harlan thompson (david mccallum) is the head of the biology department at southwestern university, which seems to be a small school located in an isolated southern california town. though he dresses casually and socializes with the students, he is frequently at odds with his fellow professors and the administrators, viewing them as shallow, elitist snobs who are more interested in status than education. however, he takes a semi-liking to a young and newly hired biology professor, michael fitzgerald (george wyner), and tries to stop him from being sucked into the system. the only other su employee who harlan seems to have any use for is his ex-girlfriend caroline donaghue (sandra mccabe). the two have recently broken up, but remain on good terms and have not closed the door on the possibility of reconciliation.