Biology 113: Gateway to the Biological Sciences
As with any introductory course, a primary goal of Biology 113 is to provide science major students with a sound basis in basic biological concepts that will serve them well in their academic track that lies ahead. Biology 113 presents the molecular and cellular aspects of biology that include DNA structure and gene function, Mendelian inheritance, cell structure, function and reproduction along with related energy pathways of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The course also presents an introduction to early animal development. Faculty from several departments within the College of Biological Sciences teach Biology 113 on a rotating basis. Each instructor contributes her/his own individual teaching style, ideas and experience to the course.
Biology 113 is currently in a gradual state of development that will ultimately fulfill several goals of the Center for Life Sciences Education (CLSE). Current lab exercises that are more traditional in format are scheduled for replacement by inquiry method lab work where students form their own hypotheses, test them for validity through experimentation of their own design and interpret the results as a basis for a conclusion. Related to this lab method is CLSE's plan to implement a learning cycle approach in the lecture hall. Students first encounter biological topics and concepts in the laboratory by the exploratory manner described above, which the professor later expands and develops in lecture period — the inverse sequence of events usually seen in traditional teaching. And although no sooner than sometime in 2007, the complete renovation of Jennings Hall will give Biology 113 pristine, new laboratory rooms that are definitely worth the wait!
| Teaching in Autumn 2009 | Teaching in Summer 2009 |
|---|---|
Dr. Tien-Hsien ChangWe are studying the functions of the ubiquitous DExD/H-box proteins, which are often referred to as RNA helicases or RNA unwindases. These proteins are essential for all RNA-related biological processes such as pre-mRNA splicing, ribosomal biogenesis, mRNA export, translation, and RNA turnover. Consequently, they are of central importance to the cellular genetic information flow. Although initially thought to function in a manner similar to… more. 
Dr. Michael WeinsteinSmad proteins are the intracellular mediators of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b) superfamily. My laboratory will be focusing on role of Smad genes in the control of mammalian development, disease, and cancer using primarily knockout and transgenic mice. Our research has shown that Smad2 and Smad 4 are required for gastrulation, while Smad5 is involved in angiogenesis and crainiofacial development. Smad3 appears to mediate… more. |
Dr. Caroline BreitenbergerDr. John Cogan |
