Biological Sciences

Chair:
Jason Rohr

Director of Graduate Studies:
David Medvigy

Director of Undergraduate Studies, Biological Sciences:
Jennifer Robichaud

Director of Undergraduate Studies, Environmental Sciences:
Dominic Chaloner

Professors:
Elizabeth Archie; Sunny Boyd; Patricia Champion; Alvaro Acosta Serrano; Crislyn D’Souza-Schorey; Jeffrey Feder; Michael Ferdig; Kasturi Haldar; David Hyde; Mary Ann McDowell; Bernard Nahlen; T. Alex Perkins; Michael Pfrender; Jason Rohr; Jeffrey Schorey; Nathan Swenson; Jennifer Tank

Associate Professors:
Giles Duffield; Ana Flores-Mireles; Hope Hollocher; Xin Lu; Jason McLachlan; David Medvigy; Adrian Rocha; Pilar Pérez Romero; Zachary Schafer; Cody Smith; Kevin Vaughan; Rebecca Wingert

Assistant Professors:
Katrina Adams; Tyler Coverdale; Cristian Koepfli; Jianneng Li; Christopher Patzke; Felipe Santiago-Tirado; Julian Torres-Dowdall

Professors Emeriti:
Gary Belovsky; Nora Besansky; John Duman; Malcolm Fraser; Paul Grimstad; Barbara Hellenthal; Ronald Hellenthal; Gary Lamberti; David Lodge; T. Mark Olsen; Joseph O’Tousa; Jeanne Romero-Severson; David Severson; Kristin Shrader-Frechette

Teaching Faculty:
Trenton Agrelius; Diane Lane; Kristin Lewis; Nancy Michael; Jennifer Robichaud; Benjamin Rudenga; David Veselik; Michelle Whaley

Professors of the Practice:
Dominic Chaloner; Joanna Larson; Xuemin (Sheryl) Lu; Michael McConnell; Bharat Mishra; Ryan Sensenig; Amy Stark; Patricia Vaughan

Research Faculty:
Nicole Achee; John Grieco; Lee Rafuse Haines; Anita Lerch; Neil Lobo; Daniela Miranda; Angana Mukherjee; Prasad Padmanabhan

Program of Studies

The Department of Biological Sciences offers programs of study leading to the degrees of bachelor of science with a major in biological sciences or bachelor of science with a major in environmental sciences, master of science in biological sciences and doctor of philosophy. Also offered is a second major in environmental sciences for students in the Colleges of Arts and Letters, Business Administration or Science.

Policy Statement on the Use of Organisms in Biological Sciences Teaching Laboratories

Some laboratory courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences may involve the use of living or preserved organisms. Instructors use these animal specimens in cases where this is deemed necessary for teaching important biological concepts and principles. Students who have concerns about the use of organisms in classes must, prior to registering, submit a request for alternate materials to the course instructor. It is up to the discretion of the instructor(s) as to whether and how non-organism alternatives may be substituted for biological materials in classes. Students permitted to use alternate materials are responsible for the same knowledge and application as their classmates and may be required to complete examinations that involve the inspection or handling of biological specimens.

Biology Courses

The biology courses included in this Bulletin are those reasonably expected to be offered several times to every semester during the next four years. However, changes may occur as faculty add new courses or drop those with little demand. Courses without laboratories are indicated as lecture only.

The requirements in biological sciences include courses from a basic five-core sequence, laboratory courses and sufficient numbers of BIOS electives to complete the 41-credit-hour requirement.

All majors are strongly encouraged to complete the sequence Biological Sciences I and II (BIOS 10171 – BIOS 10172) in their first year to ensure the completion of all requirements in four years. Students wishing to change majors into the biological sciences should have completed the introductory biology sequence to ensure interest and the completion of all their requirements in four years without overloading. Otherwise, students may be at a considerable disadvantage in scheduling requirements. Students would have one year less to explore their interests in biology.

The Department of Biological Sciences (BIOS) offers their courses under the subject code of: Biological Sciences (BIOS) and Sustainability (SUS). Courses associated with their academic programs may be found below. The scheduled classes for a given semester may be found at classearch.nd.edu.

Biological Sciences (BIOS)

BIOS 10010 The Climate Crisis: Intersection between Biology and Christianity (3 Credit Hours)

The Climate Crisis will explore how science and religion intersect in their analyses of climate change. We will emphasize two questions: (1) How has climate change over the past 30 years impacted biological organisms and ecosystems? (2) How ought Catholics respond to climate change, and how does such a response inform your own response? Readings will be drawn from a basic science textbook, writings from recent popes and from other Christian writers. The class sessions will be active, and focused on discussion and activities. This course is open to all, and is inspired by the UND mission that various lines of Catholic thought may intersect with all forms of knowledge.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKCD-Core Cathol & Disciplines

BIOS 10050 Biodiversity Studies in the Anthropocene (3 Credit Hours)

Biodiversity encompasses many more facets than simply the number of species in a location. This course will examine these different types of biodiversity and the ways in which scientists use cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, to study biodiversity. Students will also explore the many challenges facing species alive today and consider the complexity of equitable and ethical biodiversity conservation. Classes will combine lecture with hands-on learning activities using specimens from the Museum of Biodiversity and real datasets to build data analysis skills and critical thinking. Students will apply these skills to develop hypotheses on biodiversity-related questions and interrogate data that they collect on local field trips.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10091 Human Genetics, Evolution, and Society (3 Credit Hours)

For achieving a qualifying score on the appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam, students earn credit for this course as the exam credit equivalent of BIOS 10101 . This course will address fundamental biological principles using the two cornerstones of modern biology: genetics and evolution. Elementary chemistry, cell theory, reproduction, and development will also be covered. The emphasis, however, will be on human genetics and will include such topics as the cause and effects of genetic abnormalities, the genetic basis of intelligence and skin color, genes and cancer, and elementary population genetics. The state of "genetic engineering" research, the recombinant DNA controversy (including the implications of this kind of research on society and the individual) will be presented.

BIOS 10097 Ecology and Environmental Issues (3 Credit Hours)

For achieving a qualifying score on the appropriate International Baccalaureate (IB) exam, students earn credit for this course as the exam credit equivalent of BIOS 10107. Emphasis will be placed upon today's ecological and environmental problems and the possible effect they may have upon the future evolution of life on Earth. Topics will generally include an overview of the theory of evolution and a discussion of ecological principles as observed at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. The influence of cultural and political factors will also be discussed. Each academic year, one or more sections will be offered; some may be individually subtitled, allowing for one-time presentation of specific topics within the context of "environment and evolution;" in addition to multiple-semester presentations of a specific topic (e.g., Evolutionary Ecology, Freshwater and Society, Environmental Issues and Solutions). Summer. This course counts as general elective credit only for students in the College of Science.

BIOS 10098 Credit By Exam - Intro Biology (4 Credit Hours)

Students receiving a 5 on the Biology AP I examination or an IB grade of 7, receive credit fully equivalent to BIOS 10161 and 11161 and BIOS 10162 and 11162, i.e., the first year sequence of Biological Sciences I and II with laboratories designed for science majors. For those students who choose not to waive AP or IB credit, BIOS 10098 and BIOS 10099 combined will be accepted as a prerequisite for all upper-level biology courses where BIOS 10161 and/or BIOS 10162 are the prerequisites. Students intending to apply to medical or other professional schools where AP science credit is not accepted, or where two semesters of general biology with laboratories at the college level are required, almost universally waive their AP credit at Notre Dame and take the classes for academic degree credit. In these cases, BIOS 10098 and BIOS 10099 will revert to non-degree credit on their final transcript, when replaced by 8.0 letter-graded degree credits of either BIOS 10161 and 11161, BIOS 10162 and 11162 or BIOS 20201 and 21201, BIOS 20202 and 21202 as determined by the requirements of their respective majors.

BIOS 10099 Credit By Exam - Intro Bio II (4 Credit Hours)

Students receiving a 5 on the Biology AP examination or an IB grade of 7, receive credit fully equivalent to BIOS 10161 + 11161 and BIOS 10162 + 11162, i.e., the first year sequence of Biological Sciences I and II with laboratories designed for science majors. For those students who choose not to waive AP or IB credit, BIOS 10098 and 10099 combined will be accepted as a prerequisite for all upper-level biology courses where BIOS 10161 and/or BIOS 10162 are the prerequisites. Students intending to apply to medical or other professional schools where AP science credit is not accepted, or where two semesters of general biology with laboratories at the college level are required, almost universally waive their AP credit at Notre Dame and take the classes for academic degree credit. In these cases, BIOS 10098/10099 will revert to non-degree credit on their final transcript, when replaced by 8.0 letter-graded degree credits of either BIOS 10161/11161 + 10162/11162 or BIOS 20201/21201 + 20202/21202 as determined by the requirements of their respective majors. Please see printed section of this bulletin (page 125) for a general statement pertaining to Biology Survey Courses.

BIOS 10101 Human Genetics, Evolution, and Society (3 Credit Hours)

This course will address fundamental biological principles using the two cornerstones of modern biology: genetics and evolution. Elementary chemistry, cell theory, reproduction, and development will also be covered. The emphasis, however, will be on human genetics and will include such topics as the cause and effects of genetic abnormalities, the genetic basis of intelligence and skin color, genes and cancer, and elementary population genetics. The state of "genetic engineering" research, the recombinant DNA controversy (including the implications of this kind of research on society and the individual) will be presented. Fall and spring.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10105 Molecular Basis of Disease (3 Credit Hours)

This course explores the genetic basis of disease with an understanding of Mendelian patterns of inheritance and gene expression. We will discuss the impacts of genetic technology in medicine, which includes topics in gene therapy and DNA testing. The study of infectious diseases is prefaced by a discussion of the proper functioning of the immune system. Antibiotic resistance, vaccine myths, and re-emerging disease are public health concerns addressed in this course.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10107 Ecology and Environmental Issues (3 Credit Hours)

Emphasis will be placed upon today's ecological and environmental problems and the possible effect they may have upon the future evolution of life on Earth. Topics will generally include an overview of the theory of evolution and a discussion of ecological principles as observed at the population, community, and ecosystem levels. The influence of cultural and political factors will also be discussed. Each academic year, one or more sections will be offered; some may be individually subtitled, allowing for one-time presentation of specific topics within the context of "environment and evolution;" in addition to multiple-semester presentations of a specific topic (e.g., Evolutionary Ecology, Freshwater and Society, Environmental Issues and Solutions). Summer. This course counts as general elective credit only for students in the College of Science.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10110 Biology and Society (3 Credit Hours)

Increased understanding of biological processes has fueled the development of new biotechnology. The course covers topics of current relevance, including the use of antibiotics, the development of genetically modified foods, genetic testing capabilities, stem cell technologies, cancer causes and treatments. Each topic is developed through reading assignments, instructor presentations, review of news media, and in class group interactions. A heightened awareness of the topic, and opposing viewpoints, will be developed through student debates and other in-class activities. Grading is based on class participation, online quizzes, assignments, and a final exam. Note: this course is delivered fully online. The course design combines required live weekly meetings online with self-scheduled lectures, problems, assignments, and interactive learning materials. To participate, students will need to have a computer with webcam, reliable internet connection, and a quiet place to participate in live sessions.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10112 The Marine Environment (3 Credit Hours)

The world ocean makes up 97% of the planet's water and 99% of all living space on earth. Ocean systems and processes have a profound effect on our current and future well-being, yet the ocean remains mysterious to us in many ways. Humans have caused and continue to cause radical changes in ocean chemistry, physics, and biology. It is therefore more critical than ever for us to understand the mechanisms that undergird the physical and biological aspects of the world ocean. This class is divided into three parts: the first provides an introduction to oceanography - the physical aspects of the ocean. The second is an exploration of the incredibly diverse organisms that inhabit the ocean and how they interact with each other and their environment. The last section of the class focuses on human environmental impacts on the world ocean and how human societies and policies can best contribute to ocean health.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10115 Microbes and Man (3 Credit Hours)

The course will provide a survey of relationships between man and microorganisms. General information about microbial physiology, biochemistry, and ecology will support more detailed discussions of interesting topics in food, medical, and applied microbial biology. Included will be subjects of general and historical interest, as well as current newsworthy topics. The student should get a better understanding of the role of microorganisms in disease, the production of common foods, relevant environmental issues, and biotechnology.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10117 Fundamentals of Conservation Biology (3 Credit Hours)

This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of conservation biology for non-majors. We will begin by reviewing how science works and doing a brief survey of life on Earth. We will then go over a brief history of life and conservation before delving into the science of ecology and what constitutes biodiversity. This will be followed by the current major threats to biodiversity, including habitat loss, overexploitation, climate change, and invasive species. Finally, we conclude with an overview of the various conservation methods for preserving biodiversity, including designating reserves, managing populations, and conserving resources. Over the course of the semester we will also cover the history of conservation in the United States as told through the lens of the National Parks system. Virtual lab activities will also bring an active-learning component to emphasize key lessons from lecture.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10119 Evolution and Society (3 Credit Hours)

Evolution is the cornerstone of modern biological sciences. This course will highlight evolution as well as ecology and biodiversity. Emphasis will placed on the evolution of animal behavior including human behavior. Sexual selection and its role in shaping many forms of life, including humans, will be extensively covered. Open classroom discussion is a central and required part of the course.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10120 Introduction to Botany (3 Credit Hours)

As you walk around campus, do you ever wonder how some flowers have sweet aromas while others smell rotten? Or think about how young sunflowers are able to see the sun to always face it? Or perhaps you gaze at a dandelion in a crack in the sidewalk wondering how it survives? In this course, we will explore these questions as we analyze the fine details of plant structures to gain a deeper understanding of how they perceive and respond to their surroundings. After completing this course, you will be able to use the principles of botany to identify the plants around campus, interpret the structures, and describe the genetic makeup that makes them unique.

BIOS 10161 Biological Sciences I (3 Credit Hours)

This is a two-semester course with three lectures and one three-hour laboratory a week for first-year students contemplating a career in biology, medicine, or related areas of life science. The first semester presents a description of biologically important molecules and then proceeds to cell structure, energy metabolism, and classical and modern genetics. The topics presented in the second semester in the context of modern evolutionary theory include biological diversity, ecology, and organismal physiology. BIOS 10161 and 10162 are not typical survey courses; they go into greater depth, especially in modern molecular biology. When followed by BIOS 20241 and BIOS 20250, they will provide biology and biochemistry majors, including premedical intents, with a thorough in-depth overview of basic concepts of modern biology.

Corequisites: BIOS 11161, BIOS 12161

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Environmental Sciences or Environmental Sciences (Supp.).

BIOS 10162 Biological Sciences II (3 Credit Hours)

This is the second semester of a two-semester course for first year students contemplating a career in biology, medicine, or related areas of life science. The topics presented in the second semester in the context of modern evolutionary theory include biological diversity, ecology, and organismal physiology.

Prerequisites: BIOS 10161

Corequisites: BIOS 11162

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10169 Biology I: Big Questions Mod 1 (0 Credit Hours)

"Big Questions" is the fall introductory biology course for freshman and sophomore students. The hallmarks of the course include a conceptual and integrated approach to learning biology, emphasis on scientific practice, and teaching practices consistent with the way students learn. Eight professors will teach sections of introductory biology in the context of an interesting "big question" in their area of expertise. This contextual learning will allow students to comprehend how various levels of biology are needed to solve contemporary problems such as climate change, infectious diseases, and the origin of life. Students will also learn process skills and develop a framework to scaffold biological information into a whole. This will allow them to better retain knowledge to use in the second introductory course, Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems, in the spring semester.

Corequisites: BIOS 10170, BIOS 10171, BIOS 11173

BIOS 10170 Biology I: Big Questions Mod 2 (0 Credit Hours)

Corequisites: BIOS 10171, BIOS 11173

Course may be repeated.

BIOS 10171 Biology I :Big Questions (3 Credit Hours)

This is the first in a two-course series that covers five key concepts in Biology - evolution; structure and function; information flow, exchange, and storage; pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and systems. Big Questions investigates these key biological concepts within the context of two "big questions" in modern Biology. For more information about course format and content see the Department of Biological Sciences homepage. Most students enroll concurrently in BIOS 11173 Biological Investigations Laboratory (1 CREDIT).

Corequisites: BIOS 11173

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10172 Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems (3 Credit Hours)

This is the second course in the two-course Introductory Biology series. Molecules to Ecosystems provides an opportunity to master and integrate the five key biological concepts - evolution; structure and function; information flow, exchange, and storage; pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and systems. Throughout the course students are challenged to make connections among these concepts and apply them to their own biological questions. For more information about course format and content see the Department of Biological Sciences homepage. Most students enroll concurrently in BIOS 11174 Research Experience in Biology Laboratory (1 CREDIT).

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 10191 Biology's Impact in Our World (3 Credit Hours)

Students explore core principles in biology that are encountered on a daily basis in the news as they relate to changes in our lives and society in general. These are controversial issues that society is debating, because they affect social policy. Several foci emerge from this debate. First, what is the role of biotechnology on our lives? This includes issues with the widespread use of antibiotics and genetically modified foods, genetic testing, cancer treatment and pharmaceutical development. Second, what happens when biology challenges the beliefs and activities of people? This includes issues dealing with stem cell technology, the origin and evolution of life, the preservation of biodiversity, and human impact on the biosphere. Each week a different issue is investigated using a multifaceted approach to increase student awareness of the underlying controversy. First, a basic knowledge of the biological principle is pursued via in- and out-of-class lecture and readings. Next, in-class problem-solving and discussion of the controversy is undertaken. And finally, a student run debate is held to more fully appreciate the underlying reasoning and passion of opposing viewpoints.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

Students in the College of Science college may not enroll.

BIOS 11161 Biological Sciences I - Lab (1 Credit Hour)

The laboratory sessions are an integral part of the lecture courses, which will complement the lectures. The lab sessions will also offer the student direct experience in using the scientific method and simultaneously introduce numerous biological and analytical techniques. In addition, students learn to present their findings during the course of the two semesters of laboratory as they would for a journal article or a scientific meeting (seminar and poster presentations).

Corequisites: BIOS 10161

BIOS 11173 Biological Investigations Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)

This course provides an opportunity to develop fundamental research skills used in the study of biological systems. The overall goal of this course is to help students learn to "think like a biologist", while developing a "toolbox" of techniques that can be applied to current research questions in biology. In this course, students acquire specific technical skills, including field insect collection; light microscopy; DNA isolation, PCR, and electrophoresis; bacterial transformation; and data analysis and graphing. Across the semester the students apply these skills in the context of open-ended biological problems and communicate the results of their experiments. Most students enroll concurrently in BIOS 10171 Biology I: Big Questions (3 CREDITS).

Corequisites: BIOS 10171

BIOS 11174 Research Experience in Biology Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)

This course challenges students to apply their biological research skills to a semester-long authentic research project. Over the semester, students develop their skills in technical protocols, experimental design and analysis, and scientific communication while creating biological knowledge in one of three ongoing research projects. Most students enroll concurrently in BIOS 10172 Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems. See Section Notes for information about the specific research project in a particular section.

BIOS 14110 Biology and Society (3 Credit Hours)

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 20100 Brain Disorders and What We Can Do (1 Credit Hour)

The course will be composed of three weekly lectures for a total of 10 lectures. There are no prerequisites and no prior knowledge of the nervous system is required. The course will begin with an overview of the central nervous system, which students will learn basic cell structure (neuron vs. glia), brain nuclei and basic nervous system physiology such as action potential and neurotransmitter release. Following the teaching of the biological essentials, students will learn about the brain through readings, lectures, and discussions of the book, "The Brain that Changes Itself", written by Dr. Norman Doidge. This is not a standard text, but rather a series of case studies described by a psychiatrist. It is extremely well written and is meant to be approachable to non- experts of the field of neuroscience. Lectures and small group discussion will be the two main formats during each live class meeting. Video clips related to the course topic will be provided for asynchronous learning. By examining in detail several distinct neurological phenomena, students will gain perspective regarding the complexity of our nervous system.

BIOS 20201 General Biology A (3 Credit Hours)

Introduction to living organisms with emphasis on biological processes and principles. BIOS 20201 introduces biology to the student at the cellular level, covering such topics as important biological molecules, energy metabolism, and classical and modern genetics. BIOS 20201 and 20202, along with their concomitant laboratories (BIOS 21201 and 20202) constitute a traditional two-semester introduction to biology. This sequence covers more topics, but in less depth, than the former BIOS 155-156 or BIOS 10161-10162 and is designed to provide students with the necessary background for subsequent advanced biology courses and to help them prepare for MCATS. A prerequisite is a full year of college chemistry. In addition, organic chemistry is to be taken concurrently.

Prerequisites: CHEM 10122 or CHEM 10172 or CHEM 10182

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 20202 General Biology B (3 Credit Hours)

Introduction to living organisms with emphasis on biological processes and principles, and goes beyond the cellular level, with an emphasis on organismic physiology, evolution, diversity, and ecology. BIOS 20201 and 20202, along with their concomitant laboratories (BIOS 21201 and 21202) constitute a traditional two-semester introduction to biology. This sequence covers more topics, but in less depth, than BIOS 10161 and 10162 and is designed to provide students with the necessary background for subsequent advanced biology courses and to help them prepare for MCATS. A prerequisite is a full year of college chemistry. In addition, organic chemistry is to be taken concurrently.

