This is the second semester of a two semester introductory biology course for majors, designed to accompany BSC 2011. The lab provides hands-on experience and interactive exercises in genetics, ecology and evolution. Students study the pattern of inheritance of genetic traits through three generations of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Modern biotechnological techniques, including cloning of plasmids by the bacterium E. coli, agarose gel electrophoresis, and amplification of human genes by polymerase chain reaction are performed. Ecological concepts are elucidated through laboratory exercises, interactive computer programs, and field studies. Students investigate the distribution of individuals within populations, patterns of population growth and demography, species interactions and species richness within ecological communities. Ecological concepts are reviewed while observing the devastating ecological consequences of invasive species on native ecosystems. Evolutionary processes are discussed in association with study of adaptation in plants and animals. Scientific writing and the statistical analysis of biological data are also emphasized.

   Biology, 7th edition, by Campbell and Reece, 2005 (Benjamin Cummings) has been selected as the text for BSC 2011.