BIOL 393 - Special Topics in Biology

Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
0.5 to 1 unit(s)

A variety of current and timely topics in Biology is considered by these intensive mentored experiences. Each of these involve close mentored work in small groups of students around a key topic in biology. A variety of formats is used, including field experiences, field trips, different types of media and different approaches. Topics and instructors vary each semester.

Topic One: (a and b) Conversations with scientists. (0.5 units, ungraded). How do you talk to a scientist? How do scientists talk to one another? In this intensive we learn how to talk to scientists about their scientific work in the context of department seminars and local or regional scientific meetings. We prepare to talk to these scientists by reading and discussing their academic papers and discussing the structure and expectations of a scientific seminar. We also talk about how scientific meetings work and why scientists attend these important networking events. Finally, we discuss how to reach out to scientists about their career paths, to request a paper, or inquire about graduate school. We meet from 12 - 2 PM on Fridays. If a seminar is scheduled during this time, students attend the seminar and meet with the seminar speaker afterwards. We may also attend seminar series at other institutions (e.g. Cary Institute), or local or regional conferences (e.g., Hudson Valley Life Science Guild) outside of the normal class time. At the end of the semester, students use their skills to help us identify seminar speakers to invite for future semesters.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 107 and BIOL 108 .

Topic Two (a) Ocean Life in a Rapidly Changing Climate. (0.5 units, ungraded) The ocean is habitat for the majority of life on the planet. In this intensive we work together to examine how various oceanographic features give rise to diverse marine ecosystems, from open ocean phytoplankton-dominated systems to coastal kelp forests. We consider how the rapidly changing climate is affecting marine ecosystems, and how other human activities such as fishing and pollution impact life in the ocean. During the second half of the semester, you will develop an individual project based on your interests.

Prerequisite(s): Two Biology courses at the 200 level.

Topic Three: (a) Restoration and Management of Natural Areas. (Same as ENST 393 ) (0.5 units, ungraded) In this Intensive we explore a range of natural areas on campus, discussing their ecological and cultural histories, current uses, and how they could be re-envisioned for the future. We discuss how conflicting approaches to ‘designed’ and ‘natural’ landscapes could be reimaged, thereby working together to create a diverse, resilient, and sustainable campus landscape. This Intensive also includes group and/or individual projects here on campus, focusing on areas along the Casperkill creek, the southeastern side of campus by the golf course, and the native meadow at the entrance to the Preserve. These projects focus on restoring native plant communities, maintaining and improving overall ecosystem resilience, and creating greater opportunities for students to connect to nature on a daily basis. Possible projects include developing a list of recommended tree species to create a more climate resilient tree canopy, developing a plan for restoration along the Casperkill Creek to support ecosystem health, rethinking natural areas near student housing to support mental and physical health on campus, among others.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Topic Four: (b) Mentored Cancer Research. (1 unit, ungraded) As part of this research intensive students work on a novel project to assess the efficacy of cancer metabolic targeting therapies in human cancer cell lines. To evaluate cancer therapies, students get hands-on experience with a variety of cellular and molecular biology laboratory techniques. Throughout the semester students familiarize themselves with the field of cancer biology and work to understand the scientific process, identify research questions, read recent and relevant primary research articles related to cancer, design experiments and analyze data. At the end of the semester students present their findings.

One 1-hour period.

Course Format: INT