Prerequisites: BIOS 20201 and (CHEM 10122 or CHEM 10171 or CHEM 10181)

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 20204 Introduction to Ecological Horticulture (1 Credit Hour)

Globally, the agricultural sector is the largest cause of habitat loss, aquifer depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. The need to transform agricultural systems to meet the needs of the world's growing population while addressing these ecological impacts is one of the 21st century's grand challenges. This course will include principles, concepts and practices of sustainable food production including biodiversity, soil quality, and nutrient, water, pest and disease management, while focusing on a production culture that is environmentally regenerative. Every class meeting will involve experiential learning that will build students' skills in growing healthy food in a way that protects and restores the earth. This class will also address the environmental and social consequences of industrial farming and public health impacts of quality food accessibility in communities.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 (may be taken concurrently) and BIOS 10162 (may be taken concurrently)) or (BIOS 20201 (may be taken concurrently) and BIOS 20202 (may be taken concurrently)) or (BIOS 10171 and BIOS 10172)

BIOS 20241 Molecular Cellular Biology (3 Credit Hours)

This course is intended for Biology Majors who have completed Classic and Molecular Genetics (BIOS 20250) but open to students in Neuroscience and Behavior, Biochemistry and Preprofessional Studies Majors who have the appropriate background. This course explores the structural and functional basis of cell biology, with specific emphasis on molecular mechanisms that regulate cellular activities involved in protein folding, biological membrane function, organelle biogenesis, vesicular transport, cell signaling, cell cycle control and mitosis. The course incorporates the experimental basis of concepts in cell biology and modern day applications of cell biology research in human disease. Course content provides essential foundations for MCAT and GRE exam preparation. The optional Molecular Cell Biology Research course (BIOS 27241) adds more exposure to modern Cell Biology topics.

Prerequisites: (CHEM 10172 or CHEM 10182) and BIOS 20250

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 20250 Classical and Molecular Genetics (4 Credit Hours)

This course is restricted to biological science, biochemistry, or neuroscience majors only. The course exposes students to classical and molecular genetics and demonstrates how these two approaches can combine to examine complex problems. The lecture is strongly weighted toward teaching students to solve genetic and molecular biological problems. The course is taught in a “flipped” format, where students watch recorded lectures and then come to class to apply the material in a variety of problems and exercises. Thus, a significant amount of time is spent helping students learn how to think like a geneticist, solving problems, and analyzing data. The course begins by exploring topics in classical genetic principles, such as Mendelian genetics, mitosis and meiosis, genetic linkage, chromosome structure and abnormalities. The course then builds on this foundation by discussing the “central dogma” of DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein translation. The course then moves into learning how the tools of molecular biology (DNA sequencing, hybridization techniques, DNA cloning, generating mutants and transgenic animals) are used to study fundamental processes in genetics, gene regulation, and development. Throughout, the course employs examples in both model organisms and human diseases to demonstrate the relevance of the concepts being discussed. Students are presented with the techniques to apply underlying genetic principles through problem solving and data analysis. The large amount of time that is spent in class learning how to solve problems and analyze data prepares the student for exams that are based on the types of problems that are practiced in class and assigned to be worked on in small groups. The laboratory gives the students hands-on experience in a number of genetic and molecular techniques and demonstrates how many of the concepts covered in lecture are applied in generating a cohesive genetic picture.

Prerequisites: BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201 or BIOS 10172

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Neuroscience and Behavior.

BIOS 20251 Mendelian & Molecular Genetics (4 Credit Hours)

BIOS 20300 Local Flora (1 Credit Hour)

This is a field-based course that explores the rich biodiversity of plant life in northern Indiana. Through hands-on experience in a diverse array of field sites, you will be introduced to various plant communities and learn to identify the plants within them. Plant communities and species distributions reflect patterns and processes as ancient as plate tectonics and as recent as glaciers and European settlement. They reflect the influence of temperature and moisture patterns as well as competition within and among plant species. They are shaped by interactions with animals, insects, and disease, as well as the actions of humans.Plants are the foundation of every terrestrial habitat, but are often overlooked. By developing a greater familiarity with plant communities and skills for identification, you will be better prepared to appreciate natural habitats, participate in conservation work, and conduct field research.

BIOS 20303 Fundamentals of Genetics (3 Credit Hours)

An elementary course dealing with the principles of variation and inheritance in plants and animals, with special reference to humans. Designed primarily for junior preprofessional students. Spring.

Prerequisites: BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 20344 Transfer Physiology (4 Credit Hours)

Transfer physiology

BIOS 20401 Fundamentals of Biological Anthropology (3 Credit Hours)

This course approaches human evolution from a theoretical point of view that combines both biological and cultural processes into a cohesive bio-cultural model. It begins by tracing the development of modern evolutionary theory and the place of evolutionary studies in anthropology, especially in the sub-field of bioanthropology. These concepts provide the framework for understanding the many lines of evidence that anthropologists use to explore and explain human evolution. These include studies of our primate relatives, through the intricacies of the fossil record, to archaeological evidence for the invention of material culture from the simplest stone tools to the complex cultural world that we live in today. Modern human variation can only be explained as the result of evolutionary forces acting on the complex interplay of biology and culture over millions of years. We continue to be affected by these forces, and this course not only provides information about where we came from, it also provides the scientific backgrounds to help us understand where we might be going as our species continues to evolve.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 20450 Neuroscience and Behavior (3 Credit Hours)

This course is intended to provide a broad introduction to the field of neuroscience and behavior, from the level of molecules flowing across cell membranes up to complex human cognition. It is intended primarily for sophomores and required of all Neuroscience and Behavior majors. The associated laboratory is also required an may be taken concurrently or at a later time.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 and BIOS 11161) or (BIOS 20201 and BIOS 21201)

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Neuroscience and Behavior.

BIOS 20480 Intro to Dyn Sys for Scientist (3 Credit Hours)

This is a one-semester course introducing students to linear algebra and ordinary differential equations by way of their scientific usage. The course serves as a gateway to more advance mathematical methods that are commonly used in contemporary scientific studies and their literature. Students will learn how to take a mathematical approach to various scientific problems, solve the resulting equations, and interpret the mathematical solution in the original context. There will be course projects and some usage of computing software. Topics include matrix algebra, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, vector-valued functions, linear and non-linear systems of differential equations, and phase portraits. The scientific topics include age-structured population growth, the Richardson's theory of war, and infectious disease modeling.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKQR- Core Quantitat Reasoning

BIOS 21201 Transfer BIOS Lab Non BIOS 1 (1 Credit Hour)

Transfer BIOS Lab for Non Bios Majors.

BIOS 21202 Transfer BIOS Lab Non BIOS 2 (1 Credit Hour)

Transfer BIOS Lab for Non-Bios Majors.

BIOS 21241 Molecular Cell Biology Research (2 Credit Hours)

This cell biology laboratory, reserved exclusively for BIOS majors, is an investigative, project-based laboratory designed to expose students to a bona fide research experience involving the development and application of critical thinking skills to solve complex research problems. Working in groups of four to six, students will devote themselves to tackling self-chosen research projects reviewed and approved by course instructors. The culmination of the laboratory experience ends when students formally prepare and present their findings in a poster-style scientific meeting.

Prerequisites: BIOS 20241 (may be taken concurrently)

BIOS 21250 Classical and Molecular Genetics Laboratory (2 Credit Hours)

In this laboratory course, students will characterize mutations that cause retinal degeneration in the fruit fly, Drosophila Melanogaster, in a series of related experiments comprising a semester-long study. The labs will be broken into two major sections, starting with the genetic characterization of a mutation, followed by the molecular characterization of the altered gene causing that mutation. This directed research project will be presented in two drafts of a complex research paper. Some work outside the four-hour lab period will be required. Fall.

Prerequisites: BIOS 20250 (may be taken concurrently)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 21303 Fundamental Genetics Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)

This laboratory provides experience in genetics and molecular biology experimentation and analysis in a smaller scale project than the fall genetics lab. The course is a semester-long research project, so this is not a regular lab course. Any life science major can do well in this course. You will use Mendelian and molecular genetics to characterize a gene that causes a disease in an animal model. You will write a paper in a mentored experience and learn about molecular genetics research through this process. By the end of the course, you will be able to: 1. Demonstrate proficiency in essential laboratory techniques in molecular biology and genetics 2. Demonstrate proficiency in scientific writing and clearly articulate scientific concepts 3. Develop open, honest, and empathetic communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with a lab partner 4. Develop confidence and research competence to pursue undergraduate research (or a research job, if you are a senior) after the conclusion of the course

Prerequisites: BIOS 20303 (may be taken concurrently)

BIOS 21344 Transfer Physiology Lab (0 Credit Hours)

Transfer physiology lab.

BIOS 23101 Professional Development for the Environmental Sciences (1 Credit Hour)

Professional Development for the Environmental Sciences is a seminar course that will help students in the major get the most out of their undergraduate experience as they move through the program. The primary purpose is to orient students early in their college career to the many opportunities that exist both in and outside the university, and to help their career discernment and development. Students will also be given opportunities to explore relevant issues and access information that will help guide planning for their major, both inside and outside the classroom as well as careers beyond university. The topics covered during the course will range from an exploration of the major differences among sub-disciplines within Environmental Sciences, to more practical aspects of planning and achieving milestones in the development of a career, be it in graduate, medical, or law school, or public service and private industry. Students will also have the opportunity to meet invited speakers from outside the university along with a number of faculty from the various departments and colleges relevant to the major that would provide the foundation of opportunities, such as undergraduate research and graduate level courses to consider taking. By the end of the course, students will be able to (1) identify what career options are available to those with an environmental sciences career; (2) articulate what aspects of an environmental sciences career they are most interested, and (3) plan out what are the critical steps that need to be taken to prepare for a post-graduate career in the environmental sciences.

BIOS 24100 Brain Disorders:What We Can Do (3 Credit Hours)

The course will be composed of four weekly lectures for a total of seven weeks. There are no prerequisites and no prior knowledge of the nervous system is required. The course will begin with an overview of the central nervous system, which students will learn basic cell structure (neuron vs. glia), brain nuclei and basic nervous system physiology such as action potential and neurotransmitter release. Following the teaching of the biological essentials, students will learn about the brain through readings, lectures, and discussions of the book, "The Brain that Changes Itself", written by Dr. Norman Doidge. This is not a standard text, but rather a series of case studies described by a psychiatrist. It is extremely well written and is meant to be approachable to non- experts of the field of neuroscience. Lectures and small group discussion will be the two main formats during live class meetings. Video clips related to the course topic will be provided at aid learning. By examining in detail several distinct neurological phenomena, students will gain perspective regarding the complexity of our nervous system.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 24241 Molecular Cell Biology (3-4 Credit Hours)

CELB 20040 Cell and Molecular Biology 1 - Principles at UCD; The structure and function of cells underlies our understanding of many areas of biology, including human health, plant science and environmental science. The module covers the principles of cell theory and the basic structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Lectures will introduce the key molecules involved in maintaining cell function, and the pathways and processes to which they contribute. This module explores fundamental cellular features such as energy provision, compartmentation, membrane function, protein synthesis and folding, cell communication, and transport pathways between distinct subcellular locations. In addition, the module will address signal transduction, cell division, cell death mechanisms, and how these contribute to diseases such as cancer. Due consideration will be given to the general structure and arrangement of organelles of the endomembrane system, plastids, macromolecular machines, the extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton, in addition to the molecules associated with each of these. Associated laboratory classes will complement the lectures, and will provide experience of observing cells, visualising subcellular components and making relevant interpretations. When taught at Perth, Australia: Taught as SCIE1106 - 'Molecular Biology of the Cell'. This is an introductory unit that explores prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function at the physiological and molecular levels. A strong emphasis is placed on applications in biomedicine and biotechnology. The unit builds on concepts introduced in BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology (formerly BIOL1130 Core Concepts in Biology) and ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human. The first part of the unit covers DNA, RNA and protein structure; DNA replication; gene expression and its regulation; and recombinant DNA technology. The second part of the unit deals with the cell cycle and cell differentiation; cell structure and compartmentation; the structure of biological membranes and strategies used to move molecules across these membranes; and intercellular communication. Applications of cell and molecular biology in microbiology, disease diagnosis and therapy, and genetic engineering are discussed in the final part of the unit. Practical classes illustrate fundamental techniques in cell and molecular biology, and tutorials discuss recent advances in microbiology, physiology and biochemistry.

BIOS 24251 Classical and Molecular Genetics (3 Credit Hours)

This course deals with two major areas. The first area is classical genetics: Mendelian principles, chromosome mechanics, linkage and recombination, and chromosomal mutations. The second area is molecular genetics: DNA replication, RNA transcription, protein translation, recombinant DNA techniques, the nature of the gene and regulation of gene expression. However, these areas are not mutually exclusive and often the same concept is applied at different times in the course. The integration of topics at different points throughout the course will help to reinforce the material for the student and demonstrate how our understanding of genetics has been built over time. Pre-requisites: Students are required to have completed a year-long Introductory Biology sequence prior to taking this genetics course. BIOS or BCHM majors may only take this course when they receive permission from their Director of Undergraduate Studies. All majors must speak with their DUS: for BIOS, David Veselik (dveselik@nd.edu) / for BCHM, Dee Anne Goodenogh-Lashua (dgoodeno@nd.edu). Note: this course is delivered fully online. The course design combines required live weekly meetings online with self-scheduled lectures, problems, assignments, and interactive learning materials. To participate, students will need to have a computer with webcam, reliable internet connection, and a quiet place to participate in live sessions.

Students cannot enroll who have a major in Biochemistry or Biological Sciences.

BIOS 24303 Fundamentals of Genetics (3 Credit Hours)

Yonsei University: The objective of this course is to help students to understand molecular mechanisms of cellular functions. This course will deal with principle running-machinery for cells and organism. Through this course students will learn molecular mechanism and application for principle dogma related with physiology. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This course investigated the principles heredity including evolutionary history, laws of inheritance, transmission and expression of genes, sex linkage and recombination and chromatin organization and modification. Students participated in several lectures, laboratory practicals and computing practicals to learn about the mechanisms that underpin genome dynamics and techniques that better inform our understanding genetics.

BIOS 24401 Fundamentals of Biological Anthropology (3 Credit Hours)

BIOS 24402 Native Flora (3 Credit Hours)

The course allows to know the main characteristics of the native flora of Chile, its biology, taxonomic classification, geographical distribution and economic and phytogeographic importance.

BIOS 24404 Apiculture (3 Credit Hours)

This module examines the most important insect pollinators and gives an insight into their taxonomy, biology and ecological role. The focus will be on bumble bees, solitary bees and honey bees. It will provide the student with an understanding of the variation in their biology and provide them with knowledge of specific pollinator species. The module will also identify human activities that affect (improve or impair) survival of pollinating insects. Emphasis is placed on the honey bee because of its importance, both as a honey producer and as a pollinator of cultivated crops.

BIOS 27241 Molecular Cell Biology Research-Special Studies. (2 Credit Hours)

Prerequisites: BIOS 20241 (may be taken concurrently)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 30121 Exercise Physiology: Celebrating What Your Body Can Do (3 Credit Hours)

Why do weight lifters wear lifting belts? How does athletic training and diet differ between endurance athletes and strength athletes? What are the sex-based differences in athletic performance? What impact do supplements and performance enhancing drugs have on athletic performance? Through the use of peer reviewed research, popular media articles, podcasts, and film we will answer these and many other questions within the field of exercise physiology. The course will be split into two broad units: 1) Powerlifters and 2) Marathoners. Topics covered will include cellular metabolism, muscle physiology, training programs, response to training, basic nutrition, body composition, some methodological exercise testing, supplements and performance enhancing drugs, recovery, fatigue, and activity in extreme environments. Through this use of mixed media, we will also discuss how the media misrepresents and misreports exercise physiology studies, making us all more discerning consumers of information.

BIOS 30301 Embryology (3 Credit Hours)

Overview of the embryology and histology of the developing organism with an emphasis on the clinical aspects. Content similar to BIOS 30342.

Prerequisites: BIOS 10162 or BIOS 10172 or BIOS 30344

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Pre-Health Studies (Supp.), Science- Business or PreProfessional.

BIOS 30305 Evolution (3 Credit Hours)

The mechanisms and processes involved in the production of life as we know it today, as well as a discussion on the impact current events may have upon life in the future.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202 or BIOS 20250 or BIOS 20303)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 30310 The History of Life (3 Credit Hours)

This course explores the origin, history, and systematics of life on Earth, starting from hypotheses examining life's origin(s) and including current thinking concerning the systematic relationships of organisms and the evolution of humans. The class will be taught primarily from a macroevolutionary perspective. BIOS 30310 therefore represents the complement to BIOS 30305 (Evolution), which concentrates on processes generating gene frequency changes within populations (i.e., microevolution). Fall.

Prerequisites: BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202

BIOS 30312 General Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

The study of populations and communities of organisms and their interrelations with the environment. Fall and spring.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Environmental Sciences (Supp.).

BIOS 30318 Introduction to Biocomputing (3 Credit Hours)

Modern biology, as well as biochemistry and biophysics, relies significantly on computation. The volumes of data generated by modern lab and field research commonly require greater capacity and more sophisticated algorithms for reformatting, filtering, and analyzing than are available in traditional spreadsheet software. As a result, an efficient and productive scientist must possess, at least basic, biocomputational skills. Often these requisite skills include the ability to navigate the Unix Shell environment, to understand and implement existing software tools, and to use a scripting language for data processing and analysis. This course will provide students with the knowledge and experience required to apply these important tools in diverse contexts. Approximately one-third of the course will focus on using the Unix Shell environment with an introduction to bioinformatics approaches. The remaining two-thirds of the course will build the students' skills in the use of the R scripting language and applications in statistics and dynamic modeling. No previous coding experience is required of students in this course

Corequisites: BIOS 32318

BIOS 30325 Plants, Society and the Environment (3 Credit Hours)

Plants have provided food, medicine, fuel, and raw materials for humans throughout our history. Concurrently, humans have modified the distribution, diversity and utility of plants for our benefit in ways that are often unsustainable. Many of the grand environmental and societal challenges of today and tomorrow involve our interactions with plants and the pivotal roles they play in our natural and modified environments. The goal of this course is to provide foundational knowledge about the biology and diversity of plants. This includes learning the basics of plant anatomy and physiology and the ecology and evolutionary history of plants. This knowledge is then utilized to discuss plants as sources of food, commercial products, medicines and toxins in the past, present and future of human society."

Prerequisites: (BIOS 20241 or BIOS 30341 (may be taken concurrently)) and (BIOS 20250 or BIOS 20303)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Environmental Sciences (Supp.).

BIOS 30338 Advanced Neurobiology (3 Credit Hours)

This course is designed for students interested in the molecular and cellular aspects of neurobiology. It starts by defining what neurons and glia cells are and goes further by explaining how neural networks form, work and how disease-causing mutations disrupt these processes, as shown in animal models or human patient cells used as models for autism and schizophrenia. It will provide an overview of molecular and cellular neuroscience by focusing on several key topics, such as nervous system development, cytoskeletal regulation and neurite formation, axonal pathfinding, synapse formation and function, voltage-gated ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, neurotransmitter release, neuronal gene expression and more.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 10171 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 10172 or BIOS 20202) and (BIOS 20241 or BIOS 30341 or BIOS 10101 or BIOS 10091 or BIOS 20450 or SC 20450 or NSBH 20450)

BIOS 30341 Cell Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Designed primarily for junior preprofessional students. Structural and functional aspects of the biology of cells are addressed.

Prerequisites: ((BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202)) and (CHEM 10122 or CHEM 10172 or CHEM 10182 or CHEM 20273 or CHEM 20283)

BIOS 30342 Developmental Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Development of plants, animals, and microorganisms studied at the molecular, cellular, and organismic levels.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 20250 or BIOS 20303) and (BIOS 20241 or BIOS 30341)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 30344 Vertebrate (Human) Physiology (3 Credit Hours)

Physiological functions and processes at the level of organs and organ systems, oriented primarily toward humans.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202) and (CHEM 10122 or CHEM 10172 or CHEM 10182 or CHEM 20273 or CHEM 20283)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 30350 Introduction to Dynamic Models in Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Dynamic biological models can be powerful tools not only for prediction, but also for going beyond correlation and understanding causality. This course is designed to enable students to establish a strong background in the development, use, and interpretation of models. The course will focus on a set of case studies. The case studies will be drawn from diverse specialties, ranging from disease to forest ecology. The essential mathematical and programming techniques will be developed as needed to understand the modeling results. The relationship between models, experiments, and evaluation of biological hypotheses will be emphasized throughout.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202) and (MATH 10350 or MATH 10550 or MATH 10850) and (MATH 10360 or MATH 10560 or MATH 10092 or MATH 10091 or MATH 10860)

BIOS 30401 Principles of Microbiology (3 Credit Hours)

An introduction to microbial life, including structure and function of bacteria. Characterization and classification of microorganisms are considered and include their ecology, growth and death, metabolism, physiology, genetics and antigenic analysis. The impact of microorganisms on human health is discussed through representative pathogenic bacteria. Fall and/or Spring.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201 or BIOS 10171) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 10172 or BIOS 20202) and (CHEM 10122 or CHEM 10172 or CHEM 10182 or CHEM 20273 or CHEM 20283)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 30404 Vertebrate Biology (3 Credit Hours)

This biodiversity lecture (30404) and laboratory (31404) course will explore the biology of vertebrates, including their evolution, ecology, diversity, biogeography, systematics, morphology, physiology, behavior, and conservation. Lectures will cover major evolutionary trends in the structure, function, and diversity of vertebrates as well as the interrelationships among vertebrate groups. Laboratory will include detailed comparative study of representative vertebrates, survey of morphological diversity across many groups, and connections to cutting-edge research topics. There will also be multiple field trips, such as visiting the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum in Chicago, the Potawatomi Zoo, bird watching, and herping!

