

This course introduces life in the sea from ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Topics will include primary and secondary production, interrelations of marine organisms and their environment (e.g. rocky intertidal, estuaries, interstitial communities, coral reefs, deep-sea communities), adaptations of marine organisms, human impacts on marine life, biodiversity, conservation, and aquaculture.