Biology and the Social Contract

Course Number: BIO 0002
Faculty: Orians, Colin
Scientific background of such biological issues as teaching of evolution and the creationist viewpoint, risk assessment and the causes of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, genetic engineering in medical and agricultural research, the use of animals and humans in research.

Environmental Biology

Course Number: BIO 0007
Faculty: Orians, Colin
An examination of major natural and created ecosystems and human influences on them. Ecological bases for sound land use and pollution abatement.

Plants and Humanity

Course Number: BIO 0010
Faculty: Orians, Colin
Principles of botany accenting economic aspects and multicultural implications of plants. Emphasis placed on global aspects of this dynamic science, with selected topics on acid rain, deforestation, biotechnology, and other applications.

Conservation Biology

Course Number: BIO 0144
Faculty: Orians, Colin
Learning and application of principles from population ecology, population genetics, and community ecology to the conservation of species and ecosystems. Focus on rare and endangered species, as well as threatened ecosystems.

Marine Biology

Course Number: BIO 0164
Faculty: Orians, Colin
An intermediate-level introduction to the biology of marine organisms. Following a detailed survey of marine animal and plant groups, the course will consider aspects of biology that are particularly relevant to marine organisms.

Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Course Number: BIO 0181
Faculty: Orians, Colin
This seminar and field trip is designed to provide students with an in depth understanding of tropical ecology and first-hand experience in tropical Central America. Students learn about tropical soils and climate and explore the consequences of climate change to: 1) community ecology, 2) agriculture, 3) forestry , 4) plant-animal interactions, and 5) conservation biology.

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