Prerequisites: BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202

Corequisites: BIOS 31404

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 30406 General Entomology (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the morphology, life histories, and systematic relationships of insects, with emphasis on medical and agricultural aspects. Alternating fall semesters.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202)

Corequisites: BIOS 31406

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 30407 Animal Behavior (3 Credit Hours)

A consideration of individual and social behavior patterns, with emphasis on organization and adaptive significance. Neural, endocrine, genetic, and environmental factors modifying behavior will be examined. Spring.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202)

BIOS 30408 Arthropods and Human Disease (3 Credit Hours)

Emphasis on physiology, genetics, and relationships of arthropods as agents and vectors of disease. Spring.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 30410 Cellular Neurobiology: Stem Cell to Disease (3 Credit Hours)

The nervous system is precisely organized to ensure that animals can react and learn from their environment. This task requires the coordination of numerous neural cell-types including but not limited to glial, immune, blood and neuronal cell populations. Coordinating these cells to make the mature nervous system requires such biological processes as intracellular signaling, cell-cell communication and cellular migration, proliferation and differentiation. Upon successful completion of this class, you will be able to describe how the single-cell zygote produces and organizes cells into a fully functional nervous system covering molecular and cellular events that contribute to such topics as neuronal differentiation, axon guidance, synaptogenesis, glial differentiation, glial ensheathment, immune cell production and brain-blood vessel development.

Prerequisites: BIOS 10171 or BIOS 10172

BIOS 30413 Behavioral Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

BIOS 30418 Medical Molecular Genetics (3 Credit Hours)

The course will introduce the tools of modern molecular biology and explore their applications at the frontiers of biological research. Advanced topics may include molecular medicine, biotechnology, development, evolution, and neurobiology. Fall.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 20250 or BIOS 20303 or BIOS 24250 or BIOS 24303) and (BIOS 20241 or BIOS 30341)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 30420 Aquatic Ecology (4 Credit Hours)

A study of the structure and function of aquatic systems with emphasis on the behavioral, physiological and morphological adaptations generated by the physical and chemical characteristics of various aquatic habitats. Fall.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202)

Corequisites: BIOS 31420

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 30423 Genomes: from variation to phenotypes to personalized medicine (3 Credit Hours)

This course will introduce the methods of genome science and explore their applications in biological research and their impact on biological thinking. Topics will include how genomes are studied, how they function, and how they evolve. The importance of comparative and functional genomics in identifying mechanisms of human diseases will be highlighted. Spring.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202) and (BIOS 20250 or BIOS 20303)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 30424 Tumor Cell Biology (3 Credit Hours)

This course is designed for undergraduate students interested in the biology of cancer. It will focus on understanding how normal cells become tumor cells and the specific molecular and cellular properties of tumor cells that are important for cancer progression. The course will also introduce the student to the field of cancer research through the critical examination of primary literature

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 30455 Medical Microbiology (3 Credit Hours)

This course provides an overview of basic principles in infectious disease caused by major microbial pathogens. Through lectures and discussion of assigned reading material, the course examines current and classical topics in the field of host-pathogen relationships with an emphasis on the interplay between pathogen strategies and the host response. Students will be expected to give group presentations on topics relevant to Medical Microbiology and participate in regular class discussions.

Prerequisites: BIOS 20241 or BIOS 24241 or BIOS 30341 or BIOS 34341

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 30456 Infectious Diseases: Biological Manifestations and Current Challenges (3 Credit Hours)

Since the earlier stages of human development, infectious diseases have play an important role in shaping our history. They have made great empires crumble to the ground and wiped out communities. From the ancient times, we have tried to understand these diseases to mitigate their effect in our society. This course will provide: 1) a historical perspective of infectious diseases; 2) how they impacted and shaped history; 3) the recognition of the causative agents and biological manifestations; 4) control methods throughout history; 5) modern infections; and 6) current methods of prevention, treatments, and challenges.

BIOS 30465 Herpetology (3 Credit Hours)

This biodiversity course will explore the biology of living amphibians and reptiles, including their evolution, ecology, diversity, biogeography, systematics, morphology, physiology, behavior, and conservation. Lectures will include hands-on activities to promote "practical herpetology" skills and connections to cutting-edge research topics and approaches in the field of herpetology.

BIOS 30550 Foundations of Global Health (3 Credit Hours)

Over the last two decades, there has been a groundswell of interest in global health across multiple disciplines and professional fields. The field of global health recognizes the multidimensionality of health as well as the interconnectedness of everyone living in the world today; its primary goal is to eliminate health disparities to achieve health equity for all. This course will provide foundational knowledge necessary to understand what global health is today; its history and evolution; how social theory contributes to understanding specific global health problems; the importance of understanding health and designing interventions by using a biosocial model that includes a myriad of cultural, social, political, economic factors; and an understanding of the role of various actors on the global health stage including international, bilateral, and civil society organizations.

BIOS 31312 Practical Ecology Laboratory (2 Credit Hours)

Practical Ecology provides experience with essential procedures used in ecological science. Over the semester, students practice the science of ecology by participating in three study topics, both in the field and laboratory. During these practical exercises, students study local ecosystems to understand how, through important ecological processes, those ecosystems are built and operate. Students gain the foundational knowledge for advanced practical coursework and undergraduate research in ecology and environmental sciences, including design of experiments and surveys, sampling and measurement, analysis of data, and scientific writing. Students are advised to take the course either with or after taking General Ecology.

Prerequisites: BIOS 30312 (may be taken concurrently)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Environmental Sciences (Supp.).

BIOS 31341 Cell Biology Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)

This laboratory course exposes students to a variety of techniques in modern cell biology. Students will get hands-on experience in working with cultured cell lines, including sterile technique, media preparation, and passaging of cells. Individual experiments will include assessment of cell growth and apoptosis, examination of subcellular structure using fluorescent microscopy, separation and analysis of nucleic acids and proteins, enzyme assays, and measurement of cell cycle by flow cytometry. It provides an excellent introduction to the approaches routinely used in analysis of cells and their functions. Fall.

Prerequisites: BIOS 20241 or BIOS 30341 (may be taken concurrently) or BIOS 24241 or BIOS 34341

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biochemistry or Biological Sciences.

BIOS 31401 Principles of Microbiology Lab (1 Credit Hour)

Laboratory exercises consider basic techniques in microbiology, such as sterile procedures and microbial metabolism. Fall.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 30401 (may be taken concurrently)) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 10172 or BIOS 20202)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 31404 Vertebrate Biology Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)

Corequisites: BIOS 30404

BIOS 31406 General Entomology Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)

The laboratory introduces students to insect morphology, systematics, and techniques used in the study of insects. Offered concurrently with lecture.

Prerequisites: BIOS 30406 (may be taken concurrently)

Corequisites: BIOS 30406

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 31408 Arthropods and Human Disease Lab (1 Credit Hour)

The laboratory introduces students to the variety of arthropods that vector disease agents or otherwise affect the lives of humans and other vertebrate animals. Offered concurrently with lecture.

Prerequisites: BIOS 30408 (may be taken concurrently)

BIOS 31420 Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (0 Credit Hours)

Aquatic ecology laboratory is to be taken concurrently with the aquatic ecology lecture. Students may not take lecture alone or laboratory alone.

Prerequisites: BIOS 30420 (may be taken concurrently)

Corequisites: BIOS 30420

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 32318 Intro to Biocomputing Tutorial (0 Credit Hours)

Tutorial for BIOS 30318

Corequisites: BIOS 30318

BIOS 33201 Geographic Information Systems (3 Credit Hours)

This course is aimed to provide a basic understanding of how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite imagery can be used to visualize and analyze environmental data. Students will learn basic techniques for analyzing, manipulating and creating geospatial data in both pixel-based (satellite imagery and digital terrain models) and vector based (point, line and polygon representation of spatial data) formats. Students will also learn how acquire high resolution satellite imagery and other GIS data from online data servers.

BIOS 34010 Genetics and Biotechnology (3 Credit Hours)

This module provides an overview of genetics and biotechnology, particularly as it applies to plant and animal agriculture. The module covers the following topics: Genetic consequences of cell division and gametogenesis; Mendelian genetics and extensions of Mendelian genetics; Population genetics; Chromosomal inheritance, recombination and genetic linkage; Structure and properties of nucleic acids; DNA replication and repair; The molecular basis of mutation; The genetic code and the path from gene to protein; Laboratory manipulation of DNA including gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR); Molecular cloning using DNA vectors; Genetic engineering and agriculture; Reproductive technologies; Transgenic plants and animals and gene pharming. Course DOES NOT count as ND lab credit.

BIOS 34013 Genetics & Recombinant DNA (3 Credit Hours)

This module will provide in-depth insights into the complexity of gene regulatory circuits using just a handful of well-studied research subjects from animal and plant developmental genetics. We will see how specific biological questions can be tackled from a molecular genetics, epigenetics, population genetics and evolutionary genetics perspective and how the diversity of approaches leads to a better understanding of biological phenomena from a holistic point of view. This will enhance the general understanding on the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary processes that shaped living beings. During the course of this module, a special focus will be put on how to approach biological research questions. This comprises formulating research questions, hypothesis building and hypothesis testing, experimental design, distinguishing bottom-up and top-down approaches as well as ultimate and proximate causation. Lectures for the module will be delivered online. Practicals will be face-to-face if possible. Online practicals will be offered for students who prefer not to be on campus. Counts as elective course for Biological Sciences majors.

BIOS 34241 Cell Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Designed primarily for preprofessional students. Structural and functional aspects of the biology of cells are addressed.

Prerequisites: BIOS 10171 and BIOS 10172 and (CHEM 10172 or CHEM 20273 or CHEM 10122 or CHEM 10182 or CHEM 20283)

BIOS 34307 Evolutionary Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Quantitative genetics; Gene flow in populations; Genetic drift; Heterozygosity; Heredity; Selection Models, Fitness/Relative Fitness; Molecular Evolution; Evolutionary Ecology; Species Concept; Speciation.

BIOS 34312 Ecology I (2-4 Credit Hours)

UDLA #: BL 325 : Introduction to the foundations of ecology: abiotic factors regulating populations, interactions between individuals, characteristics of populations and communities, and the complexity of eco-systems. These basic concepts are studied from theoretical and practical perspectives.

BIOS 34315 Wildlife Conservation and Fisheries Management (3 Credit Hours)

The course of 21 lectures covers key ecosystem concepts in freshwater, marine and terrestrial systems. These include food chains; food webs; trophic pyramids, functional groups and energy/nutrient inputs and cycling. The drivers and processes of the major components of global change, including human population growth, climate change, elevated amounts of nitrogen deposition, eutrophication, acidification and land use change, and their effects on the functioning of ecosystems are covered.

BIOS 34316 Australian Wildlife Biology (4 Credit Hours)

ustralia is home to a broad diversity of vertebrate wildlife species, many of which are unique to the Australian environment, having evolved in isolation from other large land-masses for millions of years. This unit examines the diversity of Australian reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals (including all three mammalian lineages: monotremes, marsupials and eutherian mammals). We focus on the unique anatomical, physiological and behavioural adaptations that have enabled our wildlife to survive and thrive within varied Australian ecosystems. We also examine how the uniqueness of our wildlife is also one of its greatest challenges, being naive to the new threats that are present in our rapidly changing environments. At the end of this unit you should have an appreciation of the diversity and uniqueness of Australian wildlife; be able to determine the links between form and function in wildlife and understand the significance of these functional adaptations in relation to ecological challenges. You will also have an understanding of the interactions between humans and wildlife, and how the unique characteristics of our wildlife also make them vulnerable to threats within the rapidly changing Australian environment. Students will also develop enhanced scientific literacy and communication skills through tutorial activities and assessment tasks.

BIOS 34318 Geographic Information Systems and Biostatistics (3 Credit Hours)

This module is focused on using data analysis to understand the environment. It includes an introduction to statistical analyses using examples from field ecology. There is also an introduction to mapping habitats using geographic information systems (GIS). (Language of instruction: English) Learning Outcomes: 1) Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of data used in ecology and geographic analyses 2) Explore data using descriptive statistics and apply inferential statistics 3) Analyze ecological data to evaluate the support for clusters of similar samples 4) Describe different habitat classification schemes in use 5) Be able to create, edit and analyse spatial data using geographic information systems 6) Produce maps for visualisation and interpretation of ecological data Reading List: "Geographic Information Systems and Science" by Longley P, Goodchild M, Maguire DJ, and DW Rhind Publisher: John Wiley and Sons, 536pp. "An Introductory Guide for Life Scientists" by McKillup, S Publisher: Cambridge University Press "Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists" by Quinn G and MJ Keough Publisher: Cambridge University Press

BIOS 34320 Current Topics in Conservation Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Biodiversity losses and conservation responses worldwide: a state of the art Translocations and assisted migration Restoration of forests, fens and bogs Mitigating the consequences of eutrophication Ex situ conservation of biodiversity Tracking illegal logging in the tropics Certification schemes (e.g. REDD) Population Viability Analysis Practical conservation of crop wild relatives Legal aspects of access and benefit sharing (Nagoya protocol) These topics will be complemented with ad hoc topics presented by guest lecturers, covering actual conservation themes For the exam paper, students are expected to present a topic of their own choice. The topic should be closely related to the issues presented throughout the course and have a clear link with at least two lectures. During the presentation and discussion sessions, students present their topic and progress in the class and discuss it with other students and teachers. Students are expected to demonstrate that they are capable of elaborating and critically reflecting on the issues dealt with throughout the course in a personal way. The students clearly describe the theme and research question, discusses the relevance of the research question in the field of conservation biology, and link it to the theories and perspectives provided during the lectures. The paper can be a concise review of the literature or the elaboration of a case study (for example, a conservation plan for a particular species, or an ecosystem restoration plan). Excursions to institutes committed to the ex-situ conservation and management of living collections and germplasm collections.

BIOS 34330 Higher Cortical Function (3 Credit Hours)

The module is designed to give an in-depth knowledge to students on brain control of movement and higher cortical function and how this information is integrated in the central nervous system. Major topics covered include: motor cortex, lateral and medial motor pathways, posture, brainstem and spinal reflexes, basal ganglia, cerebellum, reticular activating system, thalamus, language and sleep. In addition students will be introduced to synaptic plasticity, learning and behaviour.

BIOS 34331 Nervous System Development (3 Credit Hours)

This module forms part of the core curriculum for the BSc degree in Neuroscience. The course introduces the development of the nervous system at a molecular, cellular and systems level along with core underlying principles. We outline the anatomical growth and division of the brain and its driving forces such as gene expression, developmental signalling and cell population expansion, and consider questions such as neural induction, polarity/segmentation, differentiation, cell migration, axon growth/guidance, target selection, synapse formation/maturation and neuronal maintenance. Also, general properties of inter- and intra- cellular signaling and communication relevant to neurons will be outlined. The course also contains a number of practicals, where students will be introduced to brain anatomy as well as a 2-day animal development practial where students will follow the development of frog embryos from fertilisation to neurulation.

BIOS 34340 Membrane Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Structural and functional aspects of the biology of cells are addressed.

BIOS 34341 Cellular Biology (3 Credit Hours)

This course examined the principles of cell theory, cell cycle regulation and specific cell structure-function relationships. Students participated in several lectures, tutorials and journal clubs discussing topics such as the CDK-cyclin system, feedback control, post-translational regulation, cell growth and differentiation, apoptosis, and cell dynamics.

BIOS 34342 Developmental Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Taught as CELB 30010 "Animal Development" at host institution. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the subject of animal development. The course describes the morphology of early development (from fertilization to gastrulation) in a number of animals and focuses on the molecular basis of antero-posterior patterning in early Drosophila embryos. It also covers germ cell specification, gametogenesis, sex determination and the role of cell-cell signalling in developmental processes. The course emphasises the concept of "differential gene expression from the same nuclear repertoire" (Gilbert, 2003) as a basic theme in development, and stresses the importance of experimental strategies for determination of gene expression. The course also emphasises the experimental significance of model organisms for study of developmental processes, and encourages students to critically assess the advantages and limitations of the most popular models.

BIOS 34344 Vertebrate Human Physiology (3,4 Credit Hours)

Physiological functions and processes at the level of organs and organ systems, oriented primarily toward humans.

BIOS 34390 Advanced Cell Biology (3 Credit Hours)

This module is designed to expand your knowledge of eukaryotic cell organisation and function. Prior to this module you are expected to have a good knowledge of cells, the organelles within them, and the basic roles of these organelles. This module will expand this knowledge by providing the molecular detail of various processes and functions required to maintain cellular homeostasis.

BIOS 34398 Biological Invasions (3 Credit Hours)

Biological invasions are one of the three components of global change on a planetary scale. This course emphasizes the conceptual framework of biological invasions (theories, hypotheses, approaches) and their empirical evaluation through scientific protocols, using national and international examples in the absence of the former.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

BIOS 34399 Comparative Neurobiology (3 Credit Hours)

This unit deals with the development and mature organisation of the nervous system, as well as its capacity for repair after damage in a wide range of animals. It examines the complex 'wiring' of the brain and how this organisation relates to an animal's behaviour and its environmental needs. As examples, the unit includes studies of deep-sea fish and those birds and mammals which span the aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Animals with highly specialised senses, such as owls, are also considered. The laboratory classes provide practical experience in the examination of the central nervous systems. In this course, the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms and processes that occur between herbivorous insects and their host plants will be studied. This will provide students with advanced concepts of the discipline, a theoretical foundation and methodological research tools.

BIOS 34400 Principles of Environmental Biology and Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

Environmental biology is a multidisciplinary subject that addresses fundamental aspects of ecology to inform us on how ecosystems respond to a changing world and related pressures. This module includes both lectures and associated practical classes that introduce students to the key principles of environmental biology and the essential information required to address global as well as local environmental issues. A detailed outline of the fundamental factors that determine the structure and function of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems is provided using case studies and examples to demonstrate how ecological knowledge is used to address environmental problems such as climate change, water pollution, over-exploitation of biological resources and invasive species.)

BIOS 34403 Invertebrate Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Taught as ZO 3051 ' Invertebrate Form and Function' This team-taught course provides a detailed consideration of the structure, life cycles and general biology of the invertebrate groups. The practical work involves observation using living specimens and demonstrations of material from the Zoological collections.

BIOS 34407 Animal Science (3 Credit Hours)

This course is taught as ZO 3020 Behavioural Ecology at Trinity College in Dublin. This lecture and practical course gives a broad grounding in the theoretical and pracical basis of behavioural ecology. The subject is introduced with an historical overview of the basic concepts behind the study of animal behaviour. Following this, topics covered in detail include how animals obtain food, avoid predators, breed and communicate. The practical work provides students with experience in studying behaviour in both the field and the laboratory, and provides training in behavioural recording techniques. It guides students through appropriate statistical analysis of the data sets collected in the practicals, and in their presentation in written form. It includes work with live animals both in the laboratory and at Dublin Zoo. When this course is offered at Perth, Australia, the course description is as follows. This unit begins with concepts of the behaviour and welfare of animals because society now demands that students be thoroughly trained in these areas. This is followed by a consideration of the principles of animal physiology and ecology as a basis for understanding how both native and domestic animals are distributed within Western Australia and how they cope with, and adapt to, their environment. Growth and development, reproduction, genetics and nutrition are considered as the underlying biology for production (meat, wool, milk, eggs) in domestic animals and for the management and conservation of native animals. Animals' requirements for nutrients are considered in relation to their supply of food under natural, extensive conditions on the one hand and under controlled, intensive conditions on the other. When taught in Dublin, Ireland the course ZOOL 20020 Animal Behaviour at UCD; A wide-ranging review, including insects, vertebrates and Man, of significant and fundamental aspects of animal behaviour. Phenomena dealt with in detail include: insect chemoreception with special reference to chemical cues, interpretation of deer behaviour in the context of game theory, and the role of pheromones in human behaviour.

BIOS 34419 Immunology (3,4 Credit Hours)

Antigens, antibody structure and function, B cells, Tcells, MHC, diversity, cytokines, complement, intlammation, immunity to viruses, bacteria and parasitic infections, polyclonal, monoclonal, and phage display antibodies.

BIOS 34420 Plant Genetics and Systems Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Module provides advanced training in plant molecular genetics and systems biology. Fundamental aspects covered including nuclear and extranuclear inheritance, meiosis, genomes and comparative genetics, organellar genetics, epigenetics, transposons, cell and tissue biology, plant developmental and reproductive genetics, plant cell wall, plant model organisms, genetic and metabolic engineering, chromosomes & polyploidy, synthetic biology, and systems biology.

BIOS 34421 Genomics and Systems Biology (3 Credit Hours)

The aim of this module is to provide students with a general overview of methods used in the fields of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics and to explain how these methods are used for basic research, biotechnology, agriculture and medicine. To this end, a number of examples from work with diverse organisms (bacteria, fungi, plants, animals including humans) will be presented. The module further introduces students to the field of systems biology and outlines how systems biology differs from the classic reductionist approach used in biology.

BIOS 34422 Marine Ecology (1.5-4 Credit Hours)

Taught as ANIM 3314 "Marine Ecology" at host institution. This unit begins with a brief global view of the oceans and features of sea water that influence biological processes. The unit then deals in detail with how ecologists propose that the structures of marine communities are organised by considering examples of experimental studies of natural communities in sandy and rocky beaches, coral reefs, sand and mud flats, mangroves and the deep sea. It describes interactions between humans and large reptiles and mammals. Practical work comprises supervised investigations involving the sampling and design of experiments, analysis of data and preparation of a report. Sydney, Australia: We will examine in detail processes that are important for the establishment and maintenance of marine communities. Lectures will expose students to the key ideas, researchers and methodologies within selected fields of marine biology. Laboratory sessions and field excursions will complement the lectures by providing students with hands-on experience with the organisms and the processes that affect them. Students will develop critical analysis and scientific writing skills while examining the current literature.

