The evolutionary history of a population can be studied by examining patterns of genetic variation among individuals. Using information about genetic variation, we can infer historical evolutionary events like migration and adaptation. In this lab course, you will learn to utilize genomic data to conduct evolutionary inference. We will learn fundamentals of population genetics, bioinformatic skills, and research methods applied to real short-read sequencing data.

This course will provide an in-depth exploration of the field of regenerative biology, focusing on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tissue regeneration and repair in animals. We will explore the cellular basis of different types of regeneration and search for shared molecular mechanisms. With an eye towards the future, we¿ll also explore the implications for advancing regenerative medicine.

This course for advanced undergrads will focus mainly on research about Alzheimer's disease, and will meet once/week for 3 hours. The first 3 weeks will be primarily didactic, and the remainder of the course will be a "journal club" in which primary research paper discussions will be led by teams of students. Assessments will be based on how well students lead and participate in discussions, and on exams.

This course focuses on how relatively simple model systems provide the clues as to how certain synaptic connections form and lead to specific behaviors. This will be followed by discussion of how this knowledge can be applied to the understanding and treatment of human neural disorders. 25% of the course is standard lectures and the rest, student-led discussion of primary literature. Prereqs: BIOL 3000 & BIOL 3010; BIOL 3050 or PSYC 2200 or 3200

Periodic seminar offerings to provide intensive study of the scientific literature in focused areas of Biology.

We will focus on the ecology and evolution of reptiles and amphibians, leveraging their diversity in the southeastern US. In both the field and laboratory, we will study 1) the evolutionary relationships among reptiles and amphibians, 2) key evolutionary innovations that characterize each major lineage, 3) reptile and amphibian systems in ecological and evolutionary research, and 4) location and identification of reptiles and amphibians.

Insects are perhaps the most important animal group on the face of the earth. Their enormous diversity makes them important models for understanding many concepts in biology. Students will observe the bits and pieces of an insect, they will discover how adaptation relates to diversity, and they will learn to identify the major insect groups. Field trips to varied habitats allow students to collect insects and understand their natural history.

Two-hour, weekly discussion of recent advances in biology; attend biology seminars, interact with seminar speakers, explore the philosophy and practice of science, and learn skills in oral and written research presentation. Prerequisite: Fourth-year DMP in Biology.

A weekly seminar co-organized by participating faculty to integrate students' independent research and coursework with contemporary issues at the intersection of biology, the humanities and social sciences. Students will have the opportunity to present their ongoing research and meet with outside speakers. This course will be taken in the fourth year. Prerequisite: DMP in Human Biology.

Two-hour, weekly discussion of recent advances in biology; attend biology seminars, interact with seminar speakers, explore the philosophy and practice of science, and learn skills in oral and written research presentation. Prerequisite: Fourth-year DMP in Biology.