Fundamental physiological and metabolic processes of archaea bacteria and fungi with a strong emphasis on prokaryotes. Literature-based course with lab. Topics include regulation and coordination of microbial metabolism, bacterial cell cycle, global control of gene expression, signal transduction, and microbial cell differentiation. Introductory microbiology and microbiology lab and one semester of genetics recommended. Lab.

Structure, organization, replication, dynamics, and expression of genetic information in eukaryotes. Focus on molecular genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression and its control; molecular genetic control of cell division and differentiation during development. One semester of genetics recommended.

Mechanisms of genetic change in plant evolution, both in nature and under human influence. Topics include neo-Darwinian theory; speciation and hybridization; origins and co-evolution of nuclear and organelle genomes; gene and genome evolution; transposable elements; chromosome rearrangements; polyploidy; genetic modification. Lab introduces methods in information gathering, bioinformatics, genome analysis, plant breeding, and genetic manipulation. One semester of genetics recommended prior to taking this course. Lab.

Management of natural resources requires the effective involvement of stakeholder and community groups that often have differing perspectives on the path ahead. This course provides a foundation for students from various disciplines to develop a fundamental understanding of the theory and practice of stakeholder and community engagement in natural resource management across a range of ecosystem and governance scales (with a focus on the US Northeast). Students will explore various case studies and track topics of interest throughout the course.