BIOS 34423 Genomics (3 Credit Hours)

BMOL 30020 at UCD. This module will identify the main biochemical causes of disease and, in so doing, aims to provide the student with an understanding of an initial rationale for the treatment of the particular disease in question. Amongst the topics to be discussed will be retrovirus-mediated disease (Aquired immunodeficiency syndrome; AIDs), bacterial-mediated diseases (e.g TB, MRSA), prion-diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs; e.g CJD); Neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer.

BIOS 34425 Tumor Cell Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Prerequisites: BIOS 10172

BIOS 34428 Behavioral Ecology and Practicum (5 Credit Hours)

We will explore how evolution and ecology shape animal behaviour, examining how important traits have evolved to maximise survival and reproduction in the natural environment. Darwinian principles provide the theoretical framework, and we will explore key concepts of selfishness, altruism, conflict, survival, optimality, reproduction, parental care and death. Relevant research will be used to lead our understanding of the ultimate function of key traits. In parallel with the lectures, students design, conduct, analyse and present their own research project, working in a group to collect original data in order to answer a question about the adaptive significance of behaviour.

BIOS 34531 Molecular Genetics (3 Credit Hours)

BMOL 20090 Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology at UCD; In living cells nucleic acids direct both self-replication and synthesis of proteins. DNA also undergoes mutation and recombination, which ultimately generate biodiversity and allow evolution to proceed. The course will cover the basics of these fundamental biological processes and explain how this knowledge is exploited in recombinant DNA technology. Specific areas include: nucleic acid structure; DNA replication; mutation and repair; transcription and translation; control of gene expression; gene cloning, DNA sequencing and genetic engineering. The lecture course will be assessed by an end-of-semester examination. In addition, students will work in groups to design web-based projects, or "Wikis" that explore selected topics from the course in depth. Students will learn how to design interactive information pages (resembling Wikipedia), and how to incorporate images and animations. Grades will be awarded based on individual contributions to the group project.

BIOS 34601 Food and Environmental Microbiology (3 Credit Hours)

The course, of a theoretical-practical nature, delves into the study and role of microorganisms in different environments of professional agronomic interest. The contents focus on understanding the interactions between microorganisms, their host and the environment, emphasizing importance in the agricultural, environmental and industrial sectors related to the professional work of the Agronomist. In addition, basic aspects of food safety will be addressed in order to relate the impact of microorganisms on human health." - Prerequisites: Introductory Cellular Biology (comparable to Biology 2) and Introductory Chemistry.

BIOS 34628 Ecological and Environmental Microbiology (3 Credit Hours)

ENVB 30100 Ecological and Environmental Microbiology at UCD; On completion of this module students should be able to: Appreciate the role and significance of physicochemical factors in the environment on microbiological processes and diversity. Describe the concept of cycling in the global environment and appreciate the importance of microorganisms in mediating cycling processes. Apply concepts pertaining to the physical environment to aquatic and soil ecosystems and to assess how these factors interact with microbial populations. Describe the methods used for the bacteriological testing of water. Appreciate how microbial populations can be manipulated for degradation of waste material.

BIOS 34999 Histology and Homeostatic Systems (3 Credit Hours)

his module serves as an introduction to major organ systems that contribute to the 'constancy of the internal environment' of an organism. This control of the internal environment is known as homeostasis. Physiologically, homeostasis is the body's attempt to maintain a constant and balanced internal environment for living processes to take place, which requires persistent monitoring and adjustments, as external and internal conditions change. The major organ systems covered include: 1. The Cardiovascular System. 2. The Respiratory System. 3. The Gastrointestinal System. 4. The Urinary System. 5. The Endocrine System.

BIOS 35501 Introduction to UNDERC (1 Credit Hour)

Open only to students previously accepted into the UNDERC program.

Course may be repeated.

BIOS 35502 Practicum in Environmental Field Biology (3 Credit Hours)

Course modules include vertebrate ecology, invertebrate ecology, aquatic ecology and forest ecology with each providing background information, field research exercises, and group research projects designed by the class. Five or more weeks are spent by each student designing and conducting their own field research project under direction of faculty or graduate students.

BIOS 35503 Practicum in Environmental Biology West (3 Credit Hours)

This course is designed to give the student advanced practical laboratory experience in ecological studies in the grasslands and mountains of western Montana on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The ten week learning experience consists of one week modules on grassland/wildlife ecology, montane ecology, and human ecology focusing on ancestral Native American lifeways, and each student conducts an independent research project over the remaining weeks

Prerequisites: BIOS 35502

BIOS 35504 Research Projects in Field Environmental Biology (1-3 Credit Hours)

An independent research opportunity offered to undergraduates that have had at least one summer or semester of summer research experience. The research will be conducted at the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC). An UNDERC-affiliated scientist mentors each student on the development of a research proposal, implementation of the project, analyses of the data collected and the writing up and presentation of the project at the end of the summer. Past projects have ranged from behavioral, population, community and ecosystem ecology to local Native American ecosystem use.

BIOS 35506 Practicum in Field Environmental Biology-Galapagos Islands (2 Credit Hours)

During an ~8-day field trip to the Galápagos archipelago during an intersession period (Fall break or Spring break), this course will introduce and amplify principles of evolutionary biology, ecology, and environmental science that occur in the unique setting of the famed Galápagos Islands. Pre-trip meetings will emphasize background knowledge important to understanding the unique features of the archipelago as they have influenced evolutionary and ecological theory. On-site lectures and activities will cover the historical, geological, and biological features of the archipelago. The trip will include visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station and several scientifically significant sites in the Galápagos archipelago. Post-trip meetings will summarize the major discoveries of the trip as presented by the students. Prerequisites for this practicum include an approved course in evolutionary biology, chosen from among BIOS 30305 or 30310, which may be taken concurrently with this course. Because space is limited to 14 students, permission of the instructors is also needed to enroll in the course. This course is open to any Notre Dame undergraduate. The field trip to the Galápagos is optional, it is not an alternate to class requirements, and it is not a means of earning extra credit in the course.

Prerequisites: BIOS 30305 (may be taken concurrently) or BIOS 30310 (may be taken concurrently) or BIOS 30312 (may be taken concurrently)

BIOS 36495 Junior Biological Sciences Honors Research Seminar (1 Credit Hour)

The Honors program will give students an exceptional background in biological research. Participation in this program will increase their level of commitment and productivity while preparing them for successful postgraduate careers. The goals of the Junior Honors seminar are to: 1) Critically evaluate research data, 2) Design scientifically defensible experiments and projects, 3) Create and present a professional research talk or poster, 4) Articulate career goals following career exploration, 5) Identify common research ethics issues and articulate solutions to these issues, 6) Write a research proposal or report supported by primary literature.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 37492 Teaching Practicum in the Life Sciences (0-1 Credit Hours)

Similar to BIOS 37493 except that this is an S/U-graded zero credit section.

Course may be repeated.

BIOS 37493 Teaching Practicum in the Life Sciences (0-2 Credit Hours)

Same as BIOS 37495 except that this is a s/u variable credit section; 2.0 maximum credits allowed.

Course may be repeated.

BIOS 37494 Teach Practicum/Life Sciences (1-2 Credit Hours)

Same as BIOS 37495 except that this is a letter-graded variable credit section; 2.0 maximum credits allowed

Course may be repeated.

BIOS 37672 Special Studies (1-4 Credit Hours)

Special topics in the field of interest for individual or small groups of undergraduate students or for the one-time introduction of new course materials will be covered. Spring. Repeatable course.

Course may be repeated.

BIOS 40132 Introduction to Computational Genomics (3 Credit Hours)

Dive into the Code of Life: Computational Genomics! This exciting course provides a comprehensive introduction to modern genomics analysis, designed for senior undergraduate and graduate students. Students will gain hands-on experience in processing and interpreting complex genomic datasets, focusing on three core modules: Genomics Quality Control (QC), Bulk RNA-seq analysis, and Single-Cell RNA-seq analysis. The course emphasizes the development of essential bioinformatics skills and the use of cutting-edge software tools to explore biological data. Throughout the course, students will apply their knowledge to real-world datasets, culminating in module-based projects that showcase their analytical and presentation skills. This course aims to equip students with the necessary tools and knowledge to tackle contemporary research questions in genomics, fostering critical thinking and data interpretation skills.

BIOS 40200 Unlocking the Secrets of Rare Cancers: Mutations and Targeted Therapies (3 Credit Hours)

This course will provide students with in-depth understanding of the research involved with development of targeted therapies for rare cancers. Through lectures by faculty experts, active discussion, and group work, students will develop skills to evaluate the clinical presentation of rare cancers, assess the effects of specific mutations on cancer cells and their regulatory networks, and investigate current treatments and novel targeted therapies based on this information to propose potentially effective treatments for patients. Prior completion of CHEM 40420 strongly encouraged.

BIOS 40202 Developmental Neuroscience: Experience Dependent Plasticity (3 Credit Hours)

This is an upper level NSBH biology elective that is also a community-based learning course. Through reading and discussion of primary literature, the developmental literature will offer students an opportunity to investigate and construct conceptual frameworks of the circuitry that underlies human species expectant experiences. Using the expectations of the developing nervous system as the guiding framework, class and community work will explore how individual experience becomes a powerful moderator of the nervous system function as we age. The community-based aspect of the course partners students with organizations that are engaged with the regional Self-Healing Communities Collective; a community-capacity building network that uses neuroscientific evidence to inform organizational and community strategies supporting neurobiological safety and resilience. Success in this course requires consistent time and engagement every week in class and can be well suited for students wishing to explore intersections of neuroscience, plasticity, health, behavior and well-being.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 and BIOS 11161 or BIOS 20201 and BIOS 21201) and (BIOS 20450 or BIOS 30338 or BIOS 30339 or SC 20450)

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WRIT - Writing Intensive

BIOS 40203 Neuroinfectious Diseases (3 Credit Hours)

Despite the advancement achieved in the last few decades fighting various infectious diseases (smallpox, polio, malaria, active tuberculosis, syphilis), infections of the central nervous system still are the ones with the highest morbidity and mortality. This course will review the reasons why treatment of these infectious diseases is so challenging: the physiology of our anatomy, the mechanisms exploited by neuropathogens, and recent medical advancements that ironically, makes us susceptible to these diseases. Lastly, certain non-infectious neurological conditions share pathological features with that of infectious agents. These will be compared and their potential treatments discussed based on their similarities.

BIOS 40309 Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

The course will examine the interacting processes of the physical environment and the biota as they influence the flux and distribution of chemical substances in the biosphere (i.e. biogeochemistry & ecosystem ecology). The course will also explore major chemical, biological, and geological processes that occur within and between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems at the scales of organisms, functional groups, ecosystems, and the globe. The course is open to upper-level undergraduates with a strong interest in ecology and environmental biology and who have had a minimum of one semester of ecology (i.e., general ecology, aquatic ecology). Offered on demand.

BIOS 40310 Cancer Immunotherapy (3 Credit Hours)

Immunotherapy, believed to be the most promising new form of cancer treatment since the emergence of chemotherapy, is now being celebrated as a top advancement in cancer care. Tremendous advances in biological mechanisms underlying tumor immunology started to guide the development of successful new cancer immunotherapy strategies after decades of bewildering disappointments. This course will introduce the advanced undergraduate students and early career graduate students to the basic principles of tumor immunology and immunotherapy, classical and novel classes of treatment that enhance anti-tumor immunity, and recent progresses in treating a number of highly lethal cancer types with immunotherapy. The course will also teach the students how scientists have achieved the groundbreaking landmark discoveries in tumor immunology and immunotherapy through critical examination of primary literature. At the completion of the course, the students should have had a comprehensive grasp of the key principles and practices of cancer immunotherapy, and gained the ability to interpret new advances and breakthroughs in this field. Students with goals in both basic research and medical track will benefit from the course.

Prerequisites: BIOS 20241 or BIOS 24241 or BIOS 30341 or BIOS 34341

BIOS 40339 Human Gross Anatomy (3 Credit Hours)

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 and BIOS 11161 and BIOS 10162 and BIOS 11162) or (BIOS 20201 and BIOS 21201 and BIOS 20202 and BIOS 21202)

BIOS 40340 Human Anatomy (4 Credit Hours)

The course will consist of a description of human gross anatomy. The content will be organized as a regional approach to gross human anatomy with descriptions of the back, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and perineum, lower limb, upper limb, and head and neck. Within each region, subtopics will include bones, ligaments, muscles, vasculature, lymphatics, peripheral nervous system, and regional viscera. The content emphasis will be basic human anatomy although there will be a moderate amount of clinical anatomy. The required laboratory portion of the course will consist of regional dissection of partially dissected human cadavers, as well as identification of structures of previously dissected human cadavers. The course should serve as a foundation for students planning future human anatomy studies and/or an independent elective. Spring.

Corequisites: BIOS 41340

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in PreProfessional Studies, Biological Sciences, Science- Business or PreProfessional.

BIOS 40411 Biostatistics (4 Credit Hours)

Basic principles of statistical analysis and their application to biological problems, including statistical inference, analysis of variance, regression, non-parametric approaches, and introduction to statistical computing. This course's "lab" is a tutorial; it does not fulfill the laboratory elective requirement (after 1993). Students may not take both BIOS 40411 and MATH 20340. Spring.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202) and (MATH 10360 or MATH 10560 or MATH 10092 or MATH 10860 or MATH 10460)

Corequisites: BIOS 42411

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKQR- Core Quantitat Reasoning

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Environmental Sciences (Supp.).

BIOS 40412 Introduction to Systems Biology (3 Credit Hours)

The goal of this course is to illuminate the elementary design principles inherent in biology. Many of the underlying principles governing the network of biochemical reactions in a living cell can be related to circuit motifs with multiple inputs/outputs, feedback and feedforward. This course draws on control theory, elementary chemistry and first-year calculus to provide a framework to discover and understand the performance of these networks. The topics examined in the course are drawn from current research and include: transcription networks, stochastic gene expression, adaptation, oscillators (circadian rhythms and the cell cycle), metabolism, pattern development, neural networks and cancer. The course is intended for advanced undergraduates in biology and engineering, but will appeal to graduate students as well. (Prerequisite course: elementary chemistry (a course such as CHEM 10171 OR CHEM 10181); Recommended courses: elementary calculus (a course such as MATH 10560 may be taken concurrently); OR linear algebra and differential equations (a course such as MATH 20580 may be taken concurrently.)

Prerequisites: CHEM 10171 or CHEM 10181

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 40414 The Biology of Stem Cells and the Emerging Field of Regenerative Medicine (3 Credit Hours)

This course will examine the biology of stem cells and explore their uses and applications of stem cells.

Prerequisites: BIOS 20241 or BIOS 24241 or BIOS 30341

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 40415 Medical and Veterinary Parasitology (3 Credit Hours)

The animal parasites of humans and related hosts are reviewed. The pathology caused by these parasites, epidemiology, life cycles, prophylactic and therapeutic control are considered. Spring.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 and BIOS 10162) or (BIOS 10161 and BIOS 20202) or (BIOS 20201 and BIOS 20202) or (BIOS 20201 and BIOS 10162)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 40416 Virology (3 Credit Hours)

A study of viruses as primitive biological entities and as disease-inducing agents in humans and other animals: characteristics of viruses and virus infections; molecular aspects of virus replication; methods for diagnosis and prevention of infections; artificial use of viruses. Spring.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 20250 or BIOS 20303) and (BIOS 20241 or BIOS 30341) and (BIOS 21250 or BIOS 21303) and (BIOS 31341 or BIOS 27241)

BIOS 40419 Immunology (3 Credit Hours)

In this course we will cover one of the most interesting biological systems in you…the immune system! We will cover the different types of immune responses, how they are triggered by exposure to foreign microbes or in response to the presence of tumors. We will also discuss what happens when the immune system goes wrong leading to autoimmune diseases. Finally, we will cover how we can use immune modulation as a mechanism to treat various diseases. The course will use a mix of text-book information, lectures, videos and primary research articles to cover the material.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202) and (BIOS 20250 or BIOS 20303) and (BIOS 20241 or BIOS 30341)

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Pre-Health Studies (Supp.), Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Science- Business or PreProfessional.

BIOS 40420 Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (3 Credit Hours)

In a world ever more connected, and inhabited by an increasing human population, the number of infectious disease outbreaks is rising. Understanding the epidemiology of viruses, bacteria, and parasites is crucial for the design of strategies to interrupt transmission. In the last two decades, molecular methods to study DNA, RNA, proteins, and antibodies have increasingly been used for such studies. Diagnosis by molecular tools increases the sensitivity over traditional methods such as microscopy. The genetic diversity of the pathogen and the host can be exploited to identify genes responsible for drug resistance, or to establish transmission networks. Antibody measurements allow the study of the human response to infection. This course will provide an overview of current laboratory methods to study infectious disease dynamics and discuss examples from the literature.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 20241 or BIOS 30341)

BIOS 40425 Mammalogy (4 Credit Hours)

This course will explore the rich taxonomic diversity of mammals, and investigate mammalian physiology, ecology, and behavior. Students will use a general text for foundation and implement their learning experience with primary literature.

Prerequisites: BIOS 10172

Corequisites: BIOS 41425

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Environmental Sciences (Supp.).

BIOS 40427 The Epidemiology and Ecology of Infectious Diseases (3 Credit Hours)

This course will introduce students to basic principles of the epidemiology and ecology of infectious diseases, familiarize students with mathematical and statistical modeling approaches for applying those principles to data, and provide students with opportunities to use empirical data to apply those approaches. This course will involve programming in the R computing language.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 40436 Introduction to Molecular and Medical Pharmacology (3 Credit Hours)

This course will cover the general principles of pharmacology and the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of various drugs. The major topics covered will be drugs affecting the nervous system, drugs affecting the cardiovascular system, drugs treating cancer, and the major steps involved in new drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. We will also discuss pharmacogenomics, an emerging field of medical research and application in the post-genomic era

Prerequisites: BIOS 30344 and (CHEM 40420 or CHEM 30341)

BIOS 40450 Introduction to Science and Patient Advocacy (3 Credit Hours)

A main purpose of this course is to engage upper level undergraduate and graduate students in clinical research in rare and neglected diseases. The focus for each semester is on neglected/infectious diseases with emphasis on worldwide eradication strategies. A major goal is to have Notre Dame students work on a clinical research project in class on some rare and/or neglected disease of major importance. A second important goal of this course is to develop an analogous model(s) for other neglected/infectious diseases. We hope this class will also help the students become advocates for these diseases. The course is also tied to a clinical-translational seminar series to enable students to meet with leading international experts who work in neglected diseases. The class is intended for juniors and seniors.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202)

BIOS 40451 Rare Disease Advocacy Immersion (1 Credit Hour)

Students in the Minor in Science and Patient Advocacy program will participate in a community-based experience that incorporates the academic context gained from the minor gateway courses and applied to a patient advocacy project that fulfills a patient, family, or community need. The student will engage with site partners to outline objectives and discuss how their engagement and participation will meet the overall learning objectives of the Minor. This engages the student in active participation in "real life" experiences of patient advocacy and provides a learning experience unique to this minor program Students will learn/course will address: - Understand and develop tools for effective patient advocacy - Understand the overall challenges faced by rare disease patients - Build relationships with community organizations that promote advocating for patients - Identify a patient unmet need in the community and apply the skills acquired from minor gateway coursework to advocate for patient and family

BIOS 40491 Current Topics in Environmental Science (3 Credit Hours)

Taught by the Director of the ES major. Environmental sciences first and second majors only. The course will be divided into various modules taught by experts on and off-campus. The modules will include environmental law, risk assessment, environmental ethics, advancements in environmental science, current topics of national interest in environmental science, and others. This course is required of all first majors and recommended of all second majors. Fall.

BIOS 40500 Translational Research: bringing lab work into the clinic (3 Credit Hours)

In this course, we will discuss important basic science results that have led to impactful human therapeutics, and we will take you through the process of taking a method/product from the “bench to bedside.” In the first part, we will use classical and current primary literature to discuss the rationale, technologies, and models developed in the discovery of a variety of products designed to improve health. The second part will provide the students with a clear understanding of the concepts of translational research, including the steps post-research, namely, invention disclosure, patent protection, searching for investors, and commercialization. Both parts work together as the students will come up with their ideas on the first part, based on the topics discussed, and then work on developing their ideas on the second part, culminating with a final presentation of their product.

BIOS 40507 Epigenetics: Genetics, Ecology, and Plasticity (3 Credit Hours)

Have you ever wondered how a single cell could possess all the genetic information in an organism but only display certain phenotypic traits? Have you ever questioned how genetically identical organisms can be morphologically distinct under certain conditions? Have you noticed how the environment can induce aberrant gene expression resulting in disease, including reproductive disease in humans that can be transmitted across generations? Epigenetics: Genetics, Ecology, and Plasticity covers the emerging field of epigenetics, detailing mechanisms and their understood functions. The course applies epigenetic knowledge to evolutionary concepts, like phenotypic plasticity, demonstrating how environmental stimuli can incite change within- and across generations. The course assesses how these changes can remain within a population, resulting in a new phenotypic trait that changes how humans see and interact with the organism. Finally, the course 1) provides model organisms for studying epigenetics, 2) challenges students to formulate a hypothesis to address how an organism could respond epigenetically to an environmental change, and 3) explain how their hypothesis would work by synthesizing information given in this course and the prerequisites listed.

