FACULTY & STUDENT RESOURCES
Environmental Courses
Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
OEB 52 (formerly OEB 124). Biology of Plants 1343
E.M. Kramer, J. Dumais, N. M. Holbrook Spring Tu, Th, 10–11:30, one afternoon laboratory per week, plus occasional field trips
Introduction to the structure, diversity, and physiology of plants with an emphasis on evolutionary relationships and adaptations to life on land. Topics include growth, resource acquisition, interactions with other organisms (i.e., fungi, bacteria, insects), reproduction, and survival in extreme environments. Laboratory sessions provide an overview of plant and diversity and an introduction to basic physiological processes. Note: This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the Core area requirement for Science B. Enrollment: Limited to 16.
OEB 53 (formerly Biological Sciences 53). Evolutionary Biology 3342
A. J. Berry, H.E. Hoekstra Spring Tu., Th., 10-11:30 and a weekly two hour section
Prerequisite: Life Sciences 1b or BS 50 or permission of instructor.
The course covers micro- and macro-evolution, ranging in its focus from population genetics through molecular evolution to the grand patterns of the fossil record. Topics emphasized include both natural and sexual selection, the ecological context of adaptation, genomic and developmental mechanisms of evolutionary innovation, speciation, phylogenetics, and evolutionary approaches to human problems. Note: This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the Core area requirement for Science B.
OEB 54. Biology of the Fungi 9326
D.H. Pfister, A. Pringle Fall Tu, Th, 1–2:30 and weekly laboratory Tu, 2:30-5
Prerequisite: Life Sciences 1a and 1b or permission of instructor.
This intensive course explores the fascinating diversity of the kingdom fungi, including evolution, ecology and morphology. All the major groups of fungi from smuts to molds will be included. Students will use a variety of techniques to learn about fungi and their activities. Note: A weekly laboratory, at least one weekend field trip, and several afternoon field trips are required (dates to be announced).
OEB 55 (formerly Biological Sciences 55). Ecology: Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems 3365
W.H. Bossert Spring M, W, F, 10, a weekly discussion section, and two field trips on either Saturdays or Sundays during mid-April to early May.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 1b and prior biology experience.
Relationships of organisms to their environment at the individual, population, and community level. Topics in pure and applied ecology including adaptations to physical environment, competition, population dynamics, predator-prey interactions, community ecology, ecosystem structure, stability and function, and resource management.
OEB 59 (formerly OEB 104). Plants and Human Affairs 5281
D.H. Pfister, C. C. Davis Fall M., W., F., 10
Prerequisite: OEB 10 or BS 51, or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to the uses of plants by humans. Topics include the form, structure, and genetics of plants related to their use as sources of food, shelter, fiber, flavors, beverages, drugs, and medicines. Plant structure and reproduction are studied in lecture and laboratory with a particular focus on relationships between the plant’s structural, chemical, or physiological attributes and the utility plant.
OEB 113. Paleobiological Perspectives on Ecology and Evolution - (New Course) 1777
C.R. Marshall Fall Tu., Th., 1-2:30
Prerequisite: Prior biology experience or permission of instructor.
Introduction to the analysis of key problems in paleobiology, with an emphasis on how evolutionary and ecological processes operate on geologic timescales. Topics include: the evolution of ecosystems; dissecting biodiversity dynamics; determining times of origin and extinction; assessing the absolute completeness of the fossil record; stratigraphy and phylogeny reconstruction; theoretical and functional morphology.
OEB 118. Biological Oceanography 7752
J.J. McCarthy Spring Tu, Th, 10–11:30
Prerequisite: OEB 10 or BS 51, and Life Sciences 1a, Physical Sciences 1 or permission of instructor.
The ocean as an ecological system. Emphasis on the ecology and physiology of the plankton. Considerable attention to processes and events that demonstrate the complexity of environmental-organismal interactions. Discussion sessions treat special topics such as sampling strategies, plankton demonstrations, and critical analyses of current literature. Note: For biology and other natural science concentrators.
OEB 122. Field Research in Ecology and Conservation 9324
D.R. Foster, K. Donohue, N.M. Holbrook Spring M, 1-3
Prerequisite: OEB 10, OEB 55 (formerly BS 55), or equivalent.
Introduces students to advanced concepts in ecology and conservation in preparation for research through focused discussion and field trips with individual and collaborating faculty and science teams. Students will learn to read/critique scientific literature, prepare annotated bibliographies and write independent research proposals. Topics include long term ecological research at the Harvard Forest; field sampling methods; data management; and interdisciplinary studies in ecology and conservation. Appropriate for undergraduates interested in ecology, environment and related fields.
