Organismal Biology and Ecology
Organismal Biology and Ecology Website
Professors HATHAWAY, HESCHEL, LINKHART, Associate Professors JABAILY, WILSON; Assistant Professors GAMBOA, KHORSAND; Visiting Assistant Professor PEÑA, MCGINN
The Department of Organismal Biology and Ecology (OBE) studies the structure and function of organisms in an ecological and evolutionary context. OBE encompasses cross-disciplinary approaches such as physiological ecology, evolutionary ecology, systematics, and biogeography, which all provide complementary insights into the processes of evolutionary diversification and adaptation to life on earth.
Our research foci include botany, animal and plant ecology, comparative physiology, conservation biology, and molecular ecology. We strive to perform cutting-edge research and include students in these opportunities.
Download the Major's Handbook for Organismal Biology and Ecology through the department website link at the top of this page for all information pertinent to our major.
Major Requirements
THE OBE MAJOR: SHORT GUIDE – 15 units
- Two units - Introductory Organismal Biology: BE105 Biology of Plants and/or BE106 Biology of Animals and/or BE107 Biology of Microbes
- One unit - Ecology: BE208
- One unit - Intro to Molecular and Cellular Biology: MB131
- One unit - Population Genetics or Genetics: BE280Population Genetics or MB201 Laboratory in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genetics
- Three units - Chemistry: CH107 General Chemistry and CH108 General Chemistry II and CH250 Structures of Organic Molecules
- Two units - Mathematics: one in calculus and one in statistics OR math modeling
- Five approved OBE Electives: at least three must be upper-level and one of the three must be a capstone course in your last two semesters at CC; including this capstone, at least 2 upper-level electives must be OBE courses.
- Attend and write abstracts for 3 OBE-approved seminars – first abstract is due junior year!! BEGIN EARLY!!
THE OBE MAJOR: FULL GUIDE – 15 units
- (2) Two units in Introductory Organismal Biology:
- (1) BE208 Ecology
- (1) MB131 Intro to Molecular and Cellular Biology
- An IB-HL score of 6-7 fulfills this requirement or may count as one lower-level elective credit; a Biology AP score of 5 does not fulfill this requirement but does count as one lower-level elective credit.
- (1) One unit in Population Genetics or Genetics:
- (3) Three units in Chemistry:
- CH107 General Chemistry I, AND
- CH108 General Chemistry II, AND
- CH250 Structures of Organic Molecules
- If you have Chemistry AP or IB credit on your transcript, you may obtain OBE credit by receiving a high score on your bypass exam for CH107. Ask the Chemistry Department to notify your OBE advisor about your score on the bypass exam.
- Note: Graduate schools often require BOTH CH250 and CH251 Reactions of Organic Molecules.
- (2) Two units in Mathematics:
- One unit of calculus from:
- MA126 Calculus I, OR
- MA127 Calculus I and II accelerated, OR
- MA129 Calculus II, OR
- AP or IB credit recognized by the registrar in calculus
- Note: The Mathematics Department website has a flowchart to assist you in deciding on the most appropriate class for you (see “Mathematics,” “Resources,” “deciding on your first CC math class”).
- One unit of statistics or math modeling from:
- BE220 Biostatistics and Experimental Design, OR
- MA256 Mathematical Models in Biology, OR
- MA117 Probability and Statistics, OR
- MA217 Probability and Statistical Modeling, OR
- EV228 Analysis of Environmental Data, OR
- AP or IB credit recognized by the registrar in statistics
- Note: While the statistics/modeling requirement is fulfilled by AP credit in statistics, students with this AP credit will benefit from taking BE220.
- One unit of calculus from:
- (5) Five approved OBE Electives:
- Of these 5, at least 3 must be upper level (300 or 400) and at least two of your upper level electives must be a BE course;
- One of these upper-level BE electives will be your senior capstone course: this requirement must be completed in the last two semesters prior to graduation. The following courses count as capstone:
- You may choose electives from the following:
- All BE courses (EXCEPT BE100), all MB courses (the FYE MB109 only counts as 1 elective) AN207, AN306, CH382, EV309, EV315, EV316, EV343, GY205, HK204, HK304, or HK321.
- Up to TWO research blocks (BE309/BE409/BE499) may count as electives.
- BE280 may count as an upper-level elective IF taken after MB201 or MB231.
- AP/IB Biology credit may count as one unit of lower level elective credit (ask your advisor).
- Note: you may petition the department to consider other courses (such as new offerings) to count as electives (ask your advisor).
- Three Seminar abstracts: attend three OBE-approved seminars as a junior/senior, summarize each in an abstract (see appendix III for example in OBE Handbook), and submit each abstract electronically to both Donna Sison and your advisor no later than the first Monday of the block following the seminar. Students must turn in at least their first abstract by the end of junior year.