BIOS 40508 Population Genetics (3 Credit Hours)

This course will describe and mathematically analyze the processes responsible for genetic change within populations. See Graduate Bulletin of Information

BIOS 40522 GLOBES: Humans, Genes, and the Environment (3 Credit Hours)

Globally humans inhabit and alter landscapes creating anthropogenic ecologies impacting all resident organisms. The distribution and structuring of genomes, the movement and virulence of pathogens, and the patterns of coexistence of organisms are all interconnected at multiple levels.This course focuses on the dynamic transactions between organisms and environments at multiple levels, with a specific consideration of impacts on health, interspecies interfaces, and population genetics. It considers theoretical perspectives and specific examples from population genetics, ecology, evolutionary biology, anthropology, and political ecology to examine scenarios of interaction between humans, genes, and the environment.

Course may be repeated.

BIOS 40524 Global Change and Civilization (1-3 Credit Hours)

All human populations, from the simplest to the most complex, interact with their natural environment. Humans alter the environment and, in turn, are altered by it through biological or cultural adaptations. Global environmental chanages helped to create and shape our species, and modern industrial societies are capable of altering the environment on scales that have never been seen before.This course explores the ways that humans are altering the global environment and the ways that global environmental changes alter humans in return. Students will complete the course with an understanding of the metrics and physical science associated with each type of change, their ecological implications, and the ways in which environmental changes continually reshape human biology and culture.

BIOS 40525 Community Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

Community ecology is the study of the direct and indirect interactions among species and the environment that determine the structure, abundance, and composition of communities. Foundational topics within the field of community ecology include: ecological and evolutionary processes that create, maintain or modify patterns of biodiversity; the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function; island biogeography; metacommunity dynamics; niche and neutral theory; species interactions (e.g., competition, predation, and mutualism) and species coexistence; and effects of natural- and human-mediated environmental change (e.g., climate change, habitat alteration, invasive species) on biodiversity. As such, central concepts and theories in community ecology have also shaped our understanding of related fields, including population, ecosystem, and evolutionary ecology. Through discussion of foundational literature and related contemporary papers, this course seeks to provide graduate and advanced undergraduate students a broad overview of the central concepts of community ecology, as well as an appreciation for how these ideas have changed over time and inspired ongoing research.

BIOS 40527 Stream Ecology (4 Credit Hours)

This course explores the interaction of biological, chemical, and physical features of streams and rivers. Human impacts on flowing waters are explored, along with current theory of stream ecology.

Corequisites: BIOS 41527

BIOS 40528 Global Change Biology: Ecosystems, Society, and Health (3 Credit Hours)

Humans have had a profound impact on the environment since the beginning of recorded history. Humans have modified ecosystems, altered waterways and oceans, impacted the chemical composition of Earth’s atmosphere, changed the geography of organisms and diseases, and built societies that are reliant on the modification of natural ecosystems. Many of these activities have resulted in unsustainable practices that threaten the future biosphere and human societies. In this class, we will explore the many facets of human (i.e. anthropogenic) impacts on Earth’s biosphere as well as the impact to ecosystem services that humanity depends on to thrive. The course will mostly focus on the impacts of industrialization and global climate change on the current and future functioning of the biosphere and human society. The course will be organized into five modules that cover human impacts from the level of the individual organism to the biosphere and human society. The course will end with the current state of environmental and engineering solutions to minimize our impact on the environment.

BIOS 40550 Topics in Pathobiology: Personalized medicine (2 Credit Hours)

The primary purpose of this course is to introduce current and emerging technologies in scientific research with a specific focus on concepts relevant to precision-based individualized medicine. Examples will include- personalized genome analysis and GWAS, metabolome and microbiome studies, genetic basis of rare disease disorders, and biochemical aspects of mechanisms of rare disease. The overall format for this class will be a detailed discussion of highlighted journal articles relevant to the topic discussed. This class will meet once weekly and will be open to both juniors and seniors enrolled in the minor program. This class will also include graduate students interested in advanced topics of research. Having a class composition of both undergraduate and graduate students is a particular strength of this course, as it maintains a standard of rigor typical of an advanced level class.

BIOS 40552 Bayesian Statistics and Biological Forecasting (3 Credit Hours)

Forecasts incorporate data and models (our ideas of how biological systems work) to produce predictions, and are thus both useful for both applied (a COVID forecast) and basic (hypothesis testing) biology. It will help to have some experience coding in R (or another language), but if you've got moxie you can pick this up along the way.

BIOS 40565 Topics in Rare Disease Advocacy and Policy (1-3 Credit Hours)

The main purpose of this advanced biology course is to engage undergraduate students in clinical research and patient advocacy in rare diseases. BOIS 40565 is the capstone course for the Minor in Science and Patient Advocacy but those students not enrolled in the minor are welcome to take this course with approval.

BIOS 40568 Malaria Control (3 Credit Hours)

Malaria remains to be one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally. After a first, failed attempt to eliminate the parasite in the 1960ies, the world aims again for malaria elimination. In this class, we will discuss different strategies for malaria control and elimination. We will assess strategies that target the parasite and/or the vector, and will talk about the recently approved malaria vaccine and other vaccine developments. We will discuss case studies of countries that succeeded in malaria eradication, and talk about the financial aspects of different control strategies. After completing this class, you will have a comprehensive understanding of different strategies for malaria control, elimination, and prevention of reintroduction to malaria-free regions.The class will focus on reading and discussing original research papers and reviews. Students will prepare presentations, and discus papers with the class.

BIOS 40571 Topics in Physiology (1-3 Credit Hours)

Consent of instructor to enroll. Subject matter changes depending on students' needs. Prospective subjects include invertebrate and vertebrate physiology. (On demand)

BIOS 40572 Clinical Research Rare & Neglected Diseases (3 Credit Hours)

BIOS 40573 Restoration Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

This course focuses on the ecological principles that underlie ecosystem restoration and the evaluation of actual restoration efforts with case histories. We give balanced attention to terrestrial (e.g., forests, prairies, arid lands) and aquatic ecosystems (e.g., lakes, streams, wetlands, estuaries). The format is lecture/discussion of current literature, and each student leads the discussion of several papers over the course of the semester. The goals of the course are (1) to familiarize students with the theory and practice of ecosystem restoration, (2) to understand the ecological basis of restoration, and (3) to evaluate examples of restoration from terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

BIOS 40580 Neurobiology of Pain (3 Credit Hours)

This course will provide students with a background on the biological basis of pain. The course will not only explore tradition pain pathways and the contribution of inflammatory mechanisms in the perception of pain, but also consider how factors such as emotions, memories, and prior painful experience contribute to the neural processing of pain. Students will examine how different neurobiological pathways and functional systems contribute to the complexities of pain sensation and come to understand that specific injuries do not indicate specific levels of pain. In addition, clinical pain models and pharmacological/non-pharmacological treatments of pain will be discussed.

BIOS 41340 Human Anatomy Laboratory (0 Credit Hours)

This laboratory consists of regional dissection of partially dissected human cadavers, as well as identification of structures of previously dissected human cadavers. The course should serve as a foundation for students planning future human anatomy studies and/or an independent elective. Spring.

Corequisites: BIOS 40340

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Pre-Health Studies (Supp.), Biological Sciences, Science- Business or PreProfessional.

BIOS 41344 Vertebrate (Human) Physiology Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)

This laboratory provides students the ability to investigate physiology by asking them to demonstrate hands-on application of physiological concepts through identification of anatomical structures, utilizing the scientific process and clinical techniques to delve into physiological processes, and communicating across multiple scientific formats to explain how the processes of an individual system, and what governs integrated body function.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 30344 or BIOS 30421) or BIOS 34344 or BIOS 40421

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 41415 Medical and Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)

The laboratory introduces students to the microscopic world of parasites. Extensive microscope work is needed. Spring, on demand.

Prerequisites: BIOS 40415 (may be taken concurrently)

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 41425 Mammalogy Laboratory (0 Credit Hours)

In conjunction with Mammalogy lecture, this course will provide a hands-on experience in the study of mammals, including how to capture and identify mammals, some unique aspects of mammalian physiology, and use of the scientific method to understand mammalian ecology and behavior.

Corequisites: BIOS 40425

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

BIOS 41527 Stream Ecology Laboratory (0 Credit Hours)

Quantitative analysis of stream biota and periodic physical features is conducted during field laboratory sessions.

Corequisites: BIOS 40527

BIOS 42411 Biostatistics Tutorial (0 Credit Hours)

The biostatistics tutorial is to be taken concurrently with the lecture. Students may not take lecture alone or the tutorial alone.

Corequisites: BIOS 40411

BIOS 44200 The RNA World (3 Credit Hours)

Life probably originated as a self replicating ribonucleic acid, or RNA, molecule. This was enabled by RNAs unique versatility, simultaneously encoding information, catalysing chemical reactions and adopting complex structures, features upon which every living cell depends to this day. In the intervening 4 billion years of evolution, specialized roles have been outsourced to DNA and protein. Nevertheless, RNA remains at the heart of molecular biology, playing fundamental roles in translation and gene expression. Recently, we have come to appreciate that a diverse cast of regulatory RNAs underlie the complex gene regulatory networks that direct both healthy and diseased cells. Today, RNA based tools are at the forefront of biotechnology and medicine. This module will cover the entire scope of RNA biology, with a particular emphasis on its regulatory roles in mammalian cells and biotechnological and biomedical applications.

BIOS 44415 Medical and Veterinary Parasitology (3 Credit Hours)

The animal parasites of humans and related hosts are reviewed. The pathology caused by these parasites, epidemiology, life cycles, prophylactic and therapeutic control are considered. Course objectives: Describe the impact of parasites on human and animal health, including how access to clean water, proper sanitation, and vectors affect disease transmission around the world. Explain the mechanism of the host-parasite relationship, how this relationship affects the overall health of the host including how the life cycle and epidemiology of the parasite play a key part in the pathology, and the importance of zoonotic transmission. Synthesize pertinent facts and apply them in order to educate the public about parasite prevention and control strategies to support both human and animal health

BIOS 44498 Special Studies (1-3 Credit Hours)

Participation in this course requires the pre-approval of the College of Science. It offers students the opportunity to conduct independent research while participating in an off campus program of studies. When taught at UCD Dublin, Ireland the course description is: SCI 30010 Introduction to Scientific Research at UCD; This module introduces students to the principles of scientific research through attachment to an active research group in the College of Science. Students will become active members of a research group and work under the direction of the group's Principal Investigator. Students will learn about the research focus of the group and conduct independent research into the scientific literature of relevance to the group's activity. They will shadow a member of the research team in the laboratory and master one basic and one advanced laboratory skill. Based on the research activity of the research group, students will learn about developing a research hypothesis and designing experiments to test the hypothesis. Using data generated by themselves and/or the group, students will learn how to analyse the research data and, where appropriate, how to determine whether the differences between control and test data are significantly different from each other. Students will also learn how to write a scientific abstract and a scientific report as well how to make a scientific presentation.

BIOS 44626 Restoration Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

This course is aimed at undergraduate students interested in knowing the fundamentals of ecological restoration in terrestrial ecosystems degraded by physical, biological and chemical disturbances. Once the course has been passed, the student will have acquired methodologies to address the problem of restoring a terrestrial ecosystem with different states of degradation.

BIOS 46490 Biological Sciences Honors Research Seminar (1 Credit Hour)

One or more seminars in a select discipline(s) will be offered every semester and is required of all participating in the biological sciences research honors program. The purpose of these disciplinary groups is to create a small learning community where students and practicing scientists can connect. The seminar learning goals are to support and develop each student's independence, scientific communication skills, critical review skills, and understanding of their research in the context of the larger field. As appropriate, the groups will meet as a whole to foster interdisciplinary habits of mind and skills. The seminar will have the added benefit of helping students prepare for graduate applications and fellowships.

Course may be repeated.

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Biological Sciences.

BIOS 46494 Directed Readings Environmental Sciences Opinion Editorials (1 Credit Hour)

The purpose of the Directed Readings Environmental Sciences Opinion Editorials course is to give students a better understanding of the process of writing Opinion Editorials about Environmental Sciences issues. There is already a long-standing tradition of experts writing Opinion Editorials to affect change but this can be a difficult medium for science professionals to master given the contrasting nature to the usual technical writing in the discipline. Students will meet one to two hours a week at a mutually convenient time and place to discuss existing, published Opinion Editorials and then use those discussions to revise and update the Opinion Editorials they have already produced during their participation in the ES major capstone course, Current Topics in Environmental Sciences. The revisions of their Opinion Editorials will take place in their own time.

BIOS 46497 Directed Readings (1-3 Credit Hours)

This course provides the opportunity for independent study through readings on specific topics in biological science. Readings are chosen with the advice of the supervising instructor. Students may not register for more than three credits per semester; only two credits per semester may be counted as BIOS elective credits by majors. Offered all semesters.

Course may be repeated.

BIOS 47500 Principles of Comparative Medicine and Surgery (3 Credit Hours)

An introduction to comparative medicine and experimental surgery. In this regard, the responsible and humane use of animals as a means to understand and grow knowledge and principles which form the foundation of human and animal medicine represents core knowledge for physicians and other health professionals, scientists, and veterinarians. This course will provide students with background on the use of animal models in the study of human and animal disease, particularly in the areas of infectious disease, cancer, and pharmaceutical discovery. Further, general concepts and basic principles for surgery, including anesthesia, aseptic technique, management of the surgical patient, tools of the surgeon, and suturing and wound closure techniques will be covered.

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 or BIOS 20201) and (BIOS 10162 or BIOS 20202) and BIOS 30344

BIOS 48498 Undergraduate Research (0-3 Credit Hours)

Research in collaboration with members of the faculty. Evaluation of performance will be accomplished through regular discussions with the faculty member in charge of the course. Enrollment must be completed before the end of the first week each semester. Students may not register for more than three credits per semester; only two credits per semester may be counted as BIOS elective credits by majors. Offered all semesters.

Course may be repeated.

BIOS 48499 Undergraduate Research (0-10 Credit Hours)

Course may be repeated.

Sustainability (SUS)

SUS 10010 The Climate Crisis: Intersections between Biology and Christianity (3 Credit Hours)

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKCD-Core Cathol & Disciplines

SUS 10700 Sustainable Development in a Changing World (3 Credit Hours)

World population has doubled in the last 50 years, and sustainable development in the face of global change is the greatest challenge of our time. The class provides an overview of the origin, scale and complexity of the challenge. We focus on two specific areas (water and energy), where we, as engineers, scientists and professionals, have a particularly important role to play to address that challenge. We will learn simple quantitative tools to measure and evaluate environmental and resources problems. The course will conclude by discussing the tradeoffs, ethical dilemmas and opportunities involved in factoring sustainable development into policy and engineering decisions.

SUS 13200 Sustainability-Focused Writing & Rhetoric (3 Credit Hours)

Course Focus: Rhetoric and Our Common Home This Writing & Rhetoric course incorporates experiential learning and personal service to the Michiana community into a focused study of sustainability rhetoric. We'll consider challenges in stewardship of the earth, and also possibilities for motivating pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. We will explore how positive encounters with nature can help people to thrive as human beings and to claim their roles as engaged citizens, consciously striving to share what Pope Francis calls "our common home," the created world. In your academic writing and in our class as a whole, you'll take an active part in this community and strengthen your connection both to the land and to the people. In this Community-Engaged course, each student is required to complete at least 10 hours of service for our community partners, in lieu of some of the regular reading and writing work.

SUS 14700 Sustainable Development in a Changing World (3-5 Credit Hours)

SD1000 investigates the role of sustainability from a political, human, and natural science lens. The course covers perspectives of sustainability through a variety of sources and looks into how individuals can live sustainably (and what living sustainably means).

SUS 20010 Sustainability: Principles and Practices (3 Credit Hours)

This interdisciplinary course explores the challenges of environmental sustainability through social, economic, scientific, and ethical lenses. Taught jointly by professors from the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences, the course aims to instill broad, integrative and critical thinking about global environmental problems whose solutions will depend on multidisciplinary approaches. This gateway course to the Minor in Sustainability is open to all students interested in a deep exploration of these critical issues. Students considering the Minor in Sustainability are encouraged to take this course during their sophomore year.

Enrollment is limited to students with a minor in Sustainability.

SUS 20054 Climate Physics (3 Credit Hours)

This course is a one-semester investigation of the processes leading to balance in the Earth's climate system. The course will study the physical processes driven by the laws of thermodynamics, convective hydrodynamics, and radiative energy transfer. The course is appropriate for undergraduate science as well as non-science majors and will count for science credit for science majors.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

SUS 20110 Creation, Ecology, Technology (3 Credit Hours)

Environmental degradation and climate change are among the most pressing scientific, economic, political, and social issues of our time. These problems seem to require technological solutions. But they also seem to be the result of the increasing technological sophistication of human societies. This means that the ecological crisis is inextricable from questions about the proper use of technology. This course will equip students to reflect on these interrelated challenges from a theological perspective. Drawing on scripture and other texts from the Jewish and Christian traditions (Genesis Rabbah, Augustine, Basil of Caesarea, Moses Maimonides, Thomas Aquinas, Julian of Norwich, and others), students will consider three distinct models of creation, the relationship between God and creation, and the place of human beings in creation. We will also reflect on the moral and theological significance of ecology and technology through some of the literary classics of the environmental movement (Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, Wendell Berry). Finally, we will explore how local communities might develop virtues and practices that would constitute a theologically-informed response to our "eco-technological" crisis. By the end of the course, students will have deepened their capacity for theological reflection and will understand how theology provides a compelling framework for moral formation and collective action in response to some of today's most urgent global challenges.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKDT-Core Devlopment. Theology

SUS 20111 Planet Earth (3 Credit Hours)

An introduction to the Earth, its processes, composition, evolution, and structure. The course introduces the student to mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, oceanography, surficial processes, geophysics, environmental geology, and planetology. Lecture and laboratory meetings.

Corequisites: CE 21110

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

SUS 20200 Introduction to Ecological Horticulture (1 Credit Hour)

Prerequisites: (BIOS 10161 and BIOS 10162) or (BIOS 20201 and BIOS 20202)

SUS 20203 Design Matters: Introduction to Design Thinking (3 Credit Hours)

Design thinking has emerged as a powerful methodology to catalyze breakthrough innovation for an array of complex business, social and humanitarian challenges. Business and industry have embraced design thinking as one of the most potent drivers of innovation, growth and prosperity for its’ deeply human-centered approach to problem solving. During this fast paced, hybrid, hands-on journey through the design thinking process, students will immerse themselves in a series of overlapping modules that introduce the various phases in the design thinking process and familiarize students with the tools and techniques. This course will unleash your creativity and ingenuity in addressing problems through a human centered framework and mindset, applying this methodology to a vast array of human-centered problems, and complementing disciplines from science and engineering to business and the liberal arts. This course fulfills a Core Curriculum Liberal Arts 4 Way of Knowing (Arts) as well as the gateway to the Collaborative Innovation minor and cross-listed with other minors including: Sustainability, Computing & Digital Technologies, Education, Schooling & Society, Entrepreneurship and Anthropology.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKAL - Core Art & Literature

SUS 20204 Environmental Chemistry (3 Credit Hours)

Discussion of basic chemical processes occurring in the environment, particularly those relating to the impact of humanity's technological enterprise.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKST-Core Science & Technology

SUS 20300 Local Flora (1 Credit Hour)

This is a field-based course that explores the rich biodiversity of plant life in northern Indiana. Through hands-on experience in a diverse array of field sites, you will be introduced to various plant communities and learn to identify the plants within them. Plant communities and species distributions reflect patterns and processes as ancient as plate tectonics and as recent as glaciers and European settlement. They reflect the influence of temperature and moisture patterns as well as competition within and among plant species. They are shaped by interactions with animals, insects, and disease, as well as the actions of humans. Plants are the foundation of every terrestrial habitat, but are often overlooked. By developing a greater familiarity with plant communities and skills for identification, you will be better prepared to appreciate natural habitats, participate in conservation work, and conduct field research.

SUS 20309 Data in a Changing Planet: environmental data and sustainability (3 Credit Hours)

This course presents an introduction to the socio-technical study of knowledge infrastructures in the context of a rising quest for environmental sustainability. It examines the critical role of data in supporting scientific research, environmental action, and sustainability efforts. The goal is to critically discuss the central place of data in a changing world where the proliferation of new digital technologies supports new capabilities for sensing, sharing, processing, and visualizing rapidly accelerating environmental change. This course will bring forward the interconnected technical, cultural, historical, political, and social efforts that make environmental data possible. Applying socio-technical lenses to environmental data, we will go through the different stages of an environmental data workflow, all the way from data collection to visualization and reporting. The course will pay special attention to the local and global entities, past and present, that environmental data supports. We will focus on the implications of digital technologies for participatory and citizen sciences, open data, and data governance in the environmental space. Leaning on these critical tools, we will revise ongoing environmental struggles and data-fueled sustainability efforts to assess the implications of data in ongoing and future attempts to restore and reinvent the integrity of our planet and its life-supporting systems. The course will resort to practical examples using environmental datasets and a network of socio-environmental practitioners who will present selected topics throughout the semester.

