Lab work includes observing the inheritance of traits in fruit flies and plants, mapping genes to regions of chromosomes, transformation, conjugation, plasmid DNA isolation, DNA gel electrophoresis, and protein gel electrophoresis. Students will learn techniques for the handling of bacteria and bacteriophage. The morphology, physiology, development and adaptations of the major organ systems in vertebrates. Laboratory work includes microscopic examination of tissues and the dissection of a vertebrate. A study of the evolution and natural history of the major animal groups.
Special emphasis is placed on the evolution of organ systems.
Laboratory work includes examination of live and preserved material of selected invertebrates and vertebrates. A study of the morphology and physiology of herbaceous and woody plants, with emphasis on the plant as a functional unit. Water relationships, photosynthesis, and growth are studied. Laboratory work includes microscopic examination of cells and tissues in typical plants. Students conduct and report on experiments designed to illustrate basic plant processes.