Courses
Organismal Biology & Ecology
Presents students not majoring in organismal biology and ecology with inquiries into contemporary issues and phenomena in the biological sciences. Activities include lectures, readings, discussions, and laboratory or field experiences. May not be counted toward a OBE major. (May meet the laboratory/field requirement for critical perspectives.) (Not offered 2024-25).
(Summer only 2024-25).
The study of plants with an emphasis on the flowering plants. Relationships between form and function, growth and development and evolutionary and ecological relationships are examined with attention given to the chemical bases of plant life, the fundamentals of metabolic pathways, and the integrative nature of plant structures from cellular to ecological levels. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement. Meets the Critical Learning: SA requirement.
An introduction to the biology of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Evolution and functional architecture of animal body plans, patterns of structure and function, survival strategies, principles of animal ecology and evolution, and phylogeny of animal groups examined through lab, discussion, and investigative activities. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement.
An introduction to the world of Bacteria, Archaea, microscopic Eukarya and viruses. Emphasizing the role of microbes as causal agents of major human disease (TB, AIDS, malaria); as essential components of the human microbiome; as critical elements in biogeochemical processes; and as tools in agriculture, industry and food production. Lecture, discussion, student presentations and laboratory projects. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement.
A field course involving collection, identification, and preservation of vascular plants, emphasizing evolution, ecology and biogeography. Takes advantage of the major ecosystems of the Pikes Peak region. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement.
The analysis of distributions, abundances, and interrelationships of organisms. Populations, communities, and ecosystems are investigated, and implications for humans considered. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement.
Emphasis on application rather than theory or derivation. Topics: measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, regression, t-tests, Chi-square, analysis of variance, selected non-parametric methods, statistical inference and experimental design. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Quantitative Reasoning requirement.
Special topics in Organismal Biology and Ecology not offered on a regular basis.
Students will acquire the basic knowledge necessary to prepare animal and plant tissues for examination by light microscopy. Theoretical aspects of fixation, paraffin embedding, sectioning techniques, and the art of staining will be emphasized. Interpretation of results will be facilitated through lecture/discussion sessions highlighting the basics of histology. (Not offered 2024-25).
(Not offered 2024-25).
Classical genetics as it applies to understanding the evolution of populations. This course examines the following topics: genetic issues of small and isolated populations, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, factors affecting allele frequencies, variance and F-statistics, molecular methods, and quantitative genetics. This course also includes discussions of contemporary issues in applied population genetics and laboratory investigations.
This class will build upon the introductory field botany skills acquired in BE202 and BE208. Using local environments and field problems, the class will investigate local and regional issues of plant diversity, conservation, and biotic interactions. We will focus on expanding botanical skills in plant identification, vegetation assessment, and biodiversity documentation that are valuable for research, internships, and job applications, and employ these skills in the context of answering questions related to field-based botanical issues. The class will involve extensive field, laboratory, and herbarium work, as well as the development of an individual field-based research project. Local and regional field trips, some possibly overnight with camping. Students should be prepared for long hours under sometimes inclement weather conditions. (Not offered 2024-25).
Field studies and theoretical topics selected to illustrate the research process and ecological thought. Will include use of ecological literature. (Not offered 2024-25).
Independent research projects based on laboratory or field investigation. Experimental studies completed away from campus must receive prior departmental approval. (Class, laboratory or field activities arranged.) (Only 2 units from 309, 409 or 499 may count toward the OBE major.)
The biology of parasitic protozoa in humans and other animals. Lecture, laboratory and readings will focus on host-parasite relations, life histories, morphology, and physiology of parasitic protozoa. (Not offered 2024-25).
The biology of worms parasitic in humans and other animals. Lecture, laboratory and readings will focus on host-parasite relations, life histories, morphology, and physiology of parasitic helminths. (Not offered 2024-25).
A comparative study of the diversities of behavioral systems of animals. Lecture, laboratory and field work include ethological theories and methods, emphasizing observation, denotation and analysis of behavior. (Not offered 2024-25).
Special topics in Biology not offered on a regular basis.
(Not offered 2024-25).
(Not offered 2024-25).
Basic principles of electron optical systems, image formation, specimen preparation, and photography. Individual instruction in the care, use and operation of the instrument as a research tool is emphasized. in the natural sciences.
Basic principles of electron optical systems, image formation, specimen preparation, ultramicrotomy, and photography. Individual instruction in the care, use, and operation of the instrument as a research tool is emphasized.
(Not offered 2024-25).
(Not offered 2024-25).
Analytical studies of plant populations from a physiological perspective. Field work includes sampling techniques, plant physiological measurements, and ecophysiological experimental designs and their application to answer specific research questions. Readings and discussions cover the various perspectives and theories of plant ecology and physiology.
Whole plant physiology with an emphasis on growth and development through examination of structure and function of cells and organs, metabolism, stress biology, and phytohormones. Includes discussions of primary literature in the discipline, a laboratory investigation and an emphasis on writing a scientific paper. (Not offered 2024-25).