SUS 20350 Sustainability at Notre Dame and in the Holy Cross Charism (3 Credit Hours)

This course will address sustainability in the context of the local academic community and its institutions. In light of the recent papal encyclical, Laudato Si', On Care for Our Common Home, this course will provide students interdisciplinary opportunities to explore the challenges of sustainability and to develop collaborative strategies for making our common campus homes more sustainable. This course will be offered concurrently at ND, SMC, and HCC, and will be co-taught by faculty from all three campuses. It will meet in rotation on each of the three campuses once per week for two hours. Students will be invited to examine the course materials in conversation with the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross through immersion at each of the campuses and encounters with the sisters, brothers, and priests of Holy Cross and with sustainability professionals.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKDT-Core Devlopment. Theology

SUS 20603 Environmental Philosophy (3 Credit Hours)

In recent decades, there has been growing concern about the often difficult relationship human beings have with our larger biological ecosystem. The means by which we power and feed our civilization have deleterious environmental effects, effects that are themselves felt by human communities. In the face of this concern, modern philosophers have attempted to clarify the extent of our ethical obligations vis a vis the natural world. In this class, we will investigate these attempts, and in the process try to address such questions as: "do we have responsibilities toward the physical world around us?" "Should we admit non-human life forms as members of our moral circle?" "What are our responsibilities toward those threatened by pollution, deforestation, or climate change?" "How do environmental injustices intersect with racial, regional, and class injustices in our global society?" Along the way, we will touch on more fundamental philosophical questions, such as the nature and source of value and the limitations of human knowledge. Students will learn to consider environmental issues from a variety of ethical standpoints, will apply ethical analysis to issues in animal welfare, economics, and scientific research, and will gain practical knowledge about integrating environmental ethics into their lives.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKSP - Core 2nd Philosophy

SUS 20626 Theology and Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

We live and act in an ecological theater created by God that includes all other living organisms and their ecosystems within the biosphere. Urgent questions abound today about what our relationship is to the rest of the natural world. What is our place in the world? This course investigates the Christian understanding of God as Creator, creation, and our human relationship to God, one another, and the natural world. We will examine the theology of creation beginning with Scripture and the Creed and progressing through the Early Church, Medieval, and modern time periods. We will also discuss theological anthropology in terms of our identity and mission within our ecological home. To this end, we will apply Pope Francis' notion of integral ecology to the specific case of the Great Lakes watershed in which we live, examining topics such as biodiversity, water, agriculture, and energy. As ecological citizens and creatures of God, we will also address the connection between liturgy and ecology. This course will have a special appeal to students interested in the intersection of theology and science, especially ecology and environmental studies.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKDT-Core Devlopment. Theology

SUS 20650 (Un)Sustainable Philosophies (3 Credit Hours)

The aim of this course is to ask how our ways of thinking about nature, material things, and ourselves supports and/or obstructs our ability to engage in more sustainable environmental practices. Our questions will include, but are not limited to: What is nature and how are humans connected to, distinct from, or part of this nature? What does it mean to be sustainable? If our aim is to exist more sustainably, how should we think about nature to help achieve this end? What is waste, exactly? Whose way of life is being preserved by our present sustainability efforts in the West? How does gender, race, and culture shape how one is affected by (un)sustainable practices? To what extent are the formal structures of oppression conserved across sexism, racism, and environmental destruction? This course will draw heavily on ecofeminist philosophy to help answer these important questions.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKSP - Core 2nd Philosophy

SUS 20651 (Un)Sustainable Philosophies (3 Credit Hours)

SUS 20657 Climate and Culture (3 Credit Hours)

By now, it is no secret that the effects of global climate change could, within the next two centuries or so, cause cultures around the world - including the cultures of the affluent nations - to collapse. Those who would experience such cultural collapse, were it to occur, would be forced to live in ways radically different from their pre-collapse precursors. This course will invite students to think both imaginatively and philosophically about such a possibility. Our guiding questions for the course will be: (i) What is cultural collapse, and how might climate change bring it about? and (ii) How do the participants in a cultural tradition weather well the collapse of their own tradition? To lay the philosophical groundwork for the course, we will read from the work of L.A. Paul, Jonathan Lear, and Alasdair MacIntyre (among others). The semester will then culminate with readings from Lakota, Kiowa, Pueblo, and Navajo writers (among others) who have not only experienced cultural collapse first hand (to varying degrees) but have also written about it in an insightful way.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKSP - Core 2nd Philosophy

SUS 20666 Environment, Food, & Society (3 Credit Hours)

This course is an introduction to environmental sociology, the sociology of food, and Catholic social teachings on creation, solidarity, human dignity and rights, and social justice as they relate to the environment and food issues. The course has two directly linked central purposes. One is to learn descriptive and analytical sociological perspectives on environmental and food issues, as well as related matters of agriculture, globalization, consumerism, rural America, health, social movements, and human futures. A second purpose is to learn Catholic social teachings on the environment and food issues, in order to deepen our capacity to reflect normatively from a particular moral perspective about crucial social problems. Achieving these two purposes will require us recurrently to engage the sociological and the Catholic perspectives and contributions in mutually informative and critical conversation. This is fundamentally a sociology course, but one in which Catholic social ethics stand front and center. In other words, this course will engage in multiple, ongoing exercises of "reflexivity," engaging the sociological imagination, issues of environment and food, and Catholic social teachings - to consider what possible fruitful understandings each may provide for and about the others. Students need not be Catholic (or even religious) to benefit from this course, but everyone must be open to learning about and reflecting upon Catholic ethical teachings as they relate to the environment and food. This course will explore a number of interconnected substantive issues, descriptively, analytically, and normatively. These will include technological development, energy consumption, global warming/climate change, neoliberal capitalism, interests of nation states, corporate power, the role of mass media, population dynamics, the maldistribution of wealth, political decision-making, the status of agrarianism, human dignity, the common good, the option for the poor, the universal destiny of the earth's goods, creation care, and the moral goods of solidarity, subsidiarity, and participation, among other relevant topics.

Corequisites: SUS 21666

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKCD-Core Cathol & Disciplines

SUS 20702 Literature and Environment: The End of Nature? (3 Credit Hours)

For the last five centuries, American literatures have consistently drawn from and reacted to the continent's diverse, dynamic environments. Today, however, "nature" and all that we associate with it seem fundamentally different. This course examines the tradition of United States nonfiction nature writing in light of what Bill McKibben calls the "end of nature, - or the end of nature as we know it. We'll begin with an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of the environmental humanities, and then students will encounter some of the most significant literary voices associated with nineteenth- and twentieth-century environmentalism. After the midterm, we'll turn to more contemporary literary nonfiction and the wicked problems of the late twentieth- and twenty-first centuries. For example, what does "nature" look like today, especially from the lens of a university with a national and global reach? What does environmentalism look like in the face of widespread human migration, globalization, and climatic instability, and how do ideas of race, class, ethnicity, and gender become entangled in environmental thinking? What can nature writing offer us in the Anthropocene? Students will consider such questions throughout the term, both in class discussions and in written assignments.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKAL - Core Art & Literature, WRIT - Writing Intensive

SUS 20752 Introduction to Environmental Humanities (3 Credit Hours)

Nature isn't what it used to be: the Arctic is melting, seas are rising, forests are burning, and the planet is heating up. How do we understand the human relation to nature in a time of ecological catastrophe? This writing-intensive course introduces students to key ideas in the environmental humanities, including nature writing, deep ecology, social ecology, ecofeminism, sustainability, and deep adaptation.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKAL - Core Art & Literature, WRIT - Writing Intensive

SUS 20760 Witnessing Climate Change (3 Credit Hours)

The Earth's climate is changing faster than expected. Industrialization, fossil fuel use, consumption, and exploitation are radically transforming the planet we live on. In "Witnessing Climate Change," we work to make sense of the science behind this planetary crisis and practice writing about it for the public. This is a large, writing-intensive, public-facing course that engages key contemporary issues and core ways of knowing from a values-oriented perspective, through large lectures and small group workshops. Readings include Jeff VanderMeer, Nukariik, Barry Lopez, Aldo Leopold, Wanda Coleman, J.M. Coetzee, and St. Francis, among others. Find out more at witnessingclimatechange.nd.edu. Please note: for this class students are required to sign up for a discussion section (ENGL 22760).

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKAL - Core Art & Literature, WKCD-Core Cathol & Disciplines, WKIN - Core Integration, WRIT - Writing Intensive

SUS 20809 Food, Ecology, and Theology (3 Credit Hours)

Food is inarguably a basic component of human life. In spite of its basicness, however, eating food in the 21stcentury is wrapped up in a whole host of theological and moral issues including ecological degradation, globalization, food security, and economic justice. Our eating practices, in other words, raise urgent questions about the human relationship to the rest of the natural world. This course provides a theological framework for addressing our understanding of food. Drawing on Scripture and sources throughout the history of the Christian tradition, we will investigate the Christian conception of God as Creator, nature as creation, and the human relationship to God, other humans, and the rest of nature. We will also examine the moral and theological implications of human participation in nature through engagement with classics in environmental literature and the agrarian tradition. Finally, we will draw on these sources to contextualize and reflect on the theological and moral implications of the way we grow and consume food. This course will give students a deeper capacity for theological reflection on humans' relationship to the rest of nature and will equip them to understand the theological significance of the seemingly quotidian act of eating food.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKDT-Core Devlopment. Theology

SUS 20845 Environmental Ethics: Ethical Reasoning in the Anthropocene (3 Credit Hours)

In 2000, two Earth System scientists popularized the idea that Earth might be entering a new geologic epoch, the "Anthropocene," in which human activity is shaping and will continue to shape the Earth System so profoundly that it will be evident in the geologic record. The idea has become a central topic in both the environmental sciences and the environmental humanities. Our interest in this idea is in the ethical questions it raises. Who is responsible for this new epoch and what should be done about it? What kinds of technological interventions are ethically appropriate to limit or otherwise alter environmental change? If humans can "manage" the global climate, fine tuning Earth's temperature and climate composition, should they? This is a course about ethical reasoning, in which moral principles are applied to contingent circumstances to determine good (i.e., ethically sound) courses of action. We will use a sophisticated understanding of the doctrine of human dominion and the moral principles it entails to construct a range of Christian responses to the ethical questions of the Anthropocene. In developing Christian ethical responses to the challenges of the Anthropocene, we will practice using clear logic, rhetorical argumentation, and a sophisticated grasp and deployment of Christian doctrine.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKDT-Core Devlopment. Theology

SUS 20888 Science, Theology, and Creation (3 Credit Hours)

This course investigates the Christian understanding of creation and how this doctrine relates to contemporary scientific issues. We will examine the development of the doctrine beginning with Scripture and the Creed and progressing through the early Church period into the Medieval and Scholastic era, focusing on the concepts of creation ex nihilo, creation continua, divine Providence, and divine action in the world. With the rise of the modern era, we will analyze the origin of and principles involved with the purported conflict between science and theology. We will bring the doctrine of creation into dialogue with three contemporary issues in the sciences: cosmology, evolution, and ecology. Integral to this course will be the relationship and response of humankind to God and to creation. This course will have a special appeal to students interested in the intersection of science and theology.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKDT-Core Devlopment. Theology

Enrollment is limited to students with a minor in Sustainability.

SUS 21203 Design Thinking Lab (0 Credit Hours)

This once weekly lab session is a mandatory requirement for students enrolled in the Design Thinking course. These sessions focus on practical application of the topics and materials presented in class with students working in teams to employ techniques and methodology on assigned projects. This hands-on lab will having students exploring the research, brainstorming, ideation, iterative prototyping and presentation techniques that lead to creative innovation and disruptive breakthroughs applicable to students of any discipline.

Corequisites: SUS 20203

SUS 21666 Environment, Food & Society Lab (1 Credit Hour)

This is the 1-credit lab associated with 20666, Environment, Food, and Society.

Corequisites: SUS 20666

SUS 23005 Introduction to Complex Problem Solving in the Public Sphere (3 Credit Hours)

The central aim of the course is to explore the tensions between technical problem-solving and the public interest as we move into an increasingly technological future - e.g. Smart Cities, climate adaptation. While this is in some ways the perennial broader question of how science integrates into society, we are focusing on issues particular to community planning and development as more and more tasks, from transportation to water management, are informed, if not controlled by nonhuman processes or algorithmic rules. For example, if we have ‘smart sewers' and can control where the water goes during a flood, do we minimize property-value damage or the number of residences impacted? If climate change modeling indicates a new 30-year flood plain, do individuals have the right to not be moved out of harm's way? What are the moral and public interest questions embedded in these decision points? In asking these questions, we revisit this tension from the mid-20 th century to set the stage and examine the interface of these issues in complex settings, including challenges with: defining the public interest, power and civic agency, measurement and data quality, objectives, variables, and constraints in optimization problems, and contextually/culturally situating ‘optimal' solutions.

SUS 23200 Sustainability and Collapse (3 Credit Hours)

Humans deeply affect their social and natural worlds. Their impact reverberates across time and space making it difficult to understand the long-term ramifications of our daily decisions and actions. This seminar enhances our understanding of the complex web of relationships between humans, resources, and climate by exploring the concepts of sustainability and collapse from an anthropological perspective. Key questions guiding this exploration include: What do we mean by sustainability? What is it that want to sustain? How can societies be "sustained" when we know societal collapses happen time and again? Through readings, media, debates, and analysis, we will learn how our culture shapes and promotes both sustainability and collapse and assess whether they can be attained or prevent. And, we will all gain a better understanding of our place in the world around us.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKSS - Core Social Science

SUS 23201 Art and Social Change (1 Credit Hour)

Students will work with a South Bend neighborhood to explore a structural challenge and, with the guidance of a local artist, respond to this challenge alongside community members in creating an artistic piece that serves the good of the neighborhood. This seminar will also provide a "hands-on" experience as students are exposed to practices of participatory research methods and the art-making process.

SUS 23451 Sustainability Through the Catholic Social Tradition (1 Credit Hour)

This one-credit colloquia will examine the understanding of sustainability and the care of creation in the Catholic Social Tradition. There will be an examination of how we fulfill God's call to practice sustainability in an age when we have the capacity to alter creation significantly. This course will also discuss sustainability in a way that respects and protects God's creation, and provides for the common good, as well as for economic and social progress based on justice. Areas explored will include the practice of sustainability on campus, in the community, and in the developing world. Leaders in sustainability practices will be invited as guest lecturers. Students will be required to research and present a project that would assist with increasing sustainability.

SUS 23911 Franciscan Land Experiences: Studying and Working in the Spirit of Laudato Si’ (1 Credit Hour)

This fall break service learning course combines hands-on outdoor work experiences with community living and study in the spirit of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si'. The course is held at the Franciscan Life Process Center, a Franciscan retreat center founded by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and located on 230 acres of rural land outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The center is a small working farm and outdoor education center with three miles of nature trails, a restored native prairie, animal barns, rain gardens, an orchard and vegetable gardens. Students will stay in simple rooms in the retreat center building and have access to the kitchen, chapel, library, nature trails, outdoor stations of the cross and outdoor rosary walk. Prayer/liturgical opportunities will be available. During the week students will work outside on environmental projects such as building a rain garden and assisting with native prairie restoration, as well as with the farm and animals. Students will also be guided in learning how to cook meals with homegrown foods. Daily seminar-style meetings complement the outdoor work and focus on readings from Laudato Si', as well as Catholic and non-Catholic writers who reflect on the nature of creation and the unique role of humans in caring for it in today’s world. The course could be a valuable experience for those majoring in both technical and non-technical disciplines, as well as those interested in social concerns.

SUS 23918 The Costs of Fast Fashion (1 Credit Hour)

Taught by a veteran of the global apparel industry, this one-credit practical course explores “fast fashion.” This revolutionary approach to clothing manufacturing is taking the world by storm, based on unimaginably low prices that make clothing, essentially, disposable. We will together focus on the costs of this approach to fashion, starting with fast fashion brands themselves. With prices so low, how is this business model even viable? How does this affect what had previously been associated with the industry of fashion? And, importantly, what is the impact of fast fashion brands’ severe cost-cutting on the people who make our clothes? What other externalities – like pollution, waste, and damage to ecosystems – come into play? And how can we begin to calculate the true cost of this explosive mode of global apparel production? In workshops and class discussions, students will learn the unique way in which costing in fashion’s global supply chains is typically done. They will also engage in hands-on, real-life calculations of how living wage increases for the people making our clothes would impact the prices brands and consumers pay for a t-shirt or pair of jeans. Armed with their new skills and knowledge, students will be well-equipped to envision innovative solutions that can deliver a transformed and more hopeful future for global fashion.

SUS 24874 Contemplative Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

In his encyclical on the environment, Laudato si', Pope Francis wrote that "more than in ideas or concepts as such, I am interested in how such a spirituality [an ecological spirituality] can motivate us to a more passionate concern for the protection of our world. A commitment this lofty cannot be sustained by doctrine alone, without a spirituality capable of inspiring us, without an ‘interior impulse which encourages, motivates, nourishes and gives meaning to our individual and communal activity.'" This course will explore the resources for such a "contemplative ecology" in both Christian writers and non- Christian ones, with a focus on the United States. There is a rich tradition in the United States of writing on nature—often with the intent of inculcating environmental sensitivity and promoting an environmental ethics. Many of these writings operate by inviting one into a deeper, contemplative stance of experiencing and relating to the natural world of which we are a part. While some of these authors (Thomas Merton, Denise Levertov) are Christian (Catholic, in these two cases), others are less formally associated with a Christian church (John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson). Yet even in some of the latter cases, there often is evidence that, minimally, a "biblical imagination" inspires their writing—just as great Christian mystics through the ages had a profoundly biblical imagination, which shaped how they prayed and how they taught. There is, thus, a rich opportunity in the United States for a "contemplative ecology" that is dialogical and ecumenical, even reaching out to those of other faiths, to agnostics and the "spiritual but not religious," while also exploring Christian doctrinal themes and spiritual practices with roots going back to the Desert Fathers and Mothers, and beyond that to the Bible itself. This course is intended as an initial exploration of this terrain. It aims to be integrative in nature, covering works in theology and Christian spirituality, but also from the genres of nature-writing, poetry and film; and it will have an experiential component that will take advantage of the beauty of the Irish countryside. It concludes with a close reading Laudato si' and Querida Amazonia, enriched by the consideration of resources unearthed earlier in the course, in order to explore the possibilities for a distinctively American, but also Catholic, way of receiving and implementing the pope's vision.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKDT-Core Devlopment. Theology

SUS 25000 Introduction to Sustainable Development (1 Credit Hour)

The current generation of colleges students will face a host of challenges in their lifetimes, including a global population that will potentially reach 9 billion by the early 2040s, depleting resources, and declining ecosystems. Additionally, the world is currently experiencing the worst global pandemic it has faced in over a century, whose effects will linger for years to come while foreshadowing the potential impact of other impending shocks. If current economic growth continues in a "business as usual" framework, future generations will face an increased dearth of decent jobs, growing social divisions, and devastating threats to the environment. This course will explore this confluence of issues and help students to consider a new roadmap for economic development and human flourishing that respects the dignity of every individual and the environment. Readings and lectures will look at the intersection of economic growth, industry, food security, water scarcity, health, religion, innovation science, and climate change. Case studies and real world examples will link theory to policy and practice. A major component of this course will be in-class discussions and case studies that will push students to think critically and debate the important questions within the study of sustainable development. The objective of these discussions will be to a) explore the interconnectedness of many of these issues and their varying degrees of impact on the wealthy, the middle class, and the poor or marginalized; b) understand different models of governance at international, national, and local levels that are trying to work through these issues; and c) bridge theory to policy and practice. This course requires active student participation in class as well as group projects and quizzes to gauge how well students are absorbing the material.

SUS 30009 Writing the Anthropocene (3 Credit Hours)

We face worldwide ecological catastrophe, accelerating global warming, and political upheaval: this is the Anthropocene. What problems does the Anthropocene pose to narrative? What storytelling skills and rhetorical strategies do journalists, scientists, memoirists, bloggers, and philosophers need in order to adequately address and communicate about the epochal crisis we all face? Through journalism, essays, and other media, this course will explore the question - in practice - of what it means to write the Anthropocene.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKAL - Core Art & Literature, WRIT - Writing Intensive

SUS 30010 Writing the Anthropocene (3 Credit Hours)

SUS 30027 Appalachia: Land and People (3 Credit Hours)

This course tells the history of Appalachia through human's relationships with the natural environment. The class starts in geologic time with the formation of the mountains and spools forward through ebb and flow of Native American homelands, the colonial wars and the fur trade, the American invasion, the growth of an agrarian economy centered on corn, pigs, and whiskey, the arrival of the railroads and the extractive industries of coal and timber, and finally the difficulties wrought by de-industrialization, climate change, and the opioid epidemic. The central characters throughout are the men and women who wrested their living from the mountains and the hollows, and their struggles as a series of political, economic, and ecological transformations dispossessed them. Over time, Appalachia was impoverished and made marginal; in the eyes of many, the place and the people were deemed exploitable and expendable. This class seeks to understand how Appalachia became synonymous with grinding poverty and environmental degradation. The class argues that ecosystems and people advanced and declined in tandem and that history shows neither were destined for impoverishment. This course is intended to give current Notre Dame students who have or who might visit and volunteer in Appalachia the historical perspective they may need to fully appreciate the region's problems and potential.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKHI - Core History

Enrollment is limited to students with a minor in Sustainability.

SUS 30105 Sustainable America (3 Credit Hours)

This CAD course looks back to 1850, when urban industrial America began, and looks forward to 2050, when Notre Dame promises to be carbon neutral, to critically engage competing visions of individual, communal, and ecological flourishing. Students explore how US political culture, the discipline of American Studies, and Catholic social teaching have clashed and converged over the proposed solutions to poverty, racism, and environmental degradation. After an introduction to American Studies, we turn to visions of the good life in foundational US political documents (the Declaration, the Constitution, and Inaugural Addresses) and in Catholic tradition (scriptural passages, theological reflections, and papal encyclicals, from Rerum Novarum to Laudato Si'). Then the course's three main sections consider, in turn, economic equity, racial justice, and environmental restoration. Each section ends with a "faith in action" case study and a Take-a-Stand essay. In the concluding section of the class, Learning Groups present their joint proposal, and, during the exam period, each student submits his or her own integrative essay. That essay critically and constructively engages at least three Catholic sources as the student defends a position on one of the issues—poverty, racism, or environmental degradation—and identifies what American Studies might learn from the Catholic Tradition and what the Catholic Tradition might learn from American Studies.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKCD-Core Cathol & Disciplines, WKHI - Core History

SUS 30111 Green Japan (3 Credit Hours)

Around 1600, Japan closed itself off for 250 years, neither importing food nor exporting people. It was, in short, an almost hermetic ecological system, and yet, instead of outstripping their natural resources, Japanese people managed to attain a level of well-being above that of most other people. Some scholars have acclaimed this era an "eco-utopia" while others point to problems with this view. This course explores the interplay between political, social, economic, and ecological forces asking whether Tokugawa Japan modeled resilience.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKHI - Core History

Enrollment is limited to students with a minor in Sustainability.

