Could the ongoing global decline in insect populations portend the end of of, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems? An article in the New York Times, in in, 2018, declared an "Insect Apocalypse" that for the first time brought the general, general,, unexplained declines in in insects to the public and suggested a catastrophe awaits awaits, our planet. Scientists have documented the loss of insect species at a rate rate, exceeding the extinction rates associated with the major geological events in in, Earth's history. Based on science and research, students will be provided with with, background, and discover on their own, the diversity of the form and functions of of, insects, as well as how they evolved and persisted for 400 million years. The The, course, designed for students of any major, celebrates the incredible variation of of, insect life and what they do to support life on our planet. The course will highlight highlight, the use of scientific research to understand and respond to the global crisis.

Basic principles of biology with special emphasis on cellular and molecular biology.

How are microbes essential for human health yet cause so much disease? This course covers basic concepts in microbiology as they relate to human- microbe interactions by surveying the diversity of microbial life, the role our resident microbiota play in human health, modes of disease tracking, and prophylactic and therapeutic measures designed to control the spread of infectious disease.

The biology of the reproductive system with emphasis on mammals and, in particular, on human reproduction. Hormone actions, sperm production, ovulation, sexual differentiation, sexual behavior, contraception, pregnancy, lactation, maternal behavior and menopause.

Explore how alterations in normal cellular and molecular processes lead to both aging and a variety of non-infectious human diseases currently plaguing our society. Students will read, analyze, and discuss current primary and secondary literature in the field of cell biology and biomedicine.

Students will gain an appreciation of neuroscience as the nexus of chemistry, physics, and biology. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of how: both individual and networks of neurons function as variable electrical circuits; our nervous systems transduce signals from the outside world and sets-off molecular cascades; the behavior of a neuron can be changed and or remain the same in response to changing variables. Techniques used to study the nervous system at a cellular and molecular level will be discussed.

Understanding evolutionary processes in a natural and human environment, including adaptation; DNA sequence, protein, and genome evolution; evolution of developmental mechanisms; mechanisms of evolutionary change (mutation, natural selection, drift); epidemiology; coevolution and biological control; speciation; comparative methods; extinction and conservation; human evolution.