A whole-animal perspective on survival and maintenance of homeostasis in variable and often stressful environments. We will focus on aspects of water balance, feeding, digestion, metabolism, respiration and circulation. Course includes field and laboratory investigations. (Not offered 2024-25).
A field course involving collection, identification, and population and life-history studies of animals of regional ecosystems. Principles of animal ecology, behavior, and biogeography, are emphasized through field case studies and discussion of primary literature. Field work includes sampling techniques and their application to answer specific research questions.
Introduction to the ecology of tropical wet forests and coral reefs, with emphasis on the high biological diversity common to these ecosystems. The course is linked to BE 370 Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Ecology, and students must enroll in both courses. (Not offered 2024-25).
Ecology of tropical wet forests and coral reefs taught at forest and reef sites in the tropics. Field studies, theoretical topics, and primary ecological literature will be used to explore interactions in these systems, with emphasis on selected organisms and system characteristics. The course is linked to cross-cultural experience with local people. The course is linked to BE 369 Tropical Ecology, and students must enroll in both courses. EXTRA EXPENSE. (Not offered 2024-25).
Study of the ecology of microbes in environments as diverse as deep-ocean volcanic vents; termite hind guts; the lithosphere; the human guts; plant roots; ice of the Arctic and Antarctic; and terrestrial models of extra-terrestrial environments. Emphasis on discussion of primary literature in environmental microbiology and microbial ecology. Significant laboratory component and minor field component. (Not offered 2024-25).
Explores the process and pattern of evolution, the grand unifying theory of biology, at both micro and macro evolutionary scales. Also examines the history of evolutionary thought and implications for modern society.
Introduction to the ecology and biogeography of Patagonia, including montane, steppe and coastal ecosystems. The course is linked to BE 390 Ecology and Biogeography of Patagonia, and students must enroll in both courses. (Not offered 2024-25).
On-site investigations of the ecology and biogeography of Andean mountain forests and Patagonian steppe and studies of the ecology of several marine vertebrate species at the Atlantic coast. Students will read and present original literature, meet with local scientists at their study sites, and develop hypotheses that could be tested in the ecosystems we visit. (Not offered 2024-25).
Independent research projects based on laboratory or field investigation., consent of instructor, and registration at least one block prior to the block in which the research is to be initiated. Experimental studies completed away from campus must receive prior departmental approval. (Class, laboratory or field activities arranged.) (Only 2 units from 309, 403, 409 or 499 may count toward the Organismal Biology and Ecology major.)
Identification, taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, behavior and ecology of birds, including field and laboratory work.
Evolution, taxonomy, structure, physiology, development, behavior and ecology of insects. Laboratory includes identification, dissection, experimentation, curation and field work. (Not offered 2024-25).
Explores the guiding principles of phylogenetic inference and the comparative method through a project utilizing contemporary computational methods. Examines the history of biogeographic by discussing seminal literature and recent studies. (Not offered 2024-25).
Synthesizes perspectives from biology and biological anthropology to understand why major health conditions evolved and persist within our species. Students develop a richer knowledge of evolutionary biology, organismal biology, and biological anthropology through exploration of major medical issues, and develop skills in reading, writing, and group communication. Meets the Equity and Power: EPUS requirement. (Not offered 2024-25).
Conservation issues of plant and animal species, habitats, and ecological systems will be examined through reading, discussion, and project-based exploration of local, national, and global examples. Core components of conservation biology theory such as habitat fragmentation, problems of small populations, rarity, genetic erosion, reserve design, and invasive species will be emphasized in the context of the local environment. (Not offered 2024-25).
This course explores links between the biosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere across many different scales, from the microorganism to the globe. The primary focus will be on the cycling of biologically important elements in natural and managed ecosystems with an emphasis on how these cycles will change under increased human influence. Students will gain hands-on research experience using analytical techniques in the field and the laboratory, and they will share their results in a formal scientific paper and presentation. (Not offered 2024-25).
Special Topics in Organismal Biology and Ecology. Special topics in Organismal Biology and Ecology not offered on a regular basis.
(Not offered 2024-25).
(Not offered 2024-25).
(Not offered 2024-25).
(Not offered 2024-25).
A course on the techniques employed in molecular ecology and molecular systematics, such as DNA fingerprinting, DNA sequencing, phylogenetics and 'DNA barcoding.' The class will discuss primary literature in the areas of ecology, systematics, conservation biology and biodiversity, with an emphasis on the appropriate application of molecular techniques in these disciplines and on the interpretation of molecular data. Laboratory projects will involve DNA sequencing and phylogenetics. (Not offered 2024-25).
Writing of the senior thesis based on data from an undergraduate research project. The thesis topic is to be chosen by the student following consultation with a member of the Biology Department faculty who agrees to serve as the project and thesis advisor. (Only 2 units from 309, 403, 409 may count toward the Organismal Biology and Ecology major; only 1 unit of 499 may count toward the major.)