OEB 125. Molecular Ecology and Evolution 2691
S. V. Edwards, guest lecturers Fall Tu., Th., 11:30-1
Prerequisite: Life Sciences 1b, OEB 10, OEB 53, or MCB 52.
A survey of empirical applications of DNA technologies to the study of evolutionary, ecological and behavioral processes in natural populations. Topics to be covered will span a variety of hierarchical levels, timescales, and taxonomic groups, and will include the evolution of genes, genomes and proteins; evolution of multigene families and molecular clocks; population genetic and phylogenetic principles of speciation and phylogeography; DNA fingerprinting in forensics and behavioral ecology; evolutionary genetics of disease resistance; and conservation genetics. Note: Weekly computer laboratories will introduce the use of the internet and computational software in DNA sequence alignment and phylogenetic and population genetic analysis.
*OEB 130. Patterns and Processes in Fish Diversity 4624
K.F. Liem, G.V. Lauder Spring M., W., F., 1
Prerequisite: Life Sciences 1b (or BS 50), or LS2, and OEB 10 (or BS 51), or permission of instructor.
Fishes inhabit diverse aquatic environments including deep seas, intertidal zones, coral reefs, polar waters, the vast Amazonian basin, and great East African lakes. A single fish species may occupy diverse environments through extraordinary long distance horizontal and vertical migrations. To explore this unparalleled diversity, the course emphasizes bridging traditional academic boundaries with integrative analyses of the biology underlying rapid evolutionary radiations and stasis.
OEB 139. Evolution of the Vertebrates 8562
F.A. Jenkins, Jr. Fall M, W, 1–2:30
A survey of the origination and evolution of the major groups of vertebrates, with emphasis on the anatomical and physiological transformations that occurred during the transitions to diverse lineages of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The structures and functions exhibited in extant taxa are explored with perspectives from the fossil record. Note: This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the Core area requirement for Science B.
OEB 155r. Biology of Insects 2346
N.E. Pierce, M.R. Canfield Fall TBA
Prerequisite: With permission of instructor.
An introduction to the major groups of insects. The life history, morphology, physiology, and ecology of the main taxa are examined through a combination of lecture, lab, and field exercises. Topics include the phylogeny of terrestrial arthropods with a review of the extant orders, an analysis of abiotic and biotic factors regulating populations, including water balance, temperature, migration, parasitism, mutualism, sociality, insect/plant interactions, medical entomology, and the use of insects in biological control. Enrollment: Limited to 16.
OEB 156r. Tropical Insect Systematics 0584
B.D. Farrell Spring TBA
Prerequisite: OEB 10 or BS 51 or OEB 53 (formerly BS 53) or permission of instructor.
A lab course on the systematics and diagnosis of the 200 principal families across 26 orders of insects, including acquisition of the skills to perform rapid onsite insect biodiversity assessment and documentation in the field. Learning to identify insects to the family level using microscopes and a teaching collection. Includes a spring break field trip to the Dominican Republic, during which student teams will collect and process insect specimens for database entry onsite, including digital imaging.
OEB 167. Herpetology - (New Course) 4070
J. Hanken, J. Losos Spring TBA; weekly 3 hour lab.
An introduction to the biology of amphibians and reptiles. Lectures and laboratories examine the morphology, systematics, natural history, behavior, ecology, evolutionary relationships, and biogeography of all major taxa. Note: The course is planning a week-long field trip during spring break.
OEB 168r. Life Cycles of Plants 5092
D.A. Haig Spring W, 2-4
A study of the diversity and evolution of plant life cycles, with an emphasis on interactions between the generations.
OEB 173. Comparative Biomechanics - (New Course) 9667
A.A. Biewener, J. Dumais Spring TBA
Prerequisite: Mathematics 1a and 1b and Physics 11a; Mathematics 21a recommended, or permission of instructor.
An exploration of how animals and plants contend with their physical environment, considering their biomaterial properties, structural form, and mechanical interaction with the environment. Through lectures, seminar discussions, and student presentations based on readings, students are introduced to topics related to biomechanical performance.
OEB 191. Physiological and Biochemical Adaptation 2314
P.R. Girguis Spring M., W., F., 11
Prerequisite: OEB 10 or BS 51 or BS 56, or permission of the instructor.
This course examines how metabolic systems, in organisms from microbes to mammals, have evolved to maintain function throughout the wide range of habitats found on Earth. Emphasis is placed on organismal physiology and biochemical evolution in response to the environment, including the oxygenation of earth’s atmosphere and the so-called “extreme” environments. Topics will include pH regulation, thermo-tolerance, desiccation, locomotion, as well as numerous novel physiological adaptations.
