Courses

    Lect. Examines the biology and ecology of marine ecosystems, emphasizing those occurring in tropical regions such as coral reefs. Studies how these ecosystems are changing and the future impact of human stress on the marine environment. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240, or EPOB 2050 and 2060. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.
    Lect. and lab. Topics include basic concepts and history, methods of study, ethical issues, neurobiology, behavior, the development of behavior, predator-prey relationships, communication, aggression and dominance, mating systems, cognitive ethology, and parental care. When possible, life-history strategies, the evolution of behavior, and behavioral ecology are stressed. Uses animals and animal tissues. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240, or EPOB 2050 and 2060. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Integrates information from physics (e.g., energetics), chemistry (the behavior of basic elements), and biology (evolutionary traits of species, multiple photosynthetic pathways, etc.) to understand the structure and functioning of ecosystems. Provides the background and necessary information to understand controls on photosynthesis, decomposition, and nutrient cycling across diverse terrestrial and aquatic landscapes. Prereqs.,EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, and 2040, or EPOB 2050 and 2060, or EBIO 3020.

    Lect. and lab. Surveys distinguishing characteristics of microorganisms based on structural-functional relationships, taxonomy, growth, and physical-chemical agents of control including antibiotics, metabolism, and genetics. Introduces applied microbiology emphasizing infectious diseases, basic concepts of immunology, and microbial ecology. Uses animals and/or animal tissues. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240, or EPOB 2050 and 2060.

    Acquaints students with the importance of plants for human survival, well-being, and quality of life. Topics will include the evolving relationship between humans and plants as food sources, medicines, fuel, and other products, such as fibers and dyes. Recommended prereqs., EBIO 1210 and 1220. Formerly EBIO 2590.

    Lect. and lab. Surveys animal parasites, including life histories; emphasizes parasites of humans. Uses animals and/or animal tissues. Prereqs., EBIO 1210,1220, 1230, and 1240 or EPOB 2050 and 2060.

    Lect., rec., and co-sem. Emphasizes the fundamental evolutionary concepts that provide explanation for the diversification of life on Earth. Specific topics include the evidence for evolution, adaptation by natural selection speciation, systematics, molecular and genome evolution, and macroevolutionary patterns and process. Recitations allow students to explore specific topics in more depth and smaller groups. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, 2070 or 2670. Credit not granted for this course and EBIO 3080 or EPOB 2080 or 2680.

    Lect. and lab. Provides a broad overview of the biology of vertebrates: evolution and systematics, morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology, and biogeography. Laboratories focus on the diversity of vertebrates, including adaptations and diagnostic features of major groups. Uses animals and/or animal tissues. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240, or equivalent.

    May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

    Lect. and lab. Offers a broad study of the biology of the most diverse group of organisms on Earth. Areas include ecology, physiology, evolution and morphology of aquatic and terrestrial forms. This course uses animals and/or animal tissues. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240, or equivalent, or EPOB 2050 and 2060.

    May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

    Provides an academically supervised opportunity for upper-division students to work in public or private organizations. Projects are usually related to students' career goals. Each project has both academic and work components. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Pass/fail only.

    Focuses upon communication commonly practiced by scientists, with special emphasis on writing. Directs attention to scientists' strategic use of written arguments, statistical data and visual representations. Prepares students for communication tasks within advanced study and professional work. No biology credit for majors in EBIO. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: written communication. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
    Presents an introduction to the departmental Honors program. Consists of a lecture component on Honors research, thesis, and defense, as well as a seminar component where students present the findings of their library research, conducted under guidance of a faculty mentor, and hear presentations by graduating Honors candidates on their thesis research. Prereq., 3.2 or better GPA, declared EBIO major, and approval by departmental Honors program. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
    Provides an introduction to the departmental Honors program. Consists of individual library research on a potential Honors thesis topic under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Prereqs., 3.2 or better GPA declared EBIO major, and approval by departmental Honors committee. Prerequisites: Restricted to Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EBIO) majors only.

    Offers a geological, physical, chemical, and biological study of flowing water with special reference to streams and rivers as ecosystems. A laboratory course is offered (see EBIO 4150). Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, and 2040, or EPOB 2050 and 2060. Same as EBIO 5020.

    Examines the ecology of inland waters, including a detailed consideration of physical, chemical, and biological properties of freshwater ecosystems: origins and major characteristics of lakes and streams, survey of chemical and nutrient cycles in freshwater habitats, and survey of biotic composition of freshwater environments. Important themes in modern freshwater ecology are considered, including energy flow, trophic structure, eutrophication, and management of freshwater ecosystems. Prereqs., EBIO 1210 and 1220. Same as EBIO 5030.

    Studies distributional patterns of communities and ecosystems, ecological processes that affect those patterns, and changes in pattern and process over time. Consideration of spatial and temporal scales in ecological analyses is required to understand and predict response to broad-scale environmental change. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, and EBIO 2040 or 2640, or EPOB 2050 and 2060. Same as EBIO 5070.

    Algae are a non-monophyletic group of organisms that play critical roles in ecosystem structure and function. They have a long history of being used in a variety of ways by the human species, but are increasingly being applied to modern issues of understanding water quality and climate change, engineering at the nano scale and in the production of renewable biofuels. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240. Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior). Same as EBIO 5080.

    Includes one week of lectures in Boulder and one week of field studies on one of the most complex and beautiful ecosystems in the world, the Caribbean reefs at Cozumel, Mexico. Two week, fall-semester course beginning after Christmas. Prereqs., EBIO 2040 and Scuba certification. Prerequisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.

    Emphasizes specific aspects of ecology based on specialties of faculty. One or more courses are offered most semesters. Topics have included dynamics of mountain ecosystems, tundra ecology, ethnoecology, population dynamics, tropical and insular biology, ecology of fishes, quantitative plant ecology, and arctic and alpine environments. May use animals and/or animal tissues. May be repeated twice provided the topics vary. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, and EBIO 2040 or 2640, or EPOB 2050 and 2060. Same as EBIO 5100.

    See EBIO 4100 for description. May use animals and/or animal tissues. Prereq., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, and EBIO 2040 or 2640, or EPOB 2050 and 2060. Same as EBIO 5120.

    Examines the relationships between plants and their physical and biological environments, encompassing physiology, competition, plant-soil and plant-animal interactions, population dynamics, diversity, and influence on ecosystem function. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240.

    Emphasizes application of modern ecological techniques, such as stream biology, aquatic biology,environmental measurement and control, and techniques in geoecology. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Prereqs., EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230, 1240, and EBIO 2040 or 2640, or EPOB 2050 and 2060. Same as EBIO 5150.

    Covers fundamentals of biogeochemical cycling, emphasizing water, carbon, and nutrient dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems; chemical interactions of atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere; and natural and human-managed environments. Prereqs., GEOL 3320 or EBIO 3270, and CHEM 1011 or higher.Same as ENVS 4160 and GEOL 4160.

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