SUS 30112 Germany and the Environment (3 Credit Hours)

Germany is globally recognized as a leader in the fields of renewable energy, sustainable development, and environmental protection. But how did this come about? In this course, we will examine the roles that culture and history play in shaping human attitudes towards the environment. Our case studies will range over two centuries, from damming projects in the Rhine valley at the start of the nineteenth century to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster at the end of the twentieth. We will study novels, films, and philosophical essays alongside works by leading environmental historians. Over the course of the semester, students will develop a richer understanding of German environmentalism that also includes an awareness of its dark sides, such as the role that nature conservancy played within Nazi ideology.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKAL - Core Art & Literature, WRIT - Writing Intensive

SUS 30113 Sports and the Environment (3 Credit Hours)

With help from athletes such as Billie Jean King, Colin Kaepernick, LeBron James, Serena Williams, and Megan Rapinoe, Americans are growing accustomed to thinking about sports as embedded in the politics of gender, class, race, sexuality, and the nation. Consider the variety of places where sports happen, however, and the ways we develop and consume those places, and it becomes apparent that sports are also environmental in significant and complex ways. This course will examine the environmental politics of sports from conservation to climate change through the lenses of history and cultural studies. Course content will range from 19th century hunting, Indigenous surfing, and BASE jumping, to pick-up basketball, pro stadiums, and Notre Dame Athletics. Topical sections include outdoor sports and conservation, mountain sports and public land use, parks and recreation, stadiums and environmental justice, sports and climate change, and sustainability in the NCAA. Course requirements include regular reading and discussion, midterm and final essays, and a research project on a topic of the student's choice.

SUS 30160 Corporate Sustainability Accounting and Reporting (3 Credit Hours)

In this course students will learn about current and emerging U.S. and international corporate sustainability accounting and reporting frameworks, the differences between mandatory and voluntary corporate sustainability disclosures, and the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ecosystem. The course includes but is not limited to, these topics: factors influencing stakeholders' demand for sustainability information, shareholder primacy and stakeholder capitalism, single vs. double materiality, accounting for greenhouse gas emissions, climate risk, ESG metrics and raters, independent third-party assurance of corporate sustainability information, current and emerging corporate practices that link executive compensation to ESG metrics, and an overview of how investment strategies deliver societal and environmental impact. Students will interact with guest speakers, participate in lively debates, and will analyze and discuss case studies, research papers, and business press articles. The course concludes with team-based capstone project presentations.

SUS 30174 American Wilderness (3 Credit Hours)

How is a national park different from a national wilderness area, a city park, the lakes at Notre Dame, or your back yard? Why are some considered wilder than others, and why is wilderness such an attractive idea? Writers, historians, painters, photographers, and politicians have described American landscapes as wild to great effect, in concert with identities of gender, class, race, and nation. This class will explore how the idea of wilderness - and the places associated with that idea - has developed during the 19th and 20th centuries. We will examine how wilderness has supported the growth of a national identity but largely failed to recognize the diversity of the American people. Course themes include: 1) developing the wilderness idea; 2) national parks and the problem of wilderness; 3) wilderness experience and politics; and 4) wilderness narratives. Readings will range from Henry David Thoreau and John Muir to Edward Abbey and Jon Krakauer, and there will be a strong visual culture component. For their final project students will choose a wild place of their own to interpret.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKHI - Core History

Enrollment is limited to students with a minor in Sustainability.

SUS 30202 International Conservation and Development Politics (3 Credit Hours)

Conserving the earth's rich biological heritage while enhancing the well-being of some of the world's poorest people stands as a critical global challenge. This course examines this complex issue using the lens of political science and related fields such as political ecology, gender studies, and sustainability science. It will demonstrate how insights and approaches from these areas of scholarship can help understand and address the twin problems of biodiversity loss and poverty in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Examples will focus on forest and wildlife conservation and management. This course will be of interest to students from a wide range of natural and social science disciplines.

SUS 30211 Modern Materials: The Sustainability of Designed Objects (3 Credit Hours)

This interdisciplinary course explores the relationship between the production of material goods and their environmental impacts. Modules are designed around specific industries, such as fashion, electronics, furniture, construction, and packaging, allowing students to examine the unique technical, economic, and social conditions in each category. Students will trace products back to raw materials and forward to their "end-of-life" (whether that be re-manufacture, regeneration, or landfill), while employing various techniques for assessing impact. Students will hear from sustainability professionals about their approaches and visit production facilities to see firsthand how goods are made. Significant time in the course is given to an independent project in the West Lake Design Studio, allowing individuals to apply their unique backgrounds and skills to the teardown and redesign of a particular product or service.

SUS 30251 (Un)natural Disasters (1 Credit Hour)

What does "disaster" mean? In this class, we seek to question, challenge, and comprehend the socio-historical, economic, cultural, spatial, and geopolitical components of "natural" disasters. How are some events deemed a disaster? How do communities recover and reconstruct after events of disaster? As disasters become more frequent and devastating due to global climate change, growing economic precarity and political instability, it is imperative to understand the multifaceted socio-ecological nature of disasters. First, we seek to examine how certain communities are more disaster-prone than others, and how these vulnerabilities to risk, hazard, and exposure have historical, political, and social underpinnings. These same underpinnings impact how people live through disaster, as well as the aftermath that follows the "event"; so much so that oftentimes, it is more accurate to speak of disaster "processes" rather than finite events. This one-credit module will unpack many of these questions alongside critical case studies, drawing from an interdisciplinary array of approaches, ranging from history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, geography, and urban planning. These approaches cover a broad range of methodologies and theoretical approaches that will inform and enrich our critical thought toolbox and, I hope, will prove to be useful even outside the classroom.

SUS 30300 Introduction to Environmental Engineering (3 Credit Hours)

An introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles to qualitatively and quantitatively assess complex natural and engineering systems relevant to environmental engineering. This course serves to assist students to identify, evaluate and solve problems involved in the control of water, air, and land pollution and challenges for environmental sustainability. The course introduces how fundamental science and engineering methodology is applied to solve real world environmental problems. This is the first course in the environmental engineering track.

SUS 30312 General Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

The study of populations and communities of organisms and their interrelations with the environment. Fall and spring.

SUS 30319 Environmental Change and the Contemporary Human Niche (3 Credit Hours)

The rate and expanse of human-caused global environmental change is unmatched in our evolutionary history. It is widely argued that these actions have produced enough change that the stable conditions found in the Holocene epoch of the last 11,000 years are over and we are transitioning to a new Earth Systems trajectory and epoch dubbed the Anthropocene - the time when humans are the single largest driver of geologic change. In this course, we will seek to understand what characteristics of the contemporary human niche - the myriad socio-ecological practices, policies, institutions and lifeways that comprise how humans live their everyday lives around the globe - are producing the Anthropocene and what the implications are for different groups of people. We will pay specific attention to the distribution of global environmental change and corresponding risk to human health, historical and contemporary contributions to the production of this change, and what the implications are for human health, equality, and environmental justice. The focus of this course is more towards breadth than depth - we will sample and discuss many topics but will be unable to fully dive into each in a holistic way. But, this is by design, as the point is for us to develop a mutually negotiated and understood functional language and base understanding of the topics such that after this course you are empowered to engage the topics most compelling to you and have the skills requisite to effectively dive in.

SUS 30402 The Geopolitics of Energy (3 Credit Hours)

This course examines how oil and natural gas have shaped international relations from the early twentieth century to the present, with a particular focus on conflict. It begins by introducing students to the fundamentals of global energy production, consumption and trade, and then briefly surveys the political history of oil as it relates to the great powers. The course then moves on to contemporary issues, including the political significance of "fracking" technology, the role of the United States in protecting Persian Gulf oil, and the extent to which Russia's dominant natural gas position might translate into political influence in Europe. These and other topics are examined through numerous theoretical lenses, including theories of resource conflict, economic interdependence, political coercion, and petro-aggression.

SUS 30408 Global Environmental Issues and Policy (3 Credit Hours)

Fracking, Water Wars, Deforestation of the Amazon, Droughts, Global Warming, Climate Change, Unsustainable Agriculture, Hurricanes, Pollution, Species Extinction, Invasive Species, Poaching, Overfishing, Depletion of Fossil Fuels, Overpopulation, Wastes, Ocean Acidification, Wildfires, Oil Spills, Overpopulation, Overconsumption, Land degradation - the list goes on! These complex environmental problems are occurring constantly and rapidly; their consequences are global in scope and transcend national boundaries; and they embody the complex relationship between humans and the natural environment. This course is about developing an interdisciplinary understanding of the relationship between humans (society) and the environment. We will examine the historical and contemporary environmental challenges of global concern, the underlying role of humans, and attempts by society to address, mitigate, and adapt to such complex problems through policies, institutions, and governance. We will pay attention to the roles of different state and non-state actors in environmental policy making. Overall, students will draw from both the social and natural sciences to develop a deeper understanding of how society - through consumption, culture, politics, power, ethics, values, economic growth, location, etc - contribute to, or solve, environmental problems.

SUS 30500 Geomorphology (3 Credit Hours)

This course introduces students to principles and processes of landform evolution with emphasis on large-scale Earth processes, volcanic & tectonic geomorphology, weathering processes & soils and mass movement. Processes and landform evolution in fluvial, desert, glacial, coastal and karst environments are investigated, and the effects on human structures and developments are explored. The course concludes with a discussion on the impact of climate change on Earth's surface features.

SUS 30559 Environmental Economics (3 Credit Hours)

This course introduces the role of economics in environmental issues and in the formation of environmental policy. Topics covered include choice, externalities, market failure, cost-benefit and environmental valuation analyses, and climate change. The course aims to encourage students to think about pressing environmental issues in economic terms and equip students with the diverse set of economics tools to contribute to the evaluation and implementation of wise policy choices. There is no prior knowledge of economics required, and students will have the opportunity to learn basic economic principles and frameworks that guide decision-making regarding environmental issues.

SUS 30592 The Indigenous Southwest (3 Credit Hours)

This course seeks to explore connections between environment and culture change by introducing students to the diversity of cultures living in the Southwest. We begin by learning about indigenous people living in the Southwest today including the Pueblo peoples (e.g., Hopi, Zuni, Santa Clara, Cochiti, Acoma), Navajo, Ute, and Tohono O’odham using ethnography and contemporary native histories. We will then travel back in time to learn about the complex histories of these people, particularly the ancestral Pueblo, to places like Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, the Rio Grande, the Mimbres Valley, and the Phoenix Basin. Our explorations will cover from the earliest Paleoindians (11,500 years ago) to the 13th century Migrations to European contact, the establishment of Spanish Missions, and the Pueblo Revolt of 1680-1692. We will then bring this discussion full circle to today. Along the way, we will explore the impact of large-scale, long-term processes such as the adoption of agriculture, village formation, religious change, migration, and warfare on the rich historical landscape of the Southwest.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKHI - Core History

SUS 30632 American Environmental History (3 Credit Hours)

This course is an introduction to the new field of environmental history. While many people think "The Environment" suddenly became important with the first "Earth Day" in 1970 (or a few years earlier), environmental issues have in fact long been of central importance. In recent decades historians have begun actively to explore the past sensibilities of various groups toward their surroundings and fellow creatures. They have also increasingly paid attention to the ways environmental factors have affected history. This course will range widely, from world history to the story of a single river, from arguments about climate change to the significance of pink flamingos, and will survey a number of types of history including cultural, demographic, religious, and animal.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKHI - Core History

SUS 30668 The History of Energy in American Life (3 Credit Hours)

Please see description in HIST 30998

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKHI - Core History

SUS 30670 Gender Justice and the Environment (3 Credit Hours)

According to many, environmentalism and feminism go hand-in-hand. What is the basis of this theoretical and political claim, especially given the complexity and evolution of feminism and environmentalism as both political movements and theoretical categories? How did this alliance emerge historically and what has it looked like across different communities and nations? Do feminism and environmental justice ever find themselves in tension? How has non-human nature been conceived of as gendered (e.g. "mother nature", masculinization of wilderness) and what implications flow from that for how human beings experience gender? How might feminist conceptions of freedom, gender, and ethics inform environmental politics and policy? In this interdisciplinary course, we will examine these and other questions in order to understand and evaluate contemporary discourse around climate change, ecology, intersectional feminism, and environmental ethics.

SUS 30690 Environmental Education (3 Credit Hours)

This course is a survey of the field of environmental education. Students will: 1) gain an understanding of environmental literacy, 2) explore the foundations of environmental education, 3) learn the personal responsibilities of the environmental educator, 4) design environmental education curriculum, 5) foster pedagogical approaches for effective learning, and 6) develop skills for evaluation and assessment of environmental education curricula. Class members will have the opportunity to focus assignments to meet their personal aspirations for environmental education within their career goals.

SUS 30714 Sustainable Communities & Global Business (3 Credit Hours)

Effective, ethical business leadership in a global context requires the ability to understand and synthesize inputs from a variety of sources, to discern information from multiple, often conflicting perspectives, and to communicate complex data and information clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders. Through reading and writing, discussion, and engagement with classmates and outside experts including international faculty, students will examine the intersections of sustainability and global business, with a focus on the role of business decision making and action in the interrelated areas of sustainable environmental and social impact. The topic is more salient than ever, as communities around the globe ask whether the pandemic and related economic crisis will prompt a new vision for society that focuses on justice and sustainability, or will simply continue to exacerbate existing inequities. The course complements courses on campus that address sustainable development, but differs in its focus on mainstream companies in advanced economies, and their engagement with community stakeholders. Through written work, reading, and exploration of key concepts, the students will work toward their culminating assignment, a research paper that presents an informed perspective on a specific topic of their choosing within the course theme.

SUS 30715 Sustainable Communities & Global Business (3 Credit Hours)

Effective, ethical business leadership in a global context requires the ability to understand and synthesize inputs from a variety of sources, to discern information from multiple, often conflicting perspectives, and to communicate complex data and information clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders. Through reading and writing, discussion, and engagement with classmates and outside experts including international faculty, students will examine the intersections of sustainability and global business, with a focus on the role of business decision making and action in the interrelated areas of sustainable environmental and social impact. The topic is more salient than ever, as communities around the globe ask whether the pandemic and related economic crisis will prompt a new vision for society that focuses on justice and sustainability, or will simply continue to exacerbate existing inequities. The course complements courses on campus with a focus on sustainable development, but differs in its emphasis on existing companies in advanced economies, and their engagement with community stakeholders. Through written work and exploration of key concepts, the students will work toward their culminating assignment, a research paper that presents an informed perspective on a specific topic of their choosing within the course theme.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WRIT - Writing Intensive

SUS 30718 Political Theory and the Environment (3 Credit Hours)

In this course, we will examine the political, moral, and existential considerations associated with climate change and environmentalism, such as: collective responsibility, intergenerational obligation, the limitations of national sovereignty, wealth distribution, connections between politics and nature, and environmental justice. Students will also develop the skills to critically assess the discourse surrounding political responses to climate change. Readings will be drawn from canonical political thought as well as contemporary sources.

SUS 30725 Sustainability in Food, Beverage & Agriculture (1.5 Credit Hours)

This course will use Food and Beverage and Agriculture industries to unpack a wide range of topics to provide a broader view and understanding of the sustainability challenges faced by the companies today, the innovative approaches to address sustainability as they work toward future sustainability goals, and how companies make short/mid/long term business decisions as they strive to make sustainability a part of the company's values and long-term strategy. A deep dive into the consumer evolving mindset toward sustainability will expose consumer motivations, needs, and "demands" the consumers place on the business and how business can effectively communicate their commitments, track the progress, and communicate back to the consumer to gain their trust.

SUS 30800 Climate, Econ, & Bus Ethics (3 Credit Hours)

As an Integration course, students successfully completing the class will have fulfilled a University core curriculum requirement. Reflecting an integration of key considerations from the disciplines of Economics and Business Ethics, the course will allow students the opportunity to examine the complexities of climate change, public policy, environmental and social sustainability, and impacts on global economies and communities. Economics will provide the foundation of knowledge of labor market structure, market failures such as externalities, taxation, migration decisions, discrimination, and income inequality measures. The management approach will address business in practice, and organizational and societal dimensions of effective and ethical business. Topics will include climate change; resilience and its measures; climate change-driven migration around the world and its impacts on labor markets and the business environment; ethical frameworks for guiding business; stakeholder analysis; environmental justice and the disproportionate effects on communities by socio-economic status, race and gender; and regulation and international agreements. Students will participate in experiential activities in real-world contexts, examine indicators of societal resilience, present relevant data in a compelling way through individual and team projects, reflect understanding through assessments including quizzes and exams, and present a policy proposal, all reflective of an integrative approach.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKIN - Core Integration

SUS 30903 Policy Lab: Sustainable Finance (1 Credit Hour)

This course will explore the role of global business in reducing poverty, inequality and attending to the needs of all stakeholders. Students will be introduced to the rapidly growing fields of impact investing and sustainable finance which support socially conscious and environmentally friendly innovations. Students will gain a broad overview of the financial and economic tools available, beyond government assistance and philanthropy, to support broad based wealth creation, equality of opportunity and natural resource preservation. Students will be invited to participate in policy debates on certain topics and will read mini case studies on subjects such as microfinance, "place based" community investment and the role of CDFIs, and the issuance of green/blue sustainability bonds. Guest speakers/practitioners will be invited to engage the students in real world problem solving. The course will culminate in a small group project or paper to "reexamine business" as a force for good, which will be presented in class. It is open to students of all intended majors with no prerequisites, and should serve as a foray to several future areas of study such as global affairs, social entrepreneurship and sustainability.

SUS 30905 Financing Social Impact (3 Credit Hours)

This course examines the financial and economic tools that support sustainable solutions to social challenges, with a focus beyond traditional government aid and philanthropy. Students will explore the rapidly expanding fields of impact investing and microfinance, evaluating their roles in advancing social entrepreneurship, broad-based wealth creation, and equality of opportunity. Topics include emerging approaches to microcredit, the benefits and limitations of financial innovations, and the role of public policy in fostering effective initiatives. Through a combination of case studies, critical analyses, and applied projects, students will engage directly with real-world challenges such as poverty alleviation and inclusive economic development. No prior background in business or finance is required; the course is designed for students from all disciplines who bring curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to social problem-solving.

SUS 30983 History of Food & Ecology (3 Credit Hours)

Food feeds culture. It nourishes societies as well as bodies. No discipline is intelligible without it. It provides economics with products, physiology with sustenance, social sciences with classes and relationships of power. and intellects with food for thought. Food's also essential in ecology. Our most intimate contact with the environment occurs when we eat it. From interdisciplinary perspectives, we'll approach the history of food in all cultures (including, by the way, those of non-human cultural creatures) in all periods that we can say something about, from the origins of carnivorism and cannibalism through famines and fushion to the food-related environmental problems of the future. There may even be time to explore cuisines.

Corequisites: HIST 22085

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKHI - Core History

SUS 30998 Our Global Environment (3 Credit Hours)

The question that this course asks is which political formations have been most conducive to environmentally sustainable communities and why. Historians have long been interested in political questions about power, state structures, democracy, and economic development, but only now, with the emergence of the global environmental crisis, is the relationship between politics and ecology becoming clearer. This course has four sections. It begins by examining the contemporary phenomenon of "climate collapse" and the problem of how to conceptualize this global problem historically. We then turn to the issue of which social values and modes of production and consumption have caused this dramatic transformation of our planet, tracing the effects of state formation and industrial development. Using major books, essays, and film, we compare capitalist, socialist, and fascist approaches to the nature. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a firm grasp of environmental problems and their relation to political communities.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKHI - Core History

SUS 33000 Sustainability Summer Internship or Research (1 Credit Hour)

Students who complete an approved unpaid summer internship or research assistantship in sustainability are eligible to enroll in this course. Students will be required to submit a written report of their summer work.

