The development of animals provides the material to understand how a cell evolves from one to many, from undifferentiated to differentiated. Drawing upon examples from starfish, frogs, birds and humans, patterns of development are studied from both a classical and a research viewpoint. Students also consider material on teratogens and birth defects, especially in humans. Spring 2002, and in alternate years. The capstone of the major in Biology, the seminar explores a variety of current research topics, such as advances in the ultrastructure of cells, the current status of the immunoglobins, the genetics of behavior and the biology of anti-viral agents.
Topics vary to include areas of student interest and new research.
Students make oral and written presentations to the class on specific topics. Students keep a journal to examine experiences and their relationship to the program. Interns meet weekly to discuss common problems, experiences and individual perceptions. Senior Internship in Biology II Extends and expands a Senior Internship, taking newly learned experience and implementing it at another site. Students work 16 hours per week at their site, keep a journal, meet weekly with their faculty sponsor, do relevant scholarly reading, and write a final paper integrating their internship, their readings and classroom experience.