OEB 192. Microbial Evolution 5019
C. Marx Fall M, W, 1–2:30
Prerequisite: Life Sciences 1a and Life Sciences 1b, or equivalent required. OEB 53 (formerly BS 53) or equivalent recommended but not required.
An examination of major questions regarding the evolution of microbes and how these processes compare to those for metazoans. This course will integrate lectures with discussion of primary literature and will draw upon knowledge from both laboratory-based study of experimental microcosms and comparative studies of natural populations.
OEB 193 (formerly OEB 122b). Advanced Research in Ecology and Conservation 7742
D.R. Foster, K. Donohue, N.M. Holbrook Fall TBA
Prerequisite: OEB 10, OEB 55 (formerly BS 55), OEB 122 or equivalent.
Unique peer learning/workshop format provides formal training to students actively engaged in the research process. Students will develop publications, presentations, senior theses, and/or interdisciplinary collaborations from current or recent field/lab research activities. Includes focused reading and discussion of student work and relevant literature, plus field trips to the Harvard Forest for hands-on training and workshops in scientific writing/presentations, mapping/graphics, & experimental design/analysis. Tailored to the individual research needs of enrollees. Can supplement or substitute for 99r.
OEB 208r. Issues in Historical Paleobiology: Seminar 1344
A.H. Knoll Fall TBA
A seminar focusing on current issues in the history of life. Each year, a single event or time interval is explored.
OEB 212r. Advanced Topics in Plant Physiology 2176
N.M. Holbrook Fall TBA
Prerequisite: OEB 120 (formerly Bio 120) or permission of instructor.
A critical discussion of current research in plant physiology including measurement techniques, modeling, and experimental approaches.
OEB 221. Microbial Diversity 1234
C. M. Cavanaugh Fall TBA
Prerequisite: Life Sciences 1b (formerly BS 50) and OEB 10 or BS 51, and MCB 52 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
Examines the remarkable diversity of prokaryotes. Physiological, genetic, ecological, and evolutionary characteristics of Bacteria and Archaea divisions are discussed, as well as the relation of phenotype to phylogeny.
*OEB 234. Topics in Marine Biology 4637
R.M. Woollacott Spring W, 2–5
Reproduction and dispersal of marine organisms. Human impact on marine community structure. Note: Weekly class meeting including several laboratories and demonstrations and one field trip through the course of term.
OEB 255. Nature and Regulation of Marine Ecosystems 7753
J.J. McCarthy, guest lecturers Fall Tu, 1–3
Prerequisite: BS 55 and OEB 118 (formerly Bio 118)
A presentation of topics that are of current interest in marine ecosystems. Emphasis on identification and quantification of biological and environmental factors important in the regulation of community structure in the intertidal, deep benthic, and planktonic realms.
OEB 274. Evolutionary Ecology 2152
K. Donohue Spring TBA
Graduate seminar on fundamental principles of evolutionary ecology. The course will provide the foundations of microevolutionary theory studied from an ecological perspective.
OEB 278. Ecological Genetics - (New Course) 0732
A. Pringle Spring M, 2–4:30
Ecological genetics explores the adjustments and adaptations of wild populations to their environment. We will use the primary literature to explore how diverse organisms are actually evolving in nature, and challenge the traditional divide between evolution and ecology.
*OEB 311. Ecosystem Ecology 6416
P. R. Moorcroft
*OEB 312. Evolutionary Ecology 2029
K. Donohue
*OEB 313. Paleobiological Approaches to Evolution and Ecology - (New Course) 6679
C.R. Marshall 2823
*OEB 325. Marine Biology 4643
R.M. Woollacott
*OEB 334. Behavioral Ecology 8279
N.E. Pierce
*OEB 335. Ichthyology and Functional Anatomy of Fishes 4640
K.F. Liem 3843
*OEB 339. Whole-Plant Physiology 5214
N.M. Holbrook
*OEB 343. Microbial Ecology and Symbiosis 1288
C.M. Cavanaugh
*OEB 345. Biological Oceanography 4676
J.J. McCarthy
*OEB 355. Evolutionary Developmental Biology 9192
J. Hanken (on leave fall term)
*OEB 359. Paleobotany 0248
A.H. Knoll
*OEB 363. Plant Diversity and Evolution 0001
C.C. Davis
*OEB 364. Ecological Physiology of Microbes 0002
P. R. Girguis
*OEB 366. Ecological Genetics and Mycology 0004
A. Pringle
*OEB 367. Evolutionary and Ecological Diversity 0420
J. Losos
*OEB 399. Topics in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology 0764
C.M. Cavanaugh Fall W, 5–7 pm
Presents the research interests and experiences of scientists in organismic and evolutionary biology. Specific topics treated vary from year to year.
Note: Required of all first-year graduate students in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology.
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