SUS 33305 Decarbonizing Catholicism and the Common Good (3 Credit Hours)

How has the use of fossil fuels for heat, energy, and raw material shaped contemporary Christian ethics and social teachings? Has the Catholic pursuit of virtue and the common good driven climate change? Is there a need to “decarbonize” Christian concepts, cultures, and communities? While the concept of decarbonization is most commonly applied to technology, policy, and the economy, what would a “decarbonized” vision of human flourishing and the common good look like? In this course, we will generate responses to these questions by examining the extent to which fossil fuels have shaped Catholic concepts of moral virtue, human dignity, and the common good in the modern world, as well as how Catholic moral and social teachings can inform a just transformation of energy systems. In recent years, scholars from multiple disciplines have argued that there is a two-way influence between the material properties of things, like coal and oil, and human values and cultural ways of life. These dynamics are the object of our study in this course. In addition to engaging with developments in history, we will also explore emerging models of non-carbon intensive human flourishing and the common good as well as the virtues and practices needed to sustain them. Throughout the course, each student will conduct a case study of one moral virtue or Catholic social principle both to examine how it has been “carbonized” and to develop an argument about whether or how it should be “decarbonized.” This course in energy and environmental studies engages with perspectives drawn from history, environmental/climate studies, ethics, theological studies, philosophy, and cultural anthropology. There are no required prerequisites.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKCD-Core Cathol & Disciplines, WRIT - Writing Intensive

SUS 33317 Environmental Justice and Social Transformation (3 Credit Hours)

Environmental justice has emerged as one of the most significant frameworks shaping contemporary environmental policy and scholarship at local, national, and international scales. Less well known is that it originated and has been led at the grassroots level with social movements making connections between racial, gender, and economic justice, political empowerment, and vastly unequal exposure to environmental harms and hazards. In short, the meanings, values, strategies, and concepts that make up the environmental justice (EJ) framework have been driven by grassroots leaders and organizations with a transformative vision. This course in environmental humanities and social sciences examines this transformative approach to EJ as it has emerged in places as diverse as rural North Carolina, urban New York, Louisiana's “Cancer Alley,” tropical forests around the world, and most recently transnational networks of grassroots leaders responding to climate change. Through interdisciplinary engagement with scholarship in environmental studies, religion, ethics, history, sociology, anthropology, and politics, as well as analysis of primary source documents, this course equips students to analyze the dynamic relationship between human cultures and environmental realities at local and global scales. In particular, it equips students to answer questions such as: To what extent has the EJ movement been shaped by religion and culture? How do transformative approaches to EJ differ from other approaches? How do diverse concepts of the sacred, nature, and justice factor into contemporary debates about environmental and climate action? What moral and political resources do EJ communities draw on to sustain their commitments? What commitments inform students’ personal approach to EJ issues?

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKIN - Core Integration

SUS 33950 Appalachia (1 Credit Hour)

This course is designed to introduce students to the cultural and social issues of the Appalachian region - its history, people, culture, challenges, and strengths - through study and experiential learning. The course also provides engagement with the people of Appalachia through a required immersion over break. The Appalachia Seminar utilizes a Catholic Social Tradition (CST) framework to build skills around social analysis, critical thinking, and theological reflection. Students examine the relationship between solidarity and service and consider how the Common Good is expressed in local communities across the region. This course has a fee.

SUS 33961 Discernment & The Common Good (1 Credit Hour)

This course provides undergraduate students an opportunity to reflect on their undergraduate education and to explore their respective vocations as it relates to the common good. Whether considering a change in major, deciding on postgraduate plans, navigating a relationship, or seeking greater intentionality in daily life, students in this class will accompany each other as they consider their vocation, learn different methods of discernment, and develop practices to listen and respond to these callings. Content will include Catholic Social Teaching, cultural critique, narrative theology, spiritual practices, and the arts. Must be a sophomore, junior or senior to take this course.

SUS 33965 Organizing Power & Hope (1 Credit Hour)

This course will take place in a local neighborhood and students will learn fundamental concepts and skills of community organizing alongside residents of South Bend. Together, neighbors and students will learn the art of organizing through relational meetings, house meetings, power-mapping, and research actions. The culmination of the course will include participation in a public action with local officials addressing a pressing issue in our community. Through a series of trainings and hands-on application, students will build public relationships, amplify their voices, cultivate power and leverage it for justice.

SUS 33989 Engaged CST Leadership Seminar: Sustainability (1 Credit Hour)

The Engaged CST Leadership Seminar is a course designed to take CST values and ethics and apply them to concrete practices and postures of leadership in various post-graduate fields of work. Reserved for upperclassmen, the Engaged Leadership Seminar is focused on sustainability leadership in a variety of contexts. This course is focused on collaborative group projects and learning experiences that will help students sharpen their capacity to lead in their field from a deep well of CST animated values. It will help students move from learning about how CST intersects and informs their field to the work of learning how to then lead out in that field in a manner that uplifts a commitment to justice as informed by CST.

SUS 33999 Social Concerns Seminar: Engaged CST Leadership Seminar (1 Credit Hour)

The Engaged CST Leadership Seminar is a course designed to take CST values and ethics and apply them to concrete practices and postures of leadership in various post-graduate fields of work. Reserved for upperclassmen, this Engaged Leadership Seminar is focused on sustainability. This course is focused on collaborative group projects and learning experiences that will help students sharpen their capacity to lead in their field from a deep well of CST animated values. It will help students move from learning about how CST intersects and informs their field to the work of learning how to then lead out in that field in a manner that uplifts a commitment to justice as informed by CST. This seminar does not have a spring break immersion.

SUS 34100 Sustainability (3 Credit Hours)

In this course, students will analyze the current socio-environmental crisis and its potential global and local solutions. For this a critical and interdisciplinary vision will be offered inspired by the Papal Encyclical Laudato Si on the care of our common home, and structured in around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the Organization of United Nations. The course includes the participation of keynote lectures given by experts from various disciplines, weekly learning circles, the development of a semiannual project and field trips associated with the latter.

SUS 34101 Religion, Peace, and Development in Africa (3 Credit Hours)

One of the factors that strike many about the African continent generally is the role that religion seems to play in all spheres of life. Africa thus remains a religiously diverse and dynamic continent, where not only Catholicism, Christianity in general, Islam, and African indigenous traditions are at home. While this is the case, on the political and economic front, things do not seem to be so positive. Political instability, civil wars, poverty, and increasingly ecological degradation are ever growing challenges. How do we understand and account for this apparent contradiction between a culturally and religiously rich continent and an economically and politically distressed continent? What role does religion, Christianity in particular play in development? The course engages these and similar questions through a 3 week immersive cultural, international and educational experience in Uganda. The overall objectives of the course are: To provide students with an opportunity to learn about Uganda's cultural, religious and political history - as an introduction to the broader trends that shape history in sub-Saharan Africa. Offer students with an immersive experience into the natural, cultural and social dimensions of African life To provide students with an opportunity for community engagement as a way to deepen their understanding of the challenges and possibilities of peace and development in a Ugandan rural setting.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKIN - Core Integration

SUS 34220 Social Policy and the Environment (3-5 Credit Hours)

The context for this module is the significant environmental challenges faced by public policy makers, both those associated with climate change (e.g. greenhouse gases and global warming, droughts, flooding, and rising sea levels) as well as other environmental challenges (e.g. resource depletion, waste, pollution and biodiversity). The module focuses on the important linkages between economic, environmental and social development. It examines the risks associated with environmental challenges and their implications for human habitats, livelihoods and well-being. It explores the potential for managing these risks via a range of responses. While the particular challenges facing developing countries are outlined, strategies to promote more sustainable development in high consumption societies are the main focus of the module. These include international (UN, OECD, EU), national, and local regulations and policies. Questions of equity, and environmental justice in relation to particular policy outcomes are explored, as well as the distribution of costs and burdens between social groups and how polices might redress these. The module examines the different roles and potential contributions of various actors (governments at all levels, the private sector, NGOs, and civil society). The second half of the module focuses on the promotion of sustainable communities in particular the role of key policy areas such as: housing, planning and land use; urban policies; transport; employment; health; and education. Particular attention is paid to issues relating to water, energy, fuel poverty, and food security. Finally, it explores the utility of a range of tools such urban sustainability reporting, ecological foot-printing and sustainable development indicators.

SUS 34380 Environmental Economics (3 Credit Hours)

This course provides an introduction to the theory and evidence behind environmental pollution and the management of scare resources. We will discuss the sources of environmental problems, policy instruments to resolve environmental issues, and monetary valuation of the environment. Key theoretical concepts include externalities, market failure and government intervention, public goods, property rights, command and control policy, market-based policy instruments (taxes/charges, subsidies, cap-and-trade) and cost benefit analysis. The application of these tools in present-day environmental policies will be discussed. During the tutorial sessions students will work in groups to research and design a scientific poster on a real-life application of a market-based environmental policy. Attendance at tutorials is compulsory.

SUS 38002 Capstone Independent Research Prep (0 Credit Hours)

This course is required for all juniors (and 4th-year Architecture students) in the Minor in Sustainability. Students will work independently on defining their capstone projects with the guidance of the instructor and their project advisor. There are no class meeting times; advisory meetings will be scheduled individually. Students will enroll in a one-credit independent study course during each semester of their senior year in order to carry out their capstone projects.

SUS 40113 Climate and Environmental Justice (3 Credit Hours)

“Climate and Environmental Justice” is a lecture- and discussion-based class primarily targeted at undergraduates. It is designed to introduce you to the core and crucial concepts of climate justice and environmental justice, with a particular emphasis on existing legacy injustices and the injustices we are currently creating as environmental pollution, climate change, and human systems interact. We will discuss existing patterns of burden, inequality, poverty, and threats to human dignity, and discuss opportunities and mechanisms to repair and avoid injustice. In particular we will discuss environmental injustice as a widely experienced but largely localized experience of disproportionate burden (e.g., on the basis of race and class) associated with extraction, industrialization, and non-greenhouse gas environmental pollution, alongside climate injustice as a global and emergent phenomenon of severe and disproportionate impacts from climate change. We will address concepts of reparations and remediation, as well as governance and other strategies for enacting justice. We will also address links between climate and environmental justice with related movements focused on adaptation, energy, housing, transportation, health, and land. Our focus will be both domestic and international, with attention directed to power dynamics, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for corrective action. Climate change and the energy transition will be major themes given their deep relationship with both climate and environmental justice, particularly as processes of industrialization and deindustrialization associated with decarbonization proceed. Overall, the course will focus on patterns, drivers, and opportunities for corrective action associated with severe injustices associated with climate change and environmental burden.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKIN - Core Integration

SUS 40160 Accountability in a Sustainable World (3 Credit Hours)

This course is designed to develop future sustainability leaders through active engagement with key participants, critical synthesis of research on the measurement of climate change effects, and movement toward quantifiable achievable goals. The course is open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students from all disciplines across the university. The interdisciplinary nature of the class ensures lively debate.

SUS 40161 Accountability in a Sustainable World (3 Credit Hours)

This course is designed to develop future sustainability leaders by active engagement with key participants, critical synthesis of research on measurement of climate change effects and movement toward quantifiable achievable goals. The interdisciplinary course will focus on measurement and assurance of measurement (auditing) both of which fall within the clear purview of accountants. The course is offered for juniors, seniors, accounting honors and graduate students.

SUS 40300 The Commons: tangible, intangible and otherwise (3 Credit Hours)

The concept of the "commons" has returned to the focus of socio-environmental research, politics, and theorizing with recent debates on climate crisis and justice. From the late 1960s debates on environmental degradation and overpopulation to the present concerns with social change, economic degrowth, and global warming, the "commons" has returned as a key symbol for social analysis, political organizing, and collective resource management. Since then, various currents have claimed and reclaimed the concept under the guide of "communality," "conviviality," "common-pool resources," and the "common" as concrete alternatives to public and private modes of governance. In the past two decades, the concept has been central as well for the discussion of the "digital commons" with decentralized, community-based governance of online resources. In this seminar, we will map out key definitions of the "commons" to examine socio-technical and socio-environmental alternatives to existing enclosures across a wide range of examples (including, but not limited to land, tools, forests, lakes, heirloom seeds, potable water, fish stocks, software, hardware, and much more). The seminar will be organized around presentations by students and guest speakers, followed by debate of concepts, case studies, and methodological approaches in socio-environmental and digital commons research. We welcome advanced undergraduates and graduate students working on environmental research technologies, climate change, conservation, and sustainability to join the seminar.

SUS 40302 Environmental Anthropology and Intersectionality of Justice (3 Credit Hours)

As the Flint, Michigan water situation began to attract attention and condemnation, Michigan State Representative, Sheldon Neeley, describing the troops on the ground and the Red Cross distributing water bottles, said that the Governor had "turned an American city into a Third World country." At a Congressional hearing, the Chairman of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee said, "This is the United States of America - this isn't supposed to happen here. We are not some Third World country. What is a "third world problem?" This introductory environmental anthropology course examines how such imaginaries materialize in development programmes and literature, and bespeak charged geopolitical, racial histories; and invites reflection on what futures for working in common they enable and constrain. We will examine how crises are imagined and constructed, and the governance regimes they give rise to. How does water - as natural resource, public good, kin, human right, need, commodity - determine the contours of such regimes? We will also study chronic, quieter environmental problems and the responses they (do not) generate. Working through a variety of writing genres - ethnography, policy literature, and corporate publicity material - will enable students to appreciate what anthropology can contribute to the conversation on environmental justice. Class readings will draw on examples from a wide range of settings across the world, and group projects, in partnership with local environmental organizations and efforts (or done independently), will (i) narrate histories and map geographies of water access and toxicity, and (iii) imagine futures of more equitable water access in South Bend. The course is offered as an introduction to environmental anthropology and takes students through key themes - infrastructure, race, class, privatization, justice, violence - by focusing on water. It requires no background in anthropology. Students will cultivate the ability to read and write with care and to critique responsibly; develop a sense of overarching trends in anthropological approaches to categories such as nature, environment, ecology, violence and justice; relate contemporary issues of water in/accessibility, toxicity and privatization across disparate geographies.

SUS 40361 Envir Colonialism & Irish Lit (3 Credit Hours)

This course bridges the theories of the environmental humanities and ecocriticism with the study of Irish literature from 1600 to 1900. We will analyze critical theory of the environment in relation to Irish novels, tales, plays, and poems written during the height of British colonialism in Ireland - by authors like Jonathan Swift, Maria Edgeworth, William Carleton, J.M. Synge, Emily Lawless, and W.B. Yeats. Our readings will cover environmental events and colonial systems, such as the deforestation of Ireland, shipwrecks and rebellions, tenant farming, the Irish Famine, and island ecosystems. In class, we will discuss how these environmental contexts impacted the expression of Irish identity and colonial struggle. We will read Irish literature not just for plot, character, and style, but also for the environmental narratives it contains, exploring how each one illuminates the other.

SUS 40401 Creating Nature: Histories of Human-Environment Relations (3 Credit Hours)

What is nature? How has it been imagined and constructed? Who has been excluded and erased from dominant narratives of nature and the environment? This upper-division seminar explores the ideologies and practices that historically shaped popular conceptions of nature. A primary goal for the course is to better understand the historical separations of society and nature based on gender, race, class, religion, and commodification. We will examine the logics and practices of imperialism and settler colonialism, cartography, environmental science and conservation, and capitalism among others. At the same time, we will consider other ways of knowing, imagining, and experiencing nature outside of colonial logics. While this is primarily a modern history course, ample space will be given to place contemporary environmental justice and decolonization movements within their social and historical context. Students will develop an understanding of the theories and methods that scholars have used to critically think about our relationships with nature, while also gaining practical skills in writing and science communication through the course assignments. Please note that this will be an online course.

SUS 40406 Climate Change and Armed Conflict (3 Credit Hours)

This course will explore the implications for peace and conflict that result from global climatic changes. The course will require a reading of climate science literature along with that from the social sciences on the causes of armed conflict. Our goal will be to develop an understanding of the way that pressures resulting from human generated global processes can impact the way humans coexist on the planet. Armed conflict is one of the adaptive strategies that humans can undertake, albeit one that might provide the most debilitating consequences.

SUS 40409 Peace, Ecology, and Integral Human Development (3 Credit Hours)

A major source of conflict - increasingly so - is environmental issues; both climate change-related conflicts about (more and more scarce) resources as well as secondary conflicts (conflicts that arise because of the resource conflict, i.e. climate migrants) pose a major challenge to the planet. Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si has offered ways to think about an "integral ecology" that takes the environment, life on the planet, the human condition and culture seriously. The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor cannot be separated. Laudato Si has to be read against the background of the concept of "Integral Human Development." This concept, inspired by the works of Joseph Lebret, OP, was introduced by Pope Paul VI in his encyclical Populorum Progressio (1967). It refers to "the development of the whole person and the development of all persons." The course explores the connection (intersectionality) between peace, (integral) ecology, and (integral human) development. It will do so with in-class room teaching sessions and working with select case studies on integral ecology.

SUS 40491 Solutions: Science, Politics, and Saving the Planet (3 Credit Hours)

Studying environmental politics can be a gloomy pursuit. There are a myriad of devastating problems and a seeming scarcity of scientific and technological fixes. Technical fixes aside, there is the even more problematic scarcity of political fixes. Political institutions often seem to obstruct rather than facilitate environmentally sound policies, and the mass public and political leaders often prioritize competing goals and policies. This course is designed to understand whether the pessimism is warranted and to search for the optimism: What are the best opportunities, scientific and political, for saving the planet? What can realistically be accomplished?

SUS 40534 Economics of Climate Change (3 Credit Hours)

Human induced climate change is one of the major problems facing society. Economics provides a powerful intellectual basis for understanding, analyzing and correcting these problems. This course will cover basic science of climate change, the associated market failure and tragedy of the commons, cost-benefit analysis of climate mitigation, computation of the social cost of carbon, empirical research on economic effects of climate change, adaptation, and carbon taxation.

SUS 40722 The Revolt of Nature: Literature and the Anthropocene (3 Credit Hours)

Coronavirus in China, wildfires in Australia, locusts in East Africa, melting poles, rising seas, the insect armageddon, the sixth extinction, droughts and floods of Biblical proportion . . . Welcome to the "End of Nature" and the beginning of the Anthropocene! For just when we're being told that "Nature" is at an end, nature seems to be everywhere, invading our headlines and intruding into our lives in sudden and unexpected ways. Not long ago, we could still think of nature as a peaceful retreat from the stress and din of society, a resource for healing, and a refuge from the traumas of history - whether it be an afternoon's gardening, a day hike nearby, a weekend fishing trip, or a summer's outing to a faraway National Park. But that was the nature of the Holocene, the geological epoch that, according to the latest science, ended as recently as the 1950s. Today, in the Anthropocene, nature is roaring back into our lives and shaking the very pillars of our society - as if The End of Nature, in Bill McKibben's 1987 book title, were more truly the end of the world. But perhaps what this panic tells us is that our world has always been intertwined with nature, both actually and conceptually, in ways we have forgotten to remember, ways that the current revolt of nature is forcing us to confront. This course will inquire into the strange ways that modernity has, over the last 200 years, modified and transformed our notions of Nature, even as our technological explosion has leveraged the power of humanity from regional to planetary scales. This course, therefore, travels from the Holocene of our recent literary heritage to the Anthropocene within which we are all living today, although only some of our literature explicitly takes up this fact. Altogether we are now left with one great question, as we look toward our future: Since we can't survive without nature, how can we learn to survive with it? Readings will be drawn from poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, from Emerson and Thoreau, through American "Naturalism" and such "nature writers" as Aldo Leopold and Annie Dillard, to the recent writings of Jeff Vandermeer, Linda Hogan, Barry Lopez and Richard Powers. Along the way we will be guided and provoked by such philosophers and theorists as Michel Serres, Peter Sloterdijk, Donna Haraway, and Amitav Ghosh. Students will write two short papers and one longer paper involving research as well as personal observation and reflection.

Satisfies the following University Core Requirements: WKAL - Core Art & Literature, WRIT - Writing Intensive

SUS 40805 GLOBES: Global Change and Civilization (3 Credit Hours)

All human populations, from the simplest to the most complex, interact with their natural environment. Humans alter the environment, and are in turn altered by it through biological or cultural adaptations. Global environmental changes helped to create and shape our species and modern industrial societies are capable of altering the environment on scales that have never been seen before, creating many questions about the future of human-environmental coexistence. This course explores the ways that humans are altering the global environment and the ways that global environmental changes alter humans in return. Four major topics are examined: global climate change, alterations of global nutrient cycles, biodiversity and habitat loss, and ecosystem reconstruction. Students will complete the course with an understanding of the metrics and physical science associated with each type of change, their ecological implications, and the ways in which environmental changes continually reshape human biology and culture. This course is for graduate students and upper-division undergraduates. This course meets a core requirement for GLOBES students.

SUS 43611 Carbon Neutral Development (3 Credit Hours)

Knowledge about the relationship between built environment development and global and local challenges, such as climate change, resource depletion, environmental impact, justice and health, is of key importance to move towards a sustainable and resilient future. This course takes a trans-disciplinary approach to understanding how to decarbonize the built environment. Linkages between and perspectives from engineering, architectural design, and social sciences are emphasized throughout the course. This course provides students with real-world problems to work with such as urbanization-related pollution in China and urban revitalization needs for the aging building stock in Germany. This course is composed of two modules: (1) Carbon neutral development at the urban scale is examined through three real case studies to explore the different development principles, design strategies and patterns. (2) Net zero building design and related environmental impact are examined through research literature and real case projects.

SUS 43707 Society, Faith, and the Future of Nature (3 Credit Hours)

"Society, Faith, and the Future of Nature " is an upper-level course that examines the relationship between contemporary society and the natural world from a sociological vantage. The readings and lectures are designed to be accessible to all. They introduce theory by means of concrete historical and cultural cases, so that history and theory illuminate one another. Students who have been exposed to sociology will find that it builds on the foundations they already have gained. Topics covered include population and demography, industrialization, capitalism as a system, consumer culture, social justice, the environmental movement, global environmental issues, the role of culture and religion when it comes to framing and mobilization, and civic responsibility. The main focus of the course is American society, but it also takes into account other societies and cultures. After taking this course, the students will have honed a range of powerful insights and tools for making sense of the environmental issues that we confront.

SUS 48001 Sustainability Capstone Independent Research (1 Credit Hour)

This course is required for all seniors (and 5th-year Architecture students) in the Minor in Sustainability. Students will work independently on their capstone projects with the guidance of the instructor and their project advisor. There are no class meeting times; advisory meetings will be scheduled individually. Students will enroll in an additional credit of independent study during the spring semester in order to complete their capstone projects.

Enrollment is limited to students with a minor in Sustainability.

SUS 48002 Sustainability Capstone Independent Research (1 Credit Hour)

This course is required for all seniors in the Minor in Sustainability. Students will work independently on their capstone projects with the guidance of the instructor and their project advisor. There are no class meeting times; advisory meetings